57 Ramsbottom United v FC United of Manchester

24centre

24centre

p1 0

0

rammynewsv FC UNITED 04-04-15

FC United Programme_Layout 1 31/03/2015 18:40

p224 centre

24 centre0

0

THE STRONGESTADHESIVEYOU CAN BUY!


p324centre

24centre 0

0

David CARNELLLiam BROWNHILLGreg DANIELSJoe FOXLewis LACEYChris LYNCHMatthew WOLFENDENShelton PAYNECallum BYRNETom GREAVESJerome WRIGHTCraig LINFIELDDean STOTTRory FALLONNia BAYUNUomas BROWNLuke ASHWORTHDave BIRCHMatthew KAY

Manager: Jon ROBINSON Manager: Karl MARGINSON

Referee: Helen ByrneReferee’s Assistants: Philip Howard, Mark Ryder

Next home game: Wednesday 8th April 7:45pm, Rammy v Farsley (LgCup Semi-Final)

Grant SHENTON

Kyle HARROPLee NEVILLE

Jamie ROTHERAlex FROST

Mark AYRESOsebi ABADAKI

Matty BURKELee GASKELL

Vinny MUKENDIDonal McDERMOTT

Ian BENNETTGeorge BOWYER

Tom WILLIAMSLuke HERON

Malachi SLAVEN Callum JONESTom BROOKSPhil EDGHILL

Jon ROBINSON


centre

24 centre0

p40

robbo

I’d like to extend a warm welcome to ourmatch officials and to everyone connected withFC United, a club that we are once againhonoured to welcome to the Harry WilliamsRiverside for a third visit during their relativelyshort history.

It’s been a frantic couple of weeks for us tryingto fit in all the rearranged fixtures, and withCurzon Ashton postponed and Trafford beingunder threat as I write this, things look to onlyget worse. A congested fixture list doesn’t everseem so bad when your team is on the up, andalthough Monday’s postponement provided arest, the lads would have prefered to get outthere and get playing. e performance downat Grantham was so good for our confidence,particularly on top of the last few results, thatwe all just wanted to play the match and getposting some more points on the board.

People ask about how your game preparationdiffers depending on who you are facing, andthis week has seen the fixture list throw upsecond placed Curzon away, then second frombottom Trafford at home, then a huge crowdfor today’s game against table-topping FCUnited - it doesn’t come much more extremethan that. As far as we’re concerned we don’tprepare any differently. e quality in thisleague is incredible, and due to four gettingrelegated each season there are no walkovergames and no done deals. We’ll treat all of theremaining matches exactly the same as they areall big games in my eyes. We will carry on withthe preparation that we believe in, and whