61 Ramsbottom United v Frickley

rammy news

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v FRICKLEY 21-04-15

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Sat 16th Aug Tues 19th Aug Sat 23rd Aug Mon 25th Aug Sat 30th Aug Tues 2nd Sept Sat 6th Sept Wed 10th Sept Sat 13th Sept Tues 16th Sept Sat 20th Sept Tues 23rd Sept Sat 27th Sept Sat 4th Oct Sat 11th Oct Sat 18th Oct Tues 21st Oct Sat 25th Oct Sat 1st Nov Tues 4th Nov Sat 8th Nov Tues 11th Nov Sat 15th Nov Sat 22nd Nov Tues 25th Nov Sat 29th Nov Tues 2nd Dec Sat 6th Dec Mon 8th Dec Sat 13th Dec Sat 20th Dec Sun 28th Dec Thu 1st Jan Tues 27th Jan Tues 10th Feb Sat 14th Feb Tues 17th Feb Sat 21st Feb Tues 24th Feb Sat 28th Feb Sat 7th Mar Tues 10th Mar Sat 14th Mar Tues 17th Mar Thurs 19th Mar Sat 21st Mar Tues 24th Mar Sat 28th Mar Sat 4th April Mon 6th April Weds 8th April Sat 11th April Tues 14th April Thur 16th April Sat 18th April Tues 21st April Thur 23rd April Sat 25th April

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H KING’S LYNN TOWN A Workington A Rushall Olympic H NANTWICH TOWN A FC United of Manchester H MARINE H STAMFORD A Whitby Town A Buxton FAC 1Q H WITTON ALBION A Ilkeston H CURZON ASHTON A Frickley Athletic A Trafford H BELPER TOWN H BUXTON H WHITBY TOWN A Marine A Whitby Town FAT 1Q H WORKINGTON A Halesowen Town H WEST DIDS Lancs Cup A Nantwich FAT 2Q H GRANTHAM TOWN H BURSCOUGH Lg Cup A Banbury United A Salford City Lg Cup A Matlock Town A Atherton Collieries Lancs H STOCKPORT COUNTY A King’s Lynn Town H SKELMERSDALE A Nantwich Town H NORTHWICH VIC LgCup H HARROGATE RA LgCup A Stamford H RUSHALL OLYMPIC A Witton Albion A Blyth Spartans H ILKESTON A Skelmersdale United A Stourbridge H STOURBRIDGE A Buxton H BLYTH SPARTANS A Belper H BARWELL A Grantham Town H FC UNITED OF MCR A Ashton United H FARSLEY LgCup SemiFinal H HALESOWEN TOWN H ASHTON UNITED A Curzon Ashton A Barwell H FRICKLEY ATHLETIC H TRAFFORD H MATLOCK TOWN

2-3 0-1 4-2 1-4 1-3 3-2 3-1 0-2 2-3 3-2 4-2 1-1 2-4 1-0 4-2 2-0 4-0 3-1 2-1 1-1 0-2 3-0 3-1 3-1 5-1 3-0 3-1 1-1 1-2 3-0 1-2 0-3 2-3 3-1 3-1 1-1 2-3 1-2 0-2 1-2 0-3 2-1 0-1 1-1 3-3 2-1 0-1 1-0 0-2 0-1 1-2 1-1 0-3 0-1 4-3

322 Shenton 415 Shenton 161 Shenton 365 Shenton 1917 Shenton 250 Shenton 357 Shenton 265 Shenton 261 Shenton 231 Shenton 422 Shenton 309 Shenton 215 Shenton 294 Shenton 371 Shenton 470 Shenton 237 Shenton 366 Shenton 233 Shenton 250 Shenton 358 Shenton 132 Shenton 238 Shenton 351 Shenton 140 Shenton 235 Shenton 189 Shenton 257 Shenton 120 Shenton 907 Shenton 510 Shenton 372 Shenton 285 Shenton 158 Shenton 131 Shenton 319 Shenton 223 Shenton 349 Shenton 364 Shenton 290 Shenton 229 Shenton 230 Shenton 261 Shenton 197 Shenton 234 Shenton 221 Shenton 182 Shenton 191 Shenton 2104 Shenton 237 Shenton 189 Shenton 242 Shenton 212 Shenton 183 Shenton 175 Shenton

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Hello everyone, and welcome to the Harry Williams Riverside Stadium for this evening’s league game against Frickley. I’d like to extend a warm welcome the match officials as well as everyone associated with Frickley - I hope you enjoy your short visit to East Lancashire and that you have a safe journey home after the match.

Saturday saw us finally post the necessary points on the board to stave off our fears of relegation - which it was a relief for us to achieve ahead of this week, and eases the pressure for us enormously. We know all too well how Frickley must be feeling at the moment and how they will need to approach tonight’s game. As for us, now that the pressure has eased on the lads you may just see them relax and start to enjoy their football a bit more over the next three matches.

It’s been a tough few months for everyone at Rammy and it was good to be able to sit back on Sunday and reflect that our target of staying in the league has been achieved. e players, management and also our outstanding supporters are a real Rammy Family, and have stuck with us through some pretty tough times recently. Now that the dust is settling on an horrendous ordeal of a season, we have a little space to take stock and start to rebuild for next season, hopefully to get us nearer to the standard of football that Rammy deserves.

As my role is now one of management I’ve decided that I’ll be hanging up my boots at the end of this season. I’ve made 207 appearances for the Rams over the last six seasons, but it has been extremely difficult trying to manage a team from a position on the pitch. Molly and Edgy have done a great job from the touchline (except when Edgy’s been playing himself) but it needs us all to concentrate properly on that job now, and bring in the players to allow us to do that.

I’d just like to mention the great atmosphere that was whipped up by everyone for the Barwell game. With the club giving everyone half-price travel we had a coach-load of Ultras, all bedecked in ‘s**t shirts’ which were absolutely brilliant.

I’m not going to lie, I did ask Carlsberg if I could borrow his outfit for the next team bash! I’d like to hope that we did everyone proud down there in the Midlands, and for tired legs to go out and get us those all important points in a 4-3 win will hopefully live long in everyone’s memories.

Whatever happens tonight, I hope that everyone enjoys the game and wish Frickley the best of luck with their battle to avoid relegation. Next weekend they’re at Curzon Ashton so they probably see tonight as the better chance to scrape to safety, but it’s not in our nature to go at a game halfhearted, so we will be all out to win tonight.

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tony cunningham and the wonderful world of non-league football Welcome to the Harry Williams Riverside Stadium. A special welcome to today’s match officials, and of course, our visitors, Frickley Athletic who are, like many other clubs this season, making their first ever visit to the Harry Williams Riverside Stadium.

PHEW! Tonight’s game promised to be a real nail-biter, and for Frickley it still is. From our point of view, we can actually breathe a sigh of relief after gathering the points we needed to stay up at Barwell on Saturday.

