67 Ramsbottom United v Sutton Coldfield Town

Sutton Coldfield Main Programme_Standard Programme 03/09/2015 08:49 Page 1

05.09.15

Sutton Coldfield Main Programme_Standard Programme 03/09/2015 08:49 Page 2

Good afternoon everyone, and welcome

easy to shout abuse at a team that are los-

for this afternoon’s game against Sutton

the strength to encourage a team which is

to the Harry Williams Riverside Stadium Coldfield, this is the very first encounter between our two clubs. I’d like to extend a

warm Rammy welcome to our match officials as well as the players, management

and officials of Sutton Coldfield - I hope you enjoy your visit today, and have a safe journey home.

The last couple of games in particular

have been really disappointing for all of us, and I consider them to be a step in the

jon robinson

wrong direction. We have quite firm ideas

ing, but it takes real commitment to find

struggling to find its form, or which is not quite up to the job at hand. A number of players apologised to the fans for our per-

formance at Workington, and no-one feels the disappointment more than them, so to

have your support means a hell of a lot.

There will be a change of results over the

next few games, I have no doubt about that, and we will finally get this season kick-started.

After a lot of thought we’ve decided to

of how we’d like to see the team play, and

get out and bring in some new signings.

them, but our lack of belief and some real

over the last couple of matches, and after

we’ve been working towards achieving naivety in our defendeng have been the main issues, and this is where we aim to

improve most over the next week or two.

Injuries have added enormous pressure

on top of everything else, with our defence

decimated. Without a solid defence any

team will struggle, but to lose Dawson, Rother, Pugh, Jones, and now Meaney in

the middle has been a real disaster. Kyle Harrop has valiantly stepped in to give us

We have identified a few very weak areas

trying one or two things we’ve decided that we just don’t have the strength that we need in this squad. The paperwork is in

the process of being signed as I write this, so fingers crossed there should be 2-3 new

names

appearing

on

today’s

teamsheet. This, coupled with the other

lads’ return from injury, will hopefully transform our fortunes.

I’d like to say one final word about Grant

a bit of experience in there, but he’s by no

Spencer, who’s been a Rammy player for

The good news on the injury front is that

formances for the club. This season he’s

means a centre-half.

we hope to have four of those five players

back available for today’s game, which should give us a real boost.

Alex Meaney picked up a severe dead

leg in the game at Workington, and these

can be quite nasty. We’re hoping he’ll be

available today, but won’t know for sure

until the last minute. Alex has been an

inspiration for us in the midfield, and it’ll be very difficult if we have to manage without him.

I’d like to commend the supporters once

again for their understanding over the last

few weeks. It’s easy to support a team which is winning every week, and just as

a good few years, putting in over 140 per-

been struggling with a long-term injury which has seriously affected his ability to train and therefore his fitness. He’ll be the

first to admit that he’s been not doing jus-

tice to himself and to the Rammy faithful, and so has decided to take a break. On

his day Spenno is an incredible player who can create chances and goals out of

nothing, so I’d like to take this chance to

thank him for the time he’s spent at

Rammy and wish him well for the future.

Enjoy today’s game, please get behind

the lads, and fingers crossed we can finally get this season turned around.

Sutton Coldfield Main Programme_Standard Programme 03/09/2015 08:49 Page 3

tony cunningham

Sutton Coldfield Main Programme_Standard Programme 03/09/2015 08:49 Page 4

Welcome to the Harry Williams Riverside Stadium for this afternoon’s game, and a warm welcome to our match officials, and, of course, our visitors, Sutton Coldfield Town.

This is yet another “first meeting of our clubs”. We seem to have experienced such occasions many times over the last two years, so from our perspective, moving up the leagues has certainly seen us travel much further and meet many new friends within the football fraternity.

Sutton Coldfield are no exception, and I hope they enjoy their visit to East Lancashire – officials, player, management and supporters – and return back to the midlands with fond memories (That does not include the score-line of course!)

The experience we have enjoyed as a club over the last two seasons very much reflects all that is good about non-league football. No matter where we travel, we always seem to return with a feeling of gratitude to our hosts for the warm welcomes we receive. That is particularly pleasing when, for many of these hosts, they have never met us before.

In the NWCFL days, and to a certain extent in Evo-Stik North, it was the usual merry-go-round of trips to familiar grounds. Occasionally the personnel may have changed, but we went to many places expecting to see familiar figures who we had grown to know over the years.

Going up to new territories had us all wondering whether the camaraderie would be the same, and I’m delighted to report that it is.

I may not have the opportunity to travel to many away games, but those I can manage have always left me with a welcoming feeling. Those

I’ve missed have, by all accounts, looked after our party in the usual manner, which merely emphasises the beauty of non-league football.

In my early years of watching football, the only games I ever went to were Football League. Being a Bury season ticket holder, in my youth I followed the Shakers all over the country. One of my first jobs was as a sales rep, going all over the British Isles. You’d be amazed how many towns and cities I used to visit just as Bury happened to be playing an away game there! Indeed, in those days, away travel did not seem to be quite so prevalent, and I’ll swear I was the only Bury fan in the kop at Birmingham City when we won 1-0. I do remember someone punching me from behind that night, and me, rather foolishly turning round and threatening to smash whoever had done it.

Rather worrying to turn to see thousands of eyes staring down at one rather stupid lone supporter, but I got away with it!

I also saw them win 4-2 at Fulham,

Sutton Coldfield Main Programme_Standard Programme 03/09/2015 08:49 Page 5

Robbo scoring on just one of many rainy away days at Flixton on the

and there was just me and two other Bury fans in the ground.

But it’s a totally different experience at professional level. I still go down to Gigg when I get the chance, but in general at this level, parking is difficult, fans are jostled in and out of stadia, and there’s a lack of connection with the club other than during a game.

Whereas at one time if I had a loose Saturday afternoon or Tuesday evening, I’d scour the Football League fixtures for a game. Now I never bother.

A non-league match is much more

appealing, and it’s amazing how many times I roll up for a game as a neutral and find someone there that I know.

That’s the beauty of football at this level. My young grandson was mascot against Frickley, and as a result, a number of people turned up to see him and experience non-league football for the first time. It may not have been a classic, but each and every one of them commented how much they had enjoyed the afternoon.

Case proven!

grant shenton

Sutton Coldfield Main Programme_Standard Programme 03/09/2015 08:49 Page 6

Tell us about Monday's game at Workington, and talk us through the goals please.

For me it was a very bad day at the office and a very frustrating 90 minuets. Each goal was poor on our part and each goal could have been avoided.

We're struggling with injuries now, on top of everything else. Do you know what happened to Alex Meaney, and how far off Dawson and Jones are from fitness?

Alex Meany suffered a really bad dead leg but his knee has swollen up so we’re not sure how long he will take getting back. Andy and Callum shouldn’t be too far off, but at the moment I'm not sure how they’re doing.

How are the players feeling? Still managing to remain positive?

I know I always stay positive and can always get mentally ready. I can't talk for all the lads but they will get the right team talk from the management and from me, and it’s up to them once they cross the white line.

We like Workington's lovely old ground. Is it a good place to play? Do you get a go in the big bath afterwards?

I was saying on the way to the game that I love the old grounds and this is one of my favorites, maybe along with Halesowen. And nope, they are showers now. That being said I don't think any of the lads would have got in with me anyway.

I know that you, and a few other players, apologised to the fans for Monday's performance. What did you say to them?

I thought it was up to me as captain to say sorry to the great fans who travel to watch us when we put on a performance like that. So I know I had to say sorry - it just seemed to me like the right the thing to do.

It seems that Grant Spencer has wandered off from the club again. Did he speak to you before leaving?

He did and as before I'll continue to talk to him once he's gone as he is a very good friend of mine. He made the decision and I understand why he's gone.

Sutton Coldfield Main Programme_Standard Programme 03/09/2015 08:49 Page 7

What kind of things are the squad working on at training at the moment?

Wayne is working hard with the whole team so that we all know our jobs on the pitch. We have a young squad so he works hard to get them the experience they need to take into games.

There was some criticism of the short corners on Monday, but with a relatively short squad is there much point banging it in onto the heads of their big centre-halves?

When perfected they will be very difficult to defend against. From a keeper’s point a view a direct cross into the box is much easier to deal with than a cross from a little deeper.

Where do we go from here?

To our next game and fingers crossed our first 3 points.

Sutton Coldfield Main Programme_Standard Programme 03/09/2015 08:49 Page 8

Sutton Coldfield Main Programme_Standard Programme 03/09/2015 08:49 Page 9

All year round quality Extensive range of quality garden plants.

Exclusive giftware for all the family.

Deli Heaven, a special range of cheeses, meats, pastries and bread.

CafĂŠ - freshly baked cakes and scones and delicious home cooked meals.

WHAT’S ON check out our website for special events.

Fantastic Christmas display.

Railway Street, Summerseat, Bury, Lancs, BL9 5QDTel: 01204 883048 info@summerseatgardencentre.co.uk www.summerseatgardencentre.co.uk

Sutton Coldfield Main Programme_Standard Programme 03/09/2015 08:49 Page 10

today’s

opposition

Sutton Coldfield Main Programme_Standard Programme 03/09/2015 08:49 Page 11

Sutton Coldfield Main Programme_Standard Programme 03/09/2015 08:49 Page 12

After finishing in 6th place and missing

Coldfield’s form started to dip by the end of

year, the Royals were hoping the 2014/15

seven games. With only two games played

out on the final play-off spot the previous

today’s opposition

Division One South season would bring them better luck.

They started the campaign with three

wins in their first four league matches and

carried their unbeaten league start through

September with a further five wins to leave

January as they suffered four defeats in

in March, due to a number of postponements, they seemed to move into a higher

gear as they went on a five game unbeaten run winning four and drawing one.

With a fourth place finish in the bag they

them amongst the early front runners at

had finally managed to earn themselves a

dampened with an FA Cup First Qualifying

won 3-1 away at Newcastle Town, a team

the top. The Royals’ spirits were slightly Round exit away to Halesowen Town.

October brought a first defeat in the

league, when they lost 1-0 on their travels

at Coalville Town. This was followed up

with two further draws, before they got their revenge on Coalville beating them 2-

0 at home. The Central Ground faithful saw an unbeaten home league start come

Play-Off place. A tricky Semi-Final was who had finished a place above them in the league. Division One South runners-up Leek Town awaited the Royals in the final,

but a tremendous 2-0 away win with goals

from Darren Taylor and Dan O’Callaghan

won them promotion to the Evo-Stik Premier Division.

The 2015/16 season has so far been a

to an end at the close of 2014, when visi-

struggle for Sutton Coldfield as they adapt

The new year started with a victory

Royals have managed two draws and two

tors Tividale came away with a 3-1 win. against tenants Romulus FC, but Sutton

to the higher level of football. To date the losses in their opening four league games.

1879 1920 1940 1979 1981 1983

The Football Club associated with Sutton Coldfield formed.

The club moved to their present home the Central Ground in Coles Lane.

Joined the Walsall Senior League and won the championship in their second season, dropping only 7 points.

Won the Midland Combination in successive seasons.

Moved to the West Midlands League; won the championship and the League Cup in their first season.

Reached 1st Round of the FA Cup.

Became members of the Southern League and were promoted to the Premier Division in their first season.

Sutton Coldfield Main Programme_Standard Programme 03/09/2015 08:49 Page 13

•

•

•

•

In 1528 King Henry VIII gave the town the right to be known as ‘The Royal town of Sutton Coldfield’ hence the club’s nickname The Royals.

•

Their home Central Ground has a 3G playing surface.

•

A report in 2007 by Mouseprice.com placed two of the towns streets amongst the 20 most expensive in the country.

•

Up until last season the club had missed out on the play-off positions by one place 5 times out of the last 6 seasons.

Sutton Coldfield is mentioned in Shakespeare’s play Henry IV Part 1, Act 4, Scene 2.

They share their ground with Romulus FC who play in the Northern Premier League Division One South.

•

Former Aston Villa owner Doug Ellis and actor Sir Roger Moore have resided in the town.

•

Other notable residents past and present include actor Dennis Waterman, engineer and inventor John Wyatt and James and Oliver Phelps who played the Weasley twins in the Harry Potter flms.

•

The club was named Sutton Town from the second world war until 1964.

did you know?

The Metropolitan County of the West Midlands was formed in 1974 making Sutton Coldfield part of Birmingham.

1984 1993 1999 2005 2011 2011 2015 Relegated back to the second tier of the Southern League.

Won the Dr Again reached the Martens League Cup. 1st Round Proper of the FA Cup losing 2-1 away at Bolton Wanderers.

Reached the 3rd Round of the FA Trophy where they lost to Morecambe.

Moved to the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League Division One South.

Won Birmingham Senior Cup for first time.

Promoted to the Northern Premier Division after winning the Division One South PlayOffs.

six to watch

Sutton Coldfield Main Programme_Standard Programme 03/09/2015 08:49 Page 14

Neil Tooth (Manager) Previous Clubs; Rushall Olympic, Sandwell Borough, Atherstone United, Blackheath FC, Rossington Main, Retford United & Chasetown FC. The former Retford United coach stepped up from assistant manager to take the Sutton Coldfield hot seat in September 2012 after long serving manager Richard Keough resigned.

Tooth had a pretty successful first season in charge taking the Royals to the Birmingham Senior Cup Final, but agonisingly they missed out on a play-off spot on goal difference. He was able to end the run of play-off near misses last season, as Sutton finished fourth in the league and gained promotion to the Northern Premier Division after winning the play-off final at Leek Town.

James Wren (Goalkeeper) Age: 22 Previous Clubs; Walsall, Burton Albion, Tamworth, Stafford Rangers and Nuneaton.

The young shot-stopper started his football career in the youth ranks at Walsall, before he was snapped up

by Burton Albion after a successful trial. His stay with the Brewers was brief and he was released at the end of his one year deal. Wren’s next move took him to Conference side Tamworth, but he left the Lambs, without making an appearance after their relegation. James has only recently signed for the royals after previously turning out for Nuneaton Town. He is a good goalkeeper and it is hoped that he will provide stiff opposition for the club’s other keepers.

Justin Richards (Centre Forward) Age: 34 Previous Clubs; West Bromwich Albion, Bristol Rovers, Stevenage Borough, Woking, Peterborough United, Kidderminster Harriers, Cheltenham Town, Port Vale, Oxford United &Tamworth.

Richards started his career coming through the ranks at West Bromwich Albion, after making a single appearance he was signed by Ian Holloway at Bristol Rovers. He had limited opportunities with the Pirates and moved onto Stevenage Borough and then Woking where he scored 35 goals in 79 appearances, earning a move to Peterborough United. His stay lasted a year before he had another goal-laden spell with Kidderminster, where he had a record of a goal every three games. He had further Football League experience with Port Vale, Burton Albion and Oxford before he dropped into non-league with Tamworth. The experienced striker signed for the Royals at the beginning of last season and he has already netted on two occasions so far in this campaign.

Malcolm Melvin (Midfielder) Age:20 Previous Clubs; Aston Villa, Notts County, Hednesford Town & Barwell This highly rated Scottish midfielder started out in the academy at Aston Villa before signing a short-term deal with Notts County after his release from the Birmingham club. He went on to gain further experience at Hednesford Town and signed from Barwell during the summer. He is quick and strong and never backs down from a challenge, which reflects his boxing roots - his father was a

Sutton Coldfield Main Programme_Standard Programme 03/09/2015 08:49 Page 15

professional boxer. Malcolm comes to the Royals with a big pedigree having represented Scotland at Under 17’s, 18’s and 19’s internationally.

Philip Trainer (Midfielder) Age: 34 Previous Clubs; Crewe Alexandra, Northwich Victoria, Tamworth, Oxford United, Telford, Nuneaton & Hednesford Town.

Experienced midfield man Trainer began his career with Football League club Crewe Alexandra. After his release from the Alex he dropped into the non-league pyramid where he has made over 200 appearances for various National League Premier clubs. He joined Hednesford Town from Nuneaton during the summer, but has now joined the Royals on a short-term contract. He has already had a major impact scoring two goals in his first two appearances.

Midfielder Phil Trainer

Joe Fitzpatrick (Midfielder) Age: 18 Joe Fitzpatrick (Midfielder) Aged 18 Previous Clubs; Wolverhampton Wanderers & Mansfield Town.

This exciting youngster was snapped up by Mansfield Town from the Wolverhampton Wanderers academy.

He made his professional debut for Mansfield in February of this year in a defeat away at Morecambe and he has made three full appearances in total for the club. Fitzpatrick has joined Sutton Coldfield on a three month loan spell, which is a deal that both clubs hope to benefit from. With Mansfield looking for Fitzpatrick to add to his development, Sutton have got a young player with huge potential to help fight their cause in the Northern Premier Division.

Sutton Coldfield Main Programme_Standard Programme 03/09/2015 08:49 Page 16

The Royals’ Vice-President and Football Secretary Bill Worship tells us a little about his beloved club, its supporters and recent fortunes...

How long have you been a supporter of Sutton Coldfield?

Over fifty years!

opposition fan

What is your best memory?

Playing Bolton Wanderers in the FA Cup. Which two players stand out in the memory and why?

Alan Parsons was a good centrehalf. A very loyal player, he only ever appeared for three clubs in his whole career.

Another was Paul Cooper, a goalkeeper who ultimately went on to play for Ipswich.

How did the season pan out last time around?

Last season was fantastic. We ended up top of Division One South for six months, and eventually gained promotion through the play-offs.

Give us a couple of key players to watch.

Keep an eye out for Joel Kettle in midfield and Justin Richards who is our leading goal scorer. Both excellent players.

Have you been to Rammy before, and if so, what stood out for you?

This is my very first visit to Ramsbottom, as it is for Sutton Coldfield, so we’re all really looking forward to it.

How would you describe your current manager's approach, and that of the team?

Excellent players and manager who

won’t stand being messed about.

How do you think you'll do this season?

Mid-table would do me just fine this season. We expected a big step up and so consolidation would be fine.

How would you describe your fans, and how many do you think will make the trip to Rammy?

Our fans are very loud when the band gets going, but we’ll probably only bring about 30 or so to this afternoon’s game.

What's your ground like? Where's the best place to park and then have a drink?

We have been on the same site since 1920, adding an old Manchester City stand back in the 50s. The biggest recent development is the installation of a 3G pitch.

We’ve got a large carpark inside the ground and a decent club-house that sells food and drink.

Any messages for the Rammy supporters?

We’re really looking forward to visiting Ramsbottom, and to welcoming you all down in the Midlands.

Tell us a bit about yourself and what you get up to.

I’m married with three boys and five grandchildren. I retired after 40 years working on the railway, and inbetween football commitments I love my golf and doing some gardening.

B

Sutton Coldfield Main Programme_Standard Programme 03/09/2015 08:49 Page 17

Book yourself on the trip of a lifetime...

DARLINGTON v RAMMY just ÂŁ12 return see Harry Williams for details

Sutton Coldfield Main Programme_Standard Programme 03/09/2015 08:49 Page 18

WORKINGTON TOWN

McGee (10),Allison (12),Arnison (24,86)

RAMSBOTTOM UNITED

4 0

Sutton Coldfield Main Programme_Standard Programme 03/09/2015 08:49 Page 19

RAMSBOTTOM 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Shenton Beadle Heron Haywood Fitzgerald K Harrop McHale Cliffe* Gaskell Meaney# M Harrop+

Subs: Edghill, Nolan, Robinson*, Woods+, Kuba-Kuba#

WORKINGTON 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Mitchell Simpson Rowntree May Calvert Earl Allison 1 McLuckie Arnison 2 McGee 1 Tinnion

Sutton Coldfield Main Programme_Standard Programme 03/09/2015 08:49 Page 20

WORKINGTON TOWN

McGee (10),Allison (12),Arnison (24,86)

RAMSBOTTOM UNITED Despite recording a four goal winning margin for the first time in almost 200 league games, this was far from the complete performance for Workington.

Nevertheless, it was probably just the game the Reds needed to get back on track after the poor showing at the weekend. They won far more easily than the score line suggests, turned their negative goal difference into a positive and, importantly, bagged the three points.

Yes, the score might have been doubled but, having won a one-sided contest inside the opening quarter of an hour, the Reds could be forgiven for losing their focus somewhat.

“Once we got two goals up, we took our foot off the gas and certainly lacked that bit of urgency in the second half,” was manager Derek Townsley’s post match retort.

“Had we gone for the jugular, we could have won by six or seven goals but it was the second game in three days so, although pleased overall, we are capable of better.”

Any doubt about the eventual outcome was dispelled after just nine minutes with a fine solo goal from Joe McGee opening the scoring. Released on the half-way line

by Gareth Arnison’s deft pass, Joe made good progress into the area then angled the ball into the far corner of the net for a measured finish and his first Borough Park goal.

The scorer turned provider two minutes later when, despite being outnumbered by three defenders, his clever footwork set-up the perfect pass for Scott Allison who danced round the helpless Shenton before walking the ball into the vacant net.

4 0

31.08.15 Att: 484

Ramsbottom, currently at the foot of the table, might have got into the game following an exciting run from Dominic McHale.

He left a couple of Reds defenders in his wake but his twenty yard strike was comfortably gathered by Alex Mitchell.

The contest was effectively over after 23 minutes when Arnison ended his personal goal drought with a well-taken effort from close range. Josh Calvert returned the ball into the danger area where Arnison turned and volleyed home in one sweet movement.

Phil McLuckie almost made it four when his attempt just before the break narrowly cleared the bar.

Kieran Nolan broke through to bring the game out of snooze mode and was faced with a one-on-one situation with Mitchell.

Thankfully, the Reds’ ‘keeper stood firm, made a fine save and Rammy didn’t seriously threaten thereafter.

Allison curled one shot over the bar then Gari Rowntree was thwarted when his twenty five yarder was pushed away by the overworked Shenton.

Kyle Harrop capped an uncomfortable personal ninety minutes when his needless challenge upended Conor Tinnion inside the area six minutes from time. Arnison’s well-struck penalty was kept out by Shenton’s fine save who then blocked Tinnion’s follow-up shot. The ball rebounded to Arnison who blasted home his second goal a few seconds later than he intended.

Tinnion’s late strike hit the cross bar and McGee’s follow-up effort was cleared off the line as Reds tried to inflict further punishment on beleaguered Rammy.

- report provided by Workington Town

Sutton Coldfield Main Programme_Standard Programme 03/09/2015 08:49 Page 21

Sutton Coldfield Main Programme_Standard Programme 03/09/2015 08:49 Page 22

next up for the rams

Blimey, what a week we have in store for

The other humdinger of a match this

us! We weren’t exactly run out of town the

week? Out of all the hundreds of possible

difficult to say that we left on the best of

should we draw but the exact same club

last time we visited Darlington, but it’d be

terms after beating them quite convinc-

ingly in the play-off semi-final. If you recall, Rammy defender Owen Roberts let the occasion get to him and went clattering

through Darlington’s key midfielder in the first minute, requiring the poor lad to be subbed off. Roberts got a booking, which

the Darlington fans accepted at the time, but as the match went on and the home team got more and more out-played, their

frustrations with the officials and with Rammy became, shall we say, a little frightening! By far the vast majority of the Darlington supporters are a lovely bunch,

as we found the both times we’d played them previously, but I think we’ll all agree

that this tie isn’t the one we’ve been relishing.

Having been promoted at the end of last

opposition teams in the FA Cup who

as we drew last year, and the one we

played Silly-Beggars with a couple of weeks ago: Yes, Buxton. The Daily Mirror,

Granada Reports, and ultimately the FA have got involved in whipping up a storm

over the shouting and pushing and shoving that took place towards the end of the

Rammy v Buxton game a couple of weeks

ago. Trial by Twitter ensued after Buxton’s

official camera bloke and some other Buxton fan uploaded their videos, complete with bizarrely inaccurate commentaries to

youtube. Apparently we’ve had an apology from the maniac who could be heard say-

ing, “Their manager is kicking one of our players” on the footage - you can see from

the video that our manager is separating players at the time.

Personally I doubt we’ll see any ‘afters’

season, along with our old friends Salford

from the players at the FA Cup game. The

place having beaten high flying neigh-

game was virtually out of the blue, and

City, Darlington are currently sitting in third

bours Blyth Spartans 2-1 on Monday.

They turned over Colwyn Bay 4-2 last Saturday, with a 2-1 defeat at Workington just before that. They’re a team that looks to

be conceding, but it’s going to be a very tough night for the Rams - with their fans

outburst towards the end of the league really down to the tough tackle’s proximity

to the dug-out and the perimeter wall, as

well as the referee’s lack of response to an earlier challenge. I also think that it was suitably dealt with on the night.

One or two of their fans might have a lit-

desperate to see them turn us over in

tle bit to say about the issue, but they’ll

on that play-off night.

of wooly-backs who aren’t the thuggish

revenge for something they think we did Wearing a scarf? Not the best idea to be

honest, and I’m toying with losing the ‘rammy united’ car sticker for the evening.

very quickly realise that we’re just a bunch

louts that the Daily Mirror and Granada Reports seemed to make out we are.

Buxton are currently lying fourth, on the

An important thing to remember, if you’re

same points as Darlington, with recent

play in Darlington! They are in negotia-

their only defeats being at the hands of

not going by coach, is that Darlington don’t

tions to get back to the town, with a

possible ground share on the cards with

Darlington Rugby Club, but right now their home ground is Heritage Park up in

Bishop Auckland, which is another 20 minutes or so on the journey time.

wins against Skem and Nantwich, with Salford City and Blyth. A tough start to their season, and they’re right up there in spite of that.

