38 Ramsbottom United v Curzon Ashton
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Transcript of 38 Ramsbottom United v Curzon Ashton
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prammynewsv CURZON ASHTON23-09-14
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jonnobernard
First of all I’d like to take this opportunity
to welcome everyone from the 'Curzon' side
of Ashton under Lyne. Secondly I'd like to
belatedly congratulate our fellow
promotion rivals on their brilliant
championship winning season, they were
the stand out team in a fantastic league and
will without a shadow of doubt be amongst
the promotion candidates again this season.
e reason I say the above is because we
went to watch them last Monday night
when they played 'Skem' at home - we
thought we'd kill two birds with one stone
as we were also meant to be playing 'Skem'
this Saturday but because of results in the
F.A Cup that one has been rearranged. On
the night Curzon were simply too good for
their opponents and easily beat them 2-0.
To say I was impressed is an
understatement. As always in this league we
know we will have to be at our very best to
even contemplate getting anything from
tonight's game but it is certainly a challenge
we are very much looking forward to after
our last couple of results.
e Witton game was a little bizarre in the
sense that we actually thought it was our
worst performance of the season. We were
very poor in possession and lacked our
usual high work rate but ultimately we got
the job done with two late goals in the last
ten minutes. We have had many plaudits
this season so far for our performances even
when losing games so to scrape the three
points when we didn't deserve them gives
us a lot of satisfaction.
Ilkeston on the other hand was the total
opposite of the Witton game. e lads
totally dominated a team who are full time
and what was even more pleasing was the
fact our part-time lads fitness stood up to
the test against a very good team that not
many will go and win at.
On the injury front Lee Pugh made his first
start since the third game of the season and
came through unscathed. Both Daniel
Warrender and Gary Stopforth should be
available to pick from very shortly and Lee
Gaskell is only a game or two away.
So, after ten games we have to be
delighted with the start we've made,
especially when you consider the
horrendous injury list we have had. We
believe we'll keep getting better but as
always we'll take one game at a time and
hopefully keep hold of the top teams
‘tailcoats as the season progresses.
COYR
- Jonno
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How does it feel to have a crap start to
the season, yet still finding ourselves just
one point oU the playoUs!
well we see it as a good start. Because
we're still learning every game and we're
right up there with the big guns so we're
very confident and happy with how
things have panned out so far.
For the fans it's still sinking in that we can
go to somewhere like Ilkeston, a club of
full-time pro players, and have their fans
leaving early. Did you notice the exodus,
and how does this help the team's
confidence?
I don't know about the guys running
around, but I see the fans leaving and I
hear what they think up close and
personal. And so it helps me personally
seeing them silenced due to a goal from
us. And I make it known to them as
you've probably noticed. But it's only
going to give the guys confidence
seeing them leave.
Dom seemed to take it quite
hard conceding the penalty
midweek. Did he feel at fault
for the own goal, or was it
just one of those things?
Dom has an abundance of confidence so
giving the pen away won't play on his
mind. e own goal is just one of those
things.. Dom has been awesome and one
of our best players so far, so I can't have
too many arguments with him trying to
make a clearance and just misjudging
slightly. But I'm sure the lads won't let
him forget it too quickly.
Four goals, four scorers, and still missing
our two top strikers. Do you think it's a
sign of a great squad when everyone's
popping up with goals.
Of course. Our squad has tons of quality
- don’t forget we have Lee and Robbo
both absent. Not many clubs could still
score goals without two top strikers like
them. But Jordy has so much ability it's
scary; eight goals and counting this
season and he's only going to get better.
But everyone else chipping in as well
shows we have a squad who know where
the back of the net is.
Cedric's becoming a bit of a folk hero
around Rammy, and we now have Lee
Pugh back. Are we finally getting a strong
and settled back four or is there still a way
to go?
grant shentonshouting from between the sticks
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Yes! We have good defenders in the
team but it's just not happened
yet. We have cut the bad errors out
on set pieces. But as a unit we still
haven't played that many games
together as there have been so
many changes. Clean sheets will come
- if not we will just score more goals
than we concede. Ceders has shed
loads of of quality as you have seen
and he's good lad aswell. Great
character to have in the team.
