rammy new news V OSSETT ALBION 04.02.14
TONY CUNNINGHAM AND THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF NON-LEAGUE FOOTBALL Welcome to the Harry Williams Riverside Stadium tonight for the game against our old friends from west Yorkshire.. Ossett Albion have endured a frustrating season so far, and as things look, relegation is staring them in the face. However, although we managed to obtain our first victory of the season over there (at the sixth attempt!), they gave us quite a battle on the night, which is why I am surprised to see them where they are. They are a great club run by friendly people, so I genuinely hope that they manage to pull together a string of results that will pull them away from the danger area….after tonight, of course.
POTATO PATCH Credit to both Clitheroe and Cammell Laird for ensuring their pitches were fit for play recently. The wettest January since records began may well have seen us safe from the usual flurries of snow, but the rain has caused havoc with pitches all over the country. Had Harry gone to both grounds on the Sunday morning to do his divoting, I think he would have collapsed with shock! It’s all very well playing on such heavy surfaces, but the damage it causes can have long term effects, and I’m all for calling a game off when such weather prevails, and re-arranging it for later in the season when the playing surface will allow the game to be played in the right way. It’s very difficult. Players, managers and supporters never like to see a game postponed, but the possible repercussions have to be taken into account. Many of you will remember a game being played down here a few years back over the Christmas period that should never have happened. The pitch was a quagmire at the end. We had another game scheduled shortly afterwards. As a result of frost, the pitch could not be put back into an acceptable condition. However, the match referee declared it fit, despite the ruts and divots. What happened? An opposing player was stretchered off in the first ten minutes, followed a short while later by Jonno with a broken ankle. So despite the frustration, safety of players as well as the overall condition of the playing surface, should always win out when such decisions are to be made. I think they call it common sense! CHANGES With Graham Shuttleworth having relinquished his post of Secretary, one or two changes have taken place behind the scenes here at the Harry Williams Riverside Stadium. I have assumed the role of Secretary, although as match days can sometimes be a problem, timewise, Andy Edmundson has become the new Matchday Secretary, with assistance from Chris Woolfall. In effect, Graham’s roles have been shared out amongst the three of us, all of whom have the well-being of Ramsbottom United at heart. Hopefully the move will prove a success as we aim, along with Harry and his band of helpers, to take this club as far as we can. Enjoy your non-league football!
President: J Smith Chairman: H Williams Secretary: A Cunningham 07973 416580 Matchday Secretary: A Edmunson 07875 565261 Treasurers: H Williams, C Woolfall Committee: C Woolfall, A Edmundson, G Lay, D Wolfenden, K Topping Life Members: FA Rothwell, L Read, A Whalley, F Rothwell, J Wolfenden, P McSherry, A Mcleod Programme Editor: R Moss Hospitality Manager: I McCool Catering Manager: S Fletcher Team Managers: A Johnson, B Morley First XI Coaches: J Hunter, G Moses, D Green Physio: K Brooks Recent Honours: NWCFL Champions 2011/12 Premier Runners Up 2010/11 2nd Div Champions 96/97 2nd Div Trophy 95/96 Bolton Hospital Cup Winners 2005/06. 2006/07, 2007/08 The Harry Williams Riverside, Acre Bottom, Ramsbottom, Lancashire Tel: 01706 822799 www.rammyunited.co.uk
extremely disappointed
Welcome to the Harry Williams Riverside Stadium for tonight’s clash where we welcome Ossett Albion. We wish them all an enjoyable evening and a safe journey back home later, result apart. Tonight gives us the opportunity to get Saturday’s result out of our systems, and thats the beauty of a tuesday fixture. All in all, if I said we were dissapointed with not only the result but also the performance on Saturday that would definitely be an understatement. You only have to watch Bernard’s interview after the defeat at Cammell Laird to get an insight into how we were all feeling. We set our standards so high that when we drop below the bar its very dissapointing. It’s up to us as the management to pick the lads up and get back on the horse so to speak, which we will be looking to do starting tonight. It was tough week overall with the three points being deducted and then the defeat but we’ve got to look at the bigger picture that in reality that’s only our second loss in the league stretching right back to Mossley on the 21st September. The belief within the dressing room that we will achieve the goals we have set ourselves and not let these blips derail our focus is as strong as ever. Lets get behind the lads again, as you always do wherever Rammy play. enjoy the game.. Glenn
today’s visitors
ossett albion
Richard Tracey – Player Manager - Experienced former professional with Sheffield United, Rotherham United, Macclesfield and Carlisle United. Richard has an excellent scoring record wherever he has played. Appointed player manager early in 2013. Adam Muller – Assistant Player Manager – Adam is an experienced striker who has also played for Worksop Town, Guiseley Ilkeston Town Eastwood Town, Farsley & Buxton. Kevin Quinn – Defender / Coach – Irish born defender, Kevin is now in his third season with the club, joining when he moved to the area to take up a teaching post at Ossett School. A well respected central defender who can also play at right back. Adam Rhodes – Goalkeeper – A product of Albion’s youth policy, Adam secured his first team spot early in 2013 following some excellent performances. Has committed his future to the Albion despite interest from a number of clubs. Steven Nicholson - Defender – An experience defender who for a number of years captained Emley FC. He is also a former manager of Wakefield FC. Signed last season from Farsley FC.
Luke Durham – Wide Midfield – Luke joins the club from Northern Counties East club Pontefract FC, having previous experience at Harrogate Town, Harrogate Railway and Selby Town. Dale Kelly – Striker – A former member of Albion’s U19 squad, Dale rejoined the club last season following a short spell at Stocksbridge Park Steels. Craig Tonkinson – Midfield – Energetic young midfielder. Joined this season from Farsley FC. Niall O’Brien – Midfield – An experienced midfielder signed last season from Ossett Town. Sam Jackson – Defender – Returned to the club recently following a spell in Australia playing for Shepparton United. Sam Robinson – Striker – Young striker who broke into Farsley’s first team last October, scoring on his second appearance for the club. Ben Jones – Striker – An experienced striker who has signed from Farsley FC. Missed most of last season due to injury.
Will Hayton – Defender – Solid left back who broke into the first team at the end of last season following some excellent performance with the Reserves. Made his first team debut at Trafford.
Macauley Parkinson – Defender – Currently on loan from Guiseley, 17year old Macaulay is an imposing and impressive defender who has already attracted much attention. He spent much of that season on loan at Evo-Stik Division One side Ossett Town.
Stefan Holt – Defender – Club Captain, now in his third season at the club, Stefan is a Right Back or Central Defender who has had experience with Barnsley. Voted player of the year in both of his first two seasons.
Sam O’Neill – Defender – Originally from Worcester and now living in Leeds, Sam is a no nonsense defender who recently had trials at Guiseley, he has had experience in the Southern League with Bishops Cleeve FC.
Tyrone Gay – Defender – Now in his second season, Tyrone is a solid no nonsense central defender. Has made the No 5 shirt his own. Has also had experience at Ossett Town.
Darol Lucas – Midfield – A former Ossett Albion U19 player Darol is a skilful midfielder with an eye for goal. Has also played for Ryton FC in the Northern League. Rejoined the club recently from Glasshoughton Welfare.
Henry Owen – Defender – Now in his 2nd season at Albion, Henry is a 21 year old from Oxford who is currently studying at Leeds University. He has played for Oxford United at both youth and reserve team levels. He has also had experience with Banbury United and North Leigh. Alex Metcalfe – Midfield – Talented 18-year-old midfielder who is on dual registration with Harrogate Town. Has also had youth experience at Bradford City, Hull City and Millwall.
Danny Walsh – Midfield – Central midfielder signed recently from Frickley Athletic. Made over 250 appearances for the Blues between 2006 & 2011. Andy McManus - Defender – A solid central defender re-signed recently following a spell in local football due to family commitments. Andy has had experience at both Ossett Town and Wakefield.
