prammynewsv GRANTHAM TOWN22-11-14

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Welcome to everybody who has made the trip from up from

Lincolnshire (a beautiful part of the world). I sincerely hope

you have had a great day out in our lovely little village and

enjoy the game (except the result).

Saturday's game was a terrific result for us and not just

because of the prize money we won but we felt we turned a

bit of a corner after our two recent performances against

Halesowen and West Didsbury.

Bernard and I were both very disappointed with the lads’

application during both games and felt that our normally very

high levels of work rate were missing in large parts of the game.

To be fair to them though, they were excellent during the game

against Nantwich; we started the game very well and on the

front foot. e only disappointment was that we didn't take

more of our chances and to a certain extent gave them a bit of

belief that they could get back into the game! A win’s a win

however and to do it the way we did was very pleasing indeed.

Last week we got the sad news that Joel Pilkington was

retiring. Pilky is one of the most honorable and dedicated

blokes I have ever had the pleasure to meet - his reasons

behind retiring prove that as he didn't want to just turn up

without putting 100% into everything for the club. We made

him an offer to stay on as a coach and he said he'd have a think

about it after a rest from the game so hopefully we haven't

seen the last of him.

We had some great news last week as well though. Captain

Marvel Andy Dawson could potentially be pulling the blue

shirt on again within a couple of months if his continuing rehab

goes to plan. He went back to the specialist last week and was

told he can step up his training - fingers crossed he comes

through the next few weeks.

Last week’s support at Nantwich was again immense so

please get behind the lads this afternoon in what is surely going

to be another six pointer.

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johnno

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Welcome to the Harry Williams Riverside

Stadium and a special welcome to our

match officials this afternoon, and of

course, a warm welcome to all who have

made the lengthy journey up from deepest

Lincolnshire, everyone connected with

Grantham Town, who we face for the first

time ever this afternoon.

e Gingerbreads face many a lengthy

journey, being on the cusp of the

north/south split, but geographical

positions determine the amount of

travelling each team has to do, and

unfortunately for today’s opponents, their

situation is one which demands many

miles during the course of the season.

I last travelled down to Grantham back

in the 1980’s when they were still at their

old London Road ground which they

shared with the adjacent cricket club.

Whether I will make it to their “new”

ground, I very much doubt. Once again,

work prevented me even travelling the

relatively short journey to Nantwich,

which I find so frustrating. However, it’s the

business that pays the bills, and Saturdays

just happen to be our main day, so a clash

with football is always likely. Whereas I’ve

probably been fortunate in not being able

to travel to the likes of

Frickley and Halesowen, it

does seem that I

missed another

excellent performance from the lads down

in south Cheshire.

A good cup or trophy run is always

welcome, and we have now made progress

in two competitions (the FA and Lancs FA

Trophies), and we can look forward to

more challenges ahead as we aim to be

rewarded with some silverwear come the

season’s end. Before then, there’s just the

little matter of the main offering – the

league. We are still well placed for the play-

offs, although it may still be regarded as

early days yet. Mind you, if anyone had

offered us this position at the start of the

season, we’d certainly have taken it. ere

is plenty of football still to be played but

yet again, it is promising to be a

memorable campaign.

BIASED?

It’s funny, isn’t it, but when I attend a

game as a neutral, I rarely see a poor

refereeing performance.

Finally leaving work at 2.30 last Saturday,

I looked for a local match and ventured

down to watch Droylsden take on

Burscough (our visitors on Tuesday). I still

managed to miss the kick-off, but saw an

entertaining and controversial match.

e referee took some stick from the

home fans at the end of the game (and for

most of the second half, come to think of

it), as the Bloods lost out to an injury time

tony cunninghamand the wonderful world of

non-league football

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winner from the west Lancashire side, having

been reduced to nine men during that second

period.

I could argue that a couple of bookings

during a rather torrid second 45 minutes, were

a little harsh, but the first sending-off occurred

after the same Droylsden player fouled the

same Burscough player twice within three

minutes as he was skipping past him. Is it too

obvious to suggest that if you’ve just hauled

someone down and received a yellow card, you

don’t repeat the process moments later? e

second dismissal appeared to be for an elbow,

and with the referee much better placed than

I, who am I to disagree?

As far as I was concerned the official had a

decent game, but it’s strange how impartiality

allows one to assess situations with much more

clarity than those directly involved?

JOEL

Bernard and Jonno have made some terrific

signings during their 5 ½ years in charge, many

of whom will quite rightly claim to be regarded

as Rammy legends in years to come.

We can all name at least a dozen such players,

but I’m willing to bet that in each case, at, or

near the top of the list, would be Joel

Pilkington.

Our duo’s first signing and without doubt

one of their best. Versatile doesn’t do Joel

justice. No matter where he was picked, you

knew you would get nothing less than 100%.

So how sad do we all feel that he has decided

to retire at the early age of just 30.

I appreciate that holding down a job, looking

after a family and committing to training,

playing and travelling with a football club takes

some juggling, and maybe Joel needs some

breathing space. I sincerely hope that’s all it is,

for a more genuine lad you would never find,

and I hope he comes to the conclusion, after a

suitable rest period, that the time to give up

playing is when the body says so, and not whilst

there is so much more to give.

If you do come back, Pilky, we’d all be

delighted, but if you don’t, heartfelt thanks

from everyone here for your sterling efforts

during the club’s most successful period to

date.

Enjoy your non-league football!

Saturday’s ref - he wasalright! He even played anifty one-two in the leadup to our third goal

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e news of Pilkie's decision to pack in

playing came as a huge surprise to us

supporters, was it as much of a shock to

the team?

It was just as much of a shock for the

lads as it was for the fans; we didn't see it

coming. He will be missed in the

changing room.

