08 Ramsbottom United v Atherton Laburnum Rovers

rammy news V ATHERTON LABURNUM ROVERS 16.10.13

Jon Robinson against Lancaster City

TONY CUNNINGHAM AND THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF NON-LEAGUE FOOTBALL Welcome to the HWRS for tonight’s game against Atherton LR, and a special welcome to everyone who has made the short journey over from the other side of Bolton.

LR, of course, were regular opponents of ours not too long ago.

Sadly, recent seasons have not been kind to tonight’s visitors.

Whereas we were fortunate enough to escape from the NWCFL Premier Division in an upwards direction, LR did so by the opposite means.

We’ve had many entertaining games against them over the years, and it doesn’t seem that long ago that LR were playing at NPL level.

Football, as we all know, has a habit of going round in circles, so I hope that at the moment Atherton are at the bottom of a downward turn, and will soon be making progress back up the pyramid.

Current crowds at Crilly Park are a far cry from one game I attended some years back.

March 1994 saw the reformed former Football League side Aldershot Town arrive in town for an FA Vase tie. The place was packed, although I’ve seen differing attendances mentioned (1856 and 2300). I seem to remember one of LR’s players being badly injured during the game, but most of all I remember the size of the crowd and the atmosphere it created.

Halcyon days which are there to be enjoyed, as they don’t come along too often!

RETURN Tonight’s match is, of course, a Lancashire FA Trophy game.

Last season we opted out of the competition, on the basis that this competition usually loses clubs money.

It probably does, but at the end of the day, there is an opportunity to progress to a final with silver-wear awaiting the victors.

Had we played this game last night, I have no doubt the attendance here would have been the lowest for many years. Alas, the majority of football fans still prefer sitting in front of the box watching a bunch of over-paid and over-rated “stars” representing England.

Me? I’d rather watch paint dry!

Hopefully, though, the prospect of watching live “real” football will entice a few of those viewers down here tonight.

Whilst our respective league positions would have this down as a home banker, we are talking about football and in particularly knock-out football!

We will take nothing for granted and give our visitors every respect as we aim to make progress, as I’m sure do LR. We went to Wakefield on the back of that superb 60 mauling of Lancaster, and probably expected a comfortable afternoon there. It was not to be, which just proves that nothing is certain in football.

Let’s hope for a game that is every bit as exciting as many of our previous contests.

Enjoy your non-league football!

President: J Smith Chairman: H Williams Secretary: G Shuttleworth 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

fond memories

We welcome Atherton L.R. to the Harry Williams Riverside Stadium in the lancs cup, where the prize is the chance to progress in a cup competition with the final being played at the Rebok Stadium.

I’ve got great memories of my time at L..R. having spent three seasons there and will always have a soft spot for the club.

I know first hand what a fantasic occasion it is to reach a final at the Rebok having been fortunate to go there on four occasions in the Goldline Trophy and hospital cup, so for the players involved tonight that will be a great incentive.

It also gives us the oppertunity to blood some of the future of Rammy United away from the pressures of the league programme. We have some really exciting young talent who we believe can make the grade, so we are looking forward to seeing how they progress.

The last two league games have seen a return of six points from six, albeit with two contrasting performances. We all know you cannot reproduce the type of performance we had against lancaster every game although that has to be the aim, but it’s equally as satisfying to return with the three points from Wakefield.

We now seem to be heading in the right direction league-wise and hopefully we can kick on from here.

As always the support has been top-notch and I’m sure you'll get behind some of the younger lads tonight.

Enjoy the game...

COYR - Glenn

Lancaster City arrived at the Harry Williams Riverside Stadium having thrashed New Mills 6-0 in their previous game. They left with their tales between their legs having suffered a defeat by the same margin against the Rams. Such are the vagaries of football. On the night, the home side was simply untouchable.

The rout began in the fifth minute when a long ball out of defence saw Jon Robinson flick the ball on for Tom Brooks, who raced through to plant the ball past Mike Hale in the City goal. Vehement protests for offside were turned away by the officials, much to the visitors anger.

Minutes later, Brooks was again played through, this time by Grant Spencer, but Hale managed to snuff out the danger.

Spencer, it was, who fired just wide from 25 yards after a superb low cross from Dominic Smalley was partially cleared by the visitors' defence.

Hale was twice asked to produce first-class saves as wave after wave of home attacks reined down on the City goal. He first denied Billy Priestley's close range effort before brilliantly tipping over Robinson's goalbound header from Spencer's free-kick.

It was no surprise when the Rams doubled their lead on 23 minutes. A fine inswinging cross from the right

by Owen Roberts found Jordan Hulme ghosting in behind the defence to despatch a firm header past the keeper.

Four minutes later Spencer almost made it three when his free-kick by

the left wing corner flag grazed the far post as the City defence scambled the ball to safety.

A fine one-two between Brooks and Phil Dean sent the latter through but the over-worked Hale managed to scramble it away for a corner which Priestley headed over.