How did it feel to save that critical
penalty midweek? You must have been
really chuUed, particularly when you
followed it with a second belting save.
Its always good to save a pen I went
right way and got good hand to it. It's
like scoring a goal in some ways in the
way it can get the team’s tails up. I'd
take a nice easy day and a clean sheet
right now but I'll keep working hard to
keep the goals down.
“ we will just score more goals than we concede!“
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Welcome to the Harry Williams
Riverside Stadium.
And a special welcome to tonight’s
match officials, and, of course, our
opponents this evening - everyone
associated with our close neighbours
Curzon Ashton.
We’ve had some great battles over the
years, and perhaps it was fitting that we
should have accompanied the Nash up a
league last season. We did it the hard
(although enjoyable!) way via the play-
offs whilst Curzon looked nailed on for
the title for most of the campaign. ey
were worthy winners, although we came
mighty close to defeating them on their
own patch, which perhaps shows how
close the two sides are.
We have become accustomed to this
level of football, after a tricky start, whilst
Curzon have continued in the same vein
as last year by sitting comfortably
alongside our FA Cup conquerors,
Buxton, at the top of the table.
We may well have been rejoicing after
a superb win in Derbyshire on Saturday,
but this rearranged game has come
round quickly enough to make us forget
all about that, and concentrate on
attempting to wrestle
another three points on the
pitch.
It’s always difficult to
predict results, but this season is proving
even more so.
Who would have expected Frickley to
bring an end to FC United’s fine unbeaten
start, and in such a resounding way?
en again, after our narrow, and
Witton would argue unfair, victory over
Albion last Tuesday, who could have
foreseen the Northwich side going down
at home to the inconsistent Trafford by
five goals to nil, or high-flying
Skelmersdale United losing at home to
struggling Barwell?
at’s the beauty of football….you
never know what is going to happen, and
long may that continue.
DOWN THE ROAD
When they visited us for a pre-season
friendly, Bury boss Dave Flitcroft was
extremely complimentary about
everything here at Rammy, both on and
off the pitch.
He was delighted to see a non-league
team playing “the right way”, which is
something he has stressed he will
produce during his spell as manager at
the JD Stadium.
As usual, work prevented me from
making the trip to Ilkeston, which I
bitterly resent having heard all about the
performance, so I managed to up sticks
at 2.30, and walked down to the JD.
tony cunninghamand the wonderful world of
non-league football
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Although I have a season ticket there, it’s
unusual these days if I manage to see more
than half the home games, but having
followed the Shakers through good, bad and
more bad over the years, I still look to go
down whenever the opportunity arises.
Reports have been good, and the
performance against previous table-toppers
Burton Albion confirmed that Flicker’s
philosophy is being played out down the road
as he promised. Like watching the Rams, it is
a pleasure at the moment to watch a Bury
side that plays a similar attractive passing
game, and I came away on Saturday with a
beaming smile on my face. Not just because
of the performance I had just seen, but
because of the tweets I had been checking all
through the match.
Don’t you just love it when both your
favourite teams come up trumps on the same
day?
I did enjoy the weekend!
Enjoy your non-league football!
“Curzon Ashton were worthy leaguewinners, although we came mightyclose to beating them on their patch”
Billy Priestley trying to conjure up a late winnerat Curzon Ashton last season
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Ramsbottom United twice came from
behind to snatch all three points thanks to
two goals in the last ten minutes.
Witton Albion had looked good value for
their lead, but let the three points slip away
as the home side refused to give up and
earned their reward with the late comeback.
It was the Rams who had the first real
chance of the match after twelve minutes
when Phil Dean saw his header from a deep
Grant Spencer cross sail wide of the target,
but on 18 minutes, the visitors took the lead.