All in all though, this is a definite week

that’ll separate the men from the boys, so brace yourself!

Sutton Coldfield Main Programme_Standard Programme 03/09/2015 08:49 Page 23

Darlington’s Leon Scott injured in the very first minute by a wild Owen Roberts challenge

Jubilation as Jordan Hulme tucks away Rammy’s second in the playoff against Darlington

The usual kisses and cuddles as we face Buxton yet again?

Sutton Coldfield Main Programme_Standard Programme 03/09/2015 08:49 Page 24

DARLINGTON:

There are two main ways to get to Darlington, which are more or less the same distance - up the M6 before cutting across t’hills, or over on the M62 towards Leeds before heading up the A1(M). The first is probably better for Tuesday as you miss Leeds rush-hour, but take your pick: On the M6:

On the A1(M):

1) M66, then M62 towards Leeds.

2) At M62 Junction 1 take the M1(N) which becomes the A1(M).

3) At Junction 58 (after Darlington), take the A68 towards Bishop Auckland.

4) After 7.3 miles take a 1) Grane Road then M6(N) right at the roundabout. It towards The Lakes. might be sign-posted A688 Bishop Auckland, but wasn’t 2) Get off at Junction 38 and last year! follow the A685 through Kirkby Stephen towards Again, you can’t miss the Brough. ground as it’s on the left after about 500 yards.

3) At Brough turn right on the A66, then veer left at For your satnav, the postBowes onto the A67/A688 code of the ground is: for Bishop Auckland.

DL14 9AE You can’t miss the ground if you go that way, as it’s on your left. We parked just before it last year, on St Helen Way, though parking wasn’t a problem at all.

Travelling time is technically about 2hrs 10mins, but I wouldn’t bank on that at rush-hour!

Sutton Coldfield Main Programme_Standard Programme 03/09/2015 08:49 Page 25

BUXTON:

Marple or Glossop - which is the worse of the two evils? Last time we went via Hazel Grove, and arrived very late. This time we’re going to try Glossop: 1) M66, M60(S&E) to J24, then M67 til you hit the massive queue!

2) Left at the roundabout, through Mottram (still queuing), down the hill then right at the lights at the bottom.

3) At the double roundabout, take a right, sign-posted for A6 Buxton and then, basically, keep going for ages until you get to the Morrisons roundabout in Buxton itself then take a right.

4) Next right onto Peveril Road, just before the railway bridge, and you’re there (unless you’re a bus in which case you’re stuck!)

Post-code: SK17 6QH Time: 1hr 15mins (in theory)

Sutton Coldfield Main Programme_Standard Programme 03/09/2015 08:50 Page 26

Pit your wits against The Mighty Molly by trying to correctly guess the results from today’s Evostik Premier games. Each correct score earns 3pts, with correct results earning 1pt.

vs

vs

vs

vs

t

today’s guest vs

vs Today’s guest was Sutton Coldfield manager Neil Tooth but some idiot sent him the wrong fixtures so we’ve ended up with Robbie, the programme editor, making predictions.

The 42-year-old numpty started out as a submarine and command and control engineer before the stress did for him and he jacked it all in to become a musician. He hasn’t got a clue about other teams’ results, but is going to give it his best shot.

vs

vs

vs

vs

last week’s points

Last week Molly scored nine points for the third week in a row, matched by Karl Rose (Frickley’s manager) who also scored nine, including correctly predicting the Rammy v Frickley result - raising the question of match-fixing so that he could defeat Molly!

vs

vs

Molly: Guest: You:

1-3 0-3

Molly: Guest: You:

2-0 1-0

Molly: Guest: You:

1-1 1-0

Molly: Guest: You:

2-1 2-0

Molly: Guest: You:

2-1 3-0

Molly: Guest: You:

0-0 2-0

Molly: Guest: You:

3-2 3-1

Molly: Guest: You:

3-1 2-0

Molly: Guest: You:

1-1 1-1

Molly: Guest: You:

2-0 1-0

Molly: Guest: You:

2-0 2-0

Molly: Guest: You:

0-0 1-0

MOLLY 27pts GUESTS 23pts

Sutton Coldfield Main Programme_Standard Programme 03/09/2015 08:50 Page 27

tony’s teasers

1-WHICH CLUB plays at Surrey Street?

2-WHO IS THE MANAGER of Blyth Spartans?

3-WHICH COLOURS do Sutton United play in?

4-IN WHAT YEAR did Rhyl win the NPL Presidents Cup? 5-IN WHICH LEAGUE do Walshaw Sports play?

6-WHAT IS THE NICKNAME of Salford City?

7-WHERE DOES ex-Bury and Wrexham striker Andy Bishop now play?

8-WHAT IS THE LINK BETWEEN Burscough and Skelmersdale United?

9-RAMMY LINK: Where is Donal McDermott now playing?

10-MISC: Where are AFC Liverpool playing home matches this season?

HOW DID YOU DO? answers at bottom of page 10-Non-League guru!

8-9 Non-league enthusiast 6-7 Pretty good, but much to learn 4-5 Average, so time to read up on the non-league game 2-3 You must be missing out on the delights of non-league 0-1 Obviously an armchair Premier League viewer!

match officials PAUL HODSKINSON

KEITH MARTIN

ANDREW JOHNSON

Today’s officials have been informed by ‘The Professional Game of Match Officials Ltd’ that they do not have permission to answer questions for today’s programme. Hopefully normal service will be resumed for the next programme.

ANSWERS: 1-Glossop North End 2-Tom Wade 3-Amber and Brown 4-1984-85 5-Manchester League 6-e Ammies 7-Halifax Town 8-Burscough played their “home” games at Skem a couple of years ago 9-Rochdale 10-Marine

Sutton Coldfield Main Programme_Standard Programme 03/09/2015 08:50 Page 28

RAMSBOTTOM UNITED

FRICKLEY ATHLETIC Thomas (15), Williams (80)

0 2

Sutton Coldfield Main Programme_Standard Programme 03/09/2015 08:50 Page 29

RAMSBOTTOM 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Shenton Beadle Woods+ Haywood Fitzgerald K Harrop Kuba-Kuba* Meaney Gaskell McHale Heron

Subs: M Harrop, Spencer+, Cliffe, Knight, Hartley*

FRICKLEY 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Malkowski Bruce Parkinson Hinsley Cyrus Ible Hornsley Lenighan Hazel* Thomas1+ Williams1

Subs: Jeffs, Johnson+, Wood*, Hartfield, Fotko

Sutton Coldfield Main Programme_Standard Programme 03/09/2015 08:50 Page 30

RAMSBOTTOM UNITED

FRICKLEY ATHLETIC

match review

Thomas (15), Williams (80)

The hard-core Rams’ support who travel faithfully home and away were still trying to draw crumbs of optimism after this defeat, pointing to hard work and effort, but frankly that should just come as standard. The truth of the matter is that this was a grim display lacking all of the qualities in terms of ability, organisation and leadership that will be needed if there is to be any hope for anything other than spending the next eight months in the relegation places.

The performance was as clueless as someone trying to speak Mandarin

0 2

29.08.15 Att: 176

Chinese on the back of being regular customers of Khan's chippy. There was a lack of any semblance of communication, cohesion or mobility.

Attempts at playing the ball out from the back were nothing more than a succession of hospital passes into cul-de-sacs which, at best, resulted in a hurried shuffle of the ball back to Grant Shenton and a directionless hoof of the ball forward. The midfield found space about as easy as a seat on a rush-hour tube train and just about as comfortable. To be fair a surface which varied from grass too long

Dominic McHale, battling in the position just behind Gassy

Sutton Coldfield Main Programme_Standard Programme 03/09/2015 08:50 Page 31

Then Grant Spencer latched onto a great diagonal ball from McHale to run clear into the box, but his effort lacked the conviction to overly trouble the keeper.

Those two moments were the closest the Rams came to scoring and the final whistle was a welcome relief.

Hard times!

“...a request to the Manager to sit down,consider your record,have a long hard think and then do the right thing” - ‘Mr Magoo’ “We just need a break for once. Get the penalty to make it one all and it's a different game. At times rammy play some great football. I said it after the last match - once it comes together we'll be fine.” - ‘Heisenberg

have your say

to much too long and is nowhere near the standard required at this level did not help the Rams, confounding all attempts to beat a man or move the ball quickly. It was from that difficulty that Frickley, having taken the lead after 15 minutes with an unchallenged glancing header, were able to put the game to bed with 10 minutes left. Dominic McHale was dispossessed on the edge of the Frickley box and, three simple direct passes later, Tyler Williams was free as a bird inside the Rams’ box to slide past Grant Shenton.