In 90 minutes down there we managed to score more goals than we had done in the previous eight games, emphasising where our recent problems had been centred. ere had been a feeling of doubt building up around the club as the games in hand began to disappear and not be replaced by additional points on the board. Whilst it was generally accepted that we would probably not be going down, football can play some nasty tricks. I’ve seen teams, over the years, dragged into a relegation battle when a matter of weeks earlier they looked completely safe. Such was the danger here at Ramsbottom, but to be fair, the results haven’t exactly

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matched the performances. Had they done so, then we would have been showing much more concern.

However, until the maths adds up, doubt will always exist, and Saturday finally removed any, and after the traumas of the campaign, we can look forward to competing at this level again next season.

For that we should congratulate Robbo, his coaching staff and the squad, many of whom were not here as the season began.

Back in those dark days of January, survival was all we asked for. At last we now have it and the feeling of relief is almost akin to that of winning promotion at Bamber Bridge last May (almost but not quite!)

For today’s visitors, however, relegation is still a possibility. Should they win tonight then they are safe. Defeat, however, would mean that Saturday’s home clash with promotion-chasing Curzon Ashton takes on a whole new meaning.

It has been a fascinating season, and so many issues will go down to the final game of the season. at’s how it should be. Not just in this Division, but throughout football. ere will be shrieks of delight come five o’clock on Saturday night from certain quarters, while elsewhere groans and frustration will follow. Such is football, and I’ll be scrutinising the scores from around the country with great interest.

Don’t you just love it?!

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Congratulations to Robbo and his coaching staff for getting us another chance in the Evostik Premier

CONGRATULATIONS ….to a couple of our old boys.

Chris Wilcock has followed up taking Glossop North End to Wembley for the FA Vase Final with promotion to the Evo-Stik League, and that on the back of a run of games that has made our end of season look like a walk in the park! Well done to him, and many congrats to our old friends at Surrey Street.

A little closer to home, and it was Micky Saunders turn to lift some silver-wear as his current club Haslingden St Mary’s won the West Lancs League Second Division in some style, beating their only rivals Ladybridge 41 in front of a healthy crowd of around 150.

As usual, I was unable to travel to Barwell, so I ventured up to see our close neighbours, and a fine game it was too with some excellent goals. Mickey nearly toppled over

when they presented him with the trophy. I swear it was as big as him! I also enjoyed the tweets that I kept receiving from Leicestershire, although there were one or two worrying moments. All-in-all though, a good day for the valley.

I expect our crowd will be somewhat thin tonight as Bury are offering free admission for their re-arranged home game with Southend United. I seriously wish them well in their quest for automatic promotion.

Hopefully, ursday’s game with Trafford will attract many more.

Until then, enjoy tonight’s entertainment, and at least we can do so in the knowledge that our place for next season is already assured.

Enjoy your non-league football!

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Good evening and welcome to HWRS everyone from Frickley FC for this evenings game.

Well it's been a rollercoaster four and a half months and our game at Barwell on Saturday summed up what that time has been like within just 90 sahort minutes of football. It went from the joy to despair and back again, which culminated in a massive three points and guaranteed football at this level again next season. e lads played well on the day against a big and strong Barwell side on a difficult, bobbly pitch. It was a game in which we played the better football and other than two soft penalties which we gifted them we fully deserved the win. e journey home was great and I was really pleased for the fans who have had to deal with a lot this season and they have stuck by us and the players through the good and bad since the turn of the year, but they've always made plenty of noise and got behind the team so that was for them.

Having taken over we knew it was going to be tough bringing in so many new faces and getting them to settle in and pick up results in a very competitive division but the lads deserve massive credit. ey have been some testing times, but the players have showed great resilience and team spirit which has seen us through to safety. We now want to finish as high as we can with three home games this week, we want to finish on a high and hopefully play with abit more freedom because our home form hasn't been great by any means and we need to change that starting tonight.

Going forward Robbo and I are already planning for next season and are looking at improving the squad, whilst also keeping that great team spirit that we've now got, but adding quality in certain areas to give us a better chance of pushing on next season.

Our opponents tonight are still in the relegation dogfight and we know that they will come here and give everything they've got to get a win which will be a huge boost to their survival hopes. We are desperate to finish well and momentum is a big thing in football and the lads know we want to take as many points as possible from now until the end and finish really positively.

Enjoy the game!

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the offside rule

is nothing safe from FIFA meddling?

H

ere we go again! Just when you thought they’d got bored of messing with e Beautiful Game, yet another strange and unnecessary ruling has been handed down from football’s equivalent of e Vatican, tinkering yet again with everyone’s old favourite e Offside Rule. Not content with turning goalkeepers into harrassed and harried nervous wrecks who now have to be able to half-volley a ball up-field with their wrong foot, or forcing players to get off the pitch if they choose to receive treatment for an injury (often prefering to struggle on to the detriment of their own health), this

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latest gem from FIFA is confusing the socks off everyone across football, and is causing the match officials to come in for no end of stick when they apply the rule to its letter, as we saw last week in our game against Ashton United. “ey changed the offside-rule, “ I hear you cry, “It’s the first I’ve heard of it!”

And I’ll be honest, it was the first I’d heard of it when the boys over the farside tried to explain the strange, confusing and occasionally bizarre decisions coming out of the linesmen and referee. at’s when I reckoned it was time to investigate, so pull up a chair and join us while we figure out just what the heck is going on.

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First stop on the tour of rule-making central sees us visiting the website of the International Football Association Board. e IFAB are apparently the people who felt it necessary to bring us such gems are “Jerseys must have sleeves” in 2002, and the infamous and almost completely pointless back-pass rule for which an “indirect freekick is awarded”.

It seems that the IFAB was first convened way back in 1886 when the English FA felt that they needed to talk to the Irish, Scots and Welsh about standardising the game across the British Isles. Anyone who’s ever seen the Highland game of Shinty will know exactly what would have happened if ‘e Provinces’ were left to their own devices lots of drinking, running and fighting with little more than bruises and shattered teeth to show for it!

Although FIFA was created in 1904, the inner mysteries of rule-making and tinkering have remained the domain of the, virtually

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unchanged IFAB ever since. Nowadays the panel comprises representatives of the England FA along with the Welsh, Scottish and Northern Irish and a slack handful of FIFA folks (who presumably aren’t just there for the free lunch).

Sandwiches are eaten by balding men in suits who mumble amongst themselves, and after a suitably important seeming delay, a load of changes to the laws of the game emerge from the cigar smoke like Wayne Rooney’s forehead rising up through the treeline. I can count 26 members of the panel in the photo I found on their website, and it has to be noted as an aside that one of them looks disturbingly like our very own Tony Cunningham, the Riverside p.a. announcer.

So they’re the decision-makers, and presumably some of them know a little bit about the game of football, so let’s have a look at the text of the infamous Rule 11, or Offside Rule as we all know it...