Brooks, Dean and Smalley were all denied in the closing minutes of a first half totally dominated by the Rams.

The second half had barely started before it was "game over". On 47 minutes, Robinson was played in on the left-hand side of the area, and he turned before firing past Hale, and just two minutes later Brooks found space in the box to blast home the fourth.

On a rare foray into the Rams half, Grant Shenton produced a superb close-range save to deny Mark Jackson, before having to deal with a long-range effort from Gavin Clark, as the visitors looked for some consolation, but two goals in the last ten minutes emphasised the Rams superiority on the night.

Substitutes Tommy Toth and Lee Gaskell combined to send the latter through, and he made no mistake from ten yards, before Smalley ended the night's goal spree as he raced into the box before confidently placing the ball past Hale.

A thoroughly entertaining performance from the Rams which, on this showing, should certainly see them climbing the league table pretty quickly.

the flood-gates open 6-0

Harry Williams Riverside Stadium 8th October 2013 Att: 241 Rammy Goals: Brooks (5, 49) Hulme (24), Robinson (47), Gaskell (80), Smalley (88)

EDITORIAL - FROM THE DUGOUT It has been a great week of results for us with an unbelievable scoreline against Lancaster FC in the league and a hard-fought victory against Wakefield. It has been quite a mixed bag of performances and this can be also be said for our off the field fortunes. Andy Dawson had his suspension for the red card he picked up against Barrow in the FA Cup rescinded on appeal leaving him available for selection for the Wakefield game, as luck would have it he has been unable to recover from the hamstring strain which he sustained against Warrington. We have worked on this throughout this week and weekend and it is responding well to treatment but unfortunately Andy has been unable to pass the fitness test due to not being able to achieve full pace which would leave us exposed at the back. Regardless of this we are continuing to work hard and hope he will be back sometime this week.

Gary Stopforth was missing from the Wakefield fixture but this was due to a one game suspension he had to complete for collecting 5 yellow cards rather than an injury and Gary will therefore be available for the Atherton LR fixture. Joel Pilkington is also back following the birth of his first child and will also be available for Wednesday.

Although not a prominent issue that I have talked about previously, Phil Edghill picked up a severe ankle injury during a pre season team run. Although the ankle has returned to full function and has seen Phil in the squad this season it is still proving to be extremely painful for Phil and he continues to struggle with certain aspects of the game hence struggling to gain match minutes. This appears to be a more complex problem than we initially thought which may require some surgical investigation to fully understand what the problem is. In the meantime Phil continues to work on his strengthening and flexibility in a hope for him to continue to feature in some of our fixtures.

In other matters this week, myself and Darren Green (first team coach) attended the Lancashire FA on Wednesday night where we underwent training for the defibrillator which has been purchased for the use of all at Ramsbottom United, players and supporters alike. This training session was both intense and enlightening and although I have had years of training for my degree I found this session an eye opener in terms of the speed in which decisions need to be made in this situation. During this session case studies of Fabrice Muamba and Mark Vivian Foe was shown to fully underline the circumstances which we may face. Whilst it is a daunting prospect, and one which I pray will never present itself, I feel proud that the club and myself has taken this opportunity to give ourselves the option, should the situation arise, that we would be fully armed and committed to try to preserve another persons life. I will write in future programmes where we have located the defibrillator so everyone knows where it is should they be called to assist and also to make as many people as possible aware that Ramsbottom United will do everything in our power to look after every person who enters the Harry Williams Riverside Stadium.

- Katy

Phil Dean in action against Lancaster City

inancial Planning Financial F Designed F or For YOUR YOUR LIFESTYLE F For or a confidential initial xpense one to one at our eexpense please contact us... on 01706 822622

advice@northernstarifa.co.uk advice@nor thernstarifa.co.uk

P rofessional F Professional Financial inancial Planning here in Ramsbottom.

Ramsbottom.

Northern Nor thern Star Financial Financial Management Limited 52 Bolton Street, Ramsbottom, Lancashire,BL0 9HX

TONY’S NON-LEAGUE TEASERS 1 Which club replaced Barrow in the Football League?

2 Which London Amateur club, no longer in existence, played at Green pond Lane?

3 Which non-league club knocked Coventry City out of the FA Cup in 1989?

4 What Ground grade is required to play in Evo-Stik North?

5 What is unusual about the name of Chelmsford city?

6 In which town do camel Laird based?

7 Which club beat Glossop North End in the 2009 FA Vase final?

8 Which club was Southern League champions in 1900?

9 Between 1994 1nd 1996, three clubs were refused automatic promotion to the Football League due to ground issues. Name them.

Answers: 1. Hereford United 2. Walthamstow Avenue 3. Sutton United 4. D 5. Chelmsford is a town! 6. Rock Ferry, Birkenhead 7.

Whitley Bay 8. Tottenham Hotspur!

9. Kidderminster Harriers, Macclesfield Town and Stevenage Boro. 10. Sheffield

10 Which Evo-Stik League side were founded in 1857?

The roots of the club began in the streets of Atherton with a group of young lads aged between 10 and 12 on a local council estate playing football in the street. One of the older boys answered a letter in a football magazine to play a friendly match at Swinton, around five miles away. Although these lads had no proper kit, no adult with them and not even a team name, they travelled unaccompanied to the match. No doubt it was an exciting adventure for these youngsters.

Not being happy about the youngsters travelling so far alone, Joe Riley suggested they put a team together and entered a local league where travelling would be limited.

A number of the lads showed an interest in the idea, but not being sure how to go about it, they asked Joe to manage them. Joe had footballing experience, having played up till 1953 when he broke his leg and then played a few games for Atherton Central until late 1955. One of the original players was Ralph Hodgkinson, son of the landlord of the Park Hotel, Sammy Hodgkinson, and Sammy was to prove an important person in the foundation of Laburnum Rovers. Sponsorship was unheard of at the time and Sammy allowed the new team to raise funds by holding money draws for 1d a ticket in his establishment, the profits of which averaged at £2 10s.

Together with perhaps four or five of the lads who had played football in the street, training began behind the pub on a council field “ Laburnum Playing Fields“ hence the club’s name.

In 1980 the club joined the non-league pyramid when their application to join the Cheshire County League was accepted. A stipulation of the League was that the town had to be in the clubs name, so links with the past were retained with the new name of Atherton Laburnum Rovers. In 1982 the club became founder members of the North West Counties League, being placed in Division Two where they remained until the League was reorganised in 1987 when their facilities saw them placed in Division One. Ground improvements continued, including the erection of floodlights in 1989, allowing the club to enter the FA Cup for the first time and in 1991 the changing rooms and clubhouse were completely rebuilt.

In 1992/93 the team won the League title with 106 points from 42 games and had a run of 39 consecutive games unbeaten in the League. They also won the NWCL Championship Trophy. However, there was disappointment as promotion to the UniBond League was denied them because of grading requirements. Undaunted, the team repeated their double the following season and this time were promoted. Also in 1993/94 Atherton LR reached the semi-finals of the FA Vase where they lost in a replay to Diss Town.

Two good seasons in the UniBond League saw the club make steady progress, but then financial trouble struck and the club were relegated for the first time in their history. A change of regime at the club seemed to offer hope for the future, but following a tip-off from the officials of Haslingden football club, LR's ex-officials found that bills hadn't been paid and the bank was on the verge

of closing the club down. Fortunately the previous Directors shares had not yet been bought so they were able to retake control of the club and after much hard work in co-operation with the bank and various creditors, managed to keep the club afloat while the debts were paid.

With large debts to clear there was very little money to spend on the team, securing the entire future of the club was absolute priority and two seasons of struggle followed on the pitch which culminated in the clubs second relegation, this time to the NWCL Division Two. However, the appointment of Alan Lord as manager in November 2000 brought about a remarkable transformation and after nine straight victories, they won promotion back to Division One in their final game of the season. In November 2002 Tom Foster and Denis Haslem took over as joint managers and set about rebuilding the team as all but three first team players left the club within two weeks. After three months of struggle, the new team ended the season unbeaten in their final eight games to earn a mid-table position. Denis Haslem moved on in the summer of 2003 to take over the helm at West Lancs side Stoneclough and the experienced Ian Street joined the club as assistant manager.

2003/04 season saw LR finish in a comfortable midtable position without a relegation fight for the first time in a while and the club picked up two pieces of silverware.

At Bolton Wanderers Reebok Stadium, in front of a crowd of 2,400, LR won the Goldline Trophy and a few weeks later they won the Bolton Hospital Cup also at the Reebok Stadium. Added to that, LR won the Wirral Programme Award for Best In League for a record 5th time and Ben Obong was named the NWCL Division One Player of the Year. Off the pitch ground improvements saw new seating in the main stand and a brand new perimeter wall.

2005/06 was to prove a traumatic season. Initially Andy Nelson and ex-LR player Stuart Humphreys were appointed the new managers, but only stayed a few weeks before deciding to move to Leigh RMI. This left the club with no managers with the new season rapidly approaching. Mike Lester and Darren Ford were quickly appointed and began the difficult task of building an almost completely new team on a limited budget. Steady progress was made by a very young team, but in February 2006 Lester and Ford announced their resignations following a disagreement with the club and reserve team managers Brad Wright and Lee Spratt were made caretaker managers until the end of the season. There was to be yet another twist though as Wright resigned after just two games in charge and Scott Westwood was appointed caretaker until the end of the season and was forced to build a side from scratch to see the season out.

For the club’s 50th anniversary season Mark Cox was appointed first team manager and he brought in David Tulloch as his assistant. Mark has a vast knowledge of football at this level and the new management team set about building a strong squad. Tulloch left before Christmas as matters away from football was taking up his time

today’s visitors

atherton LR and after acting as a temporary Assistant Manager, Roy Sweeney was officially appointed in that role in February 2007. However, on 1st March 2007 Cox announced his resignation and Sweeney was promoted to Manager, bringing in team captain Rob Hope as his assistant. After a short settling in period, performances improved as Sweeney and Hope strengthened the side. After 29 games the club had 21 points, but in the last 13 matches they doubled their total with another 21 points gained despite a growing injury list. With the management and players all promising to remain at the club for 2007/08 season, things looked promising for the following season.

