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prammynewsv WITTON ALBION16-09-14
p
glenn
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Welcome to the Harry Williams
Riverside Stadium for this evening’s
clash with Witton Albion. We would like
to take this opportunity to welcome all
involved with Witton, and their
spectators that have travelled over
tonight - we hope you enjoy your
evening with us and have a safe journey
home.
Well after two impressive wins on the
bounce, which included our win over
then table toppers Stamford, we got
brought back down to earth with two
defeats in our next two outings. First,
the game last wednesday over at
Whitby, were we looked a little short on
the night and probably didn’t do
enough to come home with anything.
Itss a very long way to go on a midweek
night and by no way are we using that
as an excuse, but its something we will
all have to get accustomed to. ese are
the journeys that two promotions see
us faced with and these are the
challenges we strive to overcome. You
have to bear in mind that most lads will
have started work early to allow
themselves to get away. A three hour
journey followed by 90 tough minutes
and then the same journey home saw
them getting in at 2am, only to be up
the next morning at 6 to make up the
lost hours from the day before!
is brings me onto the F.A. Cup game
over at Buxton. We started very leggy
and didn’t look ourselves if I’m honest,
and we went in at the break 3-0 down,
leaving ourselves a mountain to climb
during second half. Maybe this was a
result of the long trip to Whitby, but we
can take great heart from our second
half performance giving a decent
Buxton side a big scare. ey were
definately relieved to hear the referee’s
whistle. eire made a comment to me
as we left the field, saying that we are by
far the best side they have faced this
season, and although it’s results that
count, we seem to be attracting the
right kind of attention for our
performances. Hopefully we can turn
those into points from here on in.
We've still got a few walking wounded
and will have to wait a little longer than
we hoped for the injured lads to return,
but we have strengthened over the last
few days with the signings of Liam Irwin
from Bolton Wanderers, Alex Piacentile
from C.E.Principado De Andorra in
Spain, Nelson Mota from FC United,
and Jake Parker from Colwyn Bay. I’m
sure you will all get behind the new lads
as you always do, and give them a big
Rammy welcome.
Both Witton and ourselves will be
looking to get back on track tonight
after going out of the F.A. Cup on
Saturday, so I hope you enjoy the game.
Coyr!
- Glenn
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Welcome to the Harry Williams
Riverside Stadium.
And a special welcome to tonight’s
officials, and of course our visitors – the
only true Northwich-based team, despite
three others carrying the name….Witton
Albion (who don’t!).
We need to bounce back after a couple
of defeats.
Work, as usual, prevented me from
making the long midweek trip to Whitby,
although it sounds as though I was the
lucky one. I did, however, manage to
sneak out in time to travel over to
Buxton.
Mm! At half-time I had written us off,
but credit to the lads for battling back in
the second half and making a real game
of it. If I’d been there as a neutral
supporter, I have to say, I would have
thoroughly enjoyed it. Plenty of action as
the game swung from end to end for
much of the time. We may well be
disappointed to exit the greatest cup
competition in the world at the first
hurdle, but I am more convinced than
ever that we will settle into life at this
level without too many problems.
Certainly when it comes to
entertainment, it looks like the story of
the last five years is bound
to continue.
HEAD-SCRATCHER
Football has a habit of throwing up
results that make one look on in disbelief.
e latest example featured Conference
North (yes I know!!!) Oxford City. A
couple of weeks ago they entertained
big-spending AFC Fylde at home and
were on the end of an horrendous 8-1
hammering (Shades of the 10-1 defeat I
saw Fylde dish out at Droylsden’s ground
last season). What a lousy result, and
Oxford’s next game just happened to be
away at former League side Boston
United. ey must have travelled there in
trepidation! Final score at Boston? 7-2!
Erm….actually, it was 7-2 FOR Oxford.
Crazy, isn’t it?
Takes me back to my childhood. Back
in the late 1950’s, football league teams
played on Christmas Day and Boxing Day
(they’re soft these days!) Bury beat Bristol
Rovers 7-2 at Gigg on Christmas Day(yes,
in the days before computers, the fixture
planners still couldn’t work out derby
matches). Next day they travelled down
to the south-west full of confidence
and….lost 6-1!
FANCY BEING A SCRIBE?
As you probably know, I’ve been
privileged for the last few seasons to be
the Ramsbottom United match reporter
and Press Release man. And I’ve
thoroughly enjoyed it!
tony cunninghamand the wonderful world of
non-league football
p
However, you probably also know that part-
way through last season I took on the job of
club Secretary.
As if that wasn’t enough extra work, I am
now in the process of expanding my business
(Leckenby’s Award-Winning Licensed Tea
Rooms – enough of the plug) with a second
outlet, so you can imagine the additional
workload.
Which basically means that I have to look
to cut back somewhere. I thoroughly enjoy
the secretarial duties, but my main concern is
that I’m not put in a position where my work
suffers, especially here at Ramsbottom, where
a mere slip can result in fines or worse-still
points deductions.
So I have reluctantly come to the
conclusion that I should look to off-load the
Press side of my involvement, which I shall do
with no little disappointment.
If anyone feels that they would like to take
on the PR role, either individually or with
someone else, then can I ask them to get in
touch with me on 07973 416580, to allow me
to explain just what is required.