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Offside position It is not an offence in itself to be in an offside position.

A player is in an offside position if: - he is nearer to his opponents' goal line than both the ball and the second-last opponent A player is not in an offside position if: - he is in his own half of the field of play or - he is level with the second-last opponent or - he is level with the last two opponents Offence A player in an offside position is only penalised if, at the moment the ball touches or is played by one of his team, he is, in the opinion of the referee, involved in active play by: - interfering with play or - interfering with an opponent or - gaining an advantage by being in that position No offence There is no offside offence if a player receives the ball directly from: - a goal kick - a throw-in - a corner kick Infringements and sanctions In the event of an offside offence, the referee awards an indirect free kick to the opposing team to be taken from the place where the infringement occurred (see Law 13 - Position of free kick).

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No-one will let me have a photo of Ander Herrera’s goal for United at Preston, so I’ve had to break out the felt-tips.

Rooney, although offside, pulled out of the way of the shot, and the goal counted

So that’s the rule which is causing so much trouble. It’s the rule which is supposedly so difficult to interpret that a storm of controversy was whipped up at my beloved Deepdale when Rooney unsighted the Northend keeper whilst in an off-side position, but was deemed to not be “involved in active play” or “gaining an advantage by being in that position”.

Whatever the decision, Ander Herrera tucked away the equaliser and the Mancs went on to win the game.

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On the face of it I don’t see anything that seems particularly contentious in the wording, but we are starting to see some strange decisions coming across on the pitch. What is it that I’m missing in that simple couple of paragraphs?

Our attention turns to Hellmut Krug, who is a Deustsche Fussball Liga refereeing expert who believes that the new wording will reduce the number of contentious decisions.

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“One of the changes defines more precisely when a player is actively involved in the game. Previously, just a movement or a gesture was enough for the referee to claim he was interfering and blow for offside. at left a lot of room for interpretation. e new definition means that a player only becomes active if he attacks or puts under pressure a defender who wants to clear the ball. Just a minor acton is no longer enough to make him active and therefore offside.”

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So the act of being in a distracting position isn’t enough for the referee to blow - hence the Rooney goal at Deepdale: although Rooney was a world-class striker standing just feet from the keeper, he wasn’t active and therefore not offside.

What if the offside player is in the way of the pass you’re trying to make, or in a position to put pressure on that player? Is that seen to be gaining an advantage? at’s a point for debate it would seem, and for the referee’s discretion.

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Krug continues, “e second clarification is about differentiating between an intentional and unintentional intervention by a defender. is is important: an intentional intervention by the defender means the attacker is now onside. If, on the other hand, a defender deflects a shot and the ball bounces to the attacker without his knowing, then there is no new interpretation of the rule and the attacker remains offside.”

Yes, you are hearing it right - the referee has to try and decide in the blink of an eye whether the defender meant to touch the ball through onto the toe of the off-side striker.If he did then the striker is on-side (presumably the defender is just rubbish) and free to side-foot home past the keeper! Does this mean that as soon as the defender touches the ball, all those off-side players are now suddenly on-side again? I’m more confused than ever! at’s Hellmut Krug’s take on it, which sounds very much like he’s towing the party line, but how in particular did the rule change manifest so awkwardly at Rammy v Ashton last week? e best example we could find of it is the photo of Robbo making a run into the box a couple of pages ago. e linesman had decided that Robbo was off-side, and the referee had broken into a leisurely stroll as he put the whistle to his mouth and waited... and waited... and it was only when Robbo actually touched the ball that it was time to blow the whistle and call play to a halt.

Now this didn’t happen once or twice, it happened over and over and over again, almost twenty times in all - the referee

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waiting each time until the offending player physically touched the ball before blowing his whistle! What possible purpose could this unnecessary and repeated delay have?

It means players think they are on-side, and race thirty yards for the ball for absolutely nothing, while the fans watch attack after attack that is never going to go anywhere, yet the referee lets it continue until the inevitable moment when the offside player touches the ball or ‘interferes with’ the defender. Maybe once or twice the ball creeps through to the keeper, but referees could let those go anyway. e biggest side-effect is that the supporters haven’t got a clue why the officials seem to be making such a load of bonkers decisions, letting the players run themselves into the ground almost for the sheer satisfaction of dragging them all the way back for a free kick.

Mumblings of “ey were the worst officials I’ve seen in a very long time” were accompanied by a lot of more choice language hurled at the men in black, and all because they were the officials who seemed to be applying the absolute letter of the law... and here’s the really mad thing - I’ve had a good rootle around and I don’t even think that the “wait til he touches the ball before blowing the whistle” is in the latest round of rule ‘updates’. at looks to be from a previous session of the IFAB! Now I freely admit that I’m no referee, and I’m no expert on interpreting and applying the laws of football, so I’d be very interested to hear if I’m barking up the

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striker A is apparently not offside - presumably the keeper just has to ignore him until a defender intentionally touches the ball and he becomes magically onside

even if striker A runs to the ball, he’s not offside unless he touches it - a fact which the keeper doesn’t know and so will have to defend against

wrong tree with my understanding of all this. Hopefully the fellas sitting in the changing room flicking through the programme before they come out to officiate tonight’s match understand all of this a heck of a lot better than me... do you lads?

I’d like to hope that, after a whole load of strange rule changes that seem to have done damage to the game, the IFAB will stop messing trying to fix something that isn’t broke, but I fear that there will be more to come over the next few seasons - apparently sin bins are on the agenda for the next meeting - God help us!

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frickley west yorkshire’s coal miners West Yorkshire Frickley were formed in 1910 as Frickley Colliery FC and was part of Frickley Athletic Club of Frickley Colliery, who were owned by the Carlton Main Company, a model maker. e club offered other sporting activities that included, the ‘Harriers’ athletic team and a cricket team, which had become the origins of many other football clubs. For sixty years ‘e Blues’, nicknamed due to their tradition of wearing blue at home, played in local leagues that included, the Sheffield Association, the old Midland League and the Cheshire County League.

In 1970 ‘e Blues’ moved back to the reformed Midland Counties League and in 1974 changed their name to Frickley Athletic FC, which signalled a rise up the non-league ladder. ey were accepted into the Northern Premier League in 1976 after success in the Midland League Cup, but this stay was to be a short one. After a third place finish in the 1979/80 season and with Westfield Lane, their home ground, being given a ‘B’ grading, Frickley replaced Redditch United in the Alliance Premier League, which is now known as the Vanarama Conference.

In 1985/86, Frickley had their most successful season to date, which saw them reach the third round proper of the FA Cup, defeating Football League opposition in the form of Hartlepool United, before being knocked out by local rivals Rotherham United. e season also saw ‘e Blues’ lift the Sheffield & Hallamshire Senior Cup and

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they also finished second, in the newly named Gola League, with then manager Sean Marshall being voted as ‘Gola League Manager of the Year’. Unfortunately the successes of the previous year were a distant memory when Frickley finished second from bottom in the league the following season and were relegated to the Northern Premier League.

