52 Ramsbottom United v Rushall Olympic

p24centre

24centre 0

0

rammynewsv RUSHALL OLYMPIC17-02-15

Rushall_Layout 1 15/02/2015 22:10 Page 1

p24 centre

24 centre0

0

Sat 16th Aug H KING’S LYNN TOWN 2-3 322 Shenton Smalley Pugh Spencer Howson Priestley Hulm Tues 19th Aug A Workington 0-1 415 Shenton Smalley Pugh Spencer * Howson Priestley HulmSat 23rd Aug A Rushall Olympic 4-2 161 Shenton Smalley Pugh Spencer * Howson Priestley Hulm Mon 25th Aug H NANTWICH TOWN 1-4 365 Shenton Smalley Abadaki * Spencer + Howson Priestley Hulm Sat 30th Aug A FC United of Manchester 1-3 1917 Shenton Smalley Pilkington Spencer Howson Warrender Aba Tues 2nd Sept H MARINE 3-2 250 Shenton Smalley + Pilkington Spencer Howson 1 Krou AbaSat 6th Sept H STAMFORD 3-1 357 Shenton Smalley Pilkington Spencer + Howson 1 Warrender AbaWed 10th Sept A Whitby Town 0-2 265 Shenton Smalley Pilkington Spencer Howson Warrender AbaSat 13th Sept A Buxton FAC 1Q 2-3 261 Shenton Smalley Pilkington # Spencer Howson Warrender + AbaTues 16th Sept H WITTON ALBION 3-2 231 Shenton Smalley Pilkington Spencer * Howson Krou 1 AbaSat 20th Sept A Ilkeston 4-2 422 Shenton Smalley Pugh Spencer * Howson Krou 1 Aba Tues 23rd Sept H CURZON ASHTON 1-1 309 Shenton Grayson * Pugh Spencer 1 Howson Krou Aba Sat 27th Sept A Frickley Athletic 2-4 215 Shenton Pilkington Grayson + Stopforth Howson Krou Mot Sat 4th Oct A Trafford 1-0 294 Shenton Smalley Pugh Stopforth Howson Krou Aba Sat 11th Oct H BELPER TOWN 4-2 371 Shenton Smalley Pilkington Stopforth Howson Krou Aba Sat 18th Oct H BUXTON 2-0 470 Shenton Smalley Pilkington Stopforth Howson Krou Aba Tues 21st Oct H WHITBY TOWN 4-0 237 Shenton Smalley Pilkington Stopforth Howson Krou Aba Sat 25th Oct A Marine 3-1 366 Shenton Smalley Pugh Stopforth Howson 2 Robinson Aba Sat 1st Nov A Whitby Town FAT 1Q 2-1 233 Shenton Smalley * Pugh Stopforth Howson Krou Aba Tues 4th Nov H WORKINGTON 1-1 250 Shenton Smalley Pugh Stopforth Howson Krou Aba Sat 8th Nov A Halesowen Town 0-2 358 Shenton Smalley Pugh Stopforth Howson Krou Rob Tues 11th Nov H WEST DIDS Lancs Cup 3-0 132 Shenton Smalley Pugh Spencer 1 Robinson + Krou Aba Sat 15th Nov A Nantwich FAT 2Q 3-1 238 Shenton Smalley Pugh Stopforth Howson Krou Will Sat 22nd Nov H GRANTHAM TOWN 3-1 351 Shenton Smalley 1 Pugh Stopforth Howson Krou Will Tues 25th Nov H BURSCOUGH Lg Cup 5-1 140 Shenton Williams Piacentile 1 Slaven Howson 1 Krou AbaSat 29th Nov A Banbury United 3-0 235 Shenton Smalley Pugh Stopforth + Howson Krou 1 Will Tues 2nd Dec A Salford City Lg Cup 3-1 189 Shenton Smalley Dean Stopforth Howson Krou AbaSat 6th Dec A Matlock Town 1-1 257 Shenton Smalley Pugh Stopforth Howson Krou Will Mon 8th Dec A Atherton Collieries Lancs 1-2 120 Shenton Smalley Grayson Stopforth Howson Pugh Will Sat 13th Dec H STOCKPORT COUNTY 3-0 907 Shenton Smalley Grayson + Stopforth Howson Krou Will Sat 20th Dec A King’s Lynn Town 1-2 510 Shenton Smalley Grayson Stopforth Howson Krou Aba Sun 28th Dec H SKELMERSDALE 0-3 372 Shenton Smalley * Grayson Stopforth Howson Krou AbaThu 1st Jan A Nantwich Town 2-3 285 Shenton Hulme Grayson Stopforth Howson Krou Aba Tues 27th Jan H NORTHWICH VIC LgCup 3-1 158 Shenton Grayson Pugh Harrop Krou Jones AbaTues 10th Feb H HARROGATE RA LgCup 3-1 131 Shenton Slaven Grayson Kuba-Kuba Jones Pugh 1 Laz Sat 14th Feb A Stamford 1-1 319 Shenton Bowyer Grayson Harrop Frost Pugh Broo Tues 17th Feb H RUSHALL OLYMPICSat 21st Feb A Witton AlbionTues 24th Feb A Blyth SpartansSat 28th Feb H ILKESTONTues 3rd Mar H BARWELLSat 7th Mar A Skelmersdale UnitedTues 10th Mar A StourbridgeSat 14th Mar H STOURBRIDGETues 17th Mar A BuxtonThurs 19th Mar H BLYTH SPARTANSSat 21st Mar A BelperTues 24th Mar H TRAFFORDSat 28th Mar A Grantham TownMon 30th Mar A Curzon AshtonSat 4th April H FC UNITED OF MCRMon 6th April A Ashton UnitedSat 11th April H HALESOWEN TOWNTues 14th April H ASHTON UNITEDSat 18th April A BarwellTues 21st April H FRICKLEY ATHLETICSat 25th April H MATLOCK TOWN fixture


p24centre

24centre 0

0

ey Hulme 1 Burton Gaskell Robinson 1* Dean + Pilkington Slaven Abadaki + Ahmadi * Cookey Hulme Burton Gaskell Robinson + Dean # Pilkington * Slaven + Abadaki Ahmadi # Cookey Hulme 1+ Burton Robinson 1# Pilkington Dean 2 Abadaki * Slaven + Ahmadi # Cook Williamsey Hulme Burton Robinson 1 Pilkington Dean Williams Slaven Cook * Krou + Morleyder Abadaki + Slaven Robinson * Hulme 1# Dean Williams + Krou * Cook # Morley Johnson

Abadaki Burton * Slaven 1 Hulme 1 Dean # Williams # Robinson * Cook + Morley Johnsonder Abadaki Burton Slaven * Hulme 1# Dean 1 Williams + Robinson # Cook Morley Krou *der Abadaki Burton Slaven + Krou Dean Mota + Cook Williams Johnson Morleyder + Abadaki Burton Krou Hulme Dean * Mota * Williams + Pugh # Johnson Morley

Abadaki Burton Mota # Hulme 2 Dean + Pugh Williams # Irwin Slaven * Cook + Abadaki + Burton 1 Pilkington Hulme 1 Williams 1# Dean + Mota # Irwin Slaven * Cook

Abadaki # Stopforth Pilkington Hulme Williams + Burton + Dean * Mota Robinson # CookMota 1* Burton Spencer Hulme Robinson 1# Williams * Cook + Dean # Morley AbadakiAbadaki * Burton Mota + Hulme Spencer # Robinson 1# Williams + Slaven Pilkington Dean *Abadaki 1 * Burton Hulme # Spencer + Dean 2 Williams * Mota Slaven Robinson 1+ Gaskell #Abadaki 1 * Burton Hulme Spencer # Dean 1 + Williams + Mota * Slaven Robinson # PughAbadaki + Burton Hulme 1# Spencer * Dean 1 Williams * Mota Gaskell + Robinson #1 Pugh

on Abadaki 1 Pilkington * Hulme Spencer # Dean + Williams + Mota # Gaskell Slaven * PiacentileAbadaki # Burton Hulme + Spencer 1 Dean Williams Mota Gaskell # Robinson + Pilkington *Abadaki + Burton Hulme 1 Spencer * Dean # Pilkington Williams # Mota Gaskell + Robinson *Robinson # Burton Hulme Gaskell * Pilkington + Dean + Abadaki # Spencer * Mota PiacentileAbadaki * Williams Gaskell 1 Mota # Dean 1 Howson + Piacentile Burton * Hulme #Williams 1* Burton Hulme # Spencer 1+ Dean 1 Abadaki * Gaskell + Robinson # Mota PiacentileWilliams * Burton Hulme 1 Spencer + Dean Abadaki Gaskell + Robinson 1* Kuba-Kuba PiacentileAbadaki Kuba-Kuba Hulme 1 * Robinson Spencer 1 Pugh Burton Stopforth Dean * Johnson

