rammy news v CURZON ASHTON 23-09-14
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First of all I’d like to take this opportunity to welcome everyone from the 'Curzon' side of Ashton under Lyne. Secondly I'd like to belatedly congratulate our fellow promotion rivals on their brilliant championship winning season, they were the stand out team in a fantastic league and will without a shadow of doubt be amongst the promotion candidates again this season. e reason I say the above is because we went to watch them last Monday night when they played 'Skem' at home - we thought we'd kill two birds with one stone as we were also meant to be playing 'Skem' this Saturday but because of results in the F.A Cup that one has been rearranged. On the night Curzon were simply too good for their opponents and easily beat them 2-0. To say I was impressed is an understatement. As always in this league we know we will have to be at our very best to even contemplate getting anything from tonight's game but it is certainly a challenge we are very much looking forward to after our last couple of results. e Witton game was a little bizarre in the sense that we actually thought it was our worst performance of the season. We were very poor in possession and lacked our usual high work rate but ultimately we got the job done with two late goals in the last
ten minutes. We have had many plaudits this season so far for our performances even when losing games so to scrape the three points when we didn't deserve them gives us a lot of satisfaction. Ilkeston on the other hand was the total opposite of the Witton game. e lads totally dominated a team who are full time and what was even more pleasing was the fact our part-time lads fitness stood up to the test against a very good team that not many will go and win at. On the injury front Lee Pugh made his first start since the third game of the season and came through unscathed. Both Daniel Warrender and Gary Stopforth should be available to pick from very shortly and Lee Gaskell is only a game or two away. So, after ten games we have to be delighted with the start we've made, especially when you consider the horrendous injury list we have had. We believe we'll keep getting better but as always we'll take one game at a time and hopefully keep hold of the top teams ‘tailcoats as the season progresses. COYR -
Jonno
jonno bernard
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grant shenton shouting from between the sticks How does it feel to have a crap start to the season, yet still finding ourselves just one point off the playoffs! well we see it as a good start. Because we're still learning every game and we're right up there with the big guns so we're very confident and happy with how things have panned out so far.
For the fans it's still sinking in that we can go to somewhere like Ilkeston, a club of full-time pro players, and have their fans leaving early. Did you notice the exodus, and how does this help the team's confidence? I don't know about the guys running around, but I see the fans leaving and I hear what they think up close and personal. And so it helps me personally seeing them silenced due to a goal from us. And I make it known to them as you've probably noticed. But it's only going to give the guys confidence seeing them leave.
Dom seemed to take it quite hard conceding the penalty midweek. Did he feel at fault for the own goal, or was it just one of those things?
Dom has an abundance of confidence so giving the pen away won't play on his mind. e own goal is just one of those things.. Dom has been awesome and one of our best players so far, so I can't have too many arguments with him trying to make a clearance and just misjudging slightly. But I'm sure the lads won't let him forget it too quickly.
Four goals, four scorers, and still missing our two top strikers. Do you think it's a sign of a great squad when everyone's popping up with goals. Of course. Our squad has tons of quality - don’t forget we have Lee and Robbo both absent. Not many clubs could still score goals without two top strikers like them. But Jordy has so much ability it's scary; eight goals and counting this season and he's only going to get better. But everyone else chipping in as well shows we have a squad who know where the back of the net is.
Cedric's becoming a bit of a folk hero around Rammy, and we now have Lee Pugh back. Are we finally getting a strong and settled back four or is there still a way to go?
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Yes! We have good defenders in the team but it's just not happened yet. We have cut the bad errors out on set pieces. But as a unit we still haven't played that many games together as there have been so many changes. Clean sheets will come - if not we will just score more goals than we concede. Ceders has shed loads of of quality as you have seen and he's good lad aswell. Great character to have in the team.
How did it feel to save that critical penalty midweek? You must have been really chuffed, particularly when you followed it with a second belting save. Its always good to save a pen I went right way and got good hand to it. It's like scoring a goal in some ways in the way it can get the team’s tails up. I'd take a nice easy day and a clean sheet right now but I'll keep working hard to keep the goals down.
“ we will just score more goals than we concede!“
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tony cunningham and the wonderful world of non-league football Welcome to the Harry Williams Riverside Stadium. And a special welcome to tonight’s match officials, and, of course, our opponents this evening - everyone associated with our close neighbours Curzon Ashton. We’ve had some great battles over the years, and perhaps it was fitting that we should have accompanied the Nash up a league last season. We did it the hard (although enjoyable!) way via the playoffs whilst Curzon looked nailed on for the title for most of the campaign. ey were worthy winners, although we came mighty close to defeating them on their own patch, which perhaps shows how close the two sides are. We have become accustomed to this level of football, after a tricky start, whilst Curzon have continued in the same vein as last year by sitting comfortably alongside our FA Cup conquerors, Buxton, at the top of the table. We may well have been rejoicing after a superb win in Derbyshire on Saturday, but this rearranged game has come round quickly enough to make us forget all about that, and concentrate on attempting to wrestle another three points on the pitch. It’s always difficult to
predict results, but this season is proving even more so. Who would have expected Frickley to bring an end to FC United’s fine unbeaten start, and in such a resounding way? en again, after our narrow, and Witton would argue unfair, victory over Albion last Tuesday, who could have foreseen the Northwich side going down at home to the inconsistent Trafford by five goals to nil, or high-flying Skelmersdale United losing at home to struggling Barwell? at’s the beauty of football….you never know what is going to happen, and long may that continue. DOWN THE ROAD When they visited us for a pre-season friendly, Bury boss Dave Flitcroft was extremely complimentary about everything here at Rammy, both on and off the pitch. He was delighted to see a non-league team playing “the right way”, which is something he has stressed he will produce during his spell as manager at the JD Stadium. As usual, work prevented me from making the trip to Ilkeston, which I bitterly resent having heard all about the performance, so I managed to up sticks at 2.30, and walked down to the JD.
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Billy Priestley trying to conjure up a late winner at Curzon Ashton last season
“Curzon Ashton were worthy league winners, although we came mighty close to beating them on their patch” Although I have a season ticket there, it’s unusual these days if I manage to see more than half the home games, but having followed the Shakers through good, bad and more bad over the years, I still look to go down whenever the opportunity arises. Reports have been good, and the performance against previous table-toppers Burton Albion confirmed that Flicker’s philosophy is being played out down the road as he promised. Like watching the Rams, it is a pleasure at the moment to watch a Bury
side that plays a similar attractive passing game, and I came away on Saturday with a beaming smile on my face. Not just because of the performance I had just seen, but because of the tweets I had been checking all through the match. Don’t you just love it when both your favourite teams come up trumps on the same day? I did enjoy the weekend! Enjoy your non-league football!
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Ramsbottom United twice came from behind to snatch all three points thanks to two goals in the last ten minutes. Witton Albion had looked good value for their lead, but let the three points slip away as the home side refused to give up and earned their reward with the late comeback. It was the Rams who had the first real chance of the match after twelve minutes when Phil Dean saw his header from a deep Grant Spencer cross sail wide of the target, but on 18 minutes, the visitors took the lead. A cross from the right was met by Josh Hancock and his half-volley flew past Grant Shenton in the home goal. Dominic Smalley and Spencer combined well only to see the latter’s snap shot from the edge of the box, clear the bar by inches, before Smalley sent in a low cross but no-one was there to meet it and the danger was cleared. Witton retaliated but were denied when Shenton came flying off his line to dive at the feet of the on-rushing Michael Powell, whilst the post saved the home side as Neil Harvey beat the offside trap to race through only to see his drive clip the woodwork. Nelson Mota tested Chris Sanna in the away goal, while Michael Lee tried his luck at the other end, but with the half-time whistle about to sound, the Rams found an equaliser to ease their nerves. Spencer fed the ball into the area, and Jordan Hulme nipped between two defenders to poke the ball past Sanna. e visitors should have restored their lead just three minutes into the second half. Smalley was adjudged to have shoved Hancock off the ball, and the referee pointed to the spot. Hancock then looked on as Shenton dived low to his left to deny him his second of the night with a fine save and take at the second attempt. at miss was to prove costly even though Witton did take the lead on 56 minutes. A low
cross to the edge of the box was cleverly flicked on to Hancock, and this time the winger made no mistake as he drilled the ball through a forest of legs and in by the far post. Osebi Abadaki raced through for the home side but was denied by Samma who palmed away the fierce drive before denying Nelson Mota with the follow-up. Hulme saw his header clear the bar as the Rams went in search of an equaliser, but the visitors continued to look confident and could well have extended their lead with a Harvey pile-driver which sailed wide of the post. Hulme had a long-range shot parried by Sanna, but with the minutes ticking down, it looked as though the visitors had done enough to earn the points. e Rams, however, were not content to hand them over, and a dramatic last few minutes saw the game turned on it’s head. Substitute Tom Williams sent in a corner from the right on 81 minutes, and Cedric Krou rose highest to head the ball home courtesy of the far post. is seemed to inspire the home side, who decided that rather than settle for a point that had looked unlikely, they would go all out for the three. at bold attitude paid off, for just four minutes later they grabbed the winner. Another sub, Sam Cook, controlled the ball in the area before neatly setting up Hulme, and the latter raced on to the ball in the lefthand side of the area before sliding it past Sanna to the joy of his team-mates and the majority of the crowd. Witton looked to rescue something from the game in the closing minutes, but the Rams defence comfortably held on as the home side grabbed another three points as they slowly come to terms with life at the new level.
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Harry Williams Riverside Stadium 16th September 2014 Att: 231 Rammy Goals: Hulme (45,85), Krou (81) Witton Goals: Hancock (18,56)
On the scoresheet with a fantastic header, Cedric Krou
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Another great ďŹ nish from Jordan Hulme
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Harry Williams Riverside Stadium 16th September 2014 Att: 231 Rammy Goals: Hulme (45,85), Krou (81) Witton Goals: Hancock (18,56)
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In 2011/12, during his first season in change John Flanagan took the club to the Play-off Final where they were beaten by Witton Albion. Making the Play-off Final in his first season was tremendous achievement, but the most significant accolade was finishing the season in the club’s highest ever league position coming runners-up to AFC Fylde. e season also saw Curzon create a record 17 games unbeaten from the start of the season as well as remaining undefeated at home for the first time since the mid-70's. 2012-2013 saw the club celebrate their 50th Season but in terms of league success, it was their worst for some time, the club finishing seventh and missing out on the play-offs for the first time since they rejoined the NPL in 2007. On the bright side they reached the Final of the Doodson Sports Cup where they were beaten by Premier Division Champions North Ferriby United on penalties. e first seven penalties in the shootout were saved, which must be a record. A team rebuild in the summer of 2013 saw Curzon get off to a flyer and they again had a magnificent start to the season, going 16 league games undefeated before finally losing at the beginning of December. ey then won seven on the bounce before their second league defeat in early February, ironically to the side which had beaten them previously - Ossett Town. However, they were to then go on another magnificent run of 12 games unbeaten, 11 of them wins and the last ten of those games creating a club record of ten successive clean sheets. is was the run which took them to the league title, clinched on a never to be forgotten night at Harrogate Railway Athletic, where Niall Cummins wrote himself into Curzon folklore with a stoppage time header to seal a 1-0 win, and the title, with five games to spare. Like Rammy, season 2014-2015 sees Curzon compete at their highest ever level of the Evo-Stik NPL Premier Division, and a journey into the unknown which everyone at the club is looking forward to with great anticipation.
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Matthew WARBURTON - Signed from NWCL side Maine Road at the beginning of last season, Matty soon showed that he could score goals at NPL level with a hat-trick in his third game, and he eventually ďŹ nished the season with 31 goals from 51 appearances. He is more than just a striker though, and his clever play creates numerous chances for those around him.
Niall CUMMINS - Signed from Burscough in October 2013, Niall became an instant hero when he headed the winner at Harrogate Railway last April to clinch the NPL Division 1 North title for Curzon. Big, strong centre forward, he holds the ball well and his awareness creates some great link up play for others.
four to watch
Johnathan HUNT - Now in his third season at Curzon, Jonno has proved to be a fantastic signing, having joined from Salford City in 2012. He rarely misses a game, having notched up over 100 appearances in just two season and his consistent performances have quickly made him a fans favourite and he picked up both Supporters and Players-player of the year last season.
Alex BROWN - Another summer capture from neighbours Hyde FC, Alex has had the Curzon faithful purring with his performances so far in the centre of midďŹ eld. Excellent on the ball, he is another player whose experience at a higher level will prove vital this season.
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tony’s teasers 1.
Who is the manager of Trafford FC?
2.
Which former Ram moved from Padiham to Kendal Town this summer?
3.
What is the nickname of Maidenhead United?
4.
Which former Macclesfield Town manager is now in charge of Whitehawk?
5.
Which southern-based club is nicknamed e Romans?
6.
Who was the temporary manager of the Rams before our two incumbents?
7.
Which non-league club was the first to wear a sponsors’ name on their shirts?
8.
What did the FA do to that club?
9.
In what year did Spennymoor United fail to fulfil their Northern Premier
League fixtures? Which club beat Altrincham 5-0 on Saturday?
1. Garry Vaughan 2. Keiron Pickup 3. e magpies 4. Steve King 5. Bath City 6 Paul Williams 7. Kettering Town 8. Fine them £1000 as it was illegal at the time! 9. 2005 10. Barnet
10.
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THE STRONGEST
ADHESIVE YOU CAN BUY!
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BUILDERS
SWEAR BY IT !
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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 Blyth Spartans A Marine A Whitby Town FAT 1Q H WORKINGTON A Halesowen Town H BURSCOUGH LGCUP A Witton Albion H GRANTHAM TOWN H BARWELL A Matlock Town H RUSHALL OLYMPIC A King’s Lynn Town H ASHTON UNITED A Nantwich Town A Curzon Ashton H TRAFFORD A Belper Town H FRICKLEY ATHLETIC A Buxton H BLYTH SPARTANS A Stamford A Stourbridge H ILKESTON A Skelmersdale United H STOURBRIDGE A Grantham Town H FC UNITED OF MCR A Ashton United H HALESOWEN TOWN A Barwell 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
322 Shenton 415 Shenton 161 Shenton 365 Shenton 1917 Shenton 250 Shenton 357 Shenton 265 Shenton 261 Shenton 231 Shenton 422 Shenton
Smalley Smalley Smalley Smalley Smalley Smalley + Smalley Smalley Smalley Smalley Smalley
Pugh Pugh Pugh Abadaki * Pilkington Pilkington Pilkington Pilkington Pilkington # Pilkington Pugh
Spencer Spencer * Spencer * Spencer + Spencer Spencer Spencer + Spencer Spencer Spencer * Spencer *
Howson Howson Howson Howson Howson Howson 1 Howson 1 Howson Howson Howson Howson
Priestley Priestley Priestley Priestley Warrender Krou Warrender Warrender Warrender + Krou 1 Krou 1
Hulme 1 Hulme Hulme 1+ Hulme Abadaki + Abadaki Abadaki Abadaki Abadaki Abadaki Abadaki +
fixtures & results 2014/15
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Hulme 1 Hulme Hulme 1+ Hulme Abadaki + Abadaki Abadaki Abadaki Abadaki Abadaki Abadaki +
Burton Burton Burton Burton Slaven Burton * Burton Burton Burton Burton Burton 1
Gaskell Gaskell Robinson 1# Robinson 1 Robinson * Slaven 1 Slaven * Slaven + Krou Mota # Pilkington
Robinson 1* Robinson + Pilkington Pilkington Hulme 1# Hulme 1 Hulme 1# Krou Hulme Hulme 2 Hulme 1
Dean + Dean # Dean 2 Dean Dean Dean # Dean 1 Dean Dean * Dean + Williams 1#
Pilkington Pilkington * Abadaki * Williams Williams + Williams # Williams + Mota + Mota * Pugh Dean +
Ramsbottom United Football Club Chairman: Harry Williams Vice Chairman: Chris Woolfall Secretary: Tony Cunningham Matchday Secretary: Andy Edmunson Treasurers: H Williams, C Woolfall Committee: Harry Williams, Chris Woolfall, Andy Edmundson, Kevin Hitchen The Harry Williams Riverside, Acre Bottom, Ramsbottom, Lancashire, Tel: 01706 822799
Slaven Slaven + Slaven + Slaven Krou * Robinson * Robinson # Cook Williams + Williams # Mota #
Abadaki + Abadaki Ahmadi # Cook * Cook # Cook + Cook Williams Pugh # Irwin Irwin
Ahmadi * Ahmadi # Cook Krou + Morley Morley Morley Johnson Johnson Slaven * Slaven *
Cook Cook Williams Morley Johnson Johnson Krou * Morley Morley Cook + Cook
Recent Senior Honours: Bolton Comination 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: 2013/1
ďŹ xtures & results 2014/15
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the boogie bus on the road with rammy e Rams are back on the road again this Saturday when we travel to West Yorkshire to take on Frickley Athletic, a team who have not had the best of starts to the season and find themselves near the bottom of the table. Despite this it should be another strong test for the newly promoted Rams. Based in South Elmsall, West Yorkshire, which is part of Wakefield, the club were formed in 1910 as Frickley Colliery. ey have always had strong links with the colliery and the miners used to pay subs to the clubs, as well as supporting their local team. However, with the closure of the pit in 1993, the club now have to rely on getting their local support elsewhere. Frickley Colliery was one of the last to see their workers return to work during the miners strike in the 1980’s and anyone who presented such a fight against the atcher government are good people in my book. e team play at Westfield Lane (WF9 2EQ) which has a capacity of just over 2,000. Opposite the main stand there is still evidence of the local colliery in the shape of a grass covered slag heap (here is my chance to try and insert an amusing comment but, I will leave it so as not to offend any of our large
contingent of female support. I’ll leave that kind of humour to the Carry On films). Frickley have a strong non-league tradition but, have never really had any successful periods during their long history. eir best run in the F.A Cup came in the 1985-86 season when they reached the 3rd round after beating Hartlepool away in the 2nd round. ey were drawn at home in the 3rd round against near neighbours, Rotherham United. at game ended in a 3-1 defeat but, the season ended on a high note when they won the Sheffield & Hallamshire Senior Cup and also finished runners-up in what was then the Gola League. If you are getting there early and looking for somewhere to have lunch you could try any of the following pubs in South Elmsall: Barnsley Oak, e Plough Inn, e Minsthorpe, e Park or the wonderfully named e Little Un. All have quite good reviews on the internet but I have never been to any of them so please don’t shout at me if you go and it’s not up to the high standard of pubs and bars we have back home in Ramsbottom. Remember, this is Yorkshire and they are not quite as civilised as us in the red rose county (and before Hilary attacks me with Andys vuvuzela, the last comment is purely tongue in cheek. Lets have another great turnout from the Rammy Ultras and remember………… COME ON YOU RAMS