For a period of 20 minutes in the second half the Rams had managed to mount some sustained pressure and were aggrieved at the denial of a penalty when Lee Gaskell nipped in front of a a defender and was caught by a lunging boot.

Lee Gaskell’s denied penalty appeal

“there are certain individuals at the ground literally screaming in players faces from the side of the pitch, that's no good for anyone.” - Ukepunk “ There are lads training and ready to play for Rammy who aren't getting a chance because they aren't 'known' at this level! Favourite's play every game whether they perform or not.”

- ‘Si’

Sutton Coldfield Main Programme_Standard Programme 03/09/2015 08:50 Page 32

Women Beginnings, Tri Many people must have noticed women’s football for the first time with the World Cup in Canada last summer. England did well, coming third, and names like the Beth Houghton, Kas Carney and Eniola Aluko are a little more widely known.

But women’s football has been around for 120 years…so why has nobody ever heard of it? What follows is a brief introduction. This article covers women’s football until the 1920s and a subsequent piece will take the story up to the present day.

Women’s football in both England and Scotland got off to a fine start in the 1890s, with 166 ladies matches reported in the press during 1894/95.

The first match is reckoned to be that arranged by Nettie Honeyball who founded the British Ladies Football Club (BLFC). The players trained from scratch for a North v South confrontation at Crouch End on 23 March 1895. A crowd of 10,000 attended and saw the satisfying score of 7 -1 to the North – although the BLFC fielded both teams.

But there is very little known about any of the players: was Honeyball a pseudonym for instance, who was Hannah

Sutton Coldfield Main Programme_Standard Programme 03/09/2015 08:50 Page 33

en’s Football Triumph, Betrayal.

Oliphant or Carrie Bousted, reputedly the first black player in Britain?

The BLFC toured the country, providing both teams in numerous contrived contests – the novel sight of women playing football arousing interest, ridicule and criticism in equal measure. Because of course playing football was ‘unladylike’. The kit women wore consisted of voluminous blouses and ample knickerbockers, finished off with a sort of night cap with a tassle. But this overt demonstration that women had legs was found reprehensible by some moral guardians, and the Scottish medical profession demanded that football amongst women should be banned because it might do irreparable damage to them. This prejudice was a male point of view of course, but then men ran everything (certainly sport, the church and press) and most men wanted it to keep it that way; women were to stay at home and be demure.

But this frisson of controversy appealed to many and exhibition matches continued. Mrs Graham’s

and Miss Hudson’s teams joined the travelling BLFC circus and the games continued to attract crowds and jokey comment in the press. The Sporting Man, for instance, commented on the number of blondes and brunettes in a match in 1895.

But enthusiasm for this novelty as a spectacle peaked and into the new century a limited number of ladies teams were playing, often advertising for matches. But as the Great War began in 1914 two things stimulated the sport: the huge numbers of girls drawn to highly paid munitions work

across the country, and the ‘welfare’ idea. As the numbers of overwhelmingly single women in factories grew, ‘welfare officers’ were employed to make sure they were decently treated and that they remained fit for work.

The British Ladies team in 1895, complete with ‘ample knickerbockers’ and ‘voluminous blouses’

Sutton Coldfield Main Programme_Standard Programme 03/09/2015 08:50 Page 34

This involved innovations such as toilets with hot water, first aiders, works canteens...and sports clubs.

Football took off immediately, Lancashire United Transport Company of Atherton being the first Lancashire

The infamous ‘kiss’ photo of 1920, as Dick, Kerr’s ladies prepare to kickoff a match in Preston.

Ladies team to play – in 1915. But it was Preston’s Dick, Kerr’s Ladies team that was, from the beginning, the benchmark of excellence both in play and money raising potential.

Matches were almost all for charity –

Sutton Coldfield Main Programme_Standard Programme 03/09/2015 08:50 Page 35

there being no league. Their match against St Helen’s Ladies on Boxing Day 1920 had 53,000 spectators at Goodison Park with many locked out.

In 1921 Mrs Vizard’s ladies team took on Dick, Kerr’s at Burnden Park, Bolton. Mrs Vizard, married to Bolton Wanderer’s hero Ted Vizard, ran her team for several years after the Great War. The match that April was in aid of disabled soldiers and was a great success, with over 20,000 spectators piling into the ground. The result was not so hot for Mrs Vizard, with Dick, Kerr running out 8 – 0 winners. But look at Dick, Kerr’s results at the time and this scoreline does not compare that badly with others – earlier that year they had defeated a ‘Rest of Lancashire’ team 17 – 0. Dick, Kerr’s Ladies were the Barcelona of their age. And by then, although some ‘munitionettes’ teams wore more discreet leggings, Dick, Kerr Ladies wore shorts, bare knees and all.

But the bandwagon was running into trouble. As munitions factories closed in 1918 many women’s teams folded and in 1921, the ‘FA history of women’s football’ reports there being only 150 women’s teams in England, mostly in the North and the Midlands.

But it also reports that the FA was suspicious about the ‘financial mismanagement’ of matches played for charity. It describes the famous FA resolution of 5th December as a ‘bombshell’: “...the Council feel... that the game of football is quite unsuitable for females and ought not to be encouraged… The Council are further of the opinion that an excessive proportion of the receipts are absorbed in expenses and an inadequate percentage devoted to Charitable objects.

The Council told FA members not to allow their grounds to be used for women’s matches – in effect banning women’s football. The Scottish FA swiftly followed suit. The FA have been rightly criticised for this action and the concern about financial mismanagement was a crude pretext.

But their action was part of general backlash against women’s freedoms achieved during the Great War. Not only were wartime women workers (teachers, office workers and so on) sacked, but amongst the establishment there was a feeling that with the war over and the vote being granted, ‘we should get back to normal now – back in the kitchen’.

In angry response 25 clubs formed the English Ladies Football Association, which immediately held a cup competition in which 23 clubs entered. Stoke Ladies beat Doncaster Bentleys 3 - 1 in the final.

(Stoke was often known as ‘Len Bettridge’s’ team. He not only managed the team, but three of his daughters played in it!). Sadly the cup appears not to have been contested again as women’s football, cut off from proper grounds and funding, struggled... and sank... and almost drowned. The postscript for this era came on 29th September 1923 just up the road.

After a trip to Barcelona, where they beat a French XI twice, Stoke Ladies took on the mighty Dick, Kerr at the Horsfield ground in Colne. Daisy Bates of Stoke scored the only goal of the game. A triumph...but they seem never to have played again.

From thereon a few exhibition matches took place…but women’s football became a barely noticeable sideshow.

- text provided by Dave Burnham

rammy in exile

Sutton Coldfield Main Programme_Standard Programme 03/09/2015 08:50 Page 36

Good afternoon everyone and I hope I find you all well as ever. It's always great to welcome a new club for the first time to the Harry Williams Riverside Stadium and today it is the turn of Sutton Coldfield Town, who were promoted last season. Welcome one and all - I probably saw some of you on the M6 heading up.

Yes, one half of the Southampton branch of the Ramsbottom United FC Supporters Club (membership: 2 that will be me and my dad!) will be in attendance this afternoon as I am working on the Royal London OneDay Cup semi-final tomorrow over at Headingley between Yorkshire and Gloucestershire (10.25am on air on Sky Sports 2 .... plug!), so have taken a slight detour on my journey up to come and see the team in action for the first time this campaign.

I am really hoping that I can bring us a little bit of fortune as our record of Played 6 with just a single point

isn't exactly what we hoped for after an extensive pre-season. What can I say about the season so far? Well, not very much really as I haven't seen us play so today is going to be very interesting as I watch the players that you have seen thus far and make up my own mind. All I can say though is that it has been really hard following the team after so many years of great times and progress to see us starting a season so poorly is particularly heart-wrenching.

But something that has been especially disappointing has been that the crowds are down on recent seasons just about 170 or so for the Frickley last Saturday. Why? Ok, so we are not winning and haven't been for a while. But we are still Ramsbottom United and we are still in need of every single ounce of support that we can get and to see so many walking away from watching us is really disheartening.

Robbo - who’d be in this fella’s shoes right now?

Sutton Coldfield Main Programme_Standard Programme 03/09/2015 08:50 Page 37

Yes, we have our loyal fan base and they are absolutely brilliant (you know who you are - we see you in the pictures at every single game) but it is to those who flit in and out of watching us that I appeal to you - come on you RAMS! Now, lets talk about the forum. Our website forum has gone absolutely potty just lately and some of it has been pretty nasty. I am not sure if you read my column of recent times but when the going gets tough, we need to back our lads. Through thick and thin, we need to back the lads. Not only the lads but Robbo, in his first tenure as manager and Edgy, in his first tenure as assistant. What we don't need is some of the brickbats that have been flying around. Robbo is doing a pretty damn good job considering what he has had to deal with and the level of football we are playing and I know he is and will be feeling the pressure of everything happening - who wouldn't!