We heard that he filled up when he was

giving a bit of a speech before the

Didsbury game, is that true, and is that a

sign of how important football is to the

lads?

He did fill up a bit yeah as did some of

the lads listening. He's a great friend with

everyone in the team so it's only human.

But I think it's down to where he's playing

the football - Joel mentioned in his

leaving speech that this was the most fun

he has had at any football club he's been

at. which speaks volumes on the team

spirit we have at rammy.

What happened at half-time in the

Didsbury game - Johnno and

Bernard kept everyone out on

the pitch, were they giving you

all the Phil Brown treatment?

It was a decision made by

the gaffers to keep us out. We

weren't at the races and

they wanted to to tell us

what was on their minds which they did

and it worked. We won that game and

we played really well in the trophy.

A good strong performance against

Nantwich, which we can take as a bit of

a benchmark of our progress so far this

season having got tonked by them early-

doors. Were you happy with the way we

played, and the way we're improving

game-on-game?

We played really well from the off and

we took a very well deserved lead before

half time. Also we didn't fold after the

break like in the reverse fixture earlier in

the season - we held our shape very well

and they didn't create too many chances.

We are getting better each match

because we are growing in experience

and confidence so we will take each

game as they come.

What about a trip to Wembley - do you

fancy Rammy to make the FA Trophy

final? Do you think the 300 Rammy fans

would rattle around in the place a bit?

We have the quality to do so and with

a good draw. Why not? I would back is

against any team on our day. And 300

rammy ultras in Wembley would make

loads of noise.

grant shentonshouting from between the sticks

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Any teams in the Trophy that

you've always wanted to play,

but have never had the chance?

Personally I'm not relishing

something like Dover Athletic

once the draw goes national!

For me I'd like Stockport away

with a win for us and a home game

after that against a side like

Wrexham something like that.

When everyone is on top of their

game and mad-fer-it, do you all find it

a bit more difficult to get going if we

don't have a midweek game, or does

the break do you good?

For me as a keeper I like games thick

and fast as do some of the lads but

everybody's different and some lads

would like the break.

Grantham are on a fantastic run of

form at the moment, very similar to

ours. It looks like we might be in for a

belter this afternoon.

Yes they are on a good run and

yet another team we've not faced

in the club’s history so it's got

the makings of another

entertaining game at the

Harry Williams Riverside. I

hope everyone enjoys the

game.

p

1 - 3e Weaver Stadium

15th November 2014

Att: 238

Rammy Goals: Williams (6), Dean (38), Spencer (56)

Nantwich Goals: Winslade (68)

Tom Williams opensthe scoring for theRams on 6 minutes

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Sixty minutes football of Swiss watch smoothness and

precision put the Rams through to the next round of

the FA Trophy .

Encouraged by an immaculate pitch that puts many

in higher leagues, and not least the national stadium,

to shame it was clear from the body language that the

Rams were determined to put the ennui of recent

games firmly behind them. Scott Burton was an

impenetrable shield in front of the back four, Dom

Smalley rampaged up the right wing and in tandem

with Tom Williams ran the Nantwich left back ragged.

Jordan Hulme quite simply made a total pest of himself

ranging the full width of the pitch, holding the ball up,

bringing others into play and generally driving the

whole of the Nantwich defence to distraction. It what

was clearly a well rehearsed move his run to the near

post after 5 minutes took with him both central

defenders allowing Williams to ghost in on Grant

Spencer's in swinging free kick and slide home from the

six yard line.

By the time the second goal came along on 38

minutes, delayed only by a couple of smart saves from

Terry Smith, the disintegration of the Nantwich back

line was such that they were engaging more with the

officials than the Rams attackers. Still arguing with the

referee over a disputed throw they failed to react to

another accurate cross from Spencer. Hume headed on

and the ball fell perfectly to Phil Dean who volleyed past

Smith from a narrow angle in almost Van Basten

fashion.

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A smashing Wiz volleyfor the second Rammygoal

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Eleven minutes into the second half and the game was

all but up. Jordan Hulme was again the provider, taking

advantage of further confusion among the Nantwich

defenders as to what constitutes offside, to calmly round

the keeper and tee up Grant Spencer with the easiest of

taps ins.

at really should have been that but the Rams do like

to dangle the chin and invite a counter punch. With 20

minutes left they allowed Winslade space to slot in a low

cross from the left. For a few moments there was a threat

of an unlikely comeback which could all too easily have

materialised except for some classy interventions from an

imperious Cedric Krou, one of which he followed up with

a mazy 70 yard run spoiled only by a shot that ballooned

over the bar. With that the Rams restored equilibrium and

calm.

Smith saved brilliantly from Dean, set up by another

strong run from Hulme and a neat cut back, and the Rams

closed the game out comfortably although where 4

minutes off added time came from is as much a mystery

as how they managed to let Nantwich beat them at home

earlier in the season.

1 - 3e Weaver Stadium

15th November 2014

Att: 238

Rammy Goals: Williams (6), Dean (38), Spencer (56)

Nantwich Goals: Winslade (68)

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Jordan takes on halfthe Nantwich teamto set-up Spencerfor the third

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Osebi Abadaki, themuscular menace!

Few names resound with such

committed Rammy-ness as that of

Bernard and Johnno’s first ever signing

Joel Pilkington. He has popped up in

virtually every position on the pitch, and

has played no fewer than 235 games in a

career that spans six seasons at the

Riverside. At 30 years of age, we were all

astonished to discover that Pilkie had

decided to hang up his boots, and so we

caught up with him before the Didsbury

game and asked just what happened to

cause him to pack up playing for

Rammy.