However, results in 2007/08 didn't match up to expectations and with matters away from football taking up much of Sweeney's time, he resigned at the beginning of December. Reserve Team Manager Malcolm Anderton took over control of the first team as caretaker manager, assisted by Rob Hope and while the team played attractive football at times, results still didn't go their way. On 10th March ex-LR player Stuart Humphreys was appointed for the second time with the remit of saving the club from relegation. A point in their final match of the season against Abbey Hey was enough to avoid bottom place and with changes elsewhere in the pyramid, their Division One status was retained. Unfortunately the club

Ryan Moore volleys Rammy’s opening goal during LR’s last visit back in 2011

lost the services of long standing Chairman Alan Grundy.

Alan had joined the club as a player in the early 60's and after more than 45 years, health issues and a desire to have more free time meant he decided to have a break.

Secretary Christine Rowlands also decided to move on.

Not wanting to leave things too long, on 12th May 2008, the club appointed ex-Ashton Town manager Dave Hughes as the new first team boss to give him as much time as possible to prepare for the new season. Dave Hughes immediately set about building a strong backroom team and bringing a number of new young faces into the team. Dave Hughes and his staff did a remarkable job, without a budget to work with LR finished in a creditable 12th position, reached the 1st qualifying round of the F A Cup & won the Goldline Trophy for a record 4th time, the only downside to the season saw award winning programme editor Tim Lees leave his post after 10 long but successful years.

2009/10 saw a steady start including once again reaching the F A Cup 1st qualifying round , unfortunately injuries, suspensions and players unavailable through work etc saw LR struggle to maintain the previous seasons efforts, although they once again won the Goldline Trophy, 10 pts from the last 5 games including a final day victory over relegation rivals Ashton Athletic ensured LR stayed out of the bottom two.

6-0

The Harry Williams Riverside 16h October 2013 Att: 119 Rammy Goals: Gaskell (14,28,75), Spencer (32), Robinson (45,63)

this time last season On a cold night at the Harry Williams Riverside Stadium, those who decided to keep warm in front of the television and watch the England match were disappointed on two fronts.

Firstly the farcical postponement of the International, and secondly the knowledge that they had missed out on a goalfest down at Ramsbottom.

Facing a side stuck at the foot of the table and conceding an average of almost four goals a game can usually be construed as a potential banana skin, but the Rams were ruthless in disposing of the opposition whilst ensuring that Town’s goals against average did indeed reach four a game.

From the first whistle the home side set out to make sure another three points would be gleaned, and within half-an-hour, they were three up, with two from the penalty spot.

On 14 minutes Grant Spencer’s run into the box was unceremoniously ended by a trip, and Lee Gaskell planted the penalty into the keeper’s bottom left-hand corner to open the scoring.

On 28 minutes, an off-the-ball incident which left Jon Robinson on the floor, was spotted by the linesman, and Gaskell promptly notched his second from the spot, this time placing the ball in the opposite corner.

The assailant, Normaschild was lucky to only receive a yellow card, especially after his threatening behaviour to both officials, and it was no surprise when he was substituted just after the incident.

The game had hardly restarted when the Rams went further ahead.

Spencer tricked his way past four defenders before unleashing an unstop-

pable low drive past Senior in the visiting goal, at which time the points were safely in the hands of the home side.

Minutes later Spencer was desperately unlucky not to double his tally when his inch-perfect free-kick took a last gasp deflection onto the post, and then he was denied from 15 yards by Senior who managed to hang on to his goal-bound effort.

Spencer then created space for Robinson but his shot was blocked as the game continued almost unabated in the visitors half.

On the stroke of half-time, Robinson made it four when he converted a left-wing cross from Dominic Smalley, after a fine run by the winger.

To be fair to the visitors, the second half was not quite so one-sided, as they proved that they could play football with some neat touches and moves, but the Rams rearguard rarely looked like being breached, and the home side increased their advantage with a fine goal after 63 minutes.

Phil Edghill played a superb 30 yard ball out to Smalley on the right, and he cleverly controlled it and rounded his defender before planting an ideal cross onto the head of Robinson who powered it home from ten yards.

Smalley and Gaskell had chances to extend the lead before Gaskell claimed his hat-trick on 75 minutes.

Substitute Ryan Moore received the ball on the left wing, and his cross found Gaskell unmarked, and he sent his header over the keeper and in off the underside of the bar.

This win moves the Rams up to seventh in the league table following a run of three successive wins which has seen eleven goals scored and three consecutive clean sheets.