Williams # Burton * Robinson 1 Dean 1 Abadaki # Grayson Kuba-Kuba * Slaven + PiacentileAbadaki Burton + Hulme 1 Robinson * Spencer 2 Pugh * Slaven Piacentile Kuba-Kuba + BrooksWilliams 1 Burton Hulme Spencer * Dean + Abadaki Kuba-Kuba* Robinson + Grayson BrooksWilliams * Burton Robinson # Brooks Abadaki + Dean * Spencer +1 Hulme # Hartley MorleyWilliams * Burton Hulme Spencer Dean Robinson + Abadaki * Morley Kuba-Kuba SlavenAbadaki * Burton Hulme Spencer 1 Dean Williams * Kuba-Kuba Robinson + Slaven Brooks #Abadaki Burton Hulme Spencer + Dean Williams * Brooks + Robinson Slaven MorleyAbadaki + Burton Williams # Robinson 1 Spencer * Dean 1 + Davies * Johnson Slaven # Morley

Abadaki Bennett +1 Gaskell Brooks *1 Lazenbury # Hartley * Slaven +1 Dawson # Robinson Lazenbury + Bennett Gaskell Brooks # McDermott 1* Hartley 1+ Abadaki * Cliffe Robinson # Smith

Brooks * Rother + Gaskell Baguley # McDermott Burke * Abadaki 1+ Hartley # Heron Lazenbury

ures & results 2014/15

Our Club Needs Our Help

If you can spare as little as half an hour to help Harry Williams keep Rammy’s pitch and ground

in the impeccable condition that we’ve allbecome so proud of then please just come down and

help, any day of the week from 11am onwards.


p24 centre

24 centre0

0


p24centre

24centre 0

0

robbo

Good evening everyone, and welcome to theHarry Williams Riverside Stadium for tonight’slong-awaited match against Rushall Olympic- a game which ended up re-scheduled whenwe drew Stockport County at home in thecup. I’d like to apologise for our visitorsneeding to travel on a Tuesday night, and Ihope their players, supporters and officialsenjoy their visit to Rammy. I’d also like toextend a warm welcome to tonight’s officials.

I thought Saturday's performance was verygood considering there were six or sevenplayers in our team who have never playedtogether. We had some good spells during thegame but failed to capitalise. is finalproduct will come the more they playtogether and begin to get a betterunderstanding of each other.

Of particular note was Matty Burke, whowas excellent when he came on. His range ofpassing is outstanding - he got the ballmoving quicker going forward and changedthe game for us.

I do think that squad rotation is going toplay a massive part for us with all the gameswe will be playing, and also me and Phil don'tknow our best team yet as we have not hadenough game time to evaluate everyone.

ere has been some speculation about ourcentre-half positions, particularly regardingCallum Jones and Cedric Krou. Cedric hasbeen in Paris visiting family and Callum Joneshad a knock on his ankle that wasn't worthrisking. Callum should hopefully be fit for

tonight’s game. Another injury for Ian Bennettwho’s hurt the anterior ligament in his knee -hopefully he won't be out too long as it'simproving by the day.

Regarding Andy Dawson - he is still in a lotof discomfort with his knee and it’s somethingthat is getting us all down, but we can't riskplaying him until he feels properly ready andcomfortable out there . We have to be verycareful with Andy, and think how his injurywill affect his life 10 years down the line, whichhas to be foremost in all our minds.

I thought the fans were brilliant at Stamford(as always) and would just like to say howmuch me, Phil and the rest of the squadappreciate everything you all do around theplace. Our great fans are definitely the soul ofRammy. e journey home was great, withlots of singing - I think that Frosty and Baggersare still working out whose is the betterperformance!

Donal McDermott is a new name that camedown to Rammy as he is a good friend ofJamie Rother. He was inbetween clubs andwanted to get back into football. He doeshave an illustrious history at teams likeManchester City, Bournemouth, Huddersfieldand so on, and we were delighted to take aplayer of such high calibre and class. ese arevery exciting times for the Rams, and I hopethat everyone out there is enjoying things asmuch as we all are.

Enjoy the game!


p24 centre

24 centre0

0

Welcome to the Harry Williams RiversideStadium.

A special welcome to today’s matchofficials, and of course, our visitors, RushallOlympic, who have made the long journeyto be here tonight. I trust that they allenjoy themselves at the HWRS and have asafe journey home afterwards.

We enjoyed an excellent result down inthe midlands back in August, althoughwith a much different line-up to the oneyou are likely to see tonight.

e movement of players has been welldocumented, and whilst there have beengrumbles in some quarters regarding thenumber that followed the managementteam to Salford City, we can hardlycomplain seeing that we have recruitedquite a number from the same club. It’salmost as though the two clubs areoperating a player-exchange scheme!

Robbo and Edgy have used theircontacts to good effect in creating a

new-look Ramsbottom United team. Todo so in the middle of a season takes some

doing, so we should congratulate ournew managerial duo on being able to

piece together a side that is “theirs” soquickly.

Inevitably, when newplayers come in, others

will be regarded assurplus, and themovement in and

out of the Riverside over the last few weekshas certainly kept me busy! We do, ofcourse, welcome all the newcomers to theRammy stable and hope they enjoy theirtime with us, whilst, at the same time,thank those who have moved on topastures new, wishing them well.

So far, in six weeks, the team hasmanaged to play just three times, but aftertwo Doodson cup successes against teamsgoing well one Division below, theunbeaten start continued with a hard-earned point at Stamford’s new stadiumon Saturday. We now have one heck of arun-in over the next ten weeks or so, withat least two weeks featuring threematches. It’s an enormous task to catch upwith all the outstanding games (we havemore to play than any other team in theDivision), but we would appear to havethe squad available to complete the task.A quick look at the table will see us in thebottom half, but I think we all know thatsuch a position is false. Providing the newside gels fairly quickly, the quality withinshould soon see us marching up theladder, and, who knows, a push for theplay-offs could still be on the cards.

On Saturday we make the relativelyshort trip to Northwich to face asurprisingly struggling Witton Albionteam. For once, I should be able to makethis one (I’ve spent many a Saturdayafternoon this season at another game

tony cunninghamand the wonderful world of

non-league football


p24centre

24centre 0

0

whilst tweeting to see how the Rams aredoing on their lengthy trips) so I lookforward to a visit to Witton’s excellentstadium, which I have photos of being builtfrom scratch some 20-odd years ago.

I always enjoyed visiting their previousCentral Ground, and it was there that Iexperienced the coldest night of my lifewatching a football match. I was literallyshaking afterwards with the cold, and my palhad to drive me back as I could not evendrive. Happy days!

After Witton, we face a long trip up toNorthumbria to meet the FA Cup giant-killers, Blyth Spartans, who, like ourselves,

are having to play catch-up in a big way.e next game down here is against an in-

form Ilkeston team, although again, earlierin the season our old-look side travelledthere and won with a similar 4-2 score-linethat we inflicted on today’s visitors.

ere is plenty of football to be played,and I just hope the freezing conditions thathave affected us so much this season, havenow departed, and we can look forward tothe rush of games knowing that there will beno more postponements.

We certainly will not be bored!

Enjoy your non-league football!