“To play for this club, and do the team

justice, you have to be able to turn up

and wear your heart on your sleeve. It’s

no good going into tackles half-

heartedly, or finding yourself wondering

if this is really where you want to be, and

what you really want to be doing. I’ve

always given Rammy 100% and that is

that way that the managers and your

team-mates expect you to play. Over the

last few months though, since perhaps a

couple of months into the new season,

I’ve found my mind wandering, and as a

result my performances are starting to

suffer. It’s been a struggle at some games

this season to get my head around

playing, and I think that I just have to be

man enough to admit it. It’s not fair to

the lads to turn-out half-hearted as I

might miss something during a game

that could cost us the points - I owe

them better than that.

“In terms of how I’ve been playing, I

doubt that it’s come across how jaded

I’ve been feeling as I’m not one to let it

show, but it’s more of a battle that I’ve

been having with myself. Obviously I try

to set myself a high standard of playing,

which is what I’ve always been like.

“I wouldn’t say that it’s the travelling

that’s affected me, as the extra travelling

is all part and parcel of getting promoted

and of playing a higher level of

opposition - that’s just what you have to

expect. It’s more that I occasionally find

myself just not wanting to be there - it

might be because I’ve been playing

constantly for fifteen years, and because

I’m quite committed. I very rarely miss

training sessions, and when I do things I

like to do them properly - I just feel that

I can’t do that any more.

“It’s also nothing to do with being on

the bench. It’s a fact of life that when

you’re a versatile player, or a jack-of-all-

trades if you like, that you find yourself

being on the bench quite a bit, and I’ve

spoken to Johnno and Bernard about

this. at’s just the way it is, and if being

on the bench bothered me then I would

have left a long time ago - I could have

just gone and played for somebody else.

joel pilkingtonwe talk to pilkie about his recent

retirement announcement

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“It’s an honourand a privelege tobe able to end myfootball career atRamsbottomUnited.”

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“Yeah, it’s frustrating to

be on the bench, but at the

end of the day it’s the

managers’ decision where

you play on the pitch, if

you play at all, and even if

you disagree with them,

there’s no point arguing or

sulking about it, I’m more

professional than that. At

the end of the day it’s

down to them and you

have to trust that they

know best, so this really has

nothing to do with my

decision at all.

“Johnno and Bernard

have mentioned to me the

possibility of coming back

and getting involved more

in the coaching side of

things, but right now I just

really need a break from it

all. e coaching idea

doesn’t really appeal to me

at the minute, but if I’m

going to make the decision

to do that then I need

some time to think

about it.

“It’s been a shock to pretty much

everyone that I’ve decided to

finish as I’ve kept it completely

to myself, but it’s something

I’ve thought long and hard

about for a good while now, not a

decision that I’ve taken lightly.

“I would like to just say that I’ve played

at some alright clubs and have played at a

pretty decent level, and I have to say that this

is the best time I’ve ever had while playing

football. I want to thank Bernard and Johnno

as well as all the fans at the club. I’m really

proud to have been part of Rammy and

getting us up through the leagues, and I

hope the club gets promoted again this

season. Part of me wishes that I’d seen this

season through and help get the club

promoted again, but it wasn’t to be.

“I’ve told the lads that I’ll definitely come

and watch them. I’ve not fallen out with

anyone or left on bad terms. I’m not packing

in to go and sign for anyone else or anything

like that. I’ve no intention of turning out for

anyone else and I’m just really proud to be

finishing my career at Rammy.”

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grantham townnot just where atcher came from

...but also the town in which Sir Isaac

Newton was schooled. Grantham is a new

stomping ground for Rammy supporters, and

it’s another of those poor teams that find

themselves on the fringes of both the

Southern and Northern leagues, occasionally

getting swapped between the two according

to the whims of the FA.

ey began life very early in footballing

terms, way back in 1874, entering the

Midland Amateur League which they won a

couple of years before World War I broke out.

An astonishing name in the club history

books is that of Jack McCartney, who hung

up his boots in 1955. During his career at the

club, McCartney scored no fewer than 416 in

just 456 appearances - a frightening statistic

at any level of football.

e 60s and 70s were a golden era for

Grantham Town, with a record crowd of 6578

attending London Road for a visit of Jack

Charlton’s Middlesborough team, who

incidently won 2-0. A move up to the

Southern League came hot on the heels of

that game, followed by a quick promotion to

the premier division... followed by an equally

quick return to Division 1.

A move to the Northern League saw the

club finish fourth followed by failure to be re-

elected at the end of 1983-84, seeing a return

instead to the Southern League.

e usual financial troubles that seem to

beset a great many clubs set in, but with

Martin O’Neil as manager the club missed

out by another promotion by just a single

point. As we all know, O’Neil went on to

climb the managerial ladder very soon

afterwards.

A move from their traditional London

Road stadium saw the club play at Spalding

for a year before settling in to their new home

at the catchily names ‘South Kesteven Sports

Stadium’ or 'e Meres' as it’s known to the

locals.

A quarter final FA Trophy excursion saw the

club finally defeated by Southport (we know

the feeling) in front of 3695 in 1998, and

despite a whole load of financial and

ownership shenanigans they managed to

recover from relegation in 2001 by getting

promoted yet again back to the Premier

Division in 2002.

e FA Cup bandwagon trundled into town

in 2003 when they conceded an injury time

goal to Leyton Orient in the first round

proper in front of the BBC cameras,

ultimately losing 2-1.

Business as usual as the club found

themselves yet again transfered from the

Southern to the Northern League, suffering

relegation straight away to the Division 1

South. A playoff defeat to Nantwich in 2008

meant that the usual instant bounce-back

wasn’t happening, and the club again missed

out in the playoffs in 2012, losing 2-0 to

Rushall Olympic. It was just a practice-run for

a team that would go on to win the league by

a massive 10-point margin the next season.