Scott Burton, new signing from Runcorn
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RAMMY IN EXILE - RICHARD ISAACS
I love the north. No, I really do, honestly! Is there anything better than travelling back south after a trip to the Wirral with soggy, cold feet after watching the Rams? OK, it was a defeat for the Rams and a very disappointing one at that but still, for me, nothing beats it. Had a really good week up north, enjoying all that the north could throw at me ... even my first sighting this winter of actual snow (a flurry which lasted all of about 3 minutes but still, it was snow!). And having visited two ground for the first time - the SkiSlope Stadium in Clitheroe (to watch what much be the rudest match in all of football between Clitheroe and Ramsbottom) and then a hike west to play a team of 'Scousers'. Maybe its a southern thing, I don't know. But when they played "Lovely Day" by Bill Withers just before kick-off when it was absolutely hammering down and blowing a hooly, my comment about this being very typical Scouse humour went down like a lead brick with the locals. But I am pretty sure I saw the Meeeeeeeeeersey and the occasional ferry as well so to me, that's Scouse! Sod it! Cammell Laird's ground was something of a throwback for me of my times watching the Rams when we were not the side we are now. In that palacial part of Cheshire (cough!) that is Birkenhead (cough cough!), it reminded me so much of an Abbey Hey or a Squires Gate. Quite how this ground gets the nod from the NPL grounds committee people is quite beyond me and to think that they used to play in the Premier Division at one time as well. Crikey! But I suppose when you have been spoilt by the HWRS, then no ground comes up in comparison with ours. Especially when you sit in the stand and still get wet at Lairds. And an attendance of 73? There was at least that many from Rammy so goodness knows where they got that figure from. It is little wonder that they are rock bottom of the attendance table when the figures come up woefully shy of the true amount. Anyway, I digress. It has been a bit of a tough week for the club with the three points finally coming off (how long does it actually take!!!) courtesy of Graham's error, which he admitted to and was deeply sorry for. Lets hope it doesn't make a difference at the end of the season and while the defeat on Saturday was a disappointing one - as Bernard's video kind of summed up - we know we have a quality team missing a handful of players, granted, but new players have come in and will certainly help our cause. So lets continue to get behind the lads, which we always do, and push them onto success and the play-offs and who knows what might be next. At least I can take heart from the Rams' performances in the main rather than continue to watch England's rancid cricketing displays!!! Sigh ...... YOOOOOU RAAAAAAAAAMS!!!!!!!
0-0
Kirklands Stadium 31st January 2014 Att: 73 Rammy Goals: Stopforth (50) Cammell Laird Goals: Henders (44), Cairns (53)
mud-bath in wirral
The elements were not on their own in an attempt to disrupt this fixture, for a couple of curses arrived at the Kirklands Ground on a miserable afternoon, in more ways than one. The Rams had just picked up the award of “Club of the Month” for January for their fine run of victories. On the first day of February, they lost. The hosts were presented before the game with an award based on their excellent disciplinary record. They had five players booked and one sent off. It was one of those afternoons.
With the visitors defending against a fierce gale in the first half, they did well to repel the Lairds and reduce their chances to a minimum, whilst making whatever headway they could against the driving rain. Indeed, it was the Rams who almost opened the scoring in the first minute, but Lee Gaskell could only head Grant Spencer’s free-kick wide. Gaskell it was, who came closest for the visitors when he saw his header from Spencer’s corner, clip the top of the bar and bounce over, as chances during the first 45 minutes were few and far between.
It looked as though both sides were about to go in at the break goal-less, but with just seconds to go, the Lairds broke the duck. A long, wind assisted punt down the left found Craig Cairns, and he flicked the ball over the advancing Grant Shenton in the Rams goal for Jamie Henders to convert despite the close attentions of Owen Roberts. The second half was barely two minutes old when the Rams grabbed an equaliser. A low ball into the box from the right saw the first effort cleared off the line, but Gary Stopforth
pounced on the loose ball to fire home from six yards to restore parity. That joy, however, was short lived, for just three minutes later the hesitant Rams defence presented Cairns with the easiest of opportunities to put the home side back in front. The ball was somehow allowed to be crossed from the left. Shenton and his defenders seemed wrong-footed, and Cairns merely slammed the ball home, unmarked, from ten yards out. To frustrate the Rams even further, the wild wind
that had disadvantaged them so much in the first half had died down, allowing the home side much more of the play than they would have expected. Chances, again, were at a premium, as both sides attempted, without much success, to play their passing games. Whilst the Rams had the pressure, they rarely looked like breaching the home defence, whilst at the other end, Ritchie Foulkes should have sewn the game up when Shenton failed to cut out a cross from the right, and as the ball landed at his feet, he only succeeded in planting his shot wide.
The referee was hardly helping matters. After stressing that he would make allowances for the conditions, he dished out cards like confetti during the second half, yet there was barely a bad tackle in the whole game. In time added on, Gaskell had the best of the Rams second half chances, but he failed to put the ball away, and the final whistle sounded on a poor game played in miserable conditions on a wretched afternoon.