Witton Albion’s old Central Ground -the way footy grounds ought to be!


p24 centre

24 centre0

0


p24centre

24centre 0

0

edgy

e month of January was pretty much anon starter for us in terms of league actiondue to the weather which has been veryfrustrating for us as management andobviously the players. We've trained reallywell to keep the fitness and sharpness, butnothing is a substitute for playingcompetitive football. e Doodson Cupmatches have been positive for us - withmany lads cup tied it was a chance for meand Robbo to have a look at other playerswithin the squad, and a chance for them toimpress us for the upcoming league fixtures.

With the amount of games we still have toplay it's important we have a strong squad,as everyone will play their part in what willbe a busy last few months of the season. Wehave as many as 11 games in hand on someof the teams, which is crazy really, but wecan't control the weather and we could beplaying 3-4 games a week later on in theseason, so even me and Robbo will be calledupon at some point as there will be fatigueand injuries to contend with.

Getting back to league action on Saturdaywas a relief and on the balance of play wethoroughly deserved a point. We gave a softgoal away after 10 minutes and even thoughwe didn't create lots of chances I thoughtwe controlled the game. e sending off forthem changed things and we told the lads

at half time to be patient and not to forcethings which we did a lot of first half.Stamford defended well and made itdifficult for us in the second half and thepenalty save from Grant proved decisive as2-0 would have difficult for us to come backfrom.

e equaliser from Osebi was anunbelievable strike and something weneeded as too many times our attacks weredealt with comfortably by a determinedStamford.

In the end we were happy with a point butwe need to improve in some aspects of ourgame as we move forward.

We have a lot of new players so it will taketime to gel, but with the quality we have Ibelieve we have an outside chance of theplay offs. ere were positives from thegame - Donal McDermott again showed hisquality and he could be the difference for usin games with his skill and driving runs.

Our opponents tonight sit mid table. eyhad a great home win on Saturday to highflying Curzon Ashton and will provide astern test. With games coming thick andfast our home form is vital so we want the3 points tonight to start moving us up thetable.Enjoy the game


p24 centre

24 centre0

0

First off, well done for saving thatpenalty at Stamford which kept us in thegame. It's not often you get to be thehero as a keeper. Can you tell us yourview of the incident that led to it?

Just doing what I'm paid to do! It’salways a good feeling to save a pen buteven moreso when it has a big impact onthe end result. It all came from our setpiece - one long ball to a very livelycentre forward. I thought he fouled Leein the build up to winning the pen ( refdidn't think so) and Frosty had to makethe tackle. I've seen them not givenbefore - I think the fact the ref had senttheir lad of in the first half played a partin the decision.

...and the great clearance that set upTom Hartley's goal last Tuesday! Youalways read the play well, do you seeyourself as a playmaker?

I would say I'm a keeper that can playrather than a play maker. Being at theback of everyone I see the bigger picturewhich helps me read the game. If I was a

tad faster you would see me makea lot more of the through balls -

I chase down and sometimesdon't get there first. I can’timagine what you’re allthinking when I'm charging

out.

Do you know anything about Cedric'sdisappearance, and why we werewithout Callum Jones on Saturday?

Cedric is back in Paris for family reasonsand that's all we know on him. Callum iscarrying a knock and wasn't fit to travel.

Although Saturday's game wasdisjointed, at times we saw some realpotential. Given the circumstances wereyou happy with the performance?

I'm very happy with how we performedat the weekend. New team, newformation, new management and allagainst a very well organised team of ladsall over six foot and a very dangerousteam. So I think for our first game withthis squad of players a 1-1 draw after athree hour journey is a good result.

Matty Burke and Osebi Abadaki madea huge difference when they came on,and we even had the quality of playerslike Luke Heron and Jordan Lazenbury inreserve. is looks like a really strongsquad.

I said a few weeks ago that we needstrength in depth to do well in thisleague and I think the gaffer and histeam have done a great job in puttingthis team together. We have lots ofgames so having a big squad will helpthat cause.

grant shentonshouting from between the sticks


p24centre

24centre 0

0

What was the mood like afterthe game? Was it the usualRammy Experience on the triphome?

e coach back was nodifferent from any other tripwith rammy. e new ladssang some songs and did a topjob with one exception (Burky). Alot of alcohol was consumed so thefirst trip under new managementwas just as good as any I've beenon.

We sang our heads off behind the goal.Did that come across to you up theother end?

I heard you loud and clear., and whenOzzy’s strike hit the back of the net I sawDaz running round like a mad mancelebrating. I love seeing the fans cheerit all, they deserve it for the travellingthey do and the money they spendevery week. Keep the noise loud fortonight please. COYR


p24 centre

24 centre0

0

rushall olympichome of the very first olympics

Rushall Olympic Football Club wasoriginally founded in 1893, playing friendlymatches before they later joined theCannock & District Football League twoyears later. ey finished runners-up in theirfirst season, before moving to the Walsall &District League, winning the Championshipin 1904. Records show that almost thirtyyears earlier a Rushall team was playing on aregular basis. Walsall Town played Rushall ina match that finished in a two all draw, somany players turned up that the game wasplayed fifteen aside, with some Walsallplayers being loaned to Rushall. During thistime home games took place behind theMiners Arms Public House and many of theplayers worked at the nearby Aldridge Pit.e original club was eventually disbandedin the late 1930’s prior to the outbreak of theSecond World War.

In 1951 a new Rushall Olympic FC was born,when a group of locals decided that footballmust return to the Village. A Fish and Chipshop was used as their headquarters andthey decided on Rowley Place as their homeground. A home kit of red and white shirtswas brought, with the help of George Hunt,the owner of the Fish and Chip shop and thenew club joined the Second Division of theWalsall & District Amateur League. eheadquarters were soon moved to RushallLabour Club and it was soon decided thatthe club should revert back to wearing theoriginal gold and black strip.

During the 1950’s ‘e Pic’s’ rose throughthe Walsall & District Amateur League,eventually gaining promotion to theStaffordshire County League (South).Promotion to the First Division soonfollowed and Rushall won three back to backchampionships between 1950 and 1963.ey briefly moved away from the Village toa new home, three miles down the road atthe Aston University Sports Ground. iswas, albeit temporary and ‘e Pic’s’ soonreturned to Rushall when the new Dales LaneGround was officially opened in August 1977,their home still to this day.

After joining the West Midlands (Regional)League in 1978, Rushall enjoyed fourteenconsecutive seasons in the Premier Divisionduring the 1980’s and 1990’s. From 1994,Rushall moved to the newly foundedMidland Football Alliance, but unfortunatelythe first four seasons was a struggle, with aposition of 12th being their highest Leaguefinish. ‘e Pic’s’ fortunes changed, whenJohn Allen was recruited from HednesfordTown as their new manager. e team wasrevamped and they just missed out onpromotion to the Southern League WesternDivision, on goal difference, in 2001. Rushall’sultimate goal was delivered in 2005, whenthey secured the Midland Football AllianceChampionship and after an anxious wait,automatic promotion was secured to theSouthern Football League Division One.

After a number of managerial changes and


p24centre

24centre 0

0

with Paul Holleran now in the hot seat,Rushall agonisingly missed out onpromotion to the Premier Division,suffering defeat in the Play-Off Final toLeamington, after finishing an excellent 5thin the League. A new challenge waspresented in 2008, when after a restructureof the Non-League pyramid, saw ‘e Pic’s’placed in the Northern Football LeagueDivision One South. eir first campaign,saw then miss out on immediatepromotion, as they suffered yet anotherPlay-Off defeat, this time by Leaguerunners-up Belper Town, however they didclaim the Walsall senior Cup for the firsttime in nine years, beating Tipton Town.

e credit crunch was soon to hit Rushall,with financial constraints meaning a cut inthe playing budget, but against all the oddspromotion was gained in 2011. ‘e Pic’s’finished the season in 3rd place and after

defeating Brigg Town in the Play-Off Semi-Finals, a two nil victory against GranthamTown at home in the Final saw promotionto the Northern Premier Division sealed.

e step up in Divisions did not seem toaffect Rushall, as they finished in 6th placein their first season at the highest level theyhave ever played in their history, andfollowed this up with 7th position lastseason.

e close season saw a real coup forRushall, with former Ajax, BoltonWanderers and West Bromwich Albionmidfielder Richard Sneekes taking over asmanager. So far this season ‘e Pic’s’ havenot quite reached the heights of previousyears, they currently sit in 15th position,although they have played five more gamesthan the Ram’s. With only two pointsseparating the sides, I am sure we are in fora hard fought contest this afternoon.

e Pics in action againstStratford Town. Photocourtesy of Steve Walker


p24 centre

24 centre0

0

four

to w

atch

Cameron Belford (Goalkeeper) Previous Clubs; Coventry City, Tamworth,Bury, Worcester City, Southend United,Mansfield Town.Highly rated goalkeeper with plenty ofFootball League experience. Belford was partof the promotion winning Bury side, whofinished as League Two runners-up in 2011.