Ideally you would need to be a supporter
who can get to most if not all of the games,
but I can assure whoever takes over that I will
ensure a smooth transition. And you will
enjoy it!
Anyone interested, please make yourself
known.
Enjoy your non-league football!
This m
an ne
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elp - a
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With a number of key players already
missing we lost Phil Dean and Dan
Warrender during the Buxton game, do
we have any news on them, or updates
on the other lads?
“Dan aggravated an existing injury which
he picked up at Whitby and could miss
Tuesday’s game but Wizard’s is more of
a dead leg so we’re hoping he will be back
fit for the midweek game. Lee Gaskell is
expected back in next few weeks - it will
be a huge boost for the lads knowing we
will have more fire power to partner
Jordy. Gaz is still awaiting results of his
scan and understandably doesn't want to
rush back as a big part of his game is
covering a lot of grass and he can't do
that if he's not 100%.”
You seem to be working overtime in that
goal at the moment, this must be a bit of
a shock after the last couple of seasons of
being mainly a playmaker.
“We always knew it was gonna
be a big step up this season.
And I knew I would be busy. I’m
not completely happy with my
performances yet as the
strikers are different in this
league in that they don't waste the ball
much. e gaffers brought john in to
improve my game, and I will improve
under him - it's good to get an
experienced keeper to tell me what I
need to improve. But I'm going to have
to change my game a little as last season
I was only making two saves a game while
mainly passing out from the back and
sweeping up, so it's a something I've got
to adapt to.
Can you talk us through the goals at
Whitby.
“e first goal was a sickening feeling as I
had made a few saves to keep us even. It
was a big deflection from a block that
looped over my head. And on the second
one i slipped while trying to take off to
catch it and I didn't get enough on it.”
What was the mood like on the bus
back?
“e mood was ok, lads obviously
disappointed but we don't tend to over-
think results - we take each game as they
come. Mainly the guys wanted a sleep on
the coach as most of us were up early for
work.”
grant shentonshouting from between the sticks
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Te old cliche says that
"Now we're out of the cup,
we can properly
concentrate on the league."
It's easy to say, but now that
the Buxton game is done and
dusted, is that how you all feel
about it?
Now we're out I can say yes, but
I'm not going to say we didn't
want to play some more games in
the FA cup because every player wants a
good cup run. But yes consistency in the
league is what we look to improve now.
With Grant Spencer's miss on Saturday
and your screamer at Nelson, you
must be climbing up the penalty
taker's list rapidly. Can we stick
Howson in nets for two minutes
while you take them?
I've been trying to get on pens
from day one. I put a very
strong argument forward
that I'll score but the gaffers
are not having it. We have
spoken about it but my
hand will always be raised
to step up that's for sure.
p
Ramsbottom United appear to be
finding their feet at the higher level, as
they tasted victory for the second time
in a week.
Visitors Stamford had begun the
campaign well, but could have no
complaints about the score as the Rams
thoroughly deserved this victory in the
first ever meeting between the two
clubs.
e home side took the lead as early
as the tenth minute. Steve Howson rose
above the defenders to power home a
header from Grant Spencer’s corner.
Spencer, himself, went close to adding
to the score six minutes later, but his
free-kick lashed against the side netting.
Scott Burton played the perfect
through ball for Jordan Hulme, but his
shot was blocked for a corner, as the
Rams attempted to double their
advantage.
But on 30 minutes, the visitors were
back on level terms. Phil Dean was
harshly adjudged to have committed a
foul just outside the box, and although
his yellow card looked tough, the
resultant free-kick proved even worse.
Nathan Fox took it and was way off
target before Michael Built stuck out a
leg and sent the ball past a wrong-
footed Grant Shenton in the home goal.
Hulme had a good shout for a penalty
before seeing his fierce drive parried by
Richard Knight in the Stamford goal,
and the half-time break arrived with the
scores level, despite the Rams enjoying
the majority of the play.
Stamford came out for the second
half in more determined mood, and
took the game to the home side in the
early minutes. Jordan Smith inexplicably
failed to put them in front when a
perfect cross from Built saw him with
the goal at his mercy, but he somehow
managed to screw the ball wide, much
to the relief of the absent home
defenders.
On 59 minutes the Rams regained the
lead. Osebi Anadaki, who is quickly
becoming a firm crowd favourite,
skipped down the right before planting
the ball inch-perfect for Hulme to head
home.
It was no more than the home side
deserved, although Stamford continued
to make inroads. Nabil Sharriff saw his
effort from 20 yards clear the bar, and
Lewis Carr raced forward but could not
find the target from just outside the
box.
On 74 minutes, it was a case of game
over. Some excellent trickery by Hulme
saw him lay the ball across for Dean who
had all the time in the world to pick his
spot from 15 yards out to extend the
lead to 3-1.
e home side survived a tricky
moment when a ball into their box
almost resulted in an embarrassing own
goal, and substitute Ryan Robbins went
close for the visitors. e nearest they
came to reducing the deficit was just
before the end when Carr drove home
a venomous drive which Shenton did
well to fist away.