A cross from the right was met by Josh
Hancock and his half-volley flew past Grant
Shenton in the home goal.
Dominic Smalley and Spencer combined
well only to see the latter’s snap shot from the
edge of the box, clear the bar by inches, before
Smalley sent in a low cross but no-one was
there to meet it and the danger was cleared.
Witton retaliated but were denied when
Shenton came flying off his line to dive at the
feet of the on-rushing Michael Powell, whilst
the post saved the home side as Neil Harvey
beat the offside trap to race through only to
see his drive clip the woodwork.
Nelson Mota tested Chris Sanna in the away
goal, while Michael Lee tried his luck at the
other end, but with the half-time whistle
about to sound, the Rams found an equaliser
to ease their nerves. Spencer fed the ball into
the area, and Jordan Hulme nipped between
two defenders to poke the ball past Sanna.
e visitors should have restored their lead
just three minutes into the second half.
Smalley was adjudged to have shoved
Hancock off the ball, and the referee pointed
to the spot. Hancock then looked on as
Shenton dived low to his left to deny him his
second of the night with a fine save and take
at the second attempt.
at miss was to prove costly even though
Witton did take the lead on 56 minutes. A low
cross to the edge of the box was cleverly
flicked on to Hancock, and this time the
winger made no mistake as he drilled the ball
through a forest of legs and in by the far post.
Osebi Abadaki raced through for the home
side but was denied by Samma who palmed
away the fierce drive before denying Nelson
Mota with the follow-up.
Hulme saw his header clear the bar as the
Rams went in search of an equaliser, but the
visitors continued to look confident and
could well have extended their lead with a
Harvey pile-driver which sailed wide of the
post.
Hulme had a long-range shot parried by
Sanna, but with the minutes ticking down, it
looked as though the visitors had done
enough to earn the points.
e Rams, however, were not content to
hand them over, and a dramatic last few
minutes saw the game turned on it’s head.
Substitute Tom Williams sent in a corner
from the right on 81 minutes, and Cedric
Krou rose highest to head the ball home
courtesy of the far post.
is seemed to inspire the home side, who
decided that rather than settle for a point
that had looked unlikely, they would go all
out for the three.
at bold attitude paid off, for just four
minutes later they grabbed the winner.
Another sub, Sam Cook, controlled the ball
in the area before neatly setting up Hulme,
and the latter raced on to the ball in the left-
hand side of the area before sliding it past
Sanna to the joy of his team-mates and the
majority of the crowd.
Witton looked to rescue something from
the game in the closing minutes, but the
Rams defence comfortably held on as the
home side grabbed another three points as
they slowly come to terms with life at the new
level.
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3 - 2Harry Williams Riverside Stadium
16th September 2014
Att: 231
Rammy Goals: Hulme (45,85), Krou (81)
Witton Goals: Hancock (18,56)
On the scoresheet with a fantastic header, Cedric Krou
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Another great finish from Jordan Hulme
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3 - 2Harry Williams Riverside Stadium
16th September 2014
Att: 231
Rammy Goals: Hulme (45,85), Krou (81)
Witton Goals: Hancock (18,56)
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In 2011/12, during his first season in change John
Flanagan took the club to the Play-off Final where they
were beaten by Witton Albion. Making the Play-off Final
in his first season was tremendous achievement, but the
most significant accolade was finishing the season in the
club’s highest ever league position coming runners-up
to AFC Fylde. e season also saw Curzon create a
record 17 games unbeaten from the start of the season
as well as remaining undefeated at home for the first
time since the mid-70's.
2012-2013 saw the club celebrate their 50th Season
but in terms of league success, it was their worst for
some time, the club finishing seventh and missing out
on the play-offs for the first time since they rejoined the
NPL in 2007. On the bright side they reached the Final
of the Doodson Sports Cup where they were beaten by
Premier Division Champions North Ferriby United on
penalties. e first seven penalties in the shootout were
saved, which must be a record.