But it is right now, with our poor record and us sitting at the bottom of the table with one point to our names that we need to really show our colours. I know I will be today for the first time this season and I can't wait to shout my lungs out, as per normal, in our cause. Come on everyone, the time is now!

In other news from the south, T20 Finals Day last Saturday was a very very long day - 15 hours in fact - but congratulations to Lancashire, who

Hoping to finally get to a Rammy match on the way to Headingley

finally got the monkey off their backs by being the perennial 'chokers' in knock-out matches and finally get themselves a limited-overs trophy for the first time since 1999. And I am sure they partied like it was 1999 as well ... well, maybe not, beer prices in 1999 were a damn sight cheaper than they are now! It was an enjoyable day all told really and I was pleased to get it all done and get to the bar for a relaxing drink afterwards.

My cricket season is beginning to come to its climax now - a couple of Royal London One-Day Cup matches this weekend (yeah, thanks to the draw balls, I am in Leeds on Sunday and London on Monday .... brilliant!) and then that might be my lot for the 2015 campaign. It has been a very long season but hugely enjoyable - but now is the time to put down the pens and the databases and look to watch some rugby - and, of course, some more Rammy!

You can't get rid of me that easily!

COME ON YOU RAMS!

from the darkside

Sutton Coldfield Main Programme_Standard Programme 03/09/2015 08:50 Page 38

After making two visits to the lovely little East Yorkshire coastal town of Whitby last season this game was pretty high up on our list of away games that we were keenly anticipating this season. Indeed, it would have made for an excellent weekend away with the Ultras but, with Sods Law working against us, we were down to visit a couple of Wednesdays ago.

The original plan was for the Rammy Rocket to be running but, due to needing a 3.30 departure in midweek it was decided to cancel it as the club would have ended up losing a few hundred pounds. Still, this wasn’t going to stop us making the game and the days leading up to the fixture saw us arranging travel and lifts so that we could have a decent following to support Robbo and the lads

Hackers had kindly offered to drive me in his BMW and we decided on a 2.00 setting off time in order to meet up with the other travelling supporters and also take in some of the obligatory fish ‘n’ chips at the harbour (fish ‘n’ chips really is best eaten at the seaside, isn’t it?). With the sun beating down and no hold ups on the M62 (yes miracles really can happen boys and girls) it wasn’t long before we were heading past York and excitedly looking forward to our day/night at the seaside. In fact we didn’t encounter any traffic hold ups until we hit the outskirts of Whitby where we joined the holiday-makers and day trippers

(The Beatles reference isn’t on purpose there folks, I’ll leave them sort of shenanigans to Sir Paul Cropper and his inimitable match reports).

The heavy traffic didn’t hold us up for too long and we were parking up at the train station just after 4.00 and making our way down to the harbour.

We had arranged to meet up there with Andy and Hilary Massey and Ste and Angie Carlsberg at 5.00, so with time to spare I suggested me and Hackers make our way to The Jolly Sailor (£3.30 for a pint of

Samuels Smiths Best Bitter and a pint of Taddy Lager if you fancy a pint next time you’re in Whitby) and wait for them there. As we made the short walk to the pub I got a call from Andy to say they were already in town and had made the same choice as us meaning they were already waiting for us in The Jolly Sailor. Great minds thinking alike there then.

Andy and Hilary had travelled up the previous day and spent a bit of time on the golf course up in Washington so I was hoping Mr Massey

Sutton Coldfield Main Programme_Standard Programme 03/09/2015 08:50 Page 39

might have been wearing a pair of those silly golf trousers but, sadly he wasn’t. Ste and Angie had booked themselves a hotel and had taken the opportunity to meet up with a couple of Mackem friends of theirs. So after a couple of pints myself, Hackers, Andy and Hilary made our way to a nice, little restaurant on the harbour to get our fish ‘n’ chips (£7.90 and worth every penny). After our feast we had a walk around town where we bumped into another couple of mem-

flags at games, especially at this level, as they often show some imagination and humour which is often missing with Premiership teams’ supporters (one that particularly amused me claimed “Whitby Town F.C. – NoOne Knows Us,

bers from the Mutton Army in Toby Trotter58/Trevor and Sir Paul of Cropper who were also partaking in some fish ‘n’ chips (us Rammy folk do like our food don’t we?). After a quick chat we made our way up to the ground, arriving in plenty of time for a couple more pints, Black Sheep in this case, before the kick off.

With this being our third visit to The Turnbull Stadium in less than twelve months it’s becoming a pretty familiar ground to us now, although since our last visit they seem to have obtained a few flags which were proudly displayed in one section. I do like to see

We Don’t Care”). Fair play to whoever came up with that one. On the subject of flags we made our way to the far end of the ground to hang up our own ones where there was a small group of young Whitby supporters making the most of the school holidays by watching their local team. We got a little bit of light hearted abuse from the young whippersnappers, with usual words “sheep” and “arses” being bandied about, but we soon shut them up with a little rendition of “We’ve Got More Flags Than Fans” which seemed to amuse them.

from the darkside

Sutton Coldfield Main Programme_Standard Programme 03/09/2015 08:50 Page 40

The game itself gave us some more evidence that we are beginning to gel as a team and for once we managed to go in at half time with a clean sheet, although we hadn’t actually managed to score ourselves. We headed for our half-time drink quite heartened by the first half display and confident we would get something out of the game. Carlsberg did a good Ken Barlow impression in the bar at half time by ordering a half (If Carlsberg is Ken Barlow, does that mean Harry is Albert Tatlock?) in order that he didn’t miss the start of the second

half. “No problem there, Ste” I said as we headed back onto the ground “Look, Whitby are only just kicking off”. Then an announcement came over the tannoy “The golden goal time is Ramsbottom United on 46 minutes”. Doh, a trip of over 120 miles and we miss the goal. We did at least get to see a Whitby equaliser on the hour mark, although that was of scant consolation to us, which nicely set up the last half-hour to be an exciting and tense affair. The game could have gone either way and after bringing on Dominic McHale for the

Sutton Coldfield Main Programme_Standard Programme 03/09/2015 08:50 Page 41

last fifteen minutes we looked the most likely team to grab a winner (especially when the Whitby goalkeeper went off injured and was replaced by an outfield player). Alas, it wasn’t to be but, we were more than happy with the point and the performances.

As we headed home over the East Yorkshire Moors, like a couple of villains in a bad episode of ‘Heartbeat’, I got a phone call from Rammy TV Robbie wanting do an interview with me about the game (that guy’s enthusiasm for the media side of things here

at the HWRS really should be applauded). However, that was easier said than done as my phone kept going in and out of signal making the interview pretty much an impossible task. He did eventually manage to get an interview with Robbo who was travelling home in the rather plush surroundings of Gassy’s car and it was on the Rammy website by the time I landed home just after midnight.

Sutton Coldfield Main Programme_Standard Programme 03/09/2015 08:50 Page 42

Tired of missing out on getting hold of a programme?

Get your copy reserved for the season by contacting Rob on 07944 038512, or by email: rob@rammyunited.co.uk

Watch the match in style with our Corporate Hospitality Packages starting at just ÂŁ25 per person. For further information call 07576 390762, or email bobsolo@googlemail.com

Sutton Coldfield Main Programme_Standard Programme 03/09/2015 08:50 Page 43

fixtures & results 2015-16

This season we want to hear first-hand what our supporters think about everything, from team and player performances right through to what everyone thought of the pies and the parking!

To that end, we’ve had printed a load of ‘Have Your Say’ cards, which you can pick up near the tea-bar. Onto these you can write your thoughts and then post them into the boxes near the exits as you leave. These will be available at every game from now on.

Alternatively, you can use your phone to text TV444 followed by your comment to 82055. These cost the same as any other text you would send.

The comments will be given to Robbo/Harry etc, and will be posted to @RammyReaction on Twitter. A selection will be published in the programme.