Upon relegation the club consistently finished around mid-table in the Northern Premier League, but fortunes seemed to change in the mid 1990’s and after a third successive sixteenth position in 2000, they appointed former Barnsley and Newcastle United player Stewart Barrowclough to the managerial hot seat. e change in management brought a number of new young players to Frickley, but it appeared they were not up to the challenge, and a twelve nil reverse at Worksop Town, led to Barrowclough’s short reign ending. e next five years saw a number of managers come and go at Westfield Lane, but in 2006 the ‘e Blues’ enjoyed their best season for twenty years, when they finished as runners-up, just three points behind champions Blyth Spartans. is seemed to knock the stuffing out of Frickley, as they were defeated on penalties by North Ferriby United in the Play-Off Semi-Finals, an incredible fourth time that season that they had lost in this way. is harrowing defeat again signalled a downturn in fortunes for the club, which saw them go through five

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different managers in quick succession. e last of these, Peter Rinkcavage, who had joined from Worksop Town, was dismissed at the end of the 2011/12 season, which saw Frickley finish in the bottom three, but avoid relegation at the expense of Northwich Victoria, who dropped down due to their on-going financial problems.

In May 2012 ‘e Blues appointed Karl Rose as their new manager, recruiting the former Barnsley striker from Goole AFC. Along with assistant manager James Dudgeon, the task in hand for the young duo was a big one, as they only had one registered player from the previous season.

After a slow start to their first season in charge they managed to assemble a competitive side that finished eighteenth in the league and they also won the Sheffield and Hallamshire Senior Cup for the first time

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in nine seasons. Last season Frickley Athletic finished just above the relegation places in twenty-first place. ere are some similarities between the Rams and Frickley, particularly their home ground Westfield Lane, the stadium is situated next to Frickley Colliery Cricket Club. Frickley are planning to redevelop the ground along with the surrounding area in a £17 million regeneration of the former Frickley colliery site. e Blues are currently sitting in twentieth position in the Northern Premier League, one point behind the Rams. e encounter earlier in the season between these two sides saw Frickley run out 4-2 winners, so hopefully we are in for an entertaining game this evening.

- words by Gareth Bird

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Ben Simpson (Goalkeeper) Aged 29 Previous Clubs; Brigg Town Goalkeeper Simpson is now in his second spell with the club after re-joining the club in November 2013. His first spell, in which he played for Frickley between 2009 and 2011, was ended by a serious injury, but having regained full fitness, he is now back between the sticks.

Gavin Allott (Striker) Aged 28 Previous Clubs; Belper Town, Dinnington Town, Parkgate, Goole AFC, Guiseley & Worksop Parramore.

Allott signed for Frickley in July 2012 and certainly has experience in the Non-League game, playing at a number of levels. He is a prolific striker and was the clubs top goal scorer last season with thirty goals. is is a player that defenders certainly need to keep their eye on.

Reece ompson (Striker) Aged 21 Previous Clubs; Lincoln City, Retford United Exciting striker ompson joined Frickley from Retford United in mid-October. Since then he has proved to be an important addition to the side, scoring a number of important goals. e youngster has now formed a deadly partnership with fellow striker Gavin Allott.

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four to watch

Luke Jeffs (Defender) Aged 31 Previous Clubs; Goole AFC Jeffs followed the management team when they left Goole to join e Blues in the summer of 2012. In his time at Goole, the experienced defender made over 200 appearances. Surely his influence will have a major impact on Athletics backline this season.

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meet the away fan michael johnson fills us in What's the mood like in the Frickley camp at the moment?

We’re all very confused. We're used to being perennial relegation fodder, usually in the bottom three and desperate for every point.

We've been down there again (and have found ourselves back down there) but we've been as high as twelfth at one point this season (we all got nosebleeds!) after a good little run, then lost a few and dropped down then went on nice run again which unfortunately ended with the loss against Barwell.

Are things going to plan would you say?

I'd probably say that things were starting to come together a bit more than in previous seasons. We now seem to have a Plan B and we're not solely reliant on Big Gav (Allott) to pull us out of the mire What are your hopes for the rest of the season?

Mid table comfort would have been nice, not having to go into April wondering if we're reliant on a team in a different league going bust to save us (we've got previous!). is looks like it could be an exciting week all round though!

For you who are the players to watch at the moment, and why?

Reece ompson joined us a couple of months ago and he is very exciting - he can shift and he finds the net. He needs more protection from the officials though, he's only young & some of the more 'agricultural' defenders in this league leave their mark (shall

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we say). John Cyrus (JC) is one of our centre halves and I don't think he knows how good he is. I love watching the bloke play (even though I'm usually up the other end).

Obviously you can never take your eyes off Big Gav, but I think the main talking point for us all has been the comeback of Matty Bloor from an absolutely horrible injury against Brigg in the Doodson Cup last season (which caused the game to be abandoned) - you could see against Barwell that he's getting back to his previous level of performance. You can count the number of poor games that's he's had for us on one finger. He's the captain that every team needs. PS forget it, they're all on contract!

How long have you been a supporter?

Forty plus years (although I barely look old enough). My dad used to do the books for Frickley when I was a nipper and they gave him a complimentary season ticket every year to say thanks - but he worked most Saturday afternoons and could only make midweekers so after he'd taken me to a few matches he asked if I could have the season ticket instead of him, and that was me hooked

What are your most memorable times with the club, and what sticks out for you this season?

A couple of occasions stand out. Beating Hartlepool away in 1985 in the FA Cup second round is one of them. ey were unbeaten at home that year and were top of their league.

It was around the time of the miners’ strike

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“We were all very confused.

We’re so used to being perennial relegation fodder!” too which added a little something to the atmosphere (to say the least) and we beat them 1-0. e supporters’ coaches went home with extra ventilation in the windows but we didn't care (although the coach company probably did). Around the same time (85-86 season) we had our best season when we finished second in the Gola League (previously the Alliance League, currently the Conference!). We had a cracking team that season - Sean Marshall was player manager. e last game of the season was on a Bank Holiday Monday and we had to travel to

Yeovil and we had to win to finish second nice fixture planning Gola League, a nice steady 900 mile round trip on a Bank Holiday!

Turned out to one of those games when you thought no matter what we did we weren't going to score. But with about 10 mins left a cross came over and someone (it could have been our striker Wayne Noteman, it could have been their defender or keeper) put it in the onion bag. e hordes behind the goal (all 10 of us) invaded the pitch & that was pretty much job done, a great season. Being Frickley, we got relegated the following season!