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 Tues 22nd Oct Sat 26th Oct Tues 29th Oct Sat 2nd Nov Wed 6th Nov Sat 9th Nov Tues 12th Nov Sat 16th Nov Sat 23rd Nov Sat 30th Nov Wed 4th Dec Sat 7th Dec Sat 14th Dec Sat 21st Dec Thurs 26th Dec Sat 28th Dec Wed 1st Jan Sat 4th Jan Sat 11th Jan Sat 18th Jan Sat 25th Jan Sat 8th Feb Sat 15th Feb Sat 22nd Feb Sat 1st Mar Sat 8th Mar Sat 15th Mar Sat 22nd 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 H A H A A H H A H A A A H A H H A A H H A A H A A H A A 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 PRESCOT CABLES Harrogate Railway Athletic OSSETT ALBION (FAT 2Q) Darlington 1883 NEW MILLS FC UNITED Doodson cup Cammell Laird BURSCOUGH Kendal Town (Doodson Sport Cup) Curzon Ashton WAKEFIELD Bamber Bridge SALFORD CITY FARSLEY Padiham Northwich Victoria MOSSLEY RADCLIFFE BOROUGH Clitheroe Lancaster City HARROGATE RAILWAY (Doodson Sport Cup) Prescot Cables CAMMELL LAIRD New Mills (Doodson Cup SF) Burscough KENDAL TOWN Farsley WARRINGTON TOWN Salford City BAMBER BRIDGE

RES 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

ATT 254 100 192 309 238 212 73 129 127 173 396 677 241 103 241 64

STARTING ELEVEN Shenton Warrender Shenton Warrender Shenton Warrender Shenton Warrender Shenton Warrender Shenton Warrender Shenton Warrender Shenton Warrender Shenton Warrender 1 Shenton Warrender Shenton Warrender # Shenton Hulme + Shenton Warrender Shenton Warrender Shenton Hulme 1 Shenton Hulme

Pilkington Pilkington * Pilkington * Pilkington Roberts * Roberts * 1 Pilkington Pilkington Pilkington Pilkington Roberts Roberts Roberts Roberts Roberts Roberts

Stopforth + Drew Drew + Drew + Stopforth + Pilkington Morley + Stopforth Stopforth Stopforth Stopforth Stopforth # Stopforth Stopforth Stopforth # Gaskell 1

Dawson Dawson Dawson Dawson Dawson Dawson Dawson Dawson Dawson + Robinson Priestley Dawson Dawson Dawson * Warrender Warrender

Hulme Hulme Hulme Spencer * Robinson Robinson Robinson Robinson * Robinson Flannery # Flannery + Warrender Priestley Priestley Priestley Priestley

Morning * Morning + Smalley Smalley Smalley Smalley Smalley Smalley 1 + Smalley # Smalley Smalley Smalley * Smalley Smalley Smalley 1 Smalley

Spencer Spencer Stopforth Stopforth Spencer Spencer Spencer # Spencer Spencer Spencer Spencer Spencer Spencer Spencer Spencer * Spencer

Robinson # Robinson Robinson Robinson Gaskell 2 Gaskell Gaskell 2 Gaskell Gaskell 1 Gaskell Gaskell Gaskell Gaskell * Hulme Robinson 1 + Robinson 1 +

Brooks 1 Brooks # Gaskell # Gaskell Brooks # 1 Hulme Hulme Hulme # Roberts * 1 Roberts Robinson * 3 Robinson Robinson + Brooks Brooks 2 Brooks *

Dean Dean Dean Dean # Dean 1 Dean 1 Dean * Dean 1 Dean Dean 1* Dean Dean Dean Dean + Dean Dean 1

66/7: Parks Cup Runners-Up 67/8:Parks Cup Runners-Up 67/8: Kenyon Cup Winners 71/2: Cornall Cup Winners 72/3: Bolton Combination Div One Champions 74/5: Bolton Hospital Cup Winners 76/7: Bolton Combination Premier Division Champions 76/7: Bolton Combination Open Cup Winners 79/80: Bolton Combination Jackson Cup Winners 81/2: Bolton Combination Jackson Cup Runners-Up 82/3: Bolton Combination Second Division Cup Runners-Up 82/3: Bolton Combination Second Division Runners-Up 83/4: Bolton Combination Open Cup Winners 84/5: Bolton Combination First Division Runners-Up 84/5: Bolton Boys Federation Under-16’s League Champions 85/6: Bolton Combination Jackson Cup Runners-Up 85/6: Bolton Boys Federation U18’s League Runners-Up 85/6: Bolton Boys Federation U18’s Jubilee Cup Winners 86/7: Lancashire FA Under-18’s Cup Winners 86/7: Bolton Boys Federation U18’s Jubilee Cup Winners 86/7: Bolton Boys Federation Under-18’s League Champions 87/8: Bolton Combination Open Cup Runners-Up

SUBSTITUTES Drew + Smalley * Warburton Smalley * Warburton * Brooks # Edghill * Morley Pilkington * Bradbury # 1 Bradbury Edghill Toth * Prickett Roberts + Flannery * Flannery # Morley Hulme # + Brooks * 2 Pilkington + Brooks * Edghill + Brooks * Brooks * 1 Hulme + Edghill + Gaskell * Edghill * Gaskell + Edghill + Pilkington *