DATE
Sat 17th Aug Tues 20th Aug Sat 24th Aug Mon 26th Aug Sat 31st Aug Sat 7th Sept Tues 10th Sept Sat 14th Sept Tues 17th Sept Sat 21st Sept Tues 24th Sept Sat 28th Sept Tues 1st Oct Sat 5th Oct Tues 8 th Oct Sat 12th Oct Weds 16th Oct Sat 19th Oct Sat 26th Oct Sat 2nd Nov Wed 6th Nov Sat 9th Nov Tues 12th Nov Sun 17th Nov Tues 19th Nov Sat 23rd Nov Tues 26th Nov Sat 30th Nov Sat 7th Dec Tues 10th Dec Sat 14th Dec Sat 21st Dec Thurs 26th Dec Sat 4th Jan Sat 11th Jan Sat 18th Jan Sat 25th Jan Sat 1st Feb Tues 4th Feb Sat 8th Feb Sat 15th Feb Sat 22nd Feb Tues 25th Feb Sat 1st Mar Sat 8th Mar Sat 15th Mar Sat 22nd Mar Tues 25th Mar Sat 29th Mar Sat 5th Apr Sat 12th Apr Sat 19th Apr Mon 21st Apr Sat 26th Apr
H A A H H H A A H A H A A A H A H H A A A H H A H H H A A A H A H A H H A A H A H A H A H A H H A H A H A H
OPPOSITION
CURZON ASHTON Ossett Town Warrington Town PADIHAM AFC Liverpool - FA Cup NORTHWICH VICTORIA Ossett Albion Stocksbridge - FA Cup Stocksbridge - FA Cup Mossley DARLINGTON 1883 Barrow - FA Cup Radcliffe Borough Warrington Town FA Trophy LANCASTER CITY Wakefield ATHERTON LR Lancs Trophy WORKSOP FA Trophy 1Q Harrogate Railway Athletic Blyth Spartans FA Trophy Darlington 1883 NEW MILLS FC UNITED Doodson cup Worcester City FA Trophy Padiham Lancs Trophy BURSCOUGH CLITHEROE Kendal Town Curzon Ashton Chorley Lancs Trophy WAKEFIELD Bamber Bridge SALFORD CITY Northwich Victoria MOSSLEY RADCLIFFE BOROUGH Clitheroe Cammell Laird OSSETT ALBION Lancaster City HARROGATE RAILWAY Padiham OSSETT TOWN Prescot Cables CAMMELL LAIRD New Mills FARSLEY PRESCOT CABLES Burscough KENDAL TOWN Farsley WARRINGTON TOWN Salford City BAMBER BRIDGE
RES ATT STARTING ELEVEN 1-3 0-2 0-1 1-2 5-0 2-2 2-1 2-2 3-0 4-3 3-0 0-3 1-1 2-1 6-0 3-2 3-1 7-2 4-0 1-0 1-0 1-1 1-2 0-3 4-1 7-1 4-1 3-2 2-2 0-2 3-1 1-2 5-2 4-3 3-1 8-0 4-2 2-1
254 100 192 309 238 212 73 129 127 173 396 677 241 103 241 64 69 355 124 298 899 292 464 341 106 229 192 167 233 301 181 248 341 176 371 344 373 73
Shenton Shenton Shenton Shenton Shenton Shenton Shenton Shenton Shenton Shenton Shenton Shenton Shenton Shenton Shenton Shenton Shenton Shenton Shenton Shenton Shenton Shenton Shenton Shenton Chadwick Shenton Shenton Shenton Shenton Shenton Shenton Shenton Shenton Shenton Shenton Shenton Shenton Shenton
Warrender Warrender Warrender Warrender Warrender Warrender Warrender Warrender Warrender 1 Warrender Warrender # Hulme + Warrender Warrender Hulme 1 Hulme Hulme Warrender Lomax Lomax Lomax Lomax Lomax + Lomax Toth Lomax Dean Dean Lomax Toth Lomax Lomax Lomax Fitzgerald * Hulme 1 Hulme 1 Hulme Hulme
Pilkington Pilkington * Pilkington * Pilkington Roberts * Roberts * 1 Pilkington Pilkington Pilkington Pilkington Roberts Roberts Roberts Roberts Roberts Roberts Roberts Roberts Pilkington Pilkington Hulme Hulme Roberts Roberts Roberts Roberts Roberts Roberts Roberts Roberts Pilkington Roberts Roberts # Roberts Roberts Roberts Roberts Roberts
Stopforth + Drew Drew + Drew + Stopforth + Pilkington Morley + Stopforth Stopforth Stopforth Stopforth Stopforth # Stopforth Stopforth Stopforth # Gaskell 1 Stopforth # Stopforth # Stopforth Stopforth Stopforth Stopforth Pilkington Stopforth Stopforth # Stopforth Stopforth # Stopforth Stopforth Stopforth Stopforth Stopforth Stopforth Stopforth Stopforth Stopforth + Stopforth Stopforth 1
Dawson Dawson Dawson Dawson Dawson Dawson Dawson Dawson Dawson + Robinson Priestley Dawson Dawson Dawson * Warrender Warrender Dawson * Dawson Warrender Warrender 1 Warrender Warrender 1 Warrender Warrender Warburton * Warrender 2 Warrender Lomax Warrender # Edghill + Toth Warrender 1 Warrender Lacy Lacy Warrender * Warrender Pilkington
Hulme Hulme Hulme Spencer * Robinson Robinson Robinson Robinson * Robinson Flannery # Flannery + Warrender Priestley Priestley Priestley Priestley Warburton Priestley Priestley Priestley Priestley Priestley Priestley 1 Priestley Priestley Priestley Priestley Priestley Priestley Priestley Priestley Priestley Priestley Priestley Priestley Priestley 1 Priestley 1 Priestley
Morning * Morning + Smalley Smalley Smalley Smalley Smalley Smalley 1 + Smalley # Smalley Smalley Smalley * Smalley Smalley Smalley 1 Smalley Prickett Smalley 1 Smalley 1 Smalley Smalley Smalley Toth Smalley Smalley Smalley Smalley Smalley Smalley 1 Smalley Smalley Smalley Smalley * Spencer 1 + Spencer Spencer 1 Spencer 1 Spencer *
Spencer Spencer Stopforth Stopforth Spencer Spencer Spencer # Spencer Spencer Spencer Spencer Spencer Spencer Spencer Spencer * Spencer Toth Spencer Spencer # Spencer Spencer Spencer + Hulme # Spencer Pilkington Pilkington 1 + Robinson 2 + Robinson + Spencer Spencer Spencer * 1 Spencer + Pilkington Pilkington Pilkington Pilkington Pilkington Burton
Robinson # Robinson Robinson Robinson Gaskell 2 Gaskell Gaskell 2 Gaskell Gaskell 1 Gaskell Gaskell Gaskell Gaskell * Hulme Robinson 1 + Robinson 1 + Smith 2 Robinson 1+ Robinson 1 + Robinson + Robinson Brooks * Robinson Robinson * Brooks + Gaskell 1 * Gaskell 1 Gaskell 1 Gaskell 1 Brooks * Gaskell + Gaskell * Gaskell 2 Gaskell 1 Gaskell 1 Gaskell 2 # Gaskell Gaskell
Brooks 1 Brooks # Gaskell # Gaskell Brooks # 1 Hulme Hulme Hulme # Roberts * 1 Roberts Robinson * 3 Robinson Robinson + Brooks Brooks 2 Brooks * Brooks 1 Brooks 2 * Brooks * Gaskell * Gaskell Gaskell Brooks Gaskell + Hulme 3 Hulme # Hulme * Hulme 2 Pilkington Hulme # Green # 1 Green Green + Green 1 Green + Denham Denham 2 Denham
Dean Dean Dean Dean # Dean 1 Dean 1 Dean * Dean 1 Dean Dean 1* Dean Dean Dean Dean + Dean Dean 1 Gaskell + Dean 2 Dean 2 Dean Dean 1 Dean # Dean * Pilkington Spencer Spencer 2 Spencer 1 Spencer # Dean + Dean Dean Dean Dean 2 Dean # Dean # Dean 3 Dean * Dean +
SUBSTITUTES Drew + Warburton Warburton * Edghill * Pilkington * Bradbury Toth * Roberts + Flannery # Hulme # + Pilkington + Edghill + Brooks * 1 Edghill + Edghill * Edghill + Dean Hulme 1 + Toth * Toth Toth Toth Smalley * Toth Warrender *1 Toth Toth # Toth # Toth Warburton + Warrender Toth Toth Toth Toth Toth Toth Toth
Smalley * Smalley * Brooks # Morley Bradbury # 1 Edghill Prickett Flannery * Morley Brooks * 2 Brooks * Brooks * Hulme + Gaskell * Gaskell + Pilkington * Smalley + Pilkington Gaskell + Brooks * Johnson Robinson * Spencer # Hulme * Gaskell + Robinson * Pilkington + Pilkington + Brooks Bradbury Edghill * Pilkington + Brooks + Brooks Reece # Fitzgerald Fitzgerald Fitzgerald *
Gaskell # Gaskell # Spencer + Johnson + Edghill + Prickett Johnson Brooks # Prickett Toth + Toth Toth # Toth Toth Toth # Toth Priestley * Toth # Prickett # Hulme + Brooks Pilkington + Gaskell + Brooks + Smith # Brooks + Brooks * Brooks Robinson + Smith # Brooks + 1 Edghill Robinson * Hulme * Firzgerald Lacy * Reece Green +
Toth Toth Toth Brooks 1 # Drew Toth Toth * Bradbury # Morley Toth Brooks * Prickett Dawson # Morley Morley Morley Morley Morley Spencer # Gaskell * Chadwick Morley Warburton Chadwick Chadwick Warburton Bradbury Dean 1 # Warburton Johnson Hulme # Gaskell * Johnson # Brooks * Spencer 1 # Denham 1 + Denham 1 + Reece + Morley Morley
Bradbury Bradbury + Bradbury Roberts Warburton Morley Warburton + Prickett Toth+ Hulme Edghill Edghill Johnson Edghill Pilkington Warburton Dawson Robinson Chadwick Johnson Johnson Smith Roberts # Stopforth Bradbury Edghill Chadwick Bradbury Morley Edghill Chadwick Chadwick Johnson Edghill Reece # Johnson Green # Green *
TONY’S NON-LEAGUE TEASERS 1 Name the manager that led Hyde into Conference National. 2 Which club had he previously managed for twelve years?
3 Who is the manager of the England C (non-league) team?
4 Which club suffered the first automatic relegation from the Football League in 1986? 5 Which club replaced them from non-league? 6 Which club plays at Throstle’s Nest?
7 Which league do Workington Town play in?
8 Forest Green Rovers owner changed the club’s colours to green shirts this season (not surprisingly!) What colours did they previously wear?
9 Burscough and Kings Lynn share the same nick-name. What is it?
ANSWERS: 1. Gary Lowe 2. Curzon Ashton 3. Paul Fairclough 4. Lincoln City 5. Scarborough 6. Farsley 7. Rugby football League (Skrill North side, Workington FC, are often called “Town”) 8 Black + white stripes 9. Linnets 10. Clapton
10 Which club plays at the wonderfully-names Old Spotted Dog ground?
What a treat it was to experience the wonderful world of non-league football at the Harry Williams Riverside Stadium on Saturday as Ramsbottom United entertained neighbours Radcliffe Borough in Division One of the Evo-Stik League, writes Bury Times sports reporter Claire Cameron. A warm welcome and the sound of Bury’s very own rock band, Elbow’s “One Day Like This”, set the tone for what was to be a refreshing change from the commercialised nonsense of top tier football that I am used to. With just one turnstile, no flights of stadium stairs to climb and plenty of standing room on the sidelines, this was football at its grassroots best. Entry and club scarves cost just £7 each and, with a match day programme setting you back just £2; this was real football for the ordinary fan. With no segregation and a derby with plenty of local pride at stake you may have expected a crowd fight or scuffle, but in truth this was a social gathering of 344 supporters who just love the game. There was no tirade of abuse for the players or match officials; in fact the only harsh words came from the referee during a heated exchange on the pitch. It was a delight to see the East Lancashire Railway steam engine chuffing past at regular intervals during the match, as more than one fan raised a smile and took their eye off the pitch action to watch it go by. And with the cricket club next door, a river running alongside and a youngster doing circuits around the pitch on her scooter, this non-league football club offers something special for the whole family. The hosts offered plenty of good quality, attacking football as the Rams eased their way to a 5-0 lead, with the PA system emphatically playing Kaiser Chief’s “I predict a riot” as the first half drew to a close. With pie and peas costing just £2 and tea at 70p – uniquely served in proper mugs which were collected by club staff at the end of the game – it is easy to leave this ground with change in your pocket. As the floodlights came on and the afternoon drifted into a chilly winter evening, I was left to regret my decision not to buy a hot Oxo drink. But the warmth of the friendly bunch of Rammy fans around me as they cheered their team to an 80 victory was enough to make me realise that this is what real football is all about.