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e club again found life in the Premier

division difficult and managed to achieve

15th spot in the Premier Division last season.

is season has been quite a different story

though, with Grantham perched

precariously in that fourth play-off spot,

with a home form second to none. As you’d

expect from a team with so much travelling

on the cards their away form is not nearly so

impressive, with just three wins and a single

draw from their ten away games.

Last week saw them draw with the

rampant Skelmersdale United precede by

wins against Trafford, Buxton, Witton,

Nantwich and Workington - just the one

league defeat amongst that lot, away to

Barwell.

e recent budget cuts have seen big

changes among the playing staff, and led

Jimmy Albans to step down as Joint Manager

back in November after over four seasons

alongside Wayne Hallcro who continues the

job on his own.

“ business as usual as the club foundthemselves yet again transfered from the

Southern to the Northern League“

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In action against Belper Town -Photo Courtesy of Ken Allsebrook

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Paul GRIMES – Striker

Leading scorer in the Southern Division

Championship side. Returned to his home

town club Brigg where he was joint player

manager before returning to the Gingerbreads

in January 2014.

Rhys LEWIS – Midfield

Joined in June 2010 from local football. Broke

into the first team that season before

contributing several goals in the run in to the

play offs. Player of the year for two consecutive

seasons.

Sam PURCICOE – Defender

First came to the club on loan from Mansfield

town in 2010 before making the move

permanent. Had brief spells at Rainworth and

Belper before rejoining in December 2013.

Dan HAYSTEAD – Goalkeeper

Signed in the summer 2013 from Conference

North Boston United. Began his career at

Sheffield United. He has also played at Hinckley

United, Ilkeston and Hucknall as well as two

spells at Boston United

Wayne HALLCRO – Manager

Reappointed as joint-manager with Jim Albans

just before Christmas last season. Previously

spent three and a half years in charge at the

club taking them to a playoff final and then the

Southern division championship at the end of

the 2011 /2012 season. Took over as sole

manager in the start of November this year.

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1. Tuesday’s game at Witton was postponed because Albion were replaying

against which club?

2. Whch team is former Ram Adam Morning now playing for?

3. Who was the manager responsible for Newport County’s elevation out of the

Conference?

4. What colours do Rainworth Miners Welfare play in?

5. Which Evo-Stik League club plays at e Beeches?

6. Which local non-league club’s take-over was completed last week?

7. Warrington Town’s reward for beating Exeter in the FA Cup is a trip to which

other non-league side?

8. e Kuba-Kuba brothers are currently turning out for which club?

9. Former Football League referee Colin Seel is currently PA man at which

Northern League club?

10. Which Welsh club plays at e Oval?

ANSWERS: 1. Workington 2. Droylsden 3. Justin Edinburgh 4. All White 5. Tividale 6. Salford City 7. Gateshead

8. Bacup and Rossendale Borough 9. Celtiuc Nation 10. Caernarfon Town

tony’s teasers

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Sat 16th Aug H KING’S LYNN TOWN 2-3 322 Shenton Smalley Pugh Spencer Howson PriestleyTues 19th Aug A Workington 0-1 415 Shenton Smalley Pugh Spencer * Howson PriestleySat 23rd Aug A Rushall Olympic 4-2 161 Shenton Smalley Pugh Spencer * Howson PriestleyMon 25th Aug H NANTWICH TOWN 1-4 365 Shenton Smalley Abadaki * Spencer + Howson PriestleySat 30th Aug A FC United of Manchester 1-3 1917 Shenton Smalley Pilkington Spencer Howson WarrenderTues 2nd Sept H MARINE 3-2 250 Shenton Smalley + Pilkington Spencer Howson 1 KrouSat 6th Sept H STAMFORD 3-1 357 Shenton Smalley Pilkington Spencer + Howson 1 WarrenderWed 10th Sept A Whitby Town 0-2 265 Shenton Smalley Pilkington Spencer Howson WarrenderSat 13th Sept A Buxton FAC 1Q 2-3 261 Shenton Smalley Pilkington # Spencer Howson Warrender +Tues 16th Sept H WITTON ALBION 3-2 231 Shenton Smalley Pilkington Spencer * Howson Krou 1Sat 20th Sept A Ilkeston 4-2 422 Shenton Smalley Pugh Spencer * Howson Krou 1Tues 23rd Sept H CURZON ASHTON 1-1 309 Shenton Grayson * Pugh Spencer 1 Howson KrouSat 27th Sept A Frickley Athletic 2-4 215 Shenton Pilkington Grayson + Stopforth Howson KrouSat 4th Oct A Trafford 1-0 294 Shenton Smalley Pugh Stopforth Howson KrouSat 11th Oct H BELPER TOWN 4-2 371 Shenton Smalley Pilkington Stopforth Howson KrouSat 18th Oct H BUXTON 2-0 470 Shenton Smalley Pilkington Stopforth Howson KrouTues 21st Oct H WHITBY TOWN 4-0 237 Shenton Smalley Pilkington Stopforth Howson KrouSat 25th Oct A Marine 3-1 366 Shenton Smalley Pugh Stopforth Howson 2 RobinsonSat 1st Nov A Whitby Town FAT 1Q 2-1 233 Shenton Smalley * Pugh Stopforth Howson KrouTues 4th Nov H WORKINGTON 1-1 250 Shenton Smalley Pugh Stopforth Howson KrouSat 8th Nov A Halesowen Town 0-2 358 Shenton Smalley Pugh Stopforth Howson KrouTues 11th Nov H WEST DIDS Lancs Cup 3-0 132 Shenton Smalley Pugh Spencer 1 Robinson + KrouSat 15th Nov A Nantwich FAT 2Q 3-1 238 Shenton Smalley Pugh Stopforth Howson KrouSat 22nd Nov H GRANTHAM TOWNTues 25th Nov H BURSCOUGH Lg CupSat 29th Nov A Banbury UnitedSat 6th Dec A Matlock TownSat 13th Dec H RUSHALL OLYMPICSat 20th Dec A King’s Lynn TownFri 26th Dec H ASHTON UNITEDSun 28th Dec H SKELMERSDALEThu 1st Jan A Nantwich TownSat 3rd Jan A Curzon AshtonSat 10th Jan H TRAFFORDSat 17th Jan A Belper TownSat 24th Jan H FRICKLEY ATHLETICSat 31st Jan A BuxtonSat 7th Feb H BLYTH SPARTANSSat 14th Feb A StamfordSat 21st Feb A StourbridgeSat 28th Feb H ILKESTONSat 7th March A Skelmersdale UnitedSat 14th March H STOURBRIDGESat 28th March A Grantham TownSat 4th April H FC UNITED OF MCRMon 6th April A Ashton UnitedSat 11th April H HALESOWEN TOWNSat 18th April A BarwellSat 25th April H MATLOCK TOWN