Gaskell # Gaskell # Spencer + Johnson + Edghill + Prickett Johnson Brooks # Prickett Toth + Toth Toth # Toth Toth Toth # Toth

Toth Toth Toth Brooks 1 # Drew Toth Toth * Bradbury # Morley Toth Brooks * Prickett Dawson # Morley Morley Morley Morley Morley

Bradbury Bradbury + Bradbury Roberts Warburton Morley Warburton + Prickett Toth+ Hulme Edghill Edghill Johnson Edghill Pilkington Warburton Dawson

90/1: Manchester League Division One Cup Winners 90/1: Manchester League Division One Champions 93/4: Yorkshire Cup Runners-Up 93/4: Bury & Radcliffe Junior Under-16’s Cup Winners 93/4: Bury & Radcliffe Junior Under-16’s Champions 94/5: Gylchrist Cup Winners 94/5: Manchester Festival of Football Runners-Up 94/5: Manchester County FA Youth Cup Winners 94/5: Bolton Boys Federation Jubilee Cup Winners 94/5: Bolton Boys Federation Cup Winners 94/5: Bolton Boys Federation Premier League Champions 95/6: North West Counties Division Two Cup Winners 96/7: North West Counties Division Two Champions 97/8: North West Counties Reserve Division Cup Winners 98/9: Bolton Hospital Cup Winners 98/9: North West Counties Reserve North Champions 2000/01: Bolton Bys Federation Jubilee Cup Runners-Up 01/2: Bolton Boys Federation Premier League Champions 01/2; Bolton Hospital Cup Runners-Up 05/6: Bolton Hospital Cup Winners 06/7: Bolton Hospital Cup Winners 07/8: Bolton Hospital Cup Winners 10/11: North West Counties Division One Runners-Up 11/12: North West Counties Division One Champions

rammy club honours

a close shave 2-3

Belle Vue 12th October 2013 Att: Rammy Goals: Gaskell (33), Dean (61), Robinson (78) Wakefield Goals: Boardman (45,73)

On a dank and miserable afternoon in west Yorkshire, Ramsbottom United made heavy weather of gaining the three points their superiority deserved.

Against a struggling home side with the worst defensive record in the league, the Rams had the ball in the net eight times, but only three of them were considered legitimate by the match officials.

The visitors controlled the game from start to finish, but a couple of pieces of sloppy defending and the inability to avoid straying offside had them in danger of surrendering the three points that were always there for the asking.

As early as the ninth minute Gaskell did manage to beat the offside trap as he raced on to a through ball and beat the keeper only for a defender to concede a corner with some desperate defending. From the resultant corner the ball landed in the back of the net for what was to become a regular occurance, but the referee gave a freekick for a foul that no-one else appeared to see.

Home custodian Sam Dobbs was then well placed to block a shot from Tom Brooks after a fine run to the byline from Grant Spencer.

A marauding run by Jordan Hulme saw his effort diverted for a corner, before Lee Gaskell went down in the area, but the referee waved play on.

Jon Robinson raced into the area but failed to open the scoring when his final effort was cleared by the feet of Dobbs, then Spencer sent his shot over the bar, as the one-way traffic continued.

The break-through finally came on 32 minutes. Smalley’s run into the box fed Hulme, and as he swung the ball goal-wards, Gaskell hammered it home from close range, and despite quizzical looks from the home defenders, this time the linesman kept his flag down.

Not so fortunate were Brooks and Phil Dean, who both had goals chalked off by the same official.

As half-time approached, Dobbs was lucky to stay on the pitch. A fine threaded ball sent Danny Warrender scurrying towards goal. Dobbs came racing off his line and clattered into the Rams defender, but was fortunate in only receiving a yellow card whilst conceding the free-kick.

It came as a shock when, in the first minute of time added on, the home side grabbed an equaliser.

Robert Boardman was left unmarked on the edge of the box, and as the ball came in from the right, he turned and fired past Grant Shenton into the far bottom corner to give the home side a lifeline they barely deserved.

Wakefield almost grabbed an early lead after the break when Boardman was inches off target from 20 yards, but the Rams lack of luck and fire power showed itself just moments later. A free-kick on the edge of the box from Owen Roberts, beat the wall, but as Dobbs dived by his post, the ball somehow rebounded off him and over the bar.

On 62 minutes, the Rams finally went ahead again. Good work by Smalley down the right created the space to fire in a low cross which Dean gratefully slid home from close range.

Another Smalley cross minutes later was again converted, but once more the linesman’s flag indicated that Gaskell was in an offside position.

A rare venture into the Rams half of the field resulted in another unexpected equaliser for the home side. A free-kick just outside the box was driven round the wall by Boardman, and in at the near post Normality resumed with yet more Rams’ attacks, and when Gaskell put the ball into the back of the net from a Robinson header, there was yet more despair as he looked round to see the spectre of the flag once again being raised.