Despite a late flurry, the result never
looked in doubt, and the Rams enjoyed
their second victory of the week to push
them up the table as they become
acclimatised to life at Evo-Stik Premier
level.
p
3 - 1e Harry Williams Riverside Stadium
6th September 2014
Att: 357
Rammy Goals: Howson (10), Hulme (59), Dean (74)
Stamford Goals: Built (30)
Danny Warrender celebrating Steve Howson’s goal
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3 - 1e Harry Williams Riverside Stadium
6th September 2014
Att: 357
Rammy Goals: Howson (10), Hulme (59), Dean (74)
Stamford Goals: Built (30)
Team Potty-Mouth Phil Dean tells Ossie whathe thinks of scoring, before doing histrademark belly-flop near the corner flag
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3 - 2e Silverlands
13th September 2014
Att: 261
Rammy Goals: Hardy (2), Taylor (33), Tuton (36)
Buxton Goals: Spencer (55), Abadaki (73)
Nelson Mota brought down for Rammy’ssecond penalty of the afternoon
Phil Dean gets treatment for the knockwhich saw him limp off after 28 minutes
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A disastrous first half saw Ramsbottom United
crash out of the FA Cup at the first hurdle.
e home side’s direct route un-nerved the
visitors defence, and the whistle for the interval
sounded with the visitors in disarray and three
goals behind.
A much-improved second half saw them claw
their way back into the game, but an earlier
missed penalty proved to be the difference when
the final whistle blew with the home side
hanging on to a slender lead.
An early goal boosted the home side as it took
just two minutes for Liam Hardy to find space
behind the Rams defence, round keeper Grant
Shenton and slide the ball into an empty net.
It was hardly the start the Lancastrians wanted,
but they should have been on level terms just
four minutes later when Osebi Abadaki raced
down the right wing before sending over the
perfect centre for Jordan Hulme, but the target
man completely misplaced his header and it
sailed wide.
At the other end, Hardy looked on as Shenton
pushed his free-kick round the post, before the
Rams countered with Cedric Krou firing in a
fierce drive which Aaron Jameson in the home
goal was happy to punch clear.
Scott Burton saw his header from a Spencer
corner sail inches wide as the Rams looked to
level the scores, but two disastrous minutes
proved to be the undoing of the visitors.
On 33 minutes, the Rams won a corner which
Spencer swung in perfectly. Two colleagues
narrowly missed planting home a header, yet as
the ball broke to the far side, the Buxton
countered magnificently, with a long cross from
the right sailing over the heads of the stretched
rearguard leaving Alastair Taylor with the
simplest of tasks of knocking the ball home at the
far post from close range.
Hulme instantly went close to reducing the
arrears with a fine flick from 20 yards that
narrowly missed the post with the keeper well
beaten, yet again within seconds, the home side
had snatched another.
A race down the left ended with the ball being
floated into the area and the unchallenged Shaun
Tuton gleefully headed in his side’s third to totally
deflate the visitors.
Ramsbottom had the chance to narrow the
deficit in time added on, but after the referee had
penalised a Buxton defender for hand ball,
Spencer saw his poor penalty kick easily saved by
Jameson.
e Rams trooped off for the break with
everyone on the ground accepting that the tie
was over.
How wrong they were!
e second half saw a much more
accomplished performance as the Rams went all
out to overturn the deficit. Greg Young was
unlucky to see his header go past the post for the
hosts before the Rams got into their stride.
Spencer’s low drive took a deflection, but
Jameson was equal to it diving to his left, but a
reward for their efforts came on 55 minutes.
Abadaki set off on a run from the right across
the edge of the penalty area, defying three
tackles, and he laid the ball off to Spencer on the
far side of the area. He looked up and sent in the
perfect chip which beat the keeper and sailed in
by the far post.
Buxton, fearing a revival, attempted to restore
the three goal cushion, with Tuton, Hardy and
Neil Stevens all having a go.
A second goal for the Rams was almost
notched by Hulme following more good work
from Abadaki. e winger weaved his way into
the area, and as he reached the by-line, he flicked
the ball goalwards, but Hulme couldn’t quite
convert as the ball squirmed from Jameson’s
grasp.
On 73 minutes, the gap was narrowed however.
Substitute Nelson Mota was hauled down in the
area, and Abadaki placed the ball on the spot
before calmly striking home his side’s second.
Both sides went for what would have been a
defining goal as the game threatened on a couple
of occasions to boil over, but the home side held
on, and despite a spirited fightback in the second
half, the first period did all the damage, and the
Rams interest in the FA Cup came to a
shuddering halt in an entertaining game in the
heart of the Peak District.
Photos courtesy of Dawn Darkside - thanks Dawn!
p
Witton Albion celebrated their 125 year
existence in perfect style by regaining their
place in the NPL Premier Division in 2013,
regaining some of the ground on their
more successful days in the 1990s.
During that three year period in the
Conference their achievements included
an appearance in the 1992/93 FA Trophy
final, losing 3-1 to Colchester. ey reached
the semi-final stage of the FA Trophy for
the three successive seasons in the early
nineties and this remains the club's most
successful period of football to date.
An extremely rocky road followed,
particularly with regard to financial
difficulties, and the club relegated twice,
with a huge turnover of players and
managers. Brian Pritchard was appointed
Manager in 2010 and the next season he
helped Witton win the Play Offs and return
to the NPL Premier Division for season
2012/13.