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rammy in exile sky sports statto richard isaacs Hello everyone, hope you are all well. My column today is going to be slightly different as it is being written while the game against Ilkeston is taking place on Saturday afternoon. As you will probably have noticed, I wasn't there. But I doubt that many programme columns have been written from 38,000 feet above Ohio, sat on a plane heading for Las Vegas on holiday. I am also pretty sure that no one else on this flight has their Rammy scarf with them either!!!! e great feats of modern technology these days, with wifi on board and our excellent twitter feed from the ground ensured I didn't miss anything. I had to switch off for take off but that was ok as it was 0-0 at half time. I switch on again, load up the wifi and, boom, we are 2-0 up. Get in there lads, loving that. A nice little drink is ordered, I put my iPad down for a couple of minutes and its 3-1 .... what is going on!!!! Come on lads, keep it safe, bring those points home!! Oh crap, 3-2. Hold on Rammy, come on. It's Kings Lynn again, nervy moments. YEEEEESSSSSS Tom Williams!! Yes, get in there 4-2. Don't throw it away now. You Raaaaaaaaams!!! It's all over. What a result for us, absolutely superb. ey would have
thought this was a home banker but our brilliant team have done us proud yet again. Why is no one else cheering on this plane .... I don't suppose that's the done thing although this is America so anythings possible. What a result and couple that with the super Saints climbing into 2nd in the Premier League (not bad for a team pillaged during the summer and left with half a team and no manager .... Come on City, United, Liverpool etc .... keep up!!!!!!), Queen of the South beating Hibernian 1-0 and Bath Rugby stuffing our old arch rivals Leicester 45-0, that's a bloody good day!!!! Steward, a glass of fizz please. We're celebrating!!!!!!!!! PS - my Cath is looking at me very bemused .... she just doesn't get it.
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from the darkside darren comer reports on the latest rammy ultras adventures ree days after the long midweek trip to Whitby, the Rammy Ultras were back on their travels, this time with a slightly shorter trip to take on Buxton. is game saw us taking a break for the league schedule and taking our first steps on the road to Wembley in the F.A Cup. A hectic morning was spent by myself and Rob Moss trying to arrange transport for the Rammy TV cameramen which was finally sorted when John Ayers kindly offered a lift (a big thanks John). Meanwhile Mrs Darkside and Joanne were up at the Buchanan Club preparing sandwiches for that afternoon’s bowling tournament (watch out for Charleson and Hulme Executive Catering coming to a town near you soon). is meant we did not set off on our travels until 1.15, and, after an absence of a couple of weeks we were back in the Hulme mobile with Martin, Joanne, Geoff and Mrs Darkside keeping me company for the journey. It was a relatively short trip and we arrived at the ground just before 2.30. I met up with the Rammy TV camera operative for the day,
Olla, and we went to pick up his press pass to get him into the ground. As Martin went to the bar to get the beers (proof that miracles sometimes happen) I went to the main stand with Olla to get a prime filming spot and set up the tripod. We met up with the guys from BFC TV who were fantastic and went out of their way to help us, so a big thank you goes out to them (they have a great 20 minute highlights package on their website if you want to check it out). With Olla in safe hands, I made my way to the bar to meet up with the other travelling supporters and have my prematch pint. Martin had got me a Worthingtons Smooth, which is not usually amongst my favourite ales but, this one was pretty good and went down in no time at all. You will all know how the 1st half of the game went, and despite not playing too badly we went in at half time trailing by 3-0. We had spent the 1st half behind the goal on a traditional covered terrace and enjoyed a good chat with some of the Buxton supporters stood with us. My highlight of the opening 45 minutes came after some Buxton supporter made a comment about us being ‘sheeps arses’, which led to a chorus of ‘Sheep said no, Rammy, Sheep said no’ from the Ultras gathered