fixtures & results 2014/15

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Hulme 1 Burton Gaskell Robinson 1* Dean + Pilkington Slaven Abadaki + Ahmadi * CookHulme Burton Gaskell Robinson + Dean # Pilkington * Slaven + Abadaki Ahmadi # CookHulme 1+ Burton Robinson 1# Pilkington Dean 2 Abadaki * Slaven + Ahmadi # Cook WilliamsHulme Burton Robinson 1 Pilkington Dean Williams Slaven Cook * Krou + Morley

Warrender Abadaki + Slaven Robinson * Hulme 1# Dean Williams + Krou * Cook # Morley JohnsonAbadaki Burton * Slaven 1 Hulme 1 Dean # Williams # Robinson * Cook + Morley Johnson

Warrender Abadaki Burton Slaven * Hulme 1# Dean 1 Williams + Robinson # Cook Morley Krou *Warrender Abadaki Burton Slaven + Krou Dean Mota + Cook Williams Johnson MorleyWarrender + 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 * CookAbadaki # 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 PughAbadaki 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 Piacentile

MATCHBAL

fixtures & 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 all

become so proud of then please just come down and

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

p

If your face is featured then congratulations, you’ve just won yourself a cup of

tea and a Mars Bar courtesy of Rammy United Supporters Club. Visit the tea

bar now to claim your magnificent prize!

p

p

rammy in exilesky sports statto richard isaacs

Good afternoon one and all - hope you

are all well and recovered from the trip

down the M6 to Nantwich last weekend.

It was certainly a different trip for me

this time and the jury is still out on

whether the Isaacs hoodoo remains in

place over the Rams, despite us actually

winning the game last weekend. e joy

of a flat tyre between junctions 19 and 18

whilst hastily heading from a quick Bury

Market shop on Saturday lunchtime

down to the Weaver Stadium resulted in

mum (watching her first Rammy game

ever), dad and I arriving at half-time, by

which time we were already 2-0 up. So the

final result was 3-1 ... which technically

meant that I only watched a 1-1 draw and

therefore my last 3 Rammy games have

been "D L D".

So I am pleading to the Rammy

brethren - am I exonerated? Or does the

curse of my watching continue? I did try

and chant "I'm not really here .... I'm not

really here .... just keep going .... I'm not

really here!" but it didn't seem to

work.

Another fantastic away day (well, a

half-day anyway!) and I just love the

brilliant cameraderie. But, one thing

that did strike me while I was tootling

my way back up the motorway at

50mph on my emergency space

saving tyre was that I would never

want anything to change in what we

have at Rammy. e fantastic relationship

between everyone involved with the club,

from the Chairman all the way to the very

youngest of supporters, through the

committee, the managers, the players and

the spectators, must stay as it is, regardless

of where the club goes.

I really don't think that it would change

- Bernard and Jonno and the supporters

really wouldn't let it, but to see the players

enjoying the company of the fans and vice

versa - something which certainly

happens on the Rammy Boogie Bus, I am

led to believe, should never change. It is

what has made our club just so enjoyable

over, not only the recent years, but the

whole history of Ramsbottom United FC.

It is what makes me enjoy my visits to

watch all the more pleasant and should

entice more and more people to turn

their back on the faceless values of the

higher professional echelons and embrace

our level of football.

Anyway, I will get off my soup box now.

You will be pleased to know that I am not

at today's game - I will be back watching

rugby down here in Southampton but, as

always, keeping a close eye on events via

the Twitter feed and I am also unlikely to

be at the most local match that Rammy

have ever had to me here in Southampton

at Banbury United on the following

Saturday either as I will be working on a

very early one-day international between

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England and Sri Lanka, which starts at

4.30 on Saturday morning and I will be at

Sky Studios for that. I am trying to work

out my timings but maybe, just maybe...

it would be just my luck to miss the game

which is actually less than 100 miles from

my home! I bet Rob cannot wait for this

one though.

I am probably not going to get to many

games in the near future as my cricket

work load is going to massively increase

with the Sri Lanka series, the Aussie Big

Bash and, of course, the World Cup

coming up in February next year

followed by England in the West Indies

plus the glorious IPL and then ... the

English domestic season kicks off once

more! And you can see it all on Sky

Sports (get the corporate plug in!).

I am looking forward to the Sri Lanka v

England series - although I will only be

working in the studios in London and at

some ungodly hours as well but it will be

great to meet some of our special guests

that are coming in - including Stuart

Broad, Michael Carberry and Matt Prior.

I will see if I can take my scarf in and

hopefully I will get Nottingham Forest

fan Broad with a Rammy scarf! Prior is

probably a Brighton and Hove Albion

man while Carberry, I think, is one of the

London clubs.