With virtually the same squad the
following season saw the team achieve 4th
position before being beaten away by FC
United of Manchester in the Play-Off semi-
final. Last season however saw a very
different scenario as the team skirted
around the relegation positions for a good
while up until early March when a good set
of results saw them eventually finish in
16th place.
p
SCOTT BAKKOR – Forward, born 7/6/94,
who came from NPL First Division North
team Clitheroe in December 2013. Scott
made 25 appearances in total last term
netting 6 goals from his 20 starts and his
potential was seen quite early on when he
was placed on a two season contract.
IAIN HOWARD – Attacking left sided wing
back born 27/11/87. Commenced his career
at Manchester United’s Academy before he
joined Preston North End YTS set-up.
Following spells at Droylsden and Flixton Iain
signed for Ashton United in August 2007
scoring 34 goals in 130 matches in his three
year spell. He then spent three highly
successful years at Chester and then last
season at Stockport County starting 39
games and scoring 10 goals.
NEIL HARVEY – Striker who signed in July
2014. Neil has represented Barbados at full
international level 6 times, scoring twice. Neil
joined Macclesfield in 2008 where he scored
76 goals in 134 appearances, helping the
team to the NPL Division One South title. He
had his first spell at Marine in 2010. Two
seasons, 80 matches and 30 goals later he
signed for Hednesford, scoring in the Play-Off
Final to win promotion. 84 appearances and
31 goals were achieved with the Pitmen
before re-signing for Marine in March 2014.
CLIFF MOYO – Defensive wing back born
6/4/93. He appeared for Barrow as well as
Northwich Victoria and Droylsden. More
local to his home he’s also appeared for
Stone Dominoes, Newcastle Town and the
end of the 2012/13 season was with Market
Drayton Town. Going into this campaign
Cliff had made 28 starts in his 32
appearances.
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1. Who is the manager of Woking?
2. What colours do Brighouse Town play in?
3. Which Evo-Stik League club plays at e Hawthorns?
4. Former West Ham star Alan Devonshire manages which club?
5. Which club did AFC Liverpool defeat 9-0 away from home last weekend?
6. From which club did we recently sign Nelson Mota?
7. Alex Darlington is player/coach of which Welsh side?
8. In which league do Garstang play?
9. Littlehampton Town suffered a 10-0 defeat in the FA Cuplast week. Which
club beat them?
10. Damian Reeves is leading scorer for which Manchester-based non-league club?
ANSWERS: 1. Garry Hill 2. Orange and Black 3. Brigg Town 4. Braintree Town 5. Sty. Helens Town
6 FC United of Manchester 7. TNS 8. West Lancs. 9. Maidstone United 10. Altrincham
tony’s teasers
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Sat 16th Aug H KING’S LYNN TOWN 2-3 322 Shenton Smalley Pugh Spencer Howson Priestley Hulme 1Tues 19th Aug A Workington 0-1 415 Shenton Smalley Pugh Spencer * Howson Priestley HulmeSat 23rd Aug A Rushall Olympic 4-2 161 Shenton Smalley Pugh Spencer * Howson Priestley Hulme 1+Mon 25th Aug H NANTWICH TOWN 1-4 365 Shenton Smalley Abadaki * Spencer + Howson Priestley Hulme Sat 30th Aug A FC United of Manchester 1-3 1917 Shenton Smalley Pilkington Spencer Howson Warrender Abadaki +Tues 2nd Sept H MARINE 3-2 250 Shenton Smalley + Pilkington Spencer Howson 1 Krou AbadakiSat 6th Sept H STAMFORD 3-1 357 Shenton Smalley Pilkington Spencer + Howson 1 Warrender AbadakiWed 10th Sept A Whitby Town 0-2 265 Shenton Smalley Pilkington Spencer Howson Warrender AbadakiSat 13th Sept A Buxton FAC 1Q 2-3 261 Shenton Smalley Pilkington # Spencer Howson Warrender + AbadakiTues 16th Sept H WITTON ALBIONSat 20th Sept A IlkestonTues 23rd Sept H CURZON ASHTONSat 4th Oct A TraffordSat 11th Oct H BELPER TOWNTues 14th Oct A Frickley AthleticSat 18th Oct H BUXTONTues 21st Oct H WHITBY TOWNSat 25th Oct A Blyth SpartansTues 28th Oct A MarineSat 1st Nov A Whitby Town FAT 1QTues 4th Nov H WORKINGTONSat 8th Nov A Halesowen TownTues 11th Nov H BURSCOUGH LGCUPTues 18th Nov A Witton AlbionSat 22nd Nov H GRANTHAM TOWNSat 29th Nov H BARWELLSat 6th Dec A Matlock TownSat 13th Dec H RUSHALL OLYMPICSat 20th Dec A King’s Lynn TownFri 26th Dec H ASHTON UNITEDThu 1st Jan A Nantwich TownSat 3rd Jan A Curzon AshtonSat 10th Jan H TRAFFORDSat 17th Jan A Belper TownSat 24th Jan H FRICKLEY ATHLETICSat 31st Jan A BuxtonSat 7th Feb H BLYTH SPARTANSSat 14th Feb A StamfordSat 21st Feb A StourbridgeSat 28th Feb H ILKESTONSat 7th March A Skelmersdale UnitedSat 14th March H STOURBRIDGESat 28th March A Grantham TownSat 4th April H FC UNITED OF MCRMon 6th April A Ashton UnitedSat 11th April H HALESOWEN TOWNSat 18th April A BarwellSat 25th April H MATLOCK TOWN
fixtures & results 2014/15