A team rebuild in the summer of 2013 saw Curzon get
off to a flyer and they again had a magnificent start to
the season, going 16 league games undefeated before
finally losing at the beginning of December. ey then
won seven on the bounce before their second league
defeat in early February, ironically to the side which had
beaten them previously - Ossett Town. However, they
were to then go on another magnificent run of 12 games
unbeaten, 11 of them wins and the last ten of those
games creating a club record of ten successive clean
sheets. is was the run which took them to the league
title, clinched on a never to be forgotten night at
Harrogate Railway Athletic, where Niall Cummins wrote
himself into Curzon folklore with a stoppage time
header to seal a 1-0 win, and the title, with five games to
spare.
Like Rammy, season 2014-2015 sees Curzon compete
at their highest ever level of the Evo-Stik NPL Premier
Division, and a journey into the unknown which
everyone at the club is looking forward to with great
anticipation.
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Matthew WARBURTON - Signed from
NWCL side Maine Road at the beginning
of last season, Matty soon showed that
he could score goals at NPL level with a
hat-trick in his third game, and he
eventually finished the season with 31
goals from 51 appearances. He is more
than just a striker though, and his clever
play creates numerous chances for those
around him.
Niall CUMMINS - Signed from
Burscough in October 2013, Niall
became an instant hero when he headed
the winner at Harrogate Railway last
April to clinch the NPL Division 1 North
title for Curzon. Big, strong centre
forward, he holds the ball well and his
awareness creates some great link up
play for others.
Johnathan HUNT - Now in his third
season at Curzon, Jonno has proved to
be a fantastic signing, having joined from
Salford City in 2012. He rarely misses a
game, having notched up over 100
appearances in just two season and his
consistent performances have quickly
made him a fans favourite and he picked
up both Supporters and Players-player of
the year last season.
Alex BROWN - Another summer capture
from neighbours Hyde FC, Alex has had
the Curzon faithful purring with his
performances so far in the centre of
midfield. Excellent on the ball, he is
another player whose experience at a
higher level will prove vital this season.
fou
r to
wat
ch
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1. Who is the manager of Trafford FC?
2. Which former Ram moved from Padiham to Kendal Town this summer?
3. What is the nickname of Maidenhead United?
4. Which former Macclesfield Town manager is now in charge of Whitehawk?
5. Which southern-based club is nicknamed e Romans?
6. Who was the temporary manager of the Rams before our two incumbents?
7. Which non-league club was the first to wear a sponsors’ name on their shirts?
8. What did the FA do to that club?
9. In what year did Spennymoor United fail to fulfil their Northern Premier
League fixtures?
10. Which club beat Altrincham 5-0 on Saturday?
1. Garry Vaughan 2. Keiron Pickup 3. e magpies 4. Steve King 5. Bath City 6 Paul Williams 7. Kettering Town
8. Fine them £1000 as it was illegal at the time! 9. 2005 10. Barnet
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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
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e Rams are back on the road again
this Saturday when we travel to West
Yorkshire to take on Frickley Athletic, a
team who have not had the best of starts
to the season and find themselves near
the bottom of the table. Despite this it
should be another strong test for the
newly promoted Rams.
Based in South Elmsall, West Yorkshire,
which is part of Wakefield, the club were
formed in 1910 as Frickley Colliery. ey
have always had strong links with the
colliery and the miners used to pay subs
to the clubs, as well as supporting their
local team. However, with the closure of
the pit in 1993, the club now have to rely
on getting their local support elsewhere.