Well, that is about enough for me today!

Keep the atmosphere going and those

sheep, they say no! COME ON YOU

RAMS!!!

Richard with Mark Bray from Somerset,a combined mileage of 708 miles towatch Nantwich v Rammy

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spot the balland win a customised rammy mug

Simply email your chosen grid reference to qy@dr.com

and the winner will be chosen at random from those

submitting the correct answer. You can then have your

very own personalised rammy mug, which will be

presented at the next home game.

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A B C D E

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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.

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 SMALLEY

Grant SHENTON Grant SPENCER

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Signed from local rivals Radcliffe Borough

after a spell playing in Australia, the big man

is equally at home in the heart of the

defence, or up front poaching goals.

Wing man Tom came on as a sub in the play-

off game for our opponents Bamber Bridge.

e Rams management team acted swiftly

in the summer to bring him down to

Ramsbottom

Former Burnley professional player who is a

model of consistency, wherever he is picked.

A previous Player of the Year award-winner,

Joel is a firm favourite with the fans at the

Harry Williams Riverside Stadium, and has

played over 200 games for the club.

It has taken some two years for the

management to finally get Scott to join the

Rams. Bernard and Jonno have followed

Scott’s career with Runcorn Town and he

finally joined the club in late January 2014.

A hard-working midfielder, similar in style to

Gary Stopforth, and an integral part of the

promotion winning team.

Steve HOWSON Joel PILKINGTON

Scott BURTONTom WILLIAMS

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Experienced striker Jon was signed from New

Mills and despite plentiful interest from

other clubs has remained loyal to the Rams

for a number of seasons now, and always

finishes near the top of the goal-scoring

charts. Regarded as a “Rammy legend” in

east Lancashire..

A constant threat in attack, a solid

performer in defence. Awarded Clubman of

the Year award in 2011. Continues to cause

plentiful problems to defences around the

leagues.

Signed at the end of August 2011 from

Manchester League side Walshaw Sports and

has taken his opportunity with some relish.

Last season the 29 year old won the Golden

Boot accolade for being the highest scorer in

the Division One North.

Joined the club in December 2011 from

Clitheroe via Padiham. Son of a former

1990s Rammy favourite Martin, midfielder

Jordan is highly rated and scored 8 goals for

the Storks before going to Clitheroe. A

versatile player – he can play anywhere from

defence to striker.

Jon ROBINSON Lee GASKELL

Phil DEAN Jordan HULME

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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.

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.

Osebi ABADAKI Cedric KROU

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.

Gary STOPFORTH

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.

Lee PUGH

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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 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.

Nelson MOTA Alex PIACENTILE

A 20 year old player who joined from

Conference side Tamworth early in the

2014/15 season. George is a highly rated full-

back capable of playing on either flank,

giving the Rams additional defensive

flexibility.

John is the goalkeeping coach at

Ramsbottom, and was formerly manager at

NWCFL side Maine Road, where he

constantly had them pushing for promotion.

George GRAYSONJohn MORREY

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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.

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.

Anthony JOHNSON Bernard MORLEY

A highly respected coach who has

experience at all levels of the game, from

local football with Walshaw to League One

time at Bury. Highly respected coach and a

coup for the club to have secured him. Also

a holder of a UEFA B Coaches badge.

Darren GREEN

Former manager of Atherton LR, leading

them to 10th place in the NWCL in 2010/11.

Resigned from his post with the Crilly Park

club and joins Ramsbottom United as a

highly rated coach.

Glenn MOSES

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We really do have a great bunch of old

and young, male and female supporters

who follow Rammy these days, and they

really fill these trips with wonderful

memories, so Id like to send out an

invitation before I waffle on about our

recent exploits. If you have never travelled

on e Boogie Bus before, then please give

it a try. You will be made to feel more than

welcome and be part of Rammy family

before we are even off the M66. Hopefully

the details of our recent away day at

Halesowen will whet your appetite...

Just seven days after the Halloween

Special in Whitby, e Mutton Army

(name copyright of Sir Paul Cropper), were

back on the Boogie Bus for a trip to the

Black Country to take on Halesowen Town.

e same as the week before, the players‘

coach was leaving the Riverside Stadium as

the bells at St Pauls Church hit 10.30, with

the usual suspects from the Rammy Ultras

joining them.

It was a rainy

morning in

deepest, darkest

Lancashire and by

the time we

reached the M6, 45

minutes later, this

had turned into a

deluge, giving us all

doubts about if the

game would be on or not. Our fears only

worsened as we got closer to the Midlands

and were driving past an endless stream of

flooded fields and burst rivers. ere was

only one thing to be done so we cracked

open the beers and Martin went looking

for someone with a newspaper.

Unfortunately, for the former Rammy

favourite he could not find one so he came

back with a copy of e Sun and began

quizzing us on football teams and their

grounds. He did not have much luck in

trying to catch us out as Mick, Carlsberg,

Dave and myself got the names of all the

old grounds and Young Jake and Young Jack

the Lad got all the new ones. At this point

Johnno came up to the front of the coach

to say he had word from the ground and

the match was definitely on and a chorus

of Oh Rammy United rang out around the

West Midlands.

We arrived at the ground around 1.00 and

as the players disappeared inside, we

headed off to the nearest pub which turned

out to be e Yeltz Arms. As usual, Gaz was

first to the bar and I got a rather Albert

Tatlock-esque pint of mild. ey were

showing the Derby v Wolves game which I

was casting a glancing eye over when a

Halesowen supporter leaned over and

asked “Do you lot come from Derbyshire?”.