On 78 minutes, another good run down the left by Dean created the space to drive in a low angled cross, and Robinson beat his marker to flick the ball in from close range. Once again the Rams had nudged in front.

Two minutes later, the home side nearly produced another unexpected leveller, when Boardman went close to his hat-trick as his 25 yard lob clipped the top of the bar.

A double substitution saw the Rams sacrifice two strikers for two midfield players and from then on, they held on to their advantage, but they made the game hard for themselves, as the home side should have been well out of sight before the last nervous ten minutes.

GRAHAM SHUTTLEWORTH After a 12 month absence from the competition it's time to see if Jonno, Bernard and other members of the management team and the players can make a little bit of Ramsbottom United history by lifting the Lancashire FA Challenge Trophy for the first time, or at least reaching the Final, which of course is played at the Reebok Stadium.

So no pressure then!

County Cup's at one stage were taken seriously by clubs, but as time has gone on, other than the FA Cup and Trophy, many clubs see them more of a hindrance than anything else, but as our Club actually wished to enter this season one can only hope that we 'go for it' and give those who may not be in the ground tonight the desire to do so next time, assuming of course we end the 90 minutes with a positive result against this evenings visitors, Atherton LR, who are also looking to lift the Trophy for the first time.

Sadly, it's not only competitions such as this one that has lost it's sparkle with supporters (the Final being an exception), as the same can be said for our own League Cup competitions. For whatever reason supporters lack interest in them as is clearly evidenced by the gate and these matches end up costing the club, and very few clubs can afford to make a loss.

I doubt that the Floodlit Competition was still running when Rammy were members of the North West Counties League, but I well remember being with a former club having to make a midweek trip to Penrith one season! On that occasion the man was there but his dog decided to stay at home, such was the attraction of the fixture.

In my Curzon Ashton days a Saturday First Round FA Cup home fixture against League side Exeter City attracted a crowd in excess of 1,200. 48 hours later, in the Manchester FA Senior Cup against nearby Salford City struggled to get anywhere near three figures, and that was after a dramatic 3-2 win against Exeter.

There have been some winners who have gone on to bigger and better things, Wigan Athletic (11 times) being the most prominent, along with Morecambe (11), Accrington Stanley (3) and Fleetwood Town, who won the competition 100 years ago this season. Doubt they'll get a telegram from HRH though!

Some of course have fallen by the wayside Horwich RMI/Leigh Genesis, Colne Dynamoes and Great Harwood Town.

Runcorn (1918-19) have their name on the Trophy, but exactly how a Cheshire team managed to enter beats me!

Anyway, enough of my ramblings, enjoy the game tonight, and hopefully you can tell your mates what they've missed!

RAMMY IN EXILE - RICHARD ISAACS Welcome to my new column. First and foremost, I want to say how good these programmes are and Rob should take a very large bow for his extraordinary efforts in making this such an excellent read. Personally, I am pleased that someone who is much more 'on the ground' has taken charge and its working very well.

Well it's nice to be home again. After a glorious week in the sunshine paradise of Tobago, it's back to wet and cold Southampton and regular normality.

Thankfully, the place we were at had wifi so I was able to keep in touch with all that was happening at Warrington and the mesmeric home win over Lancaster.

What a performance that was ... we had a trip out, driving around the island (which was quite an experience I can tell you, up hill and down dale!!!!) and got back to base in time for the majority of the second half. To find we were 4-0 up when we got in was much more than I could ever have expected.

That is the beauty of technology these days. I can be 4,000 plus miles away and still know how my team are getting on. In fact, I can be anywhere in the world, and have been, and I know how the mighty Rams are doing. Andy and Katie do a great service in updating our Twitter feed, keeping me and all around the world informed. How did we manage before this??

Something I really did enjoy was a couple of weeks ago and the FA Cup game at Barrow. I was watching a rugby match between Southampton-based Tottonians and London Cornish, an exiles club in the capital from pasty country! But while I was watching it, I listened to the commentary on BBC Radio Cumbria of us playing. What a bonus!!!

It was hugely entertaining listening to the two commentators who were very one eyed, calling the Barrow players by their first names or nicknames while not really knowing anything about us (they thought Bern and Jonno were nearer 40 than their current ages of close on 30 ... has managing Rammy put years on them that much?!?) but what a real treat it was. How I wish it was a regular thing?

Anyway, it's time to get back on the diet bandwagon - have had a week off so need to try and limit the damage before weigh in day tomorrow.

C'mon RAMMY!!!!!!!!!!