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from the darkside The seagullls circle - you’re never short of friends when you’ve got a pie and pies
around us. Despite being 3 goals down at half time none of the travelling Rammy fans seemed too down about it and felt we were still trying to play our football in the right manner. e 2nd half saw us pull it back to 3-2 which set the game up for a thrilling finale but, alas we could not get the goal that would have forced a replay back at e Riverside the following Tuesday. It also meant that the poor Buxton fans would have to make the long journey to Kings Lynn on that evening instead. I find it hard to believe that Kings Lynn are actually in the Northern section of the league and it must be especially hard on their supporters when they have trips to the likes of Blyth Spartans and Whitby to make. We had a quick pint after the game and then decided to get back on the road and head to Rammy for a few more post match beers. We also had to get Geoff home for his usual ritual of a steak tea cooked by his other half, Annie, and a night out at the Buchanan Club. As we left the ground, myself and Mrs Darkside got talking to the veteran
Buxton forward, Liam Hardy, who said that Rammy were the best footballing side he had faced this season and that he had been substituted 20 minutes from time due to him being knackered from the hard work we had put in against our defenders. I have to say that he came across really well and seemed to be a genuinely nice guy, which I doubt you would get with many of the over-paid prima donnas in the Premier League. We were back in Ramsbottom in time to see the end of the Liverpool v Aston Villa game in e Railway. ere were people with both Liverpool and Villa colours on which got me wondering about why you would follow a team on TV when you have a wonderful ‘tiny’ team in your own town. I have never understood how you can support a team, yet never go to watch them. As you are reading this I am sure you can have a knowing smile to yourself and say that we, as football followers, are doing things the right way by supporting our own team, the mighty Rammy United.
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rammy united meet the lads
Grant SHENTON Born in January 1991, this 6ft 2” goalkeeper joined Rammy from FC United at the end of August 2010. He was number two at FC United, but a superb season in 2010/11 saw him win Player of the Year for the Rams. He Signed full-time with the club at the start of 2011/12.
Lee PUGH e talented left full-back rejoined the club from Chester during the 2013/14 season having had a short spell here a couple of years earlier. His long throw-in is always a dangerous piece of his armory.
Dominic SMALLEY Signed for the club after impressing the managers when he played against the Rams for Atherton LR. Adds a whole new dimension to the Riversiders’ squad, and equally at home on the right side as either a defender or attacking winger.. Brother of Plymouth Argyle’s Deane Smalley.
Grant SPENCER Battling midfield who signed for the club in 2011 following the demise of Rossendale United, for whom he scored a hat-trick in the ridiculous 7-5 Rammy win the previous season. Won the NWCFL title with the club and was offered terms with Conference Premier side Hyde but returned to the club on loan, eventually signing full terms.
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Steve HOWSON Signed from local rivals Radcliffe Borough after a spell playing in Australia, the big man is equally at home in the heart of the defence, or up front poaching goals.
Tom WILLIAMS Wing man Tom came on as a sub in the playoff game for our opponents Bamber Bridge. e Rams management team acted swiftly in the summer to bring him down to Ramsbottom
Joel PILKINGTON Former Burnley professional player who is a model of consistency, wherever he is picked. A previous Player of the Year award-winner, Joel is a firm favourite with the fans at the Harry Williams Riverside Stadium, and has played over 200 games for the club.
Scott BURTON It has taken some two years for the management to finally get Scott to join the Rams. Bernard and Jonno have followed Scott’s career with Runcorn Town and he finally joined the club in late January 2014. A hard-working midfielder, similar in style to Gary Stopforth, and an integral part of the promotion winning team.
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Jon ROBINSON Experienced striker Jon was signed from New Mills and despite plentiful interest from other clubs has remained loyal to the Rams for a number of seasons now, and always finishes near the top of the goal-scoring charts. Regarded as a “Rammy legend” in east Lancashire..
Phil DEAN A constant threat in attack, a solid performer in defence. Awarded Clubman of the Year award in 2011. Continues to cause plentiful problems to defences around the leagues.