I replied “No, why do you think that?”. “Well

you’re the Rams and so are Derby” he said.

from the darksidedarren comer reports on the latest

rammy ultras adventures

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from the darkside

Could anyone explain the logic of that

please?

At this point I was rescued by Mrs

Darkside who had just just received a call

from Little Katie to say the rest of the

Ultras had arrived in town and were

enjoying a pint in e Waggon and Horses

just down the road. Now, this really was my

type of public house, a real spit ‘n’ sawdust

place that sold about 20 real ales (I opted

for a pint of Wizard White Witch in

honour of our legendary left winger - that’s

Phil Dean by the way, not Martin Hulme).

e travelling Rams had taken over one

of the back rooms and we were introduced

to some of Paul Cropper’s family who live

in Halesowen (they joined us for the game

later and Pauls sister seemed to enjoy being

an honorary Rammy Ultra immensely).

We left there and made our way back to

the ground around 2.30 and as we headed

through the nearby park we were greeted

by the sight of the Rammy team warming

up on the grass. Apparently the grass on

the pitch was pretty delicate so it must

have been touch and go as to whether the

game went ahead or not.

A few minutes later Gaz was in a group

walking behind us when a loose ball came

running loose straight to his feet. Now Gaz

is partial to bit of left foot-right foot and

has played at a pretty good level himself,

but as he went to kick the ball back he

went a*** over t**, landing on his back in

the mud. Unfortunately, I missed this little

episode but found out later, through tears

of laughter, from Joanne, Mary and Mrs

Darkside.

‘Sir‘ Paul Cropper, Rammy’s

very own John Motson

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We gathered under the covered terrace

for the opening 45 minutes as that was

behind the goal Rammy were attacking, or

not as it turned out. e terrace was great

for creating an atmosphere (as is Richard

who was there) and Carlsberg helped with

a new, long overdue, chant for our

management team……..Bernard and

Jonno’s Rammy Army!

A friendly Halesowen fan had been on the

forum the previous week claimed they had

a vociferous support, but I think we re-

invented the word for him during the 90

minutes.

e less said about the game the better

and as Carlsberg put it “just a bad day at

the office”. Despite the 2-0 defeat the

players gave it their all, but it just wasn’t our

day.

For the 2nd half we had moved sides and

were stood on the open terrace. Despite

not being the best

of games we still

made the most of

it, singing non-

stop and having

some humorous

exchanges (I refuse

to use the word

banter!) with the

Halesowen goal-

keeper, who not only made some great

saves, but was also a top bloke and a credit

to football.

e game was covered by a rather

wonderful blogger called e

Groundhopper (check him out) who was

quite complimentary about the travelling

support:

“e away fans are different class.

ey sing 'Oh Rammy United to the

White Stripes 'Seven Nation Army.'

ey greet a goal chalked off for offside

with a chorus of 'We thought we had

scored, we were wrong, we were wrong.

ey make me chuckle”

After a quick pint in the clubhouse we

were soon back on the Rammy Rocket with

Bernard turning from Joint Manager to

Beer Waiter for the journey home. As you

might expect, the journey wasn’t as joyous

as the recent trips to Ilkeston and Whitby,

but we still managed a few sing songs,

although I didn’t do my Gilbert O’Sullivan

medley due to not having Hilary on board

to serenade. We departed the coach on

arrival back home and made our walk

down to the Cricket Club where we were

joined by a few of the players and Chairman

Harry. Not a perfect day, but at that

moment I would not have wanted to be

anywhere else.

from the darksidedarren comer reports on the latest

rammy ultras adventures

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from the darkside

Today’s mascot Jude Holland is 5 years old, and

attends Stubbins Primary School. He lives in

Edenfield, and has a big sister called Jazz, 20 and

a big brother called Jacob, 12.

Jude loves to play football. He enjoys coming

to watch ‘e Rams’ and going to the ‘Eagle &

Child’ with his Dad. His favourite pastimes are

baking, going for muddy walks, watching kids

films at home and playing out with his friends,

especially Callum.

He is really excited to be today’s mascot and has

been looking forward to it for ages. Come on

Rammy!

If you’re interested in leading the team out as a

mascot for Rammy United then please contact

Katie by email: supporters@rammyunited.co.uk

mascot news

Today’s Other Fixtures:

Barwell v Whitby

Belper v Nantwich

Blyth v King’s Lynn

Buxton v Workington

Curzon Ashton v Matlock

Frickley v Marine

Skelmersdale v Ilkeston

Stamford v Rushall

Stourbridge v FC United

Trafford v Halesowen

Witton v Ashton

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e final score, with all the goals coming in

the last 10 minutes, somewhat flattered a

rather insipid Rams performance. ere is an

advert on TV at present featuring men of a

certain age playing football, the rule being that

running is not allowed. For more than 70

minutes the Rams seemed intent on putting

this slightly esoteric idea into practice. at is

not to suggest that there was any lack of effort

from the Rams .e limited range of the squad

means that both by design and necessity there

is only a plan A - the pleasing neat open football

that attracts many admirers but allows the

opposition to play as well . e visitors took

advantage and for most of the first half and

long into the second the gap in status was far

from apparent. Most of the better moments for

the Rams in a largely forgettable first half came

through Nelson Mota who produced a couple

of good saves from Jordan Hitchen but the

visitors also had their chances to the best falling

to Adam Hilton who put through a statuesque

back line was only denied by an excellent save

with his feet by Grant Shenton. As the half time

whistle beckoned the Rams began to build

some pressure, Hitchen saving well from Lee

Gaskell and then fortunate to see a low cross

from Grant Spencer infiltrating from the right

cleared from under the cross bar.

e improvement did not save the Rams from

Phil Dean slots the ballbetween four defenders andthe keeper for Rammy’s third

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3 - 0Harry Williams Riverside Stadium

12th November 2014

Att: 132

Rammy Goals: Spencer (81), Gaskell (85), Dean (89)

West Disbury and Chorlton Goals:

no little managerial ire at half time. In a clear

sign that just at the moment all is not quite

well they were kept out on the pitch and

subjected to what was clearly and could only

be described as direct motivation. e

introduction of Scott Burton brought some

better direction but without any real sign of a

breakthrough, apart from Dom Smalley being

upended in the area only to see the referee

literally looking the other way confused by the

fact that the linesmen were operating down

the right rather than left touchlines.

