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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.

p

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

p

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

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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

tony’s teasers

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Sat 16th Aug H KING’S LYNN TOWN 2-3 322 Shenton Smalley Pugh Spencer Howson Priestley Hulme 1Tues 19th Aug A Workington 0-1 415 Shenton Smalley Pugh Spencer * Howson Priestley HulmeSat 23rd Aug A Rushall Olympic 4-2 161 Shenton Smalley Pugh Spencer * Howson Priestley Hulme 1+Mon 25th Aug H NANTWICH TOWN 1-4 365 Shenton Smalley Abadaki * Spencer + Howson Priestley Hulme Sat 30th Aug A FC United of Manchester 1-3 1917 Shenton Smalley Pilkington Spencer Howson Warrender Abadaki +Tues 2nd Sept H MARINE 3-2 250 Shenton Smalley + Pilkington Spencer Howson 1 Krou AbadakiSat 6th Sept H STAMFORD 3-1 357 Shenton Smalley Pilkington Spencer + Howson 1 Warrender AbadakiWed 10th Sept A Whitby Town 0-2 265 Shenton Smalley Pilkington Spencer Howson Warrender AbadakiSat 13th Sept A Buxton FAC 1Q 2-3 261 Shenton Smalley Pilkington # Spencer Howson Warrender + AbadakiTues 16th Sept H WITTON ALBION 3-2 231 Shenton Smalley Pilkington Spencer * Howson Krou 1 AbadakiSat 20th Sept A Ilkeston 4-2 422 Shenton Smalley Pugh Spencer * Howson Krou 1 Abadaki +Tues 23rd Sept H CURZON ASHTONSat 27th Sept A Frickley AthleticSat 4th Oct A TraffordSat 11th Oct H BELPER TOWNSat 18th Oct H BUXTONTues 21st Oct H WHITBY TOWNSat 25th Oct A Blyth SpartansTues 28th Oct A MarineSat 1st Nov A Whitby Town FAT 1QTues 4th Nov H WORKINGTONSat 8th Nov A Halesowen TownTues 11th Nov H BURSCOUGH LGCUPTues 18th Nov A Witton AlbionSat 22nd Nov H GRANTHAM TOWNSat 29th Nov H BARWELLSat 6th Dec A Matlock TownSat 13th Dec H RUSHALL OLYMPICSat 20th Dec A King’s Lynn TownFri 26th Dec H ASHTON UNITEDThu 1st Jan A Nantwich TownSat 3rd Jan A Curzon AshtonSat 10th Jan H TRAFFORDSat 17th Jan A Belper TownSat 24th Jan H FRICKLEY ATHLETICSat 31st Jan A BuxtonSat 7th Feb H BLYTH SPARTANSSat 14th Feb A StamfordSat 21st Feb A StourbridgeSat 28th Feb H ILKESTONSat 7th March A Skelmersdale UnitedSat 14th March H STOURBRIDGESat 28th March A Grantham TownSat 4th April H FC UNITED OF MCRMon 6th April A Ashton UnitedSat 11th April H HALESOWEN TOWNSat 18th April A BarwellSat 25th April H MATLOCK TOWN

fixtures & results 2014/15

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fixtures & results 2014/15

Ramsbottom United Football ClubChairman: Harry WilliamsVice Chairman: Chris WoolfallSecretary: Tony Cunningham Matchday Secretary: Andy Edmunson Treasurers: H Williams, C WoolfallCommittee: Harry Williams, Chris Woolfall, Andy Edmund-son, Kevin HitchenThe Harry Williams Riverside, Acre Bottom, Ramsbottom, Lancashire,Tel: 01706 822799

Recent Senior Honours: Bolton Comination Div 1 Champions: 1972/73Bolton Comb. Premier Champions 1976/77: Bolton Comb. Div2 cup runners up: 1979/80,1982/83Bolton Comb. Div2 runners up: 1982/83Bolton Comb. Cup winners: 1976/77, 1979/80, 1983/84Bolton Comb. Div1 runners up: 1984/85Bolton Comb. Cup runners up: 1985/86, 1987/88Manchester League Cup Winners: 1990/91Manchester League Champions: 1990/91Yorkshire Cup runners up: 1993/94Northwest Counties Div2 Champions: 1996/97Northwest Counties Div2 Trophy: 1995/96Bolton Hospital Cup winners: 1974/75, 05/06. 06/07, 07/08Northwest Counties Premier runners Up 2010/11Northwest Counties Premier Champions: 2011/12Northern Premier League Div1 playoff winners: 2013/1

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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

p

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:

katiejaneworsick@gmail.com 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