Ramsbottom United Football Club Chairman: H Williams Vice Chairman: C Woolfall Secretary: A Cunningham Matchday Secretary: A Edmunson Treasurers: H Williams, C Woolfall Committee: H Williams, C Woolfall, A Edmundson, K Hitchen, A Cunningham Catering Manager: S Fletcher

Recent Senior Honours: Bolton Combination Div 1 Champions: 1972/73 Bolton Comb. Premier Champions 1976/77: Bolton Comb. Div2 cup runners up: 1979/80,1982/83 Bolton Comb. Div2 runners up: 1982/83 Bolton Comb. Cup winners: 1976/77, 1979/80, 1983/84 Bolton Comb. Div1 runners up: 1984/85 Bolton Comb. Cup runners up: 1985/86, 1987/88 Manchester League Cup Winners: 1990/91 Manchester League Champions: 1990/91 Yorkshire Cup runners up: 1993/94 Northwest Counties Div2 Champions: 1996/97 Northwest Counties Div2 Trophy: 1995/96 Bolton Hospital Cup winners: 1974/75, 05/06.

06/07, 07/08 Northwest Counties Premier runners Up 2010/11 Northwest Counties Premier Champions: 2011/12 Northern Premier League Div1 playoff winners: 2013/14 The Harry Williams Riverside Stadium, Acre Bottom, Ramsbottom, Lancashire Tel: 01706 822799

Sutton Coldfield Main Programme_Standard Programme 03/09/2015 08:51 Page 44

RAMMY

SUTTON

FORM

NUMBER OF WINS

1-4 1-1 0-2

GOALS SCORED

POSITION 24th

GOALS SCORED PER GAME

ATTENDANCES

BIGGEST WIN

CLEAN SHEETS

WORST DEFEAT

TOP SCORERS

David Kuba-Kuba 1 Max Harrop 1

2-2 4-1 1-1

4-0

WORKINGTON RAMSBOTTOM

FORM

3-0 POSITION

ATTENDANCES

BIGGEST WIN SUTTON HALESOWEN

3 0

WORST DEFEAT 4 0

SUTTON BARWELL GOALS CONCEDED

GOALS CONCEDED PER GAME

1 5

TOP SCORERS

Trainer Diop Richards Forde Pace

3 2 2 1 1

Sutton Coldfield Main Programme_Standard Programme 03/09/2015 08:51 Page 45

ATTENDANCES

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24

TEAM Darlington Workington Salford City Ilkeston Stourbridge Hyde United Buxton Matlock Town Marine Stamford Halesowen Town Blyth Spartans Nantwich Town Colwyn Bay Whitby Town Ramsbottom United Frickley Athletic Skelmersdale United Rushall Olympic Mickleover Sports Barwell Sutton Coldfield Town Grantham Town Ashton United

Avg 1306 552 538 472 438 411 397 376 375 372 356 324 323 300 247 246 226 226 208 206 204 200 183 158

EVOSTIK PREMIER DIVISION

TEAM 1 Blyth Spartans 2 Matlock Town 3 Darlington 4 Buxton 5 Salford City 6 Nantwich Town 7 Barwell 8 Skelmersdale United 9 Ilkeston 10 Rushall Olympic 11 Workington 12 Frickley Athletic 13 Hyde United 14 Stourbridge 15 Marine 16 Colwyn Bay 17 Stamford 18 Ashton United 19 Sutton Coldfield Town 20 Halesowen Town 21 Whitby Town 22 Mickleover Sports 23 Grantham Town 24 Ramsbottom United

P 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 5 6 6 6 6 6 5 6

W 4 4 4 4 3 3 3 3 3 2 2 2 2 2 1 2 2 1 1 2 1 1 0 0

SEASON 2015-16 / CAREER STATISTICS

D 1 1 0 0 2 1 1 1 1 3 2 2 2 2 4 1 0 3 3 0 2 2 3 1

L 1 1 2 2 1 2 2 2 2 1 2 2 2 2 1 3 3 2 2 4 3 3 2 5

F 9 10 13 7 8 17 13 10 10 12 7 9 9 11 6 8 16 8 9 4 12 5 9 2

A GD Pts 5 4 13 7 3 13 8 5 12 5 2 12 5 3 11 12 5 10 8 5 10 7 3 10 9 1 10 10 2 9 6 1 8 9 0 8 9 0 8 14 -3 8 5 1 7 10 -2 7 17 -1 6 10 -2 6 13 -4 6 9 -5 6 12 0 5 8 -3 5 12 -3 3 14 -12 1

Clevon Beadle Jake Cliffe Andy Dawson Saindou Djanfar Andy Fitzgerald Lee Gaskell Kyle Harrop Max Harrop Prince Haywood Luke Heron Callum Jones David Kuba-Kuba Dominic McHale Alex Meaney Kieran Nolan Jon Robinson Grant Shenton Grant Spencer Ben Woods

SIGNED July-15 Jan-15 Aug-08 Aug-15 July-15 Aug-10 Jan-15 Aug-15 July-15 Jan-15 Jan-15 Nov-14 July-15 July-15 July-15 Aug-15 Aug-10 July-15 July-15

SEASON APPS 5 2 2 1 4 6 4 3 6 4 2 4 5 6 2 0 6 3 4

SUB 0 2 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 3 2 0 1 1 0 1 1

GOALS 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

CAREER APPS 5 4 174 1 4 184 26 3 6 12 7 15 5 6 2 169 233 145 4

SUB 0 4 5 1 0 37 2 0 0 7 0 9 2 0 1 40 1 21 1

GOALS 0 1 23 0 0 110 0 2 0 2 0 2 0 0 0 107 0 43 0

YELS 0 0 25 0 0 10 0 0 0 1 2 2 1 1 0 48 12 20 0

REDS 0 0 4 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 4 1 0 0

Lee Pugh

July-15

0

0

0

36

7

2

9

2

Melford Knight

July-15

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Sutton Coldfield Main Programme_Standard Programme 03/09/2015 08:51 Page 46

who’s who? meet the rammy squad for 2015/16

Jon Robinson

Phil Edghill

Grant Shenton

Date of birth: 28/12/81 Place of birth: Salford Position: Manager / Striker Height: 5ft 9ins Previous clubs: Salford, Flixton, New Mills, Bacup A passionate and neversay-die striker who will score goals by sheer enthusiasm alone. Took over the managerial reins in January 2015.

Date of birth: 13/09/79 Place of birth: Oldham Position: Manager / Midfield Height: 6ft Previous clubs: Rochdale, Curzon, Hyde, Salford Versatile midfielder who’s happy anywhere on the pitch. Intelligent, mature and articulate addition to Rammy’s management.

Date of birth: 28/01/91 Place of birth: Newton Heath Position: Goalkeeper Height: 6ft 2ins Previous clubs: Maine Road, FCUM Charismatic and influential goalkeeper whose vision helps score as many goals as his athleticism denies.

Kyle Harrop

Lee Pugh

Ben Woods

Date of birth: 22/05/92 Place of birth: Chadderton Position: Defender Height: 6ft Previous clubs: Curzon, Bacup, Trafford, Ashton United, Nantwich Full back with a great ability to read the game.

Date of birth: 26/05/92 Place of birth: Rossendale Position: Defender Height: 6ft Previous clubs: Bury, Hyde, Bacup, Clitheroe, Chester No-nonsense hard man with a huge long throw and mean free kick.

Date of birth: 1/07/97 Place of birth: Manchester Position: Wing-back Height: 5ft 10ins Previous clubs: Hough End Griffins Extremely talented young full back with bags of pace, which allows him to wreak havoc coming forward.

Sutton Coldfield Main Programme_Standard Programme 03/09/2015 08:51 Page 47

6

Andy Fitzgerald

Andy Dawson

Kieran Nolan

Date of birth: 22/12/93 Place of birth: Stockport Position: Defender Height: 6ft 1in Previous clubs: Manchester United, Blackburn, Stockport, Curzon, Hyde Hard working full back with a great pedigree.

Date of birth: 19/09/85 Place of birth: Rochdale Position: Centre-Half Height: 6ft 3ins Previous clubs: Blackburn A Rammy favourite and one of the club’s longest serving players.Struggled with injury for the past three seasons, but after a series of knee operations is back in the squad.

Date of birth: 12/01/91 Place of birth: Salford Position: Centre-Half Height: 6ft 1in Previous clubs: Manchester City, Bolton Skillful young centre back who’s come through the Bolton academy setup.

Very brave, creative and has huge potential.

Prince Haywood

Melford Knight

Alex Meaney

Date of birth: 2/04/92 Place of birth: Modena, Italy Position: Midfield Height: 6ft 1in Previous clubs: Modenese, Stalybridge, Colwyn Bay No-nonsense hard working midfielder with bags of experience despite his age.

Position: Midfield Previous clubs: New Mills, Glossop, Runcorn Linnets, Mossley, Trafford Strong and experienced midfielder who likes to get stuck in. The Enforcer in the middle!

Position: Midfield Previous clubs: Stockport, Lancaster, Nantwich, Chorley, Skelmersdale, Curzon Ashton A left-footed attacking midfielder who works tirelessly and has a great eye for reading play.