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e stand out game this season for me would be the home victory against FCUM - we've never beaten them since they formed. We'd been abject (and that's being kind) in the previous game in the FA Cup against Farsley and I thought we were in for a caning again against FCUM. I was actually going to give the game a miss! True to form they went 1 nil up but then we really went for it and won 4-1, Gav got another hat trick. Our young “Ultra's” gave FCUM a run for their money on the singing front and noise level and it was generally a cracking game with a cracking atmosphere How would you change the club if you won the lottery?

Obviously I'd give Karl and Dudge an improved playing budget and probably do some work on the playing surface. It's been vastly improved over the last two seasons but there is still an infamous 'Frickley Bobble'. I'd renovate the Frank Hill Stand on the far side of the ground and cover behind the goals, But the main change I'd make would be to have some paid staff 'behind the scenes' to give the likes of Neil & Penny (who run the bar, wash the kit etc, etc) and many others a bit of a break. Also I'd put a covenant on the main stand so that it could never be altered or 'improved' - it's a classical wooden, atmospheric, old school stand.

How would you describe your supporters? ey're all diamonds, some maybe rough diamonds but diamonds none the less. Let's be honest, no-one follows Frickley for the glamour do they and I

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suspect we are seen as a bit intimidating by some - mainly because we're all true Yorkshire men and women who tend to say what we think. But get to know us and you would understand our sense of humour & what makes us tick.

How would you describe the town for any visitors, and what one word would you use to describe the ground catering?

I've lived in Sheffield for the last 15 years so I would struggle to do the 'tourist information' bit but from what I gather the streets of South Elmsall are paved with gold and the sun is always shining. Let's be honest, even Stevie Wonder could see that the old place is still struggling after atch did her damage, but that's life I'm afraid.

Regarding the catering - apparently a Norwegian ground hopper (we don't get many of them!) was at the Blyth match and said it was the best pie he'd ever had, and the local authority recently gave the snack bar a 5* rating. at's the other change that I'd make if I won the lottery - I'm a vegan so I'd make all the catering veggie or vegan! So the one word that I would use to describe the catering would have to be hyphenated good-chips!

Tell us a little bit about yourself...

I'm 51, Management Accountant for a social enterprise organisation in Sheffield, married to Sarah for 12 years and 11 months (trying to tie in a romantic anniversary break in Ashton with our away game on the 21st Feb), no kids, 3 dogs, 2 horses, 2 cats, very little of my own hair, all my own teeth, own house, own car, GSOH.

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Trigger Stephen & David Ste, Angie & Ethan Maria Mr & Mrs Darkside TobyTrotter Little Katie smiffylad Rammy Blue Chris S Johnno & Bernard Tony Cunningham Lui Delverto Rob Moss John Ayers Richard Isaacs Emma James Ian McCool Frank Crook Paul Gaskell Tanners Croft

£2 £2 £4 £1 £2 £1 £1 £1 £1 £2 £2 £1 £1 £2 £2 £2 £2 £2 £2 £5 £2

If you’d like to join in (you get your name in the programme and receive your very own signed team photo as a thankyou) then please make your pledge on the club forum, email rob.sax@musician.org or call Rob on 07944 038512 e Fans Fund total currently stands at £854

goal sponsorship

We’d like to thank the following people who have already pledged to sponsor the team for every goal scored for the remainder of the season.

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George Bowye 0 24

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yer

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tony’s teasers 1. Alan Devonshire has just left his post of manager of which club?

2. Who has been appointed the manager of newly formed Hereford FC? 3. In which county do Coalville Town play?

4. Which colours do Loughborough Dynamo play in?

5. What is the nickname of Stafford Rangers?

6. Whose ground is situated in Bracken Moor lane?

7. Which club won the West Riding County Cup Final at Valley Parade?

8. Nicky Clee has just made his 250th appearance for which Conference club?

9. By what name will the Vanarama Conference be known next season?

10. What is the official title of former evo-Stik League club Cammell Laird?

ANSWERS: 1. Braintree Town 2. Peter Beadle 3. Leicestershire 4. Gold and Black 5. e Boro 6. Stocksbridge Park Steels 7. Bradford P.A. 8. Altrincham 9. Vanarama National League 10. Cammell Laird 1907 FC 0 24

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ere was a feeling of euphoria amongst the players and supporters of the Rams as this crucial victory preserved the club's status at Evo-Stik Premier level after a season of more ups and downs than the Big One at Blackpool Pleasure Beach.

After hitting the back of the net only three times in the last eight games, the Rams forwards reached over-drive down in Leicestershire, having been pegged back on three occasions, their heads failed to drop and substitute Luke Heron notched a fourth six minutes from time, with the closest the home team came to equalising again was a late effort that cannoned back off the bar.

In a highly entertaining encounter, playermanager Jon Robinson lit the touch-paper after only eight minutes when he was on hand to tuck home a fumble by the home keeper from Lee Gaskell's effort.

Four minutes later the scores were level as Ant Carney volleyed home from 12 yards. e Rams were awarded a penalty three minutes before the break. ese awards do not always result in conversions for the penalty-shy Rams, but Lee Neville took responsibility this time and fired home to give the visitors the lead once more.

Five minutes into the second half saw the hosts regain equality, and again it came from the spot. after Jamie Towers was upended. Carney duly converted.

Home keeper Liam Castle was again at fault as Robinson notched his second and the Rams third on 71 minutes, latching on to a poor clearance from the custodian.

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However, the customary quick reply duly arrived three minutes later, when the referee's over-worked finger again pointed to the spot after a touch of deja vu. Towers was once again brought down, and Carney, once again, notched another equaliser.

Most Rammy supporters would probably have settled for a point at this stage, but the fighting spirit amongst the squad saw them go out for an extra two points to finally stave off any remaining threat of relegation, and their reward duly arrived on 84 minutes.

Luke Heron had only just arrived from the substitute's bench when he found himself in the right place to convert a cross from Ronbinson and seal the points for the Rams.

Despite the late scare, the woodwork ensured that the long journey home would be made much shorter thanks to their status being preserved after a season to forget. ree home games this week complete the season, with the Rams now looking for a comfortable mid-table position.

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Kirkby Road Sports Ground 18th April 2015 Att: 175 Barwell Goals: Carney (5, 12, 74) Rammy Goals: Robinson (8, 71), Neville (42), Heron (84)

AN 7. B

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rammy in exile sky sports statto richard isaacs Good evening one and all - come down off the ceiling yet? And ...... breathe! e Rammy Rollercoaster of 2015 has been a serious white knuckle ride - one of those most vaunted of all scary ones.

Unlike the Rammy Rollercoasters of previous years where it has been a ride of epic proportions, the highs followed by more highs and even more highs, this year has been - well - the other emotions of worry, concern and fear. But, amazingly, having hit just three goals in eight games, a sensational four at Barwell on Saturday has ensured that this week is not one of bottom squeeziness but of relief of a job completed.

Even from my far off position, it has been concerning. Friends who have 'caught the Rammy bug' down here have been asking whats happened on seeing the league tables on Sky Sports News HQ or in the national papers. But, at last, we can breathe a little easier.