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Hulme 1 Burton Gaskell Robinson 1* Dean + Pilkington Slaven Abadaki + Ahmadi * CookHulme Burton Gaskell Robinson + Dean # Pilkington * Slaven + Abadaki Ahmadi # CookHulme 1+ Burton Robinson 1# Pilkington Dean 2 Abadaki * Slaven + Ahmadi # Cook WilliamsHulme Burton Robinson 1 Pilkington Dean Williams Slaven Cook * Krou + MorleyAbadaki + Slaven Robinson * Hulme 1# Dean Williams + Krou * Cook # Morley JohnsonAbadaki Burton * Slaven 1 Hulme 1 Dean # Williams # Robinson * Cook + Morley JohnsonAbadaki Burton Slaven * Hulme 1# Dean 1 Williams + Robinson # Cook Morley Krou *Abadaki Burton Slaven + Krou Dean Mota + Cook Williams Johnson MorleyAbadaki Burton Krou Hulme Dean * Mota * Williams + Pugh # Johnson Morley
fixtures & results 2014/15
Ramsbottom United Football ClubChairman: Harry WilliamsVice Chairman: Chris WoolfallSecretary: Tony Cunningham Matchday Secretary: Andy Edmunson Treasurers: H Williams, C WoolfallCommittee: Harry Williams, Chris Woolfall, Andy Edmund-son, Kevin HitchenThe Harry Williams Riverside, Acre Bottom, Ramsbottom, Lancashire,Tel: 01706 822799
Recent Senior Honours: Bolton Comination Div 1 Champions: 1972/73Bolton Comb. Premier Champions 1976/77: Bolton Comb. Div2 cup runners up: 1979/80,1982/83Bolton Comb. Div2 runners up: 1982/83Bolton Comb. Cup winners: 1976/77, 1979/80, 1983/84Bolton Comb. Div1 runners up: 1984/85Bolton Comb. Cup runners up: 1985/86, 1987/88Manchester League Cup Winners: 1990/91Manchester League Champions: 1990/91Yorkshire Cup runners up: 1993/94Northwest Counties Div2 Champions: 1996/97Northwest Counties Div2 Trophy: 1995/96Bolton Hospital Cup winners: 1974/75, 05/06. 06/07, 07/08Northwest Counties Premier runners Up 2010/11Northwest Counties Premier Champions: 2011/12Northern Premier League Div1 playoff winners: 2013/1
Tonight’s Fixtures:
Barwell v Stourbridge
Blyth v Ilkeston
Coalville v Belper
Frickley v FC United
Grantham v Rushall
Halesowen v Nantwich
King’s Lynn v Buxton
Marine v Ashton
Trafford v Workington
Whitby v Shildon
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Good evening one and all.
Hope the column finds you
well.
Everyone enjoying the
season? From my far off
viewpoint, I think it is pretty
much as everyone expected.
is is without doubt the
biggest step up the club have
ever seen so it was always
going to be very similar to the
way we have started. One
thing that is encouraging is
the very complimentary
words being used by our
opponents about us being the
best side they have played. It is
always good to hear but now we need to
turn those good performances into the
hard cash of points on the table.
e one and a half games I saw the
other week showed just how far we have
come and are playing, the win over
Stamford was quite something!! Our all
out skill level was superb, such a joy to
watch and long may it continue.
Well, for me, my Sky cricket
season has finished with my last
day of the 2014 season last Friday
seeing the County Championship
heading north once again but,
from those followers of the Red
Rose on this side of the hills, it's
not here!!! Yorkshire lifted their
31st title by thrashing
Nottinghamshire while Lancashire look
to be staring relegation in the face this
week.
It's been a very enjoyable season, starting
way back on May 3rd up at Durham - of
course, I wasn't in Durham for long as I
swiftly charged down the M6 to Bamber
Bridge for much more important
matters. So I think I deserve my holiday
coming up on Friday when I head over to
the States for a couple of weeks ... and, of
course, my Rammy scarf is coming with
me so prepare for a few shots of me
publicising our club over there!!
Anyway, come on you Rams, lets start
climbing up that table.
YOUUUUUUUUUUU RAMS!!!
rammy in exilesky sports statto richard isaacs
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e Rams made the long journey to the north Yorkshire
coast but returned empty-handed after losing out to a big
physical Whitby Town team by two goals to nil.
In all fairness, had it not been for a man-of-the-match
performance from keeper Grant Shenton, the damage
could have been a lot worse.
Shenton, time after time thwarted the home side who
constantly attacked the visiting defence, and on another
night David McTiernan would have been taking the ball
home.
As it was, he notched just one goal and that came as
early as the sixth minute. Town had bombarded the
visitors from the off, with Shenton making two
outstanding saves, but he could do nothing when a half-
clearance found McTierney on the edge of the box, and
he retuned the ball with sufficient dip to land in the back
of the net from just under the crossbar.
e visitors gained three corners in quick succession,
but the closest they came to scoring was a header from
Cedric Krou which sailed wide.