Aris Christopherou (Defender) Previous Clubs; Walsall.Young defender who can play at both fullback or central defence. Was surprisinglyreleased by Walsall in the summer and hasalso previously come to the attention of theCyprus International Youth set-up.

Josh Craddock (Midfielder) Previous Clubs; Walsall, Cradley Town,Halesowen Town, Hednesford Town,Stourbridge.Tough tackling midfielder who camethrough the youth setup at Walsall, makingthree substitute appearances for the firstteam. Has a wealth of experience in Non-League for someone of a young age, he alsoplayed in the FA Cup second round properfor Stourbridge last season.

Aaron Williams (Forward) Previous Clubs; Walsall, Redditch United,AFC Telford, Worcester City.Another Rushall player who started hiscareer in the Football league with Walsall.Signed at the beginning of this season,Williams can play either as winger, attackingmidfielder or as striker. A dangerouscustomer who has netted 13 times thisseason in the league.


p24centre

24centre 0

0

Photo courtesy of Steve Walker


p24 centre

24 centre0

0

meet the away fansdave osborne fills us in

What's the mood like in the camp at themoment?

Results and performances this season havebeen very inconsistent to say the least, withsome very good games and results and somehugely disappointing ones too. e newmanagement team came in during thesummer and have tried to bring a moreattractive style of play to the club, it's notcompletely worked out in terms of results sowhere we are in the league is a fair reflection.

Are things going to plan would you say?We have radically changed what rushall were

known for and were successful with over thelast 3/4 years ie strong, hard to beat and direct,to now trying to pass the ball more and play amore expansive style of football, all I can sayis it's been a seasons of ups and downs thusfar.

Can you talk us through the last couple ofresults please.

We recently played a regional cupcompetition quarter final versus ColeshillTown, two leagues below us and we lost onpenalties after it was 2-2 AET.

e last game in the league was away towindy Whitby, we took the lead and had otherchances in the first half but conceded twofinal quarter goals and we lost 2-1.

For you who are the players to watch at themoment, and why?

Our striker Aaron Williams who we signed

at the start of the season from ConferenceNorth side Worcester City has been a shininglight netting 22 goals in all competitions.

Midfielders Carl Palmer and Kris Taylordisplay both quality and work rate and wouldbe the first two names on the team sheet forme.

How long have you been a supporter?I’ve been a supporter about five seasons now.

I lost faith in the pro game after having aseason ticket for Birmingham City for tenstraight seasons in the naughties. Rushall is thelocal non league team to me, was I madewelcome from day one - I caught the bug andhave ran with it!

What are your most memorable times withthe club, and what sticks out for you thisseason.

Memorable times include getting to the lastqualifying round of the FA Cup playingGrimsby Town away at Blundell park last yearand also playing Wrexham in the FA Trophy afew years back. is season, the win away atCurzon Ashton in the league was impressiveas they were top at the time plus ourperformances over two games againstconference North Guiseley showed what theplayers can do on occasion.

How would you change the club if you wonthe lottery?

Definitely make the club conference Northground ready, if we gained promotion, then I


p24centre

24centre 0

0

would build a 3G or astro turf training pitchnext door which could also be used by thelocal community and provide some incomefor the club, I would then go to FrickleyAthletic and ask them to name their pricefor striker Gavin Allott - in my opinion themost complete striker in the league.

How would you describe yoursupporters?

Not many, but definitely hardcore loyal!Come rain and snow we see the same faces,not many faces but really good people.

What are your hopes for the rest of theseason?

Hopefully a safe mid table position withsigns that next season will be more positivewith better, more consistent performances.

How would you describe the town for anyvisitors, and what one word would you useto describe the ground catering?

Small borough in the town of Walsallsituated North of Birmingham, one chippyone Chinese and a paper shop that's aboutit. e pics pantry serves really good tastyfootball grub, would recommend to allvisitors.

What's the best pub for a pre-match /post-match pint, and why's it a good one?

e Royal Oak over the road from theground closed a few years back, but I wouldencourage all away fans to drink in the clubhouse where you can enjoy an ale andwatch the footy on the telly before thegame.

Have you seen this man?Dave’s Crimewatch photofrom the petrol station CCTV


24 centre

24 centre0

0

1 - 1e Daniels Stadium14th February 2015Att: 319Rammy Goals: Abadaki (79)Stamford Goals: Clements (9)

Chris Baguley on the rampage


p24centre

24centre 0

0

Two moments of individual brilliance in the last20 minutes saved the Rams from a defeat in adark, dour, ill tempered match. e psychologicalboost of avoiding defeat will be greater than thepoint important as that is.

Behind from the 9th minute when DanClement ghosted in at the near post onto aninnocuous ball from the left and playing against10 men for the whole of the second half for 70minutes it looked unlikely that the Rams wouldget anything from the game. When Richard Joneswas sent off for Stamford just before the half timewhistle after a robust but by no means bad tacklethe expectation among the travelling fans was ofthe Rams going on to win. However aninnumerate spectator wandering into the groundfor the second would not have noticed that theRams has a numerical advantage. Stamfordworked hard closed down quickly and preventedthe Rams gaining any presence or momentum.

is was effectively the first game of the seasonfor this group of players and the lack of cohesionand match fitness showed, so to say that muchof the Rams play was as disjointed as a dis-articulated skeleton is an objective observationof the inevitable and not a criticism. e prospectof a long gloomy ride home went fromapprehension to expectation when with timestarting to run out Jordan Smith forced his waypast Lee Pugh in a sudden counter attack allowedto run into the box by a retreating defence andwas upended by Alex Frost . Smith's shot fom thespot was well directed towards the side nettingand hit with pace but Grant Shenton got a handto it deflecting the ball onto the post.

As is so often the case the missed penalty camewith the double whammy of deflating the teammissing it and breathing renewed belief in theopposition. By this stage the Rams hadintroduced the experienced and much traveledMatt Burke who brought more substance inevery sense of the word to the midfield.


p24 centre

24 centre0

0 p

1 - 1e Daniels Stadium14th February 2015Att: 319Rammy Goals: Abadaki (79)Stamford Goals: Clements (9)


p24centre

24centre 0

0

Donal McDermott had provided what fewmoments of quality there had been up to thatpoint but had flitted in and out of he game.With Burke's controlling presence McDermottwas able to play wide more confident that theball would find its way to him sufficientlyquickly to allow him time and space to attackthe bye line or cut inside . However he toooften found the ball on his weaker right foot orhis crosses found only fresh air.

So as Bumble says it was looking like time tostart the car until, from nowhere, OsebiAbadaki picked up a clearance 30 yards out,danced past a defender and rifled a viciouscross shot into the far top corner to level. efact that this was a point gained rather thantwo lost was reinforced in the last momentswhen a shot from Dan Lawlor which was wellon its way into the top corner took the slightestof deflection from a Rams head onto the angleof post and bar.