Lee GASKELL Signed at the end of August 2011 from Manchester League side Walshaw Sports and has taken his opportunity with some relish. Last season the 29 year old won the Golden Boot accolade for being the highest scorer in the Division One North.
Jordan HULME Joined the club in December 2011 from Clitheroe via Padiham. Son of a former 1990s Rammy favourite Martin, midfielder Jordan is highly rated and scored 8 goals for the Storks before going to Clitheroe. A versatile player – he can play anywhere from defence to striker.
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Sam COOK
Malachi SLAVEN
Having spent time at University, the youngster spent last season with Shepshed Dynamo before moving back to the northwest, where joint-managers Bernard Morley and Anthony Johnson snapped him up for the Rams.
Joined the Rams in the summer of 2014, this midfield player spent last season as a member of the struggling Droylsden side which changed places with e Rams at the end of the campaign.
Osebi ABADAKI e speedy wingman joined the Rams at the beginning of the 2014/15 season, having spent the previous campaign at fellow EvoStik Premier club Nantwich Town.
Cedric KROU Cedric joined the club in January 2014 having impressed the management team during his time with rivals Trafford FC. Essentially a defender, Cedric has the ability to fit in other positions for the team.
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Dan WARRENDER Previously club captain of the Rams, who famously lifted the play-off trophy at Bamber Bridge in May 2014, Danny moved to Salford City in the summer, but soon returned. His consistent displays at the back and in midfield have seen him become a firm favourite with the fans.
Nelson MOTA A 24-year old forward player who signed for the Rams in the middle of September. Previously with FC United of Manchester and Salford City. Prior to that he had spells at Niort, Lilas, DH Saint-Maur and Paris DC in France, as well as Tercera in Spain.
Gary STOPFORTH A skilful battling midfielder who signed full time with the Rams during the summer of 2012 after coming on loan from AFC Fylde the previous season and dominating the midfield. In his third season with the club he was a vital member of the promotion set-up last term.
Alex PIACENTILE A left-back who signed for the Rams in the middle of September. Previously with C.E.Principado De Andorra, a second division Andorran team with whom he experienced Champions League football.
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Liam IRWIN
Jake PARKER
Son of Manchester United player Dennis Irwin, Liam signed for the Rams in the middle of September. Previously with Stockport Sports, Altrincham and Bolton Wanderers. He played at international level for Republic of Ireland youth.
A promosing young midďŹ elder who signed for the Rams in the middle of September. Previously with Colwyn Bay and Fleetwood Town.
Anthony JOHNSON Appointed joint manager at the start of the 2009/2010 season and took the club to the NWCFL title in 2011/12 season, despite missing much of the season through injury. He has helped guide the club through another promotion via the play-os into the Evo-Stik Premier League in May 2014.
Bernard MORLEY Re-joined the club in January 2009 and became joint manager at the start of 2009/2010. A Rammy man to his core, a combative and hard-working midfelder who has occasionally taken over with some prowess in goal. Successful in guiding the Rams to two promotions in three seasons.
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2-4
New Manor Ground 20th September 2014 Att: 442 Rammy Goals: Krou (48), Burton (57), Hulme (59), Williams (74) Ilkeston Goals: Adams (58), Smalley o.g. (72)
Ramsbottom United returned from their first ever visit to Ilkeston with a thoroughly deserved victory which saw them leap-frog their hosts in the table. Such was the visitors’ dominance that the score-line flattered the home team, whose supporters were seen to be deserting in droves long before the final whistle. e Rams took the game to the hosts from the off, and whilst the first half may have ended score-less, the second half produced a goal feast, with the visitors deservedly finishing on top. e closest either side came to scoring in the first half was when a superb drive from Osebi Anadaki was tipped over by the home keeper,
but within three minutes of the re-start, the goal that had been threatening finally arrived. Lee Pugh sent in one of his trademark long throws, and Cedric Krou beat the keeper to the ball to send a back header over the stopper and into the net. Tom Williams, minutes later, almost added a second, only to be denied by the keepers legs, but that second goal wasn’t long in coming. On 57 minutes, Williams was fouled, and from the resultant free kick, Scott Burton was on hand to bury the ball and double the lead. Almost immediately Ilkeston grabbed a lifeline when a one-two on the edge of the area fell to Che Adams, and his drive left Grant Shenton in
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the Rams goal unsighted, to give the home side some hope. ey barely had time to celebrate, however, for within a minute, the Rams had restored the two goal cushion. Krou mis-kicked the ball, but it fell nicely into the path of Jordan Hulme, and he slipped it home. e home keeper’s legs again saved the day, this time for the unfortunate Joel Pilkington, but with the ball refusing to enter the net in the first half, the second period was enjoying the totally opposite effect. Once again the home side reduced the arrears, when, on 72 minutes, the referee over-ruled his assistant who was waving for a foul, and allowed
play to continue. e ball played into the area, and Dominic Smalley was adjudged to have had the final touch as he notched an unfortunate own goal. But again, before the celebrations had died down, any hopes of a come-back for the home side were drowned out with Williams notching his first goal for the club at the far post from an Abadaki cross. Richards saw his effort hit the bar for the home side, but in reality, the Rams held on comfortably for an excellent and well-earned three points, with a performance that oozed class and confidence.