With 80 minutes gone though the visitors

were visibly tiring and with the introduction of

Jordan Hulme's ability to hold up the ball with

his back to goal, a sustained threat began to

materialise. Hulme 's clever reverse pass found

Grant Spencer in the D and his shot ricocheted

in off the post. e second goal came soon

after with Lee Gaskell volleying in a precision

cross from Tom Williams. Williams then picked

out Gaskell on the penalty spot, the latter

twisting acrobatically to to send in a brilliant

volley, well saved by Hitchen. On the final

whistle another fine cross from the winger

controlled instantly by Hulme and fed into the

path of Phil Dean produced the third. If this

had been an election campaign the message

would have been obvious - it is the quality and

timing of crosses, stupid!

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Some fans dream of their league two

club someday drawing Liverpool in the FA

Cup third round, while others wake up in

a cold sweat imagining Notts County

travelling to Bayern Munich in the

Champions League. For me, waiting for

the FA Trophy draw on Monday, it was

the thrilling possibility of Banbury United

v Rammy in the FA Trophy.

I know what you’re probably thinking,

and I can imagine the groan that went

round Rammy when the 300 mile round

trip was announced, but for me it’s a

dream tie. I was very much involved with

Banbury United when I lived there back

at the turn of the millenium, and I

watched the club evolve from a Hellenic

League team (the Oxfordshire equivalent

of the Lancashire League) with

attendances comprising three men and a

dog, through to a Southern League

Premier team, pushing for promotion and

getting crowds pushing 1000!

ings were very much on the up at

Banbury, with the horrible debts cleared

and ex Newcastle United player

Kevin Brock at the helm,

performing magic on the

pitch. Coverage in the

media was really

ramping up, and the

interest around the

town was enormous.

Nigel Slater had secured a

huge grant to install state-of-

the-art pitch drainage, and the brand new

stand had just been completed. is

sleeping giant of a club, with a massive

catchment area was really starting to

yawn, fart, and contemplate getting out

of bed!

What happened since those days I

don’t really know. I resigned from the

board and we moved away from Banbury,

heading up to Bolton, then Warrington,

before settling in Rammy in summer

2008. From a distance I watched the

results drop off and the good players

leave. I watched as the fantastic

chairman’s name dropped off the officials

list to be replaced by someone who I

always knew as talking the talk without

bothering to get off his lazy arse and do

anything. In fact when I look at the

photos of the club right now, they look

almost identical to those on the right,

which I took in 2000. e seats in the

brand new stand are now faded, and the

letters are coming off the roof. e pitch

looks a bit erm... Prescot Cables, if you

know what I mean. e only real

improvement that I can see is at the

bottom end of the ground where there is

a new terrace, no doubt due in part to the

landlord’s attempt to alleviate the flood

risk and make the ground more

marketable for a housing development,

which has allegedly been his desire since

he bought the place off the club to help

pay off historical debts.

supporters clubon the terraces of rammy

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With these thoughts in mind I

start to wonder whether this is such

a dream draw for me. Many people

hand out those wise words, “Don’t

ever go back; it won’t be how you

remember it”, and I suspect that in

this case they might just be right.

e thought of seeing just 200

supporters in the place, and

knowing that local pub team and

bog trotters Brackley Town (the

equivalent of Bacup Borough ‘back

in the day’) being in the Conference

North while Banbury languish at the

foot of the table is too horrible to

contemplate.

And so I guess that my conclusion

is that we need to make sure that

the momentum continues at

Rammy. All of this progress that the

club is making both on and off the

field must continue, and we must go

on to bigger and better things.

If I do bump into Kevin and Rory

and Nigel and Wally at the ground

then I will give them a big smile and

a hello, but in the back of my mind I

will be wondering just how they let

it get like this, and why they took

their foot off the pedal. For a club

that had so much potential it’s far

from being too late, but I can’t help

thinking that a very big boat has

sailed, and a great opportunity has

been missed.

Over 1000 supporters watchingtable-topping Banbury back in 2000

The club’s pride and joy - a brand new stand

not for the feint-hearted,the very exposed cow-field end

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Grant SHENTON

Dominic SMALLEY

Joel PILKINGTON

Gary STOPFORTH

Steve HOWSON

Cedric KROU

Osebi ABADAKI

Scott BURTON

Jordan HULME

Grant SPENCER

Phil DEAN

Jon ROBINSON

Malachi SLAVEN

Tom WILLIAMS

Lee GASKELL

Lee PUGH

Sam COOK

George GRAYSON

Dan HAYSTEAD

Danny MEADOWS

Julian KELLY

Sam PURCICOE

Scott HELLEWELL

Marlon GRUNDY

Rhys LEWIS

Connor JOHNSON

Paul GRIMES

Stefan BILYK

Michael EMMOTT

Dan WORTHINGTON

Corey NEWMAN

Alex FOSTER

Tom DIVVER

Dennis RHULE

Managers: Anthony Johnson,

Bernard Morley

Managers: Wayne Hallcro

Jimmy Albans

Referee: Barry Lamb

Referee’s Assistants: Micheal Johnson, Andrew Johnson

Next home game: Tuesday 25th November 7:45pm - Rammy v Burscough