So the Rams will go into Tuesday's match athome to Rushall Olympic undefeated in theleague since New Year's day. e visitors whothe Rams beat comfortably away at thebeginning of the season had an impressivehome win against Curzon Ashton on Saturdayand another tough game awaits - but they willall be from here on in.Osebi is in there somewhere

after scoring Goal of the Season


p24 centre

24 centre0

0

Perhaps a tad harsh, RichardJones gets his marching orders.


p24centre

24centre 0

0

e Evo-Stik NPL is saddened to hear of the passing offormer league management committee member, exVice President and Life Member Gordon (GD) Swintonaged 99.

A Football League referee in the 1950s, Gordon was astalwart of Stafford Rangers, becoming a director intheir Cheshire League days and serving as vice chairmanduring the 1970’s . is was one of Rangers’ mostsuccessful periods in their history, winning the FATrophy three times and reaching the fourth round ofthe FA Cup.

Gordon was also well known throughout football forhis work as an administrator. Appointed as secretary ofthe Mid Staffordshire Football League in 1951, hestepped up to become chairman of the league in 1961for nine years and was then president from 1974 to1985. Having served as an NPL league managementcommittee member, in 1979 he became a foundermember of the inaugural; Alliance Premier League (nowthe Football Conference) management committee. Heserved the Conference for over 20 years, and was madea Life Member of that competition on his retirement in1999. e NPL had similarly recognised Gordon’s longservice to non-league football seven years earlier, in1992.

Despite moving to Cornwall, Gordon was a regularattendee at NPL Presentation Dinners until the early2000’s.


p24 centre

24 centre0

0

goal

spon

sors

hip

We’d like to thank the following people who havealready pledged to sponsor the team for every goalscored for the remainder of the season.

Trigger £2 Stephen & David £2Ste, Angie & Ethan £4Maria £1Mr & Mrs Darkside £2TobyTrotter £1Little Katie £1smiffylad £1Rammy Blue £1Chris S £2Johnno & Bernard £2Tony Cunningham £1Lui Delverto £1Rob Moss £2John Ayers £2Richard Isaacs £2Emma James £2Ian McCool £2Frank Crook £2

If you’d like to join in (you get your name in theprogramme and receive your very own signed teamphoto as a thankyou) then please make your pledgeon the club forum, email [email protected] orcall Rob on 07944 038512

Fans’ Fund total to date: £224


p24centre

24centre 0

0


p24 centre

24 centre0

0


p24centre

24centre 0

0

Grant ShentonAir Guitar HeroGrant ShentonAir Guitar HeroRushall_Layout 1 15/02/2015 22:12 Page 27

p24 centre

24 centre0

0

1. Which team defeated Conference leaders Barnet on Saturday?2. Matt Davies left us last week and scored for his new club on Saturday. Which

club did he move to?3. Which other player moved out and signed for Padiham?4. Which Welsh club plays at e Rock (no not Bury’s shopping area!)?5. Which famous cricketer has taken over as manager of Northern League

Ashington?6. Which league do Poole Town play in?7. What is Poole’s nickname?8. Glossop North End have an FA Vase replay on Saturday. Against which club?9. Which club has recently been suspended by both the NWCFL and the

Cheshire FA?10. Which reformed former Conference club have been denied permission to

play at their former stadium?

ANSWERS: 1. Wrexham 2. Radcliffe Borough 3 David Kuba-Kuba 4.Cefn Druids 5. Steve Harmison 6. Southern League Premier 7. e Dolphins 8. Dunston UTS 9. Stockport Sports 10. Salisbury

tony’s teasers


p24centre

24centre 0

0

ANSWERS: 1. Wrexham 2. Radcliffe Borough 3 David Kuba-Kuba 4.Cefn Druids 5. Steve Harmison 6. Southern League Premier 7. e Dolphins 8. Dunston UTS 9. Stockport Sports 10. Salisbury

If your face is featured then congratulations, you’ve just won yourself a cup oftea and a Mars Bar courtesy of Rammy United Supporters Club. Visit the teabar now to claim your magnificent prize!


p24 centre

24 centre0

0

What's the mood like in the camp at themoment?

Pretty confident I would say, and we’re allreally looking forward to the rest of theseason!

Are things back on the rails would yousay?

e last couple of outings have beenfantastic performances, particularly

considering the changes that have comethrough over xmas. If we continue doingthings the way we have then the season iswell and truly back on track.

Can you talk us through your view of thelast couple of results please.

I've been incredibly impressed with thelads going forward and I think the resultshave been much deserved. A lot of thegoals we've let in have been quite sloppy.You wouldn't think from the way we'vebeen playing that there have beencataclysmic changes to the team andmanagement over the past few weeksthough, which has to be a good thing!

For you who are the players to watch atthe moment, and why.

Osebi is fantastic on the wing. His paceand strength are frightening. I'd hate to bea right back playing against him! George atleft back seems to play his socks off everygame! Doesn't put a foot wrong. those arethe two stand out players for me.

What are your most memorable timeswith the club, and what sticks out for youthis season.

Getting to the semi finals stage of theDoodson Cup seems to have been thebiggest achievement I've witnessed so farthis season. Very exciting! I’m sure there’smore to come.

meet the home fanslui delverto at the ewe camp

How hard do you have to be togo out in public in a hat like this?


p24centre

24centre 0

0

How would you change the club if youwon the lottery?

Get a groundsman. or under soil heating -fewer postponements! I’m not lookingforward to the lads suffering through sixteengames a week come the end of the seasonto make up for all the frozen pitch days..

I'd also invest in more merchandise forpeople to buy to increase revenue, andperhaps advertise the club more. I've livedin Bury for 20 odd years and only recentlybecame aware that there was a non-leagueteam down the road.

How would you describe the supporters?Heroic!

What are your hopes for the rest of theseason?

Reaching the play offs and a cup finalwouldn't go amiss. Why not?

How would you describe the town for anyvisitors?

idyllic.

What's the best pub for a pre-match andpost-match pint, and why's it a good one?

e irwell Brewery is by far the best.Excellent choice of local beers, great chilledout atmosphere and within stumblingdistance of the ground.

What's your connection with the club?I don't have one other than being a newish

fan. I am willing to dress up as a sheepthough and offer myself up as the club'smascot. I feel it would make the club standout amongst the other non-leaguers. Itwould also keep me warm on match days.

Fast as owt, and liable to score30-yard screamers now and againOsebi Abadaki - class!


p24 centre

24 centre0

0


p24centre

24centre 0

0


p24 centre

24 centre0

0

Date of birth: 3rd January 1976Place of birth: SalfordPosition: CoachPrevious clubs: Scunthorpe United, Altrincham,Curzon Ashton, Salford, TraffordAn excellent and experienced coach with a classpedigree in league and non-league football.

Danny JONES

Date of birth: 4th January 1979Place of birth: BuryPosition: CoachPrevious clubs: Glossop, Bury, Bolton Wanderers A UEFA trained professional football coach whobrings a wealth of expertise to the club.

Darren GREEN

Date of birth: 28th December 1981Place of birth: SalfordPosition: Player Manager / StrikerHeight: 5ft 9insPrevious clubs: Salford, Flixton, New Mills, BacupA passionate and never-say-die striker whowould score goals by sheer hard work andenthusiasm alone. Took over the managerialreins in January 2015.

Jon ROBINSON

Date of birth: 13th September 1979Place of birth: OldhamPosition: Assistant Manager / MidfielderHeight: 6ftPrevious clubs: Rochdale, Ashton, Chadderton,Rossendale, Curzon Ashton, Hyde, SalfordA vastly experienced creative midfielder whoreturned to Rammy as assistant manager inJanuary 2015.

Phil EDGHILL

rammy united meet the lads


p24centre

24centre 0

0

Date of birth: 25th July 1991Place of birth: ParisPosition: Central DefenderHeight: 6ft 2insPrevious clubs: FC United, TraffordA calm and creative centre-back who has theskill to bring the ball out of defence.

Cedric KROU

Date of birth: 28th January 1991Place of birth: Newton HeathPosition: GoalkeeperHeight: 6ft 2insPrevious clubs: Maine Road, FC UnitedA fantastic goalkeeper whose vision plays asmuch a part in creating goals as his athleticismplays in denying them.