Frickley Colliery was one of the last to see
their workers return to work during the
miners strike in the 1980’s and anyone
who presented such a fight against the
atcher government are good people in
my book.
e team play at
Westfield Lane
(WF9 2EQ) which has a capacity of just
over 2,000. Opposite the main stand
there is still evidence
of the local colliery
in the shape of a grass
covered slag heap
(here is my chance to
try and insert an
amusing comment
but, I will leave it so as
not to offend any of our large
contingent of female support. I’ll leave
that kind of humour to the Carry On
films). Frickley have a strong non-league
tradition but, have never really had any
successful periods during their long
history. eir best run in the F.A Cup
came in the 1985-86 season when they
reached the 3rd round after beating
Hartlepool away in the 2nd round. ey
were drawn at home in the 3rd round
against near neighbours, Rotherham
United. at game ended in a 3-1 defeat
but, the season ended on a high note
when they won the Sheffield &
Hallamshire Senior Cup and also finished
runners-up in what was then the Gola
League.
If you are getting there early and
looking for somewhere to have lunch you
could try any of the following pubs in
South Elmsall: Barnsley Oak, e Plough
Inn, e Minsthorpe, e Park or the
wonderfully named e Little Un. All
have quite good reviews on the internet
but I have never been to any of them so
please don’t shout at me if you go and it’s
not up to the high standard of pubs and
bars we have back home in Ramsbottom.
Remember, this is Yorkshire and they are
not quite as civilised as us in the red rose
county (and before Hilary attacks me
with Andys vuvuzela, the last comment
is purely tongue in cheek.
Lets have another great turnout from the
Rammy Ultras and remember…………
COME ON YOU RAMS
the boogie buson the road with rammy
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Hello everyone, hope you are all well.
My column today is going to be slightly
different as it is being written while the
game against Ilkeston is taking place on
Saturday afternoon. As you will probably
have noticed, I wasn't there. But I doubt
that many programme columns have been
written from 38,000 feet above Ohio, sat
on a plane heading for Las Vegas on
holiday. I am also pretty sure that no one
else on this flight has their Rammy scarf
with them either!!!!
e great feats of modern technology
these days, with wifi on board and our
excellent twitter feed from the ground
ensured I didn't miss anything. I had to
switch off for take off but that was ok as it
was 0-0 at half time.
I switch on again, load up the wifi and,
boom, we are 2-0 up. Get in there lads,
loving that. A nice little drink is ordered, I
put my iPad down for a couple of minutes
and its 3-1 .... what is going on!!!! Come on
lads, keep it safe, bring those points home!!
Oh crap, 3-2. Hold on Rammy, come on.
It's Kings Lynn again, nervy moments.
YEEEEESSSSSS
Tom Williams!!
Yes, get in there 4-2.
Don't throw it away
now. You
Raaaaaaaaams!!!
It's all over. What
a result for us,
absolutely superb.
ey would have
thought this was a home banker but our
brilliant team have done us proud yet
again. Why is no one else cheering on this
plane .... I don't suppose that's the done
thing although this is America so
anythings possible.
What a result and couple that with the
super Saints climbing into 2nd in the
Premier League (not bad for a team
pillaged during the summer and left with
half a team and no manager .... Come on
City, United, Liverpool etc .... keep up!!!!!!),
Queen of the South beating Hibernian 1-0
and Bath Rugby stuffing our old arch rivals
Leicester 45-0, that's a bloody good day!!!!
Steward, a glass of fizz please. We're
celebrating!!!!!!!!!
PS - my Cath is looking at me very
bemused .... she just doesn't get it.
rammy in exilesky sports statto richard isaacs
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ree days after the long midweek trip to
Whitby, the Rammy Ultras were back on
their travels, this time with a slightly
shorter trip to take on Buxton. is game
saw us taking a break for the league
schedule and taking our first steps on the
road to Wembley in the F.A Cup.
A hectic morning was spent by myself
and Rob Moss trying to arrange transport
for the Rammy TV cameramen which
was finally sorted when John Ayers kindly
offered a lift (a big thanks John).
Meanwhile Mrs Darkside and Joanne
were up at the Buchanan Club preparing
sandwiches for that afternoon’s bowling
tournament (watch out for Charleson
and Hulme Executive Catering coming to
a town near you soon). is meant we
did not set off on our travels until 1.15,
and, after an absence of a couple of weeks
we were back in the Hulme mobile with
Martin, Joanne, Geoff
and Mrs Darkside
keeping me company
for the journey. It was
a relatively short trip
and we arrived at the
ground just before
2.30.