Photo courtesty of Mrs Darkside
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supporters club Now rammy.tv is cooking with gas! As you can see from the photo of Callum perched on the scaffolding gantry at Ilkeston, we’re starting to get our act together with rammy.tv. It’s taken a while to get the teething troubles over with, but the footage that he and Olla brought back with them from the Ilkeston match was fantastic, and really did justice to one of the most entertaining games of football that I’ve seen in a very long time. Callum, Olla, Jack and a load of other media students that are getting involved with the club are all studying for qualifications at Hopwood Hall College, and we hope to get Rammy well and truly on the map for giving these kids some great opportunities to get a head-start in media. It’ll suit the club, because we’ll get some fantastic coverage (it is already much better than the footage I’ve seen from most other clubs), and it gives the
Callum getting vertigo with rammy.tv
on the terraces of rammy
students a chance to get some real-world experience where you can’t just do half a job or turn up late while making do with a grade C or D. All the students we’ve worked with so far have done a really good job, and you can see noticeable improvements in the quality of their work, not just week-byweek but even during the 90 minutes of the game. From a supporters point of view, with a load of matches being 2+ hours drive to get to, this will hopefully mean that loads of us will be able to see games that we otherwise couldn’t get to. I’ve had a chat with the Oaks in Rammy, and the landlord there is happy for us to show match footage on a ursday night, effectively making it
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‘Rammy Night at the Oaks!’. As I write these notes, it’s Sunday evening and I’ve been at my folks all day (dad’s birthday), so I’ve only had a quick look over the video, but I think we have enough decent footage of the Ilkeston game to get down the pub Olla and Callum ask Steve Howson why he no and show the match longer does interviews without his shirt on on the big screen this ursday. I’ll have a go at editing the mind is Katie’s problem with sending video over the next couple of days and emails to everyone. She’s now sent two should know by tonight’s match whether newsletters out to Supporters Club we have a video worth showing - if you’re members, and suspects that a good interested in coming to the pub to watch number of people haven’t received them. the game then please listen out for Tony’s Please can you check your spam folder if tannoy announcements tonight, or grab you’ve signed up and not heard anything, me, Katie etc to find out if it’s going and maybe give Katie a shout: ahead. We’ll be aiming to start the game katiejaneworsick@gmail.com so that she video at 7:45pm, and we’d love it to can find another way to get in touch with become a regular Rammy Family event, you. Ta. so please come along as you’ll be made more than welcome. If you don’t know where the Oaks is then you’ve probably been walking aroudn with your eyes firmly shut - it’s halfway up Bridge Street on the right - the one with the sign outside that often says ‘Husband Daycare Centre’. Harry tells Darren what he Another thing can do with his ideas, that’s just jumped to without even opening his mouth!
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Managers: Anthony Johnson, Bernard Morley
Grant SHENTON Dominic SMALLEY Lee PUGH Gary STOPFORTH Steve HOWSON Dan WARRENDER Osebi ABADAKI Scott BURTON Jon ROBINSON Lee GASKELL Phil DEAN Jordan HULME Grant SPENCER Sam COOK Tom WILLIAMS Malachi SLAVEN Cedric KROU Alex PIACENTILE Jake PARKER Liam IRWIN Nelson MOTA
Manager: John Flanagan
Hakan BURTON Simon WOODFORD Luke HORROCKS Jonathan HUNT Darren THORNTON Alex BROWN Matthew WARBURTON Samuel WALKER Niall CUMMINS Ryan WATSON Christopher ROWNEY Ryan BROOKE Jordan WRIGHT Simon LAKELAND Andrew FITZGERALD Matthew KAY
Referee: Philip Dermott Referee’s Assistants: Lewis Smith, Bob Richards
Next home game: Saturday 11th October 3pm, Rammy v Belper Town