Grant SHENTON

Date of birth: 14th December 1985Place of birth: SalfordPosition: Creative MidfielderHeight: 6ft 1insPrevious clubs: Blackpool, Salford, Barrow,Vauxhall Motors, Hyde, Alfreton Town, AshtonUnited, Staffor RangersA hard-working and commanding creativemidfielder.

Matty BURKE

Date of birth: 10th May 1990Place of birth: SalfordPosition: Centre HalfHeight: 6ft 1insPrevious clubs: Hindsford, Ashton United,TraffordA no-nonsense centre half.

Callum JONES


p24 centre

24 centre0

0

Date of birth: 22nd April 1987Place of birth: ChaddertonPosition: Full-Back / MidfielderHeight: 6ftPrevious clubs: Curzon, Trafford, Sorrento andMandurah (Australia), Ashton , NantwichA versatile and experienced player who isequally happy at full back or in a holdingmidfield role.

Kyle HARROP

Date of birth: 24th February 1996Place of birth: BuryPosition: Wing-BackHeight: 6ftPrevious clubs: Oldham Athletic,Trafford A versatile wide player who is happy on eitherwing, or in defence.

Date of birth: 26th May 1992Place of birth: RossendalePosition: Left-BackHeight: 6ftPrevious clubs: Bury, Hyde, Bacup, Clitheroe,ChesterA strong, no nonsense fullback with a pricelesslong throw. He also takes a mean free-kick.

Lee PUGH

Date of birth: 11th November 1990Place of birth: StockportHeight: 5ft 10insPosition: Full-BackPrevious clubs: Rochdale, Woodley, Mossley,Curzon Ashton, Bamber BridgeA determined and committed full-back wholikes to get forward.

George BOWYER


Date of birth: 27th September 1994Place of birth: SheffieldPosition: Left Wing-BackHeight: 5ft 11insPrevious clubs: Sheffield United, ScunthorpeUnited, TamworthFantastic young left wing-back with bags ofpace, skill and potential.

George GRAYSON


p24centre

24centre 0

0

Date of birth: 24th February 1996Place of birth: BuryPosition: Wing-BackHeight: 6ftPrevious clubs: Oldham Athletic,Trafford A versatile wide player who is happy on eitherwing, or in defence.

Luke HERON

Date of birth: 17th May 1994Place of birth: ManchesterPosition: MidfielderHeight: 5ft 11insPrevious clubs: Bury, Macclesfield, DroylsdenA decent quality midfielder who joined Rammypre-season but has been out on loan, onlyreturning to the club just before Christmas.

Malachi SLAVEN

Date of birth: 24th February 1986Place of birth: MiddletonPosition: MidfielderHeight: 5ft 7insPrevious clubs: Manchester City, Ashton United A creative attacking midfielder returning tofootball after a break to study at university.

Ian BENNETT

Date of birth: 8th March 1989Place of birth: MiddletonPosition: MidfielderHeight: 5ft 8insPrevious clubs: Oldham, FC United, Bacup,SalfordA hard working centre-midfielder who’s notafraid to get stuck in when necessary.

Jamie ROTHER


p24 centre

24 centre0

0

Date of birth: 4th September 1990Place of birth: BoltonPosition: WingerHeight: 5ft 11insPrevious clubs: Bamber BridgeA class winger whose corners and crosses areexquisite.

Tom WILLIAMS

Date of birth: 11th November 1996Place of birth: RawtenstallPosition: Midfielder / StrikerHeight: 5ft 7insPrevious clubs: Blackburn Rovers, Moston,Ramsbottom United YouthA tough young attacking midfielder/striker whoprogressed through Ramsbottom United’syouth setup.

Tom HARTLEY

Date of birth: 29th September 1989Place of birth: BuryPosition: ForwardHeight: 5ft 6insPrevious clubs: Bury, Walshaw, BoltonWanderers, RadcliffeA fast and clinical striker who makes perfectlytimed runs off the last defender.

Tom BROOKS

Date of birth: 19th October 1989Place of birth: DublinPosition: ForwardHeight: 5ft 10insPrevious clubs: Manchester City, ScunthorpeUnited, MK Dons, Chesterfield, HuddersfieldTown, AFC Bournemouth, DundalkA classy and accomplished forward player witha great eye for goal.

Date of birth: 7th February 1985Place of birth: SalfordPosition: StrikerHeight: 6ftPrevious clubs: Morecambe, Trafford, Walshaw,Warrington An incredibly skillful and creative striker whoreceived the Evostik golden boot for season2013-14.

Date of birth: 1st September 1987Place of birth: SalfordPosition: MidfielderHeight: 5ft 8insPrevious clubs: Oldham Athletic, FC United,Mandurah, Leigh, Salford, New Mills,Rossendale, Ashton UnitedMidfield playmaker and support striker withgreat technical ability

Chris BAGULEY



p24centre

24centre 0

0

Date of birth: 22nd April 1991Place of birth: NigeriaPosition: WingerHeight: 5ft 10insPrevious clubs: Nantwich, HalifaxA speedy and tricky winger who can take ondefenders for fun and whip in a mean cross.

Osebi ABADAKI

Date of birth: 31st December 1991Place of birth: BurnleyPosition: Club PhysioPrevious clubs: Burnley, Blackburn Rovers,Accrington StanleyA first-rate physio, despite his nickname‘Rooney’ and his supporting Arsenal

Harun Bhatti

Date of birth: 19th October 1989Place of birth: DublinPosition: ForwardHeight: 5ft 10insPrevious clubs: Manchester City, ScunthorpeUnited, MK Dons, Chesterfield, HuddersfieldTown, AFC Bournemouth, DundalkA classy and accomplished forward player witha great eye for goal.

Donal McDERMOTT

Date of birth: 7th February 1985Place of birth: SalfordPosition: StrikerHeight: 6ftPrevious clubs: Morecambe, Trafford, Walshaw,Warrington An incredibly skillful and creative striker whoreceived the Evostik golden boot for season2013-14.

Lee GASKELL


p24 centre

24 centre0

0

It’s Valentine’s Day and love is in the air,so being an old romantic I had arranged totake Mrs Darkside out for the day to thelovely, little Lincolnshire town of Stamford(voted as best place to live the UnitedKingdom in 2013). e fact that Rammywere going to be visiting Stamford on thisthe most romantic of days was simplycoincidental and had no bearing on mychoice of location, honest !

We hadn’t seen any league action sincethe New Years Day defeat at NantwichTown and as we all know a hell of a lot of

water has passed under the troubledbridge since then. When the fixtures wereannounced last Summer this game did notstand out as anything special but, the gameof football works in very mysterious waysand the visit to Lincolnshire had taken onan added significance as it was the start ofthe new era at Ramsbottom UnitedFootball Club... e Robbo and Edgy era.

e weather Gods had been against usfor the past few weeks but now seemed tobe smiling on us (I can’t confirm that thishad anything to do with Fred ‘e

from the darksidedarren comer reports on the latest

rammy ultras adventures

What is there to say?


p24centre

24centre 0

0

from the darksideWeatherman’ Talbot being put behind barsthe day before but, I have my suspicions).

We left the Kay Brow residence at 9.30 andmet up with Andy ‘Valentines DayMassacre’ Massey who was also treating hisgood lady wife, Hilary, to a romantic dayout. We stopped off at Mannings to stockup on bacon muffins before heading offdown to the ground for the 10.00 departureof e Rammy Rocket (We really should getthis column sponsored by Mannings, Rob).

It was a strange feeling as the Rocketstarted filling up and, although we werenow starting to put names to faces, theywere still strangers to us and vice versa but,this little jaunt to Lincolnshire was going tochange all that and end up with the players,supporters and even Uncle Harry singing,drinking and being very merry late into thenight at the Cricket Club.