I met up with the
Rammy TV camera
operative for the day,
Olla, and we went to pick up his press
pass to get him into the ground. As
Martin went to the bar to get the beers
(proof that miracles sometimes happen)
I went to the main stand with Olla to get
a prime filming spot and set up the
tripod. We met up with the guys from
BFC TV who were fantastic and went out
of their way to help us, so a big thank you
goes out to them (they have a great 20
minute highlights package on their
website if you want to check it out).
With Olla in safe hands, I made my way
to the bar to meet up with the other
travelling supporters and have my pre-
match pint. Martin had got me a
Worthingtons Smooth, which is not
usually amongst my favourite ales but,
this one was pretty good and went down
in no time at all. You will all know how
the 1st half of the game went, and despite
not playing too badly we went in at half
time trailing by 3-0. We had spent the 1st
half behind the goal on a traditional
covered terrace and enjoyed a good chat
with some of the Buxton supporters
stood with us. My highlight of the
opening 45 minutes came after some
Buxton supporter made a comment
about us being ‘sheeps arses’, which led
to a chorus of ‘Sheep said no, Rammy,
Sheep said no’ from the Ultras gathered
from the darksidedarren comer reports on the latest
rammy ultras adventures
p
from the darkside
around us. Despite being 3 goals down
at half time none of the travelling
Rammy fans seemed too down about it
and felt we were still trying to play our
football in the right manner.
e 2nd half saw us pull it back to 3-2
which set the game up for a thrilling
finale but, alas we could not get the goal
that would have forced a replay back at
e Riverside the following Tuesday. It
also meant that the poor Buxton fans
would have to make the long journey to
Kings Lynn on that evening instead. I find
it hard to believe that Kings Lynn are
actually in the Northern section of the
league and it must be especially hard on
their supporters when they have trips to
the likes of Blyth Spartans and Whitby to
make. We had a quick pint after the
game and then decided to get back on
the road and head to Rammy for a few
more post match beers. We also had to
get Geoff home for his usual ritual of a
steak tea cooked by his other half, Annie,
and a night out at the Buchanan Club.
As we left the ground, myself and Mrs
Darkside got talking to the veteran
Buxton forward, Liam Hardy, who said
that Rammy were the best footballing
side he had faced this season and that he
had been substituted 20 minutes from
time due to him being knackered from
the hard work we had put in against our
defenders. I have to say that he came
across really well and seemed to be a
genuinely nice guy, which I doubt you
would get with many of the over-paid
prima donnas in the Premier League.
We were back in Ramsbottom in time
to see the end of the Liverpool v Aston
Villa game in e Railway. ere were
people with both Liverpool and Villa
colours on which got me wondering
about why you would follow a team on
TV when you have a wonderful ‘tiny’
team in your own town. I have never
understood how you can support a
team, yet never go to watch them. As
you are reading this I am sure you can
have a knowing smile to yourself and say
that we, as football followers, are doing
things the right way by supporting our
own team, the mighty Rammy United.
The seagullls circle - you’re never short offriends when you’ve got a pie and pies
p
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
p
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
p
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
p
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
p
Previously club captain of the Rams, who
famously lifted the play-off trophy at
Bamber Bridge in May 2014, Danny moved
to Salford City in the summer, but soon
returned. His consistent displays at the back
and in midfield have seen him become a
firm favourite with the fans.
A 24-year old forward player who signed for
the Rams in the middle of September.
Previously with FC United of Manchester
and Salford City. Prior to that he had spells
at Niort, Lilas, DH Saint-Maur and Paris DC
in France, as well as Tercera in Spain.
A skilful battling midfielder who signed full
time with the Rams during the summer of
2012 after coming on loan from AFC Fylde
the previous season and dominating the
midfield. In his third season with the club he
was a vital member of the promotion set-up
last term.