Osebi Abasaki was proving the biggest threat for the
visitors with his strong running, but there was no end
result as the Ramsbottom forwards looked off the pace
all night.
e defenders, however, had to be at their best to repel
a number of attacks by a home side determined to follow
up their recent away victory, which had lifted them away
from the foot of the table. Shenton continued to be the
final obstacle that the home side failed to penetrate, and
the half-time whistle sounded with the Rams going in still
only one goal down.
e second half was just three minutes old when Town
doubled their advantage. A high cross seemed to be
Shenton’s but the ball bounced off him, and in via the
body of Richard Pell who seemed to know little about it.
at goal, however, gave the home side a cushion that
the visitors rarely looked like breaching. e Rams played
some entertaining football but the end result was never
good enough to worry the home defence, and Whitby saw
the game out comfortably to deservedly pick up the three
points and leave the Rams with a long and miserable
return to east Lancashire.
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3 - 2e Silverlands
13th September 2014
Att: 261
Rammy Goals: Hardy (2), Taylor (33), Tuton (36)
Buxton Goals: Spencer (55), Abadaki (73)
Busy shifts for Grant Shenton at the moment
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Article taken from the Bury Times,
August 2001:
ere will be something that was a bit
special missing when Ramsbottom
United launch their bid for the big time
on August 18th.
Harry’s little blue hut won’t be in its
usual spot by the turnstile at the
Riverside when the Rams go full belt for
a place in the UniBond League next
season.
President Harry Williams and his men
are currently having a brand-new
refreshment facility constructed ready for
the new season - and that could mean a
change of “home” for Harry too.
For the likeable Rams’ head man was
always to be found behind the
counter of the blue hut, taking
the speccies’ cash as they
clicked through the
turnstile from one serving
hatch or dishing pie and
peas out from the other - a
man of many parts is our
Harry.
United didn’t even apply to have their
ground graded last season by league
officials to see if it would pass the
Unibond criteria.
ey finished third in the North West
Counties Division One table for the
second successive season though and are,
undoubtedly strong promotion
candidates for the coming season.
“We had a lot of things to deal with last
season - on and off the pitch. We weren’t
right for it mentally, but we are now,”
warned Williams.
Newly-appointed manager Mike Kelly
is ready to meet the challenge head-on,
“e ground might need one or two
things doing to it, but we are ready for it.
After finishing third for the last two
seasons we want to go one better and
finish runners-up or even champions,”
said Kelly.
“ere will be an extra team in our
division next season, making it a total of
23 and 44 games in all to play.
“I don’t know how the structure for
promotion and relegation is going to
work yet either, but we know we have a a
back in the day49 years of football under harry williams
p
chance to aim to finish first or seond to
have a chance of going up into the
UniBond,” added Kelly.
e gaffer got his lads back into training
last Saturday and is busy scouring the
non-league scene for possible recruits,
but he looks set to lose centre-back Mike
Smith soon.
Neighbours Rossendale United have
nipped in and pinched Smith from
Rammy just as Kelly was about to offer
the 23-year-old defender improved
terms.
“I’m not happy about the way
Rossendale went about it, but the lad
wants to play in the UniBond League and
that’s the top and bottom of it.
“He came down training with us last
Saturday and I told him he could come
back if things didn’t work out and he said
he would do that, so good luck to him.”
Players catching Kelly’s eye so far are a
centre back at Curzon Ashton and two
midfielders at Abbey Hey and
Burscough.
Long term inury victims Dave Roach,
Warren Brierley and Dave Yorke-
Robinson are on their way back. Centre
back Brierley is expected to do some
light training this week following his knee
ligament problem and midfield man
Yorke-Robinson should be ready for the
big kick-off in August after recovering
from a knee op.
Defender Roach is also making
progress, but has a lot of work to do to
build up the muscle on his leg following
his injury.
Ramsbottom have arranged four pre-
season friendlies so far. ey are away at
Padiham from the North West Counties
Division Two on August 4, home to
Burnley on August 7, away to Nelson,
another NWC Div2 outfit, on August 11
and home to Bury on a date still to be
finalised.
p
Another midweek game, and another long trip
for the Rammy faithful. After the visit to darkest
Cumbria to take on Workington a couple of weeks
ago, last Wednesday saw us in Heartbeat country
for a game against Whitby Town. is required
another early finish at work for the travelling
Ultras, but by 3.45 we were sat on the coach and
all ready for the off. As the players settled down
at the back of the coach, us mere mortals found
ourselves with enough room for a double seat
each, so I unpacked my ham butties and beers,
and made myself comfortable for the long
journey. It wasn’t a bad turnout on the coach, as
most people were relying on a dash up the M62
after work in their own cars, and I was joined by
Carlsberg, Andy Massey, Andy Worsick, Little
Katie (with tripod and camera), George, Peter
‘Captain’ Taylor and, of course Mr Harry Williams.
e journey actually went quite fast and before
we knew it we were off the motorway and
travelling through North Yorkshire. is was my
first visit to Whitby and I have to say there was
some quite spectacular scenery on the way there,
helped by the fact it was a sunny evening. Soon
we saw
Whitby
Abbey on
the horizon,
looking very
foreboding,
and I
understood
why Bram
Stoker was
influenced
to write his novel, Dracula. At this point I made a
mental note to bring Mrs Darkside here for a
romantic weekend sometime (probably not when
Rammy are in town though). We pulled into the
Whitby Town car park at 6.30, arriving just behind
Chris Wooley, who had driven up with Mick Jonno
and Jess, as well as the team’s kit. As Chris
unloaded the kit, we all decided to take a stroll for
fish and chips, and couple of beers in a local
hostelry.