Although Stamford was deep intoLincolnshire, the journey passed prettyquickly and there was a decent turnout ofRammy Ultras travelling. As always, UncleHarry sat up front to lead his troops intobattle and we also had Sophie, AndyEdmunson, e Carlsberg Clan, ValentinesDay Massacre Massey and Hilary, Tony,Dave and Jake on board. We also had a new,and much welcomed, face on board withMike ‘Father of Alex’ Frost joining us. Aword of warning to Mike here, there is anold saying about e Rammy Rocket that,Once you’re on it, You can’t get off it, sodon’t say you weren’t warned when we aretravelling back from Blyth on a Tuesdayevening. I got a phone call from Clive, whohad to put in a few hours at work, to checkon the weather conditions and let us knowhe was making his way up, like JackNicholson in Easy Rider, on his motorbike.

With several people travelling by car it wasgoing to be another good turnout of

Rammy supporters for this momentous dayin the history of the mighty RamsbottomUnited Football Club.

We arrived at the ground shortly before1.00 and headed off for the twenty minutewalk into town to find the nearest pub. isturned out to be the Tobie Norris on StPauls Street which was a traditional pubcomplete with wooden beams, real ales ontap and a clock that ignited a livelydiscussion on whether it was a grandfatheror grandmother clock. My opinion? I hadn’tgot the foggiest. e pub’s own websiteclaims e Tobie Norris is an old buildingwith steep staircases, uneven floors andopen fires, and none of us were going toargue with that. Even Young Jake managedto find Valentine’s Day love in there,although being the age he is he isn’t thatinterested in silly things like girls and theobject of his affection was the, admittedlyscrumptious looking, pizzas.

As we were walking back to the ground,me and Mrs Darkside bumped into a lostlooking soul who enquired if we wereRamsbottom fans and where the groundwas, as he had totally lost his bearings. As itturned out this old gentleman was a groundhopper who had travelled from Kingston(London, not Jamaica) for the game, so wehad a very pleasant stroll back to theground in his company and had a goodchinwag with him. It turned out he hadtravelled up to Ramsbottom theprevious Saturday only to find the ourgame against Blyth Spartans had beencalled off and he had to spend theafternoon at Gigg Lane watching someteam called Bury intheir inevitablepursuit of play-off heartache.


p24 centre

24 centre0

0

What an amazing guy, and another part ofthe beauty of watching non-league footballbeing these kind of football fanatics youmeet along the way. Mr Murdoch, you canshove your Sky Sports Super-DooperSundays where the sun don’t shine

Stamford’s ground was only opened a fewmonths ago and the home faithful have yetto see their team win a game there and theywere going to be out of luck again todayagainst the new look Rams. e ZeecoStadium (or let’s call it the Daniels Stadiumas the locals do and keep the corporatesponsorship out of it) was a nice set up witha main stand running halfway along oneside. It also had roofed terracing behind onegoal which is always good for making anoise, so we headed there to hang the everincreasing Rammy flags and banners.

With the flags in place, and twentyminutes to kick off, the obvious option wasto head to the bar for a final pre-matchvocal cord loosener. ey had their own

Stamford ale, which I would highlyrecommend to anyone visiting the ground.A note to Nantwich Town and Kings Lynnwho have similar, modern set ups at theirgrounds -I actually got change out of £3!

And so on to the main event of theafternoon, Stamford Town v e Mighty,Mighty Rammy. Regular readers of theprogramme will know that this column isn’tso much a match report and more a fans’eye view of the Rammy away days. ematch reports are best left to Sir PaulCropper, who is being described in the pubsand clubs of old Ramsbottom town as theEighth Wonder of the Modern World (aspecial mention to his other half, Karol, whocouldn’t make the game. Hope you’refeeling better and watching the gametonight). To say the Rammy eleven hadnever played a competitive game togetherthey put in a battling performance andmatched the hosts from the first minuteuntil the last. Stamford took an early lead,

Claire and Malcolm give anidea of the kind of fun that’shad on a Rammy away day!


p24centre

24centre 0

0

against the run of play, with a defensivelapse, but the players’ heads didn’t godown and they carried on trying to takethe game to Stamford.

Rammys cause should have beenhelped when opposition captain, RichardJones, was sent off for a lunge at AlexFrost but, this just saw them drop deeperand try to defend the slender lead theyhad. e Stamford support didn’t agreewith the dismissal and at first glance a fewof the Ultras seemed to think it was alittle harsh. However, as Alex explainedlater, if he hadn’t got out of the way itcould have ended in a bad injury and thiswas backed up by the, as always, excellentfootage on Rammy TV which clearlyshows that this was a reckless tackle bythe home captain.

With just over ten minutes to play, andwith the supporters’ hopes fading, Osebipicked the ball up, went off on one of hisMaradonna-esque runs through theStamford defence to blast it into thecorner of the goal. Cue pandemonium,cue cavorting on the terraces and cuesheer, bloody joy on and off the pitch.is is why we love football and this iswhy we love Ramsbottom United

We headed back to the bar after thegame for a celebratory drink and wait forthe players. is gave us an opportunityto have a chat with the Stamfordsupporters and also thank them for therole they played in making it such aspecial day. We had both been stood sideby side on the terracing, both singing andsupporting our teams, rather thanmaking aggressive and uncalled forcomments, which after a certain, recentaway day was a breath of fresh air. eyalso have some of the friendliest stewardsand bar staff I have had the pleasure to

encounter in over forty years of attendingfootball grounds and for this I salute you.

Anyone who regularly travels on eRammy Rocket will know we’ve hadsome incredible journeys up and downthe country but, and I’m not alone inthinking this, this one probably toppedthe lot.

With D.J Pughie blasting out the tunesand the beers starting to flow it was timefor Ramsbottoms Got Talent, whichmeant the new players, and a couple ofold ones, having to take to themicrophone at the front of the bus andtreat us to a tune of their choice. So, forthe journey home we had at variouspoints, the likes of Robbie Williams, FrankSinatra, Tom Jones, Take at and EdSheeran serenading us and by the timewe were coming off the M66 it was whatcan only be described as a riotous andeuphoric celebration for the Rammy newbreed.

From the supporters’ point of view, andI can vouch for the other travelling Ultrashere, the day had been about much,much more than the game and the result.We didn’t really care about the 3 pointsto be honest, we just wanted to have ourfaith put back into our football club.Valentine’s Day, 2015 was the day werealised how much we love this club andhow much our old heroes can bereplaced by players who are willing to buyinto the Rammy cause. To all the playersand staff who travelled with us yesterday,welcome to e Rammy Family and theroller coaster that being involved withthis football club is all about.Everywhere we go, Everywhere we go,It’s the Rammy Boys, making all the noiseEverywhere we go!


p24 centre

24 centre0

0

rammy in exilesky sports statto richard isaacs

Good evening everyone. I hope you areall keeping well and certainly enjoying thefootball on show, now that the weatherhas finally relented and allowed us to seesome.

Well, three games for the newmanagement and new team and stillunbeaten with what seemed like a decentpoint away at Stamford on Saturday toboot. e dust has really settled followingthe upheaval and we can now firmly getback to what matters - winning footballmatches, playing the game and enjoying it.From what I can gather, the enjoymentfactor in the Rammy ranks is as high as itever has been, proved by the journeyhome on Saturday evening. And, from along distance away, it is a huge, huge reliefthat the camaraderie and fun element ofbeing part of Ramsbottom United is stillfirmly alive and that will be vital as thegames come thick and fast for theremainder of this campaign.

Can we use all of those games in hand tostill mount a challenge on the topfive places? Is there any reason

why not?I really cannot wait to be able to

come up and watch us again soon.I am not sure when as I am workingall hours on the Cricket World Cup,which started on Saturday withEngland getting a, not unexpected,tonking by the Aussies so my days

and predominently nights are all taken upwith watching the white ball being smoteto all parts of Australia and New Zealand.Unfortunately, that is from my deskbunker at home in Southampton and notflying around the southern hemisphere.4am and 5am are going to become regularfriends of mine!

Ah yes, the Cricket World Cup. ejamboree of the sport lasting seven weeksand we all get very excited about as we livein hope that England might just pull off ashock! I will put it right out there rightnow that England are not going to win thistournament. ey just don't have the allround ability of some of the really topteams - the likes of Australia, South Africaor India or even New Zealand for thatmatter. ey will get into the quarter-finalsas they will beat the 'minnows' along theway but that is as far as the journey willtravel.