Sutton Coldfield Main Programme_Standard Programme 03/09/2015 08:52 Page 48

Zac Hargreaves

Jake Cliffe

Jamie Rother

Date of birth: 18/10/98 Place of birth: Bury Position: Midfield Height: 5ft 11ins Previous clubs: Bury, Burnley Young and nippy midfielder with great skill, fitness and masses of potential.

Date of birth: 14/09/95 Place of birth: Bury Position: Midfield Height: 5ft 11ins Previous clubs: Preston, Bury Young and very promising midfielder whose performances become more outstanding every time he takes the field.

Date of birth: 28/01/91 Place of birth: Middleton Position: Midfield Height: 5ft 8ins Previous clubs: Oldham, Salford, Bacup, New Mills A very hard-working midfielder whose neversay-die attitude makes him a real inspiration in the Rammy team.

David Kuba-Kuba

Grant Spencer

Tom Hartley

Date of birth: 1/03/95 Place of birth: London Position: Midfield/Wing Height: 5ft 8ins Previous clubs: Preston, FCUM A very hard-working midfielder who’s skilled, strong and confident on the ball. Extremely influential player on the field for Rammy.

Date of birth: 4/10/91 Place of birth: Manchester Position: Midfield Height: 5ft 7ins Previous clubs: Bolton, Salford, Curzon, Rossendale, Hyde A creative midfielder who has the ability to take on anyone and deliver a great ball. He has an eye for the sensational and is worth almost a goal a game.

Date of birth: 11/11/96 Place of birth: Rawtenstall Position: Midfield/Striker Height: 5ft 7ins Previous clubs: Blackburn, Moston Tough and skillful young striker / attacking midfielder who is a very exciting prospect for the future.

Sutton Coldfield Main Programme_Standard Programme 03/09/2015 08:52 Page 49

Marley Gough

Luke Heron

Lee Gaskell

Date of birth: 15/09/92 Place of birth: Bolton Position: Midfield/Striker Height: 5ft 8ins Previous clubs: Burnley, Bolton, Lancaster, Mossley A creative midfielder and playmaker with an eye for goal.

Date of birth: 24/03/96 Place of birth: Bury Position: Winger Height: 6ft Previous clubs: Oldham, Trafford Young and creative wide player whose performances are going from strength to strength.

Date of birth: 07/02/85 Place of birth: Bury Position: Striker Height: 6ft Previous clubs: Bury, Morecambe, Trafford, Warrington Tall and classy striker who has an eye for the spectacular but isn’t afraid to work hard for the cause.

Clevon Beadle

Saindou Djanfar

Wayne Goodison

Date of birth: 19/12/95 Place of birth: Manchester Position: Winger Height: 5ft 11ins Previous clubs: Trafford, Radcliffe Leggy young and passionate winger with bags of pace who likes to run at defenders and can deliver a mean cross.

Date of birth: 27/02/91 Place of birth: Mayotte, Africa Position: Striker Height: 5ft 11ins Previous clubs: Chateaux Gombert, En Avant Guingamp, Endoume, Luynes Sport, Consolat, CA Plan de Cuques Tall and fast striker with great technique and whose potential is frightening.

Position: Coach Previous clubs: Barnsley, Crewe, Rochdale, Hyde, Accrington, Buxton Vastly experienced coach with some great ideas for getting the best out of his players. Played over 200 matches in professional football as a right-back.

supporters club

Sutton Coldfield Main Programme_Standard Programme 03/09/2015 08:52 Page 50

Like it or not - and I know there are a good number who choose the latter - we find ourselves Ramsbottom United supporters, and for me that requires a few things of us. We all jumped up and down and clapped and cheered when our team won all those games over the last few years, and rode on the shoulders of Johnno, Bernard and their excellent squad of players while they took the Northwest Counties and then Evostik First Division North by storm. We had a great time, and turned out in pretty decent numbers to watch and support our team. The going was easy, and we had a fantastic five years... and then... ...and then we know what happened, we know it all too well. The results went to pieces, the performances became pretty awful, and the journeymen supporters, who’d jumped on the bandwagon, began to wander off back to the Trafford Centre or watching Everton on BT Sports, or whatever else they get up to.

And what do we have left? Me, you, him over there, that’s what we have left. There really aren’t that many of us at all, and what we have is split into two very distinct camps.

Camp One is ‘The Moaners’. The miserable sods who think that a club such as Rammy ought to be banging in goals for fun every week, with a team of top-class players who didn’t quite break through into United’s first team and have come to ply their trade for next-to-nowt at our ‘Tiny Team’.

These are the supporters who stand on the touchline hurling abuse at the lads who, although perhaps not the best in this league, are willing to give it a go. These are the supporters who shout about letting the side down, about players not being fit to wear the

badge, or lacking in commitment - the self-same ‘supporters’ who the majority of us find an embarassment to the name of Ramsbottom United, who themselves are almost the epitomy of their accusations of the players. Their contribution at this club is worse than those who’ve just wandered off much worse! These are the people who kick our players and management when they’re already on their knees. These are the so-called supporters whose attitude would see this club relegated!

We KNOW what is wrong, we can all see it, and we’ve all been attending football matches for as long as you have, and paying as much as you have. We all know! Robbo knows as he runs around like a maniac trying to make signings to bolster our defence, and Edgy knows when he’s sitting in a dark room, head in hands. Shenton knows when he mis-times a kick and watches the ball fall for a striker to side-foot home, and Shelton Payne knows when he decides to call it a day with football. We don’t need you shouting in our ear to know that Rammy United is in trouble, and that shouting isn’t helping anyone. Maybe it’s making you feel better, but I seriously doubt that too!

Thankfully, we have Camp Two, which is ‘The Supporters’. These people are watching the same game as The Moaners, and looking at the same league table. They’re seeing the same Rammy concede three goals in the first twenty minutes at Workington, and are also wondering where the goals and the points are going to come from. The big difference is that, although fully aware of where the problems are and what needs fixing, they are willing to give that team of Rammy players 100%

Sutton Coldfield Main Programme_Standard Programme 03/09/2015 08:52 Page 51

support for the full ninety minutes on the pitch, and continue that support off it! These people are the real supporters of this club, the ones who will do their damndest to try and help keep this club in the Evostik Premier.

These are the supporters who will help our players up off their knees and back onto their feet. It’s easy to bang the drum and clap and cheer when your team is winning everything, but how much more difficult, and how much more satisfying is it when that support HELPS your team to find its confidence and find those elusive goals?

Now we’re not talking about rosetinted glasses, or finding positives when all hope has departed. These supporters aren’t imbeciles, as some on the forum would like to believe.

They are as realistic as anyone, and share that same awful feeling driving home from the horrible defeats, but they aren’t willing to throw themselves on their swords or shout expletives like some kind of spoilt child who’s had their toys taken away!

You know if you’re in Camp One or Camp Two or, as I confess that I am, somewhere inbetween, and if you question your loyalties and your motives then deep down you know that you would love to see Robbo, Edgy and Wayne get this club back on the rails.

So how about we all grow up? It’s easy to slag off Grant Spencer for being lazy - I know I have. It’s easy to shout at Dominic whose head drops when he loses the ball, or Grant Shenton if he makes a silly mistake.

It’s much more difficult to be big enough to put your dummy back in, reach down into your gut and find a word of encouragement for someone who is having an awful game. If you find the will to do that then you have the right to call yourself a real football fan, and have the right to be on the front seat of the bandwagon when it finally starts rolling once again.

This is the easy bit of being a fan and the exception, not some kind of divine right!

Sutton Coldfield Main Programme_Standard Programme 03/09/2015 08:52 Page 52

Manager: Jon ROBINSON

Grant SHENTON Clevon BEADLE Ben WOODS Alex MEANEY Kyle HARROP Andy FITZGERALD Dominic McHALE Prince HAYWOOD Lee GASKELL David KUBA-KUBA Luke HERON Jake CLIFFE Tom HARTLEY Callum JONES Phil EDGHILL Lee PUGH Andy DAWSON Keiran NOLAN Jon ROBINSON

Manager: Neil TOOTH

James WREN Andre GONZALES Matt JACKSON Aaron FORDE Kyle ROWLEY Joel KETTLE Joe FITZPATRICK Phillip TRAINER Jordan NADAT Malcolm MELVIN Justin RICHARDS Joe BALLINGER Reece LEEK Mark DANKS Tom TURTON Lewis GWILLIAMS Ryan PACE

Referee: Paul Hodskinson Referee’s Assistants: Andrew Johnson, Keith Martin Next home game: Tuesday 22nd September 7:45pm, Rammy v Stourbridge