For a seaside town it was not easy to find a
chippy and after being told by a local that the
nearest was a good 10 minute walk away we
decided not to waste valuable drinking time and
headed to the nearest hotel. is turned out to be
e Metropole on the seafront, which was a large
Victorian building with many original features
inside. We had also been joined by former Rammy
favourite, Edgy (the Matt variety, not Phil) and as
we got the beers in, Edgy made up for the lack of
chippy with a couple of bags of crisps and 4
chocolate bars !!! We made ourselves comfortable
in a little room overlooking the sea and had a chat
about where would be best to stay when we visit
Whitby later in the season, in the cup. e
Metropole was an excellent choice for a place to
drink, but kick off time was approaching and we
headed to the ground for a drink in the club bar.
It is a quite big bar in Whitby and on entering
we saw plenty of familiar faces who had the
journey north from Ramsbottom. As always
in non-league club bars, we were made to feel
more than welcome and I was happy to see they
were serving one of Yorkshire’s finest ales, Black
Sheep.
from the darksidedarren comer reports on the latest
rammy ultras adventures
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from the darkside
We got into the ground just as the teams were
coming out and I stood with Carlsberg, Mick and
Andy Massey to get some singing going. We must
have done OK with the singing as a few minutes
into the game I got a text message from Rob Moss
to say that the Rammy faithful could be heard loud
and clear on Whitby’s radio station. I seemed to
spend much of the 1st half sending updates to
those left back in Rammy and to Martin Hulme in
his hotel room in Folkestone. By half time we were
1-0 down and not looking like we were going to
get back into the game so I headed back to the bar
with Mick and Carlsberg. Now, I seem to be
gathering a reputation for attracting the stranger
elements of the home support on our away days
and tonight was no exception. As I was chatting
with Mick and Carlsberg we were
joined by some stranger and we ended
up discussing the fortunes of his team,
Leeds United. It turned out he was
camping in Whitby for the week, by himself, and
had decided to take in a non-league game.
On entering the ground for the second half I got
myself a potato pie and a steak pie, which weren’t
amongst the best I’ve had at a football, and made
my way to the side of the ground we were
attacking. We spent the second half stood with
Mary, Joanne, Uncle Dave, Young Dave and the
suspended Jordan Hulme, and despite our urging
the Rams to score, it was never going to be our
night in front of goal. Despite this we applauded
the team off the pitch, which they seemed to really
appreciate, and went back to the club bar to wait
for the coach to depart.
We set off at 10pm and, after a quick stop at a
petrol station for the players to pick up drinks and
snacks, we were soon heading through
the foggy North Yorkshire countryside
back to Lancashire. Despite sleeping
from Heywood to York on the journey
up, Andy Worswick was soon asleep
again, and I had a good chat with
Carlsberg and Little Katie about all
things Rammy United. I also had an
interesting talk with George about
televised football and how it doesn’t
compare to actually attending a live
game. Again, the journey seemed
to go quickly and we were back in
Rammy for 12.45 and all looking
forward to a visit to Buxton the
following Saturday.
Mick Johnson andMatt edgingtonletting Whitby knowwhat’s what.Photos courtesy ofSte ‘Carlsberg’Heard
The Rammy Rocket arrives at the seaside
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rammy unitedmeet the lads
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.
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.
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.
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.
Dominic SMALLEYGrant SHENTON
Lee PUGH Grant SPENCER
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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.
Wing man Tom came on as a sub in the play-
off game for our opponents Bamber Bridge.
e Rams management team acted swiftly
in the summer to bring him down to
Ramsbottom
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.
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.
Steve HOWSON Joel PILKINGTON
Scott BURTONTom WILLIAMS
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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..
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.
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.
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.
Jon ROBINSON Lee GASKELL
Phil DEAN Jordan HULME
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Having spent time at University, the
youngster spent last season with Shepshed
Dynamo before moving back to the north-
west, where joint-managers Bernard Morley
and Anthony Johnson snapped him up for
the Rams.
e speedy wingman joined the Rams at the
beginning of the 2014/15 season, having
spent the previous campaign at fellow Evo-
Stik Premier club Nantwich Town.
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.
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.
Sam COOK Malachi SLAVEN
Osebi ABADAKI Cedric KROU
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Man Flu! Bleugh! e worst kind too - it’s
just as well we back on to the paper mill in
Stubbins or we’d have run out by now!
Hopefully I’ll be much more ship-shape by
tonight’s game or I’ll be slimming down like
Andy and Richard - and I’ve worked extremely
hard to maintain this fine figure!