Of course, the hard work starts again now. e last four months or so have been the most traumatic of my involvement in Ramsbottom United. Managers come and managers go. I have seen a few come and go even in my short time of watching the Rams Sculpher, Hart, McLellan, Feeley (transferred to HMP FC), Williams (no, not Harry!). But none of them have had such an effect on

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the general running of the club than the departures in January of Johnson, Morley, Moses and the majority of our ultra-loyal squad. When we linked arms on 31st December 2014 and wished everyone a Happy New Year, little did we know that, in terms of our beloved football team, 2015 would commence with a defeat .... and then the capitulation.

So what Robbo and Edgy have achieved in the last four months already lifts them to legend status, given the extremely duff hand they were given, is nothing short of miraculous. To rebuild a squad in mid season, which they were forced to do as, one by one, our players rushed for the exits and joined the Manchester United play thing at Moor Lane is one of the hardest tasks you could have been thrust but the lads have achieved it - and finally staved off the fear of the drop from whence we came. ose memories of Darlington and Bamber Bridge can remain joyous ones.

Now security is completed, we can now focus on getting to the end of the season and Robbo, Edgy and the coaches can have a little while to size up pre-season and work on creating their own squad. I will take nothing away from the players who have finished this season with us - they have been fantastic in a very difficult cause and have done their very best. But this is now an opportunity for the management to shape their vision, create their own legacy.

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didn't book a one-way minibus trip to Ramsbottom ....... e cricket season has started, the football (and rugby) season edges to its conclusion. e sun is out - although it is actually still really cold as I found out on ursday and Friday whilst scoring my first cricket of the season and freezing throughout in the northerly wind.

Bloody northerners ... even their wind is horrible!

My final comment for tonight - is a thank you.

To our brilliant, loyal supporters who I believe made a huge difference at Barwell on Saturday.

We are the proper non-league supporters. We have seen some seriously fake ones this month but when it comes to real fans of your football club, ours have little comparison. Wonderful away support, passionate of our club. I saw it at Ashton United when I last came up. Worried, yes but still fully supportive. ere have been a few speed humps in the road and a few discerning voices .... but we made it in the end!

COME ON YOU RAMS!

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Bernard and Jonno wanted to create a legacy for the club. ey did - but it was all washed away when Neville, Neville, Giggs and co came acalling. What they created was a wonderful team spirit but they took it with them ... so really left us with nothing but fantastic memories and worries of where this season would climax. ankfully, it will end with us where we started - in this league.

And what a huge relief that is. I can tell you, as I stood taking picture of the Gales HSB Hampshire Plate rugby final at Chineham (near Basingstoke), my delight on seeing us win at Barwell was palpable. e weight of relief overpowering.

So, we have today, ursday and Saturday left.

A week which held so much fear ... now holds a relaxed state of mind but a hope that we can actually finish in mid-table, a position I expect we would have accepted pre-season.

We welcome Frickley Athletic tonight, a team we actually owe something to having turned us over having been 2-0 up. Let's hope that they

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î Łe Harry Williams Riverside Stadium 14th April 2015 Att: 212 Rammy Goals: Ashton Goals: Deegan (52), Johnson (81, 90)

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Ashton United just about deserved all 3 points which should guarantee them a play-off place but should feel themselves both fortunate and more than flattered by the final scoreline. e Rams largely dominated the first 45 minutes playing some of their most constructive and progressive football of the current era . Had Jon Robinson been able to match precision with power first with a header and later with a volley they could easily have gone into the break with a deserved and perhaps comfortable lead.

However they were too often thwarted by a well marshalled Ashton defence who presented the best organised back line in red since Rorke's Drift aided and abetted by linesmen whose penchant for the offside flag, 20 in all against the Rams, suggested they were auditioning for the Royal Navy corps of semaphore signallers. e visitors had also showed that they were quick and sharp on the break but it took a combination of a poor clearance and a momentary loss of laser like precision from the linesman to gift them the opening goal 7 minutes into the second half. By common consent up to and including senior Ashton officials Ben Deegan was well offside when put through but from the moment he raced clear from his advanced starting position there was no doubt that the ball would end up where it finished - in the bottom corner. e Rams could not recapture their first half momentum. eir one, and truthfully, only chance of regaining parity fell to Lee Gaskell a few minutes later but his cross shot from a narrow angle swerved just the wrong side of the far post with the keeper beaten.

After that the Rams attacks were as irritating as e Riverside midges but no more likely to cause real hurt or alarm to the visitors. Any hope of a revival disappeared with 10 minutes left Dale Johnson having the easiest of chances after the Rams defence had been shredded down the left. en in added on time to add a bit of insult to injury the substitute was given the benefit of the doubt with another offside flag, a marginal decision to the extent of at least 5 yards, and coolly shot past Grant Shenton.

So another disappointing evening down at the Riverside where you have to go all the way back the balmy late November autumn days to find a home win in the league. It will be quite typical of the Rams to pick up some points in the next two difficult away matches at Curzon Ashton and Barwell but the fear is that the season will go into its frantic last week of 3 home matches against a mixture of fellow struggling and relegated teams with them needing at least a win under real and mounting pressure. Squeaky posterior time!

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î Łe Harry Williams Riverside Stadium 14th April 2015 Att: 212 Rammy Goals: Ashton Goals: Deegan (52), Johnson (81, 90)

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from the darkside darren comer reports on the latest rammy ultras adventures Much like Top of the Pops and Tomorrow’s World in the 1970’s, following Rammy United seems to have been becoming a regular part of our ursday night schedules and one that I could get very used to, although I’m not sure that the players and their weary legs would agree. Last ursday saw us travelling the short distance to Curzon Ashton’s home, e TMBC Stadium (It actually stands for Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council, but I prefer the e Maracana Bernabau Calderon Stadium as the locals like to call it).

Summer had made an early arrival in Ramsbottom, and after a day of sunshine it seemed to me that ninety minutes of football would be the perfect end to the day. I had spent a good hour in the afternoon sat with Andy Massey in the Kay Brow gardens, drinking cups of tea and discussing subjects as far ranging as Boris Johnson, Winston Churchill and where you were more likely to get shot, Salford or Burnley, so by the time Ste and Angie Carlsberg arrived at 6.45 I was more

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than ready for an evening’s entertainment of NPL football.

We arrived at the ground just before 7.15, and took the opportunity of a quick photo shoot at the statue of outside the ground. Amazingly, the town of Ashton has the proud claim of having three World Cup winners born within its boundaries, Geoff Hurst and Jimmy Armfield who were in England’s 1966 winning team and Simone Perrotta, who won it with Italy in 2006. A proud claim indeed, but how many World Champion Black Pudding throwers have they produced? Not as many as Ramsbottom, so one-nil to us on that front. On entering the ground we were met by a very picturesque sunset, which was naturally forsaken to go for a quick pre-match pint in the bar/portacabin. As we drank our pints of Boddingtons (the cream of Manchester, my arse) the bar/portacabin started to fill with travelling Ultras and there seemed to be varying degrees of optimism within the ranks about our chances against the play off chasing, Nash (which is a wonderful nickname in my book).