Lee Gaskell against Lancaster City

THIS WEEK’S MATCHES Monday 14th October Curzon Ashton v Darlington Farsley v Bamber Bridge Harrogate v Northwich New Mills v Radcliffe Tuesday 15th October Kendal v Warrington (Lancashire FA Trophy): AFC Blackpool v Burscough Clitheroe v Wigan Robin Park Wednesday 16th October Ossett Albion v Mossley Padiham v Wakefield Salford v Ossett Town (Lancashire FA Trophy): Lancaster v Rochdale Town

Saturday 19th October Bamber Bridge v Ossett Town Harrogate v Padiham Ossett Albion v New Mills Prescot v Farsley Salford v Warrington (FA Trophy 1Q): Fylde v Kendal Buxton v Darlington Cammell Laird v Curzon Ash Marine v Burscough Mossley v Lancaster Northwich v Radcliffe Rammy v Worksop Town Trafford v Wakfield

rammy squad Joint Manager and midfielder Bernard Morley Joint Manager and striker Anthony Johnson

Coach Darren Green

Coach Glenn Moses

Coach John Hunter Physio Katy Richardson

Coach John Hunter

Goalkeeper Grant Shenton

Right-back Jordan Hulme

Centre-back and Captain Andy Dawson Right-back Dan Warrender Right-back Dan Warrender

Right-back Left-backJordan Owen Hulme Roberts Centre-Back Left-backBilly JoelPriestley Pilkington

Midfielder Tom Toth Midfield Joel Pilkington

Midfielder Grant Spencer Midfielder Midfielder Phil Phil Edghill Edghill

Midfielder Gary Stopforth Left-wing Phil Dean

Right-wing Right-wing Dom Dom Smalley Smalley Striker Tom Brookes

Striker Jon Robinson Striker Lee Gaskell

Striker Matty Warburton Midfielder Tom Toth

Striker Luke Bradbury Striker Adam Morning

EDITORIAL - SUPPORTERS CLUB

A whole load of fans, both home and away, have told me how much they like the new-look programme, and it’s lovely to hear that people appreciate all the hard work that we’ve been putting into it. I’ve tried to combine lots of photos with the stuff that people really want to know, which is why Katy and Graham’s columns have been such valuable additions. I find Tony’s quiz a bit intimidating, as I regularly get 0/10, but maybe that’s a good thing!

For many years I’ve not bothered buying a programme unless it’s a particularly special game, as they’re generally a complete waste of money. Yes, they’re something to read at half-time, or a bit of a souvenir, but they seldom contain anything worth reading - even at the very top level of football. Space is particularly tight in an Evostik programme, due to the number of adverts we need to squeeze in, but I’d like to hope that we’re managing to fill the gaps with interesting and informative stuff. We are very lucky in that we have some great people at Rammy, with interesting stuff to say, so I hope you’ll continue to show your support for the programme.

One of the things that I’ve heard time-and-again is about the difficulties getting hold of a copy, as they regularly sell out quite early on. I’ve had people ask whether the supporters club can reserve a handful, or whether it’s possible to buy a subscription, but I’ve always been quite conscious that we’re treading a fine line: we don’t want to alienate people by telling them that programmes are sold out when we obviously have a handful, and I’m extremely conscious of appearing to adversly affect the sales.

The idea I came up with last week, which I think cuts a reasonable compromise, is to make the programme available online. I know that a number of our supporters don’t have an internet connection, and I apologise to those people, but we’re increasingly finding that folk are available to get online, and I thought that publishing online would allow people to read what’s going on, even if they miss out on the printed copy. This thought was vindicated when over 100 people viewed last week’s programme, on top of the 56 copies that were sold at the game.

The big question has to be whether people will view the programme for free online, rather than spend their two-quid buying a copy. This isn’t an easy one to answer, and I think we’re just going to have to watch what happens. If you buy the programme for something to read at half-time, or as a souvenir, then I don’t think getting a copy online will stop you buying it, and I would urge you to continue to support the club through getting one at the game. The flip-side of this is that perhaps people will see the new-look programme online and think, “Do you know what... I’m going to start buying this!” I hope so!

One other thing that someone mentioned to me is Bolton Wanderers’ new scheme. Apparently they email all of their supporters an online programme AHEAD of forthcoming matches. They reason that it helps to publicise the games, helps to keep fans in touch with the club, lets people feel a big Bolton ‘group hug’, and even promotes Bolton Wanderers to people who may not normally attend matches.

A great idea, though perhaps the next step after the dust has settled.

Managers: Anthony JOHNSON Bernard MORLEY

Grant SHENTON Danny WARRENDER Owen ROBERTS Billy PRIESTLEY Gary STOPFORTH Andy DAWSON Dominic SMALLEY Grant SPENCER Jon ROBINSON Phil DEAN Lee GASKELL Tom BROOKS Phil EDGHILL Joel PILKINGTON Jordan HULME Tom TOTH Matthew PRICKETT

Manager: Mike CLEGG

Andy FERRIMOND Nathan BATTERSBY Tom CAHILL Kane BENTLEY Mark AYRES Adam McKILLOP Ben HARDCASTLE Craig BOOTHBY Mark ADAMS Jack McKAY Kristian HOLT Shaun CONLON Johnathan GREEN Gino PULVINO Craig DICKENSON Jack BERRY

Referee: Brian McGill (Rochdale) Assistants: James Shepherd (Preston), Keith Martin (Preston) Next home game: Saturday 19th October, Worksop Town in the FA Trophy