Cricket is obviously my first love, it is myemployment after all. I have grown upwith the game ever since I was born, andoften sat with my dad for many hourschecking statistics, figures and facts formany years. I have been asked many timeswhy cricket - that would be the reasonwhy, it is in my blood. I would always saythat rugby union was my second sport andI have seen a couple of matches this lastweekend - the first a Hampshire Cup semi-final between Portsmouth and Gosport &


p24centre

24centre 0

0

Fareham and then on Sunday, HampshireUnder 20s tackling Staffordshire in the semi-final of the County Championship. Enjoyableafternoons both watching the game and alsocatching up with the many people I have metover the years in the game, when I used toreport on it for the two local newspapers.

But, sneaking up on the rails has comefootball. For years, I was a Southamptonsupporter and I still am. I don't really go andwatch them - it's too expensive and I'm notreally that fussed! However, over the last fewyears, this little known team has become mynumber one. Can you guess which that is?Well done those of you who are preceptive ...it is our little Rammy United.

I think quite a few of us have had our loyalty

tested over the last month or so, especiallygiven the relationship that we had with thosewho are no longer with us. Some have gone,naturally those with family involved. Somehave dipped their toe in. Some have decidedto split their loyalties. But some haveremained fiercely loyal to the Rammy cause.It absolutely doesn't matter which categoryyou fit into. But Robbo and Edgy's new lookteam are bedding in and are creating theirown history. So let’s get right behind the lads- I know you all will. And I can't wait to comeand cheer them on and be a part of it all.

We are still Rammy United. We are stillhere. We will always be here.

COME ON YOU RAMS!


p24 centre

24 centre0

0

3 - 1Harry Williams Riverside Stadium10th February 2015Att: 131Rammy Goals: McDermott (29), Pugh (35), Hartley (90) Harrogate Goals: Yeats (38)


p24centre

24centre 0

0

Apart from the result and some much needed game time themost significant outcome from a cold and gloomy night couldwell be the emergence of new signing Donal McDermott whoonly joined the club on the afternoon of the match. It was oflittle surprise that the 26 year old who has had football leagueexperience at Huddersfield, Scunthorpe and most significantlyBournemouth and most recently helped Dundalk to a leaguetitle in Ireland should take a little time to adjust to his newsurroundings. Even so in the hour he was on the pitch hebrought all three moments of quality to a rather disjointed Ramsperformance, first skipping past two defenders on the half hourand scoring neatly into the corner from the edge of the box, thenfive minutes later drawing the penalty converted neatly by LeePugh and finally on the half time whistle finding Lee Gaskell withthe sweetest of diagonal passes only for the striker to be deniedby some alert goalkeeping.

Having established their two goal lead the Rams might havebeen expected to put the game to bed but for the most partthey had failed to retain possession and it was that failing thatallowed the visitors to keep a toe hold in the match Abu Sanogoscoring calmly following the loss of the ball in the midfield area.

Harrogate Railways are only one in a long list of clubs in theEvostik facing harsh financial realities and have a younginexperienced squad. Nonetheless they were nothing less thanresilient and as the Rams’ energy levels dropped away in thesecond half they began to dominate the game. e Rams werestruggling to build any coherence and as the clock ticked to amystifying 9:40, bearing in mind the second half had kicked offat 8:50, an equaliser from the visitors would have come as nosurprise. However the Rams defence, well directed from the backby another debutant Callum Jones, who more than filled his selfdescription of a no-nonsense centre half pest controller,managed to stand firm and as the referee finally found his watchTom Hartlley neatly controlled a long ball and executed theneatest of lobs with the outside of his right foot to give the Ramsa slightly flattering margin of victory.

On Saturday the Rams travel to Stamford who are one placeand one point above them having played 7 games more.Stamford pulled off what on paper was a surprise win at troubledleague leaders Skemersdale last Saturday and a tough trip is onthe cards. With a full squad to pick from it will be interesting tosee what the Rams line up will be the immediate cause ofconcern being the depth of cover at the centre of defence

Debutant Donal McDermott probing theHarrogate defence inbetween scoring thefirst and being brought down for the second


p24 centre

24 centre0

0 p

It’s a strange thing, but despite all thescrappiness on the pitch, and theunderstandable impression we all had thatthe players were very much feeling theirway around, Saturday’s draw felt like we’dwon the FA Cup! We weren’t great, in factfar from it, but we showed a lot ofpotential, and a HUGE amount of teamspirit, as illustrated by the exhuberantcelebrations when Osebi popped up withone of the goals of the season. Someoneturned to me with my camera and said,“Did you get the goal?” to which myanswer was, “No. I was too busy jumpingup and down celebrating!” It was that kindof a goal, and that kind of a day.

I spoke to a few supporters last Tuesday,and was surprised that a number of themconsidered Johnno and Bernard’sdeparture to be a good thing. ere’s nodenying that those two lads achievedexcellent things with Rammy, but the newfaces that Robbo and Edgy have broughtin are real class - surprisingly so! Not leastthe quite unbelievable signing of Donal

McDermott, a player that someof us have even have heard

of! One or two on theforum got a bit giddyat the thought of a38 year old BrettOrmerod turning

out for Padiham, buta quick glance down

Donal’s CV will scare the

be-Jesus out of anyone at our level. Hestarted out at Manchester City beforeheading off to Huddersfield, MK Dons,Scunthorpe and Bournemouth. Is it anysurprise that he and George Grayson (exScunthorpe himself) should link togetherso well down that left side? I look at thetwo photos opposite and it really gets myknees a-quivering.

Add to all of this the experience andquality so evident in the rest of our squadand Robbo is really showing us that thisclub IS capable of going further, and IScapable of stepping up to a higher level.Yes, there is a long way to go, andSaturday’s big celebrations were in partdue to the relief at having bagged a draw,but our chins and our tails are up - Rammyis on the up!

e trip back on the coach wasapparently the stuff of legend (thoughwithout Jordan Hulme getting his kit off)and a number of really decent players wereinducted into the Rammy Family. e fanswere also in really great voice, and not sobad in number which was quite surprisinggiven the ridiculous distance.

And so to tonight. We jumped the firsthurdle on Saturday with our first leaguegame under the new management, sotonight is a chance to go on and startmaking some kind of assault on those play-off places. It’s a long old run-in, that’s forsure, but after Saturday I’m feeling just alittle bit more optimistic!

supporters clubon the terraces of rammy


p24centre

24centre 0

0

Donal McDermott wearing aRammy shirt at Stamford

Donal McDermott wearing aBournemouth shirt at Watford


24 centre

24 centre0

0 p

leag

ue p

ositi

on points total

ram

my


p24centre

24centre 0

0

leag

ue p

ositi

on

points total

rushall


p24 centre

24 centre0

0

Cameron BELFORDMitchell TOLLEYCallum WILLIAMSJosh HAWKERAris CHRISTOPHEROUGavin CAINESJake HEATHJosh CRADDOCKKris TAYLORAaron WILLIAMSChris LAITJack DUGGANSteven LESLIECarl PALMERStanley MUGISHAConnor DEARDSZak MARTIN

Manager: Jon ROBINSON Manager: Richard SNEEKES

Referee: Joe HullReferee’s Assistants: Terry Ratcliffe, Gordon Durward

Next home game: Saturday 28th February 3pm, Rammy v Ilkeston

Grant SHENTONGeorge BOWYER

George GRAYSONJamie ROTHERCallum JONES

Alex FROSTOsebi ABADAKI

Matty BURKELee GASKELL

Tom BROOKSDonal McDERMOTT

Chris BAGULEYLee PUGH

Kyle HARROPTom WILLIAMS

Luke HERONIan BENNETT

Jon ROBINSONMalachi SLAVEN

Cedric KROU


Date post:	07-Apr-2016
Category:	Documents
Upload:	robbie
View:	223 times
Download:	1 times

52 Ramsbottom United v Rushall Olympic

Documents