To say this was a local derby between two teams who still had matters to sort out at both ends of the table, the attendance of just over 180 (many of who were from Ramsbottom) was a little disappointing to say the least.

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Just like Rhett Butler in Gone With the Wind, Lee Neville heads into the beautiful sunset

Despite this, I was impressed with the group of twenty or so Nash supporters who boosted the atmosphere with their flags and singing throughout the game and reminded me of our very own Rammy Ultras. An excellent effort on that front from the Curzon supporters.

On the subject of our supporters, I would like to take this opportunity to welcome our latest branch, e Rammy Ultras of Kilmarnock. Several of our games this season have been watched by

a young (well, young compared to many of us old farts) Kilmarnock supporter called Craig, who I first had the pleasure of meeting at our Lancashire Cup game at Atherton Colleries back in December.

Originally hailing from Kilmarnock in east Ayrshire, Craig moved to the Bury area for work reasons and has since spent his spare time ground hopping around the Greater Manchester/east Lancashire non-league circuit.

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from the darkside darren comer reports on the latest rammy ultras adventures Since then, Craig has been to several of our games and even proudly sports a Rammy scarf these days, so if you see a young Sweaty Sock (Jock) around the Riverside Stadium go and say hello to our Killie/Rammy Ultra. We might be a ‘tiny’ team but, the appeal of Ramsbottom United has now spread to Kilmarnock, Southampton, Chesterfield and, thanks to some of the town’s ex-pats, some overseas destinations.

I was especially thankful that we had some interesting characters on the terraces with us, as the on field action wasn’t much to write home about and the lads went in at half time

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trailing by 1-0. We did not particularly deserve to be losing but, by the same token we did not deserve to be winning either. e main talking point of the half was the appearance at the ground of a couple of very familiar faces at the other end of the terrace to where we were gathered, Messrs Anthony Johnson and Bernard Morley. Despite the well documented issues arising from the departures of these two Rammy legends, it was nice to see our supporters shaking hands and having a good old chinwag with the pair.

At least the poor first half performance from the Rams meant Salford would not be

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The Rammy Ultras of Kilmarnock, or Craig as he’s known to his mum

putting in a seven day notice on any our players in the near future for which we all breathed a huge sigh of relief. e second half saw a much needed improved performance from our lads, although Shents had to make some great saves to keep the difference between the teams down to just the one goal (think of the Buxton away game, but without a bitterly cold Derbyshire air). is meant it was a pretty tight and tense second half with Rammy creating a few chances to equalise, the best of which was a header from Robbo which, unfortunately, was saved by the Curzon keeper. e header from Robbo turned out to be the last action of the game and I have a feeling that if it had gone in the net, you would have heard the roar from the supporters back home in Ramsbottom.

So, with four games to play we still required another victory to seal our place in the Northern Premier League for next season and avoid the dreaded drop back to the First Divison. How this will end up is anybody’s guess, but (spoiler alert) lets just say that I’m writing these words you are reading through a post-Barwell, celebratory hangover.

Finally, a big birthday, shout out to Little Katie for this ursday. Katie is one of those supporters who works tirelessly in her support of the club, and one of those unsung heroes you only get at football clubs at this level. Have a good un and enjoy your pie ‘n’ peas, Little Katie

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Tameside Stadium Stadium 16th April 2015 Att: 183 Curzon Goals: Shaw (33) Rammy Goals:

Curzon Ashton edged closer to securing a play-off spot while at the same time maintained Ramsbottom's relegation worries with this victory which was much more comprehensive than the score-line would suggest.

Only visiting keeper Grant Shenton kept alive the Rams hopes of getting anything from this game with a string of brave stops, time and again thwarting the Blues forwards from close range as at times the Rams goal led a charmed life.

With both sides having played two days earlier and both playing their third game in six games, it wasn't surprising that the early pace was down, but from the beginning Ramsbottom looked like they were going to have to work hard to contain the Curzon forwards.It didn't take long for the chances to be created however and in the eighth minute Ashley Stott almost played in Niall Cummins, but Shenton got there first. His clearance went straight back to Stott who diverted the ball back towards Cummins but fortunately for the Rams, Cummins was offside having gone for the earlier pass.

Joe Guest then hit the side netting two minutes later after picking the ball up on the edge of the box and ghosting past a defender and then a great delivery by omas Souvemanien saw Stott fling himself at the ball but was just unable to reach it.

Another teasing delivery, this time from Lee Pugh just eluded Stott and Cummins as Curzon turned the screw, and they were beginning to frustrate Curzon as crosses were intercepted and defenders got in te way, but the breakthrough finally arrived on 33 minutes.

Ramsbottom had enjoyed a bit of possession, but Curzon suddenly broke out, Cummins crossing low for Stott, only to Shenton make a great save to turn the ball for a corner. It was a short reprieve though as Danny Shaw scored his second Curzon goal, heading low into the corner, giving the keeper no chance.

Ramsbottom survived a couple of half chances before the interval, but were grateful for a string of saves early in the second half as Curzon threatened to run riot.

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Tameside Stadium Stadium 16th April 2015 Att: 183 Curzon Goals: Shaw (33) Rammy Goals:

Within seconds of the restart a ball over the top sent Stott away down the right. He squared for Cummins who looked certain to score but his effort lacked power and Shenton made the save.

Jordan Wright then got round Lee Neville and crossed low for Stott, but again Shenton rescued his side and two minutes later the combination was repeated, with Stott again denied at close range and then a throw-in to Rowney lead to Guest crossing for Cummins but the striker missed the target with his header.

It was one way traffic as Wright again got in a cross. Shenton half stopped Stott's effort, the ball was cleared off the line and he then pounced on the ball as it ricocheted of Cummins' legs.

Two crosses from Wright and Stott were just begging to be converted but neither saw a Curzon player able to get to the ball and then Shenton again won the private dual with Stott after a fine pass by Pugh had played in the Curzon striker.

Shenton almost blotted his copybook as he spilled a 20 yarder from Alex Brown but he recovered the ball before the Curzon forwards could take advantage.

Having survived so many chances, Ramsbottom perhaps felt they could salvage a point and began to get more into the game, and a breakaway saw Donal McDermott get past Rowney but Danny Shaw got across as he pulled the trigger, diverting the Rams first real chance into the side netting.

Osebi Abadaki had their next effort, Hakan Burton getting down to gather the ball from a drive at his near post with ten minutes remaining, but Curzon went close to increasing their lead with when Mark Bett saw his shot deflected narrowly over the crossbar, before Shenton held on quite comfortably after Alex Brown bent a free kick over the wall.