A left-back who signed for the Rams in the
middle of September. Previously with
C.E.Principado De Andorra, a second
division Andorran team with whom he
experienced Champions League football.
Dan WARRENDER Gary STOPFORTH
Nelson MOTA Alex PIACENTILE
p
Son of Manchester United player Dennis
Irwin, Liam signed for the Rams in the
middle of September. Previously with
Stockport Sports, Altrincham and Bolton
Wanderers. He played at international level
for Republic of Ireland youth.
Appointed joint manager at the start of the
2009/2010 season and took the club to the
NWCFL title in 2011/12 season, despite
missing much of the season through injury.
He has helped guide the club through
another promotion via the play-offs into the
Evo-Stik Premier League in May 2014.
A promosing young midfielder who signed
for the Rams in the middle of September.
Previously with Colwyn Bay and Fleetwood
Town.
Re-joined the club in January 2009 and
became joint manager at the start of
2009/2010. A Rammy man to his core, a
combative and hard-working midfelder who
has occasionally taken over with some
prowess in goal. Successful in guiding the
Rams to two promotions in three seasons.
Liam IRWIN Jake PARKER
Anthony JOHNSON Bernard MORLEY
p
Ramsbottom United returned from their first
ever visit to Ilkeston with a thoroughly deserved
victory which saw them leap-frog their hosts in
the table.
Such was the visitors’ dominance that the
score-line flattered the home team, whose
supporters were seen to be deserting in droves
long before the final whistle.
e Rams took the game to the hosts from the
off, and whilst the first half may have ended
score-less, the second half produced a goal feast,
with the visitors deservedly finishing on top.
e closest either side came to scoring in the
first half was when a superb drive from Osebi
Anadaki was tipped over by the home keeper,
but within three minutes of the re-start, the goal
that had been threatening finally arrived.
Lee Pugh sent in one of his trademark long
throws, and Cedric Krou beat the keeper to the
ball to send a back header over the stopper and
into the net.
Tom Williams, minutes later, almost added a
second, only to be denied by the keepers legs,
but that second goal wasn’t long in coming. On
57 minutes, Williams was fouled, and from the
resultant free kick, Scott Burton was on hand to
bury the ball and double the lead.
Almost immediately Ilkeston grabbed a lifeline
when a one-two on the edge of the area fell to
Che Adams, and his drive left Grant Shenton in
2 - 4New Manor Ground
20th September 2014
Att: 442
Rammy Goals: Krou (48), Burton (57), Hulme (59),
Williams (74)
Ilkeston Goals: Adams (58), Smalley o.g. (72)
p
the Rams goal unsighted, to give the home side
some hope.
ey barely had time to celebrate, however,
for within a minute, the Rams had restored the
two goal cushion. Krou mis-kicked the ball, but
it fell nicely into the path of Jordan Hulme, and
he slipped it home.
e home keeper’s legs again saved the day,
this time for the unfortunate Joel Pilkington, but
with the ball refusing to enter the net in the first
half, the second period was enjoying the totally
opposite effect.
Once again the home side reduced the arrears,
when, on 72 minutes, the referee over-ruled his
assistant who was waving for a foul, and allowed
play to continue. e ball played into the area,
and Dominic Smalley was adjudged to have had
the final touch as he notched an unfortunate
own goal.
But again, before the celebrations had died
down, any hopes of a come-back for the home
side were drowned out with Williams notching
his first goal for the club at the far post from an
Abadaki cross.
Richards saw his effort hit the bar for the home
side, but in reality, the Rams held on comfortably
for an excellent and well-earned three points,
with a performance that oozed class and
confidence.
Photo courtesty of Mrs Darkside
p
Now rammy.tv is
cooking with gas!