the fantastic rammy experience
whether it’s tea in a mug, your very own flask, ‘not to be sold separately’ diet coke or a bowl of water, rammy works for everyone!
THIS WEEK’S MATCHES Monday 3rd February Curzon Ashton v Cammell Laird Tuesday 4th February Rammy v Ossett Albion Saturday 8th February Bamber Bridge v Farsley Burscough v Cammell Laird Darlington v Curzon Ashton Lancaster v Rammy Mossley v Ossett Albion Northwich v Harrogate Ossett Town v Salford Radcliffe v New Mills Wakefield v Padiham Warrington v Kendal Monday 10th February Harrogate v Curzon Ashton New Mills v Warrington
Tuesday 11th February Prescot v Northwich Following a mistake earlier in the season when Danny Warrender was allowed to play despite a suspension, the Rams have been deducted three points from their total. Former Secretary Graham Shuttleworth acknowledged the error and apologised to all concerned. It was a genuine oversight, but alas League rules insist upon a points deduction and nominal fine, which the club have accepted.
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CLUB NEWS
Ramsbottom United are delighted to announce that they have won another award. The Rams have been chosen as the Evo-Stik League Division One North “TEAM OF THE MONTH” for January. This is the second such award of the season, as they also won the accolade back in October. The award will comprise of a 4.5 litre bottle of Bells Whiskey plus a suitably inscribed certificate. The presentation of the award will be made by a representative of sponsors Bostik Ltd and Phil Bradley, League Respect Manager, prior to the kick off during the home fixture versus Ossett Albion, on Tuesday 4th February. Joint-manager Anthony Johnson was very proud to receive this recognition of the team’s fine run of form. “We're absolutely delighted to be awarded club of the month for the second time” he said. “The lads have been a credit to the club over the last 4 months with only the 1 defeat so the award is reward for the hard work put in by all.” Despite losing two games to the weather during January, the four games played resulted in four victories as the Rams continued their aim for a place in the end-of-season Play-offs. The month began with a hard-earned 4-3 victory away to former Conference club, Northwich Victoria, before Mossley were sent packing following a 3-1 victory at the Harry Williams Riverside Stadium. Local rivals, Radcliffe Borough were next up, and they went home on the back of an 8-0 thrashing, before another away game at east Lancashire rivals Clitheroe, played in horrendous conditions, saw the Rams complete the run with a fine 4-2 win. So 19 goals scored with 6 conceded in a month of high entertainment and another 12 points garnered as the Rams excellent run of just one defeat in twenty league games continued the clubs impressive run of form. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ More comings and goings at the Harry Williams Riverside Stadium, as Ramsbottom United home in on a place in the end-of-season playoffs. On the way out are recently-signed Ashley Reece, Lewis Lacy and Andrew Fitzgerald. Andrew Fitzgerald’s loan spell from Conference side Hyde was due to expire at the end of January, whilst Ashley Reece is scheduled to return to America after a short stay over here. Lewis Lacy was released to return to his former club FC United of Manchester. Coming in to strengthen the Rams squad are Frenchman Cedric Krou and Scott Burton. 22 year old Cedric Krou, born in Paris, arrives from Trafford FC, and is a central defender or midfielder, and someone admired for some time by joint-managers Bernard Morley and Anthony Johnson. “He will add height and strength to the defence”, stated Morley, “and is someone we have hoped to sign for quite some time. We are really pleased he has decided to join us”. 26 year old Scott Burton is another player the joint-managers have been watching over the last couple of seasons. Another midfield player, Johnson said “We are delighted to have signed Scott. We’ve watched him over the last couple of years, and he was in the Runcorn side that ran us very close for the NWCFL title a couple of years back. He’s a hardworking midfield player, similar in style to Gary Stopforth, and will prove a useful addition to the squad.”