Deep in stoppage time, the Curzon supporters could barely watch as the Rams won a corner, but seconds later it was cheers as the ball finished in Burton's arms and the final whistle blew.

It had been a hard earned victory which should have been a little easier but for the visiting goalkeeper, but at the end it was three priceless points as Curzon's promotion hopes stayed alive.

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grant shenton shouting from between the sticks A seven goal thriller down at Barwell, which surprised us given the lack of goals recently. How did it feel on the pitch?

It was a crazy game which didn't really feel like a proper match to me, it was hard to describe. Poor mistakes cost us three goals and hard work and hunger got us four so we got the three points we needed and that's all we wanted.

Tell us about the penalties at your end...

Both stone wall pens! And if it would have been a wet or at pitch I would have saved the second.

Mathematically safe from relegation now - did the lads breathe a sigh of relief after the game?

It was good to know that the three points we earned has kept us up. î Łe management team deserve this! And the players are very happy also.

It's been a long and diďŹƒcult second half to the season with a scratch team that was more or less thrown together. Is this now a time to start rebuilding properly with an eye on the medium and longer term future?

I think so. I don't speak for the management but if it

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was me in charge then the hard work for next season would have started on Sunday. I believe that the manage do share a similar out look.

In your relatively short career this must have been the toughest four months you've experienced. It's hard, isn't it.

It has been very tough for me personally I won't lie. From being 16 years old I've been involved in winning teams and the last four months have been very hard. I lost a lot of team mates which was very hard to swallow, but that being said I've made just as many with the new lads that have been brought in. But this is football at the end of the day and things change.

We now have Molly on board as a goalkeeping coach and general shoutyfella with a bit of experience. For us he looks to have been what we were missing, would you agree?

Molly coming in is very good for the changing room because he's neutral in terms of knowing the lads. Phil and john were already friends with everyone in the changing room before they took the job which I think can be hard. So it is good to have him around yeah.

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“It was a crazy game which didn’t feel like a proper match to me”

A tough game tonight against a Frickley side that still have it all to play for. How do you anticipate the game playing out?

Very tough opposition tonight as we saw away at their place - very direct and strong up front. ey need points so will be working very hard to get them.

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supporters club on the terraces of rammy So here we are, finally able to have a little sit back and catch our breath. I’m sure the players don’t feel quite like that with yet another rammed week of fixtures, but knowing we are safe must take so much pressure off their shoulders - pressure due to happenings before they even joined our club, let’s not forget. As Real Rammy fans (I’ll come to that in a minute) we’re more or less stuck with the fortunes of our club, be they up or down, but I think we owe a huge debt of gratitude to the players who’ve come in at short notice and managed, through hard work and commitment, to dig us out of a nasty hole. anks to their endeavour we are destined to play Evostik Premier football again next season. ey as yet owe no real allegiance to Rammy, but I’ve been very impressed with the way they’ve flung themselves into keeping Rammy up, and despite this not being a memorable season for the best of reasons, let’s give these lads their due.

Although I’d like to see Rammy take the points tonight, my thoughts are with the poor sods from Frickley, who as yet are in the same position as we were last week - unsure how it’s all going to turn out - we don’t envy you!

Now I’d like to say a word to the people who have come to watch tonight’s match

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when you could have stayed at home watching the telly, or gone to the free game that Bury are hosting a couple of miles up the road. It saddens me to look back through the photos I have taken over the past few season to see just how many bandwagon jumpers have got off the bus now that we’re not winning everything and pushing promotion. It’s easy to support a team that’s top and setting the league on fire, but a couple of months of adversity and they’ve all scarpered!

Just take a look at the photo opposite, which I took at the Ashton United game, and you see a stand that was full week-in week-out that has suddenly become virtually empty, and this is when the team truly need the support of their fans.

Tonight’s game is for the real fans, there’s no doubt about that. Frickley fans know all too well how it feels to surf the scummy tide-line of relegation, and their fans have come over to Rammy tonight in spite of it. e Rammy fans who are here tonight are the real supporters of this club - the ones who are here come rain or shine, but get forgotten or shuvved aside when we go on that big FA Cup run in a couple of season’s time and the whole of Bury jumps on the bandwagon. When Warrington did so well in the FA Cup the fans started appearing from the woodwork, while the BBC pointed the cameras at their painted faces and jester hats, not the real fans who’d been there the week before and are still

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When the going gets tough the girls blouses run off to do something else - loads of empty seats the second the bandwagon de-rails!

there now that the cameras have packed up and gone home again.

And so I’d like to thank everyone who’s reading this programme tonight for being the real lifeblood of non-league football.

Everyone from the players and club officials, the match officials, Emma who makes the brews right down to the fella with the dog who stands behind the goal you’re here to make sure that non-league football continues to exist, and I take my hat off to you. Let the sheeple who wear the United shirts all go and be dull carbon copies of one another because the real character in a person comes out when your team is struggling. How can you really understand the highs of promotion or of a big win if all you ever do is win? It doesn’t make sense if you’ve never lost! When we scored last week it felt almost as good as when we bagged the play-offs win at Bamber Bridge, because we’d struggled for so long without scoring and desperately

needed the points to avoid the drop.

Avoiding relegation is ten times the elation of getting promoted, and the part-timers who have wandered off into the mist are missing out on it all, on the real passion of football, and of life. e friendships you make, and the memories you share from the play-off wins are strong, but they’re nothing to those you made at Skem when we missed out on the play-offs, or at Witton Albion, which for me was the lowest point I’ve experienced as a Rammy fan. e success will return to the Riverside, I don’t doubt that, and with it will come the hoards of jester-hat-wearing idiots, like a bunch of kids following the circus into town, but have a look around you now because the people who have come tonight are the real life of this club, and they are the ones who are here when it gets tough or when it ain’t pretty.

Well done! Keep up the great support.

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Manager: Jon ROBINSON

Grant SHENTON Kyle HARROP Lee NEVILLE Jamie ROTHER Alex FROST Mark AYRES Osebi ABADAKI Matty BURKE Lee GASKELL Jon ROBINSON David KUBA-KUBA Ian BENNETT George BOWYER Tom WILLIAMS Luke HERON Callum JONES Tom BROOKS Phil EDGHILL Malachi SLAVEN

Manager: Karl ROSE

Ben SIMPSON James KAY MaCauley PARKINSON Jake STANNARD John CYRUS Jameel IBLE Brad Riley Matt BLOOR Reece THOMPSON Gavin ALLOTT Luke HINSLEY Luke HORNSLEY Luke JEFFS Bobby JOHNSON Chris SALT Sam LEIGH

Referee: David Benton Referee’s Assistants: Lee Freeman, Lee Hible

Next home game: ursday 23rd April 7:45pm, Rammy v Trafford Saturday 25th April 3pm, Rammy v Matlock Town

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