I ended up listening to Whitby Town Radio
on Wednesday, and I have to say that they did
a fantastic job with the commentary. I’d like to
hope that we can take on this kind of thing in
coming months as, thanks to Darren and the
Hopwood Hall media students, we’re starting
to really get shifting with the rammy.tv
footage. As a quick aside, if you haven’t seen
Dom Smalley’s incredible goal celebration
then go and have a look at rammy.tv (click on
the link at the top right of Rammy’s website
just next to the blue twitter bird).
Rammy.tv has been a bit of an ordeal the
last week or so, and we have a lot of thanking
of people to do...
First of all to Katie Worsick, who stepped in
to film the Whitby Town game for us. It’s not
much fun as a football fan if you have to
watch the match through a tiny little screen,
particularly if you’ve
travelled for hours, and
I don’t think Katie
had a great time,
but her footage was
fantastic and
greatly appreciated
by those of us unable
to bunk off work early.
We also need to thank
John Ayers for kindly taking our media student
Olla over for the Buxton game. When the Man
Flu appeared I thought we’d had it for footage,
but John kindly leapt in at the last minute to
get Olla to the game. Olla’s footage was erm...
interesting, shall we say. He certainly seemed
to enjoy playing with the zoom more than he
was bothered with the football, and so that,
coupled with a dodgy camera and a shortage
of tapes meant that we got virtually nowt
worth having, but that all goes to make me
appreciate more the talent and ability of
Callum, who is our regular man. He’s a bit jerky
when he gets excited (what 17-year-old lad
isn’t), but his contribution to rammy.tv is
priceless. Hopefully we’ll have him back with
us tonight.
Darren and Dawn deserve a big pat on the
back too. Darren’s contribution to the new
style programme, as well as his enthusiastic
commitment to rammy.tv has been a real help
in getting the thing off the ground. Dawn
kindly puts up with Darren’s frantic scribblings
on a Sunday, and waved a camera around for
us at Buxton on saturday, getting us the
photos on page 12 of Nelson Mota getting
hacked down, and Wiz getting treatment for
his injury.
It’s really great that we now have such a
strong and enthusiastic supporters club. We
had a team of volunteers out on Sunday’s
Black Pudding rowing, giving people leaflets
about the forthcoming matches, and generally
evangelising the Rammy cause - which is no
mean feat with the way results are currently
going. e last couple of years it’s been me and
supporters clubon the terraces of rammy
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Katie handing the things out, so to have John
Ste, Karol and Andy helping out is fantastic.
We also need to thank Phil Taylor (180!!!!) and
Chris Woolly for allowing us to put a hefting
great Rammy advert on the scaffolding
tower. e Black Pudding event is a real
biggie for Rammy, and that kind of exposure
is priceless for the club.
While we’re doling out the thanks, I’d also
like to add a couple of other mentions. Dave
Aspinall at the Oaks in Rammy has kindly
helped us meet the costs of rammy.tv for the
season, and is up for us making ursday
night into ‘Rammy Night’ at the Oaks. I think
this is a great idea, and once rammy.tv gets a
settled team of operators, we aim to show
extended highlights on their big screen. Us
fans are becoming a real Rammy Family now,
and a regular night down the pub would be
great. We could even get a couple of the
players down for a chat etc. Watch this space.
Keith Powell (pictured above) of Irwell
Works Brewery, which I know is also a
popular haunt for the Rammy Ultras, has
kindly sponsored our Supporters’ Player of
the Month award for the season. Well done
to Jordan for deservedly winning the first
award.
SCA Stubbins are here as our guests
tonight, and we are especially grateful for
their support in buying the training kit which
they will be formally presenting to the team
before tonight’s match. Andy Massey has
been working for a while with SCA on a
number of local projects, and we are
extremely pleased that such a large and
prominent company has decided to get
involved with All ings Rammy. It’s such a
lovely town and, with the mill having a long
and influential history in the area, we really
are delighted that they’ve become so active
locally.
e last word of thanks goes to everyone
who’s already pitched in to have their name
on a square on page 8. Half of the money
raised will go straight to the club, and the
other half will go into helping further
fundraising projects to pay for players - of
which there area loads in the pipeline: more
on these later.
Keith Powellof IrwellWorksBrewerypresentsJordan Hulmewith hisSupporters’Player of theMonth award.
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Grant SHENTON
Dominic SMALLEY
Lee PUGH
Grant SPENCER
Steve HOWSON
Dan WARRENDER
Tom WILLIAMS
Scott BURTON
Jon ROBINSON
Lee GASKELL
Phil DEAN
Jordan HULME
Sam COOK
Osebi ABADAKI
Gary STOPFORTH
Malachi SLAVEN
Cedric KROU
Nelson MOTA
Chris SANNA
Anthony GARDENER
Mike LEA
Ben HARRISON
Cliff MOYO
Ross DAVIDSON
Jon DAWSON
Micheal POWELL
Scott BAKKOR
Neil HARVEY
Danny ANDREWS
Iain HOWARD
Alex TITCHINER
Anthony SHEEHAN
Zac CORBETT
Ryan SWIFT
Managers: Anthony Johnson,
Bernard Morley
Manager: Anthony SHEEHAN
Nigel DEELEY
Referee: Andrew Halliday
Referee’s Assistants: Ian Jones, Michael Hooper
Next home game: Tuesday 23rd September 3pm, Rammy v Curzon Ashton