As you can see from
the photo of Callum
perched on the
scaffolding gantry at
Ilkeston, we’re starting to
get our act together with
rammy.tv. It’s taken a
while to get the teething
troubles over with, but
the footage that he and
Olla brought back with
them from the Ilkeston
match was fantastic, and
really did justice to one
of the most entertaining games of football
that I’ve seen in a very long time. Callum,
Olla, Jack and a load of other media
students that are getting involved with the
club are all studying for qualifications at
Hopwood Hall College, and we hope to get
Rammy well and truly on the map for
giving these kids some great
opportunities to get a
head-start in media. It’ll
suit the club, because
we’ll get some
fantastic coverage (it is
already much better
than the footage I’ve
seen from most other
clubs), and it gives the
students a chance to get some real-world
experience where you can’t just do half a
job or turn up late while making do with a
grade C or D. All the students we’ve worked
with so far have done a really good job, and
you can see noticeable improvements in
the quality of their work, not just week-by-
week but even during the 90 minutes of the
game.
From a supporters point of view, with a
load of matches being 2+ hours drive to get
to, this will hopefully mean that loads of us
will be able to see games that we otherwise
couldn’t get to. I’ve had a chat with the
Oaks in Rammy, and the landlord there is
happy for us to show match footage on a
ursday night, effectively making it
supporters clubon the terraces of rammy
Callu
m ge
tting v
ertigo
with
rammy
.tv
p
‘Rammy Night at the
Oaks!’. As I write
these notes, it’s
Sunday evening and
I’ve been at my folks
all day (dad’s
birthday), so I’ve only
had a quick look over
the video, but I think
we have enough
decent footage of
the Ilkeston game to
get down the pub
and show the match
on the big screen this
ursday. I’ll have a go at editing the
video over the next couple of days and
should know by tonight’s match whether
we have a video worth showing - if you’re
interested in coming to the pub to watch
the game then please listen out for Tony’s
tannoy announcements tonight, or grab
me, Katie etc to find out if it’s going
ahead. We’ll be aiming to start the game
video at 7:45pm, and we’d love it to
become a regular Rammy Family event,
so please come along
as you’ll be made
more than welcome.
If you don’t know
where the Oaks is
then you’ve probably
been walking aroudn
with your eyes firmly
shut - it’s halfway up
Bridge Street on the
right - the one with
the sign outside that
often says ‘Husband
Daycare Centre’.
Another thing
that’s just jumped to
mind is Katie’s problem with sending
emails to everyone. She’s now sent two
newsletters out to Supporters Club
members, and suspects that a good
number of people haven’t received them.
Please can you check your spam folder if
you’ve signed up and not heard anything,
and maybe give Katie a shout:
[email protected] so that she
can find another way to get in touch with
you. Ta.
Olla and Callum ask Steve Howson why he nolonger does interviews without his shirt on
Harry tells Darren what hecan do with his ideas,without even opening hismouth!
p
Grant SHENTON
Dominic SMALLEY
Lee PUGH
Gary STOPFORTH
Steve HOWSON
Dan WARRENDER
Osebi ABADAKI
Scott BURTON
Jon ROBINSON
Lee GASKELL
Phil DEAN
Jordan HULME
Grant SPENCER
Sam COOK
Tom WILLIAMS
Malachi SLAVEN
Cedric KROU
Alex PIACENTILE
Jake PARKER
Liam IRWIN
Nelson MOTA
Hakan BURTON
Simon WOODFORD
Luke HORROCKS
Jonathan HUNT
Darren THORNTON
Alex BROWN
Matthew WARBURTON
Samuel WALKER
Niall CUMMINS
Ryan WATSON
Christopher ROWNEY
Ryan BROOKE
Jordan WRIGHT
Simon LAKELAND
Andrew FITZGERALD
Matthew KAY
Managers: Anthony Johnson,
Bernard Morley
Manager: John Flanagan
Referee: Philip Dermott
Referee’s Assistants: Lewis Smith, Bob Richards
Next home game: Saturday 11th October 3pm, Rammy v Belper Town