Joint Manager and striker Anthony Johnson Joint Manager and midfielder Bernard Morley
Coach Glenn Moses Coach Darren Green
Physio Katy Richardson
rammy squad
Goalkeeper Grant Shenton
Centre-Back Billy Priestley
Centre-back Dan Warrender
Left-back Owen Roberts
Centre-back and Captain Andy Dawson Midfield Tom Toth
Midfielder Gary Stopforth
Midfielder Scott Burton
Midfielder Grant Spencer
Midfield Joel Pilkington
Right-wing Dom Smalley
Striker Darren Green
Left-wing Phil Dean
Striker Chris Denham
Striker Jordan Hulme
Striker Lee Gaskell
EDITORIAL - SUPPORTERS CLUB 73 fans apparently. That was what Cammell Laird announced as their official attendance this time around. Last year, with us chasing the playoffs, they said it was a laughable 64, so we thought we’d have a bit of a count up before kick-off. Obviously you don’t want to miss the match, so we had a quick look around at about ten to three, and we counted 78 supporters already in position in the ground (not in the officials bar or whatever). As the place began to properly fill up, mainly with Rammy fans, I reckon we were looking at about twice that. Someone somewhere knows for definite what they get - probably the fella in the turnstile hut with the little clicker. In all honesty I’m not really bothered that they just make up the attendances; if anything I think it’s quite a quaint custom. I remember the good old days at Deepdale where you’d be rammed in like cattle going to the abatoir and the p.a. announcer would come over the tannoy and tell you that the official attendance was 1,928 or something equally ludicrous. There’d be a murmur of chuckling and then strains of “tax fiddle, tax fiddle, tax fiddle” used to ring out across the terraces. Good luck to Cammell Laird though. Here’s hoping the tax man doesn’t get the urge to turn up to one of their matches and have a little look around. Forgetting about the fiddled figures though, it was yet another fantastic away following for Rammy. We’ve still got a long way to go until we’re raising the roof for ninety minutes, but on a really crappy cold and wet day, with a long long trek to the arse end of nowhere we put together yet another really admirable turn-out of about 80-90. Next week it’s a humdinging six-pointer in Lancaster, which will no doubt separate the men supporters from the boys. Don’s managed to secure himself a proper seat on the minibus (last time it was sold out, so he had to sneak on the bus and sit on the floor), so if he can manage to get there then we all can! Bring it on! I’d just like to quickly welcome the new lads to Rammy, on behalf of all of us. Scott Burton came from Runcorn and made his debut against Cammell Laird. He looks to be skillfull and hard as nails, which will give us something pretty special alongside Gary Stopforth in the middle. The not-so-recent signing Chris Denham is really fitting in well up front another fantastic signing by the lads. I believe Bernard and Jonno have been chasing both of these players for quite a while, so it’s good to have them on board. Darren Green looks to be quite a class player, perhaps in the vein of Lee Gaskell when he first joined us, but he looks to be struggling a little to make his name at the moment. I hope he manages to slot in with the Rammy troops as he certainly has the skill. We’re not too sure what’s happening with centre-back Cedric Krou, who we’ve signed from Trafford FC. I believe that he’s another player we’ve been after for a while (and could really have done with on Saturday). International clearance is apparently holding things up at the moment, but fingers crossed we’ll see him in the squad soon.
Managers: Anthony JOHNSON Bernard MORLEY
Grant SHENTON Jordan HULME Owen ROBERTS Gary STOPFORTH Danny WARRENDER Billy PRIESTLEY Grant SPENCER Joel PILKINGTON Lee GASKELL Chris DENHAM Phil DEAN Tom TOTH Andy DAWSON Dominic SMALLEY Darren GREEN Cedric KROU Scott BURTON
Manager: Richard TRACEY
Adam RHODES Stefan HOLT Sam JACKSON Henry OWEN Tyrone GAY Patrick McGUIRE Darol LUCAS Alex METCALFE Adam MULLER Dale KELLY Luke DURHAM Sam ROBINSON Craig TONKINSON Macauley PARKINSON Danny WALSH Ben JONES Steve NICHOLSON Adam HAYTON
Next home game: Saturday 15th February 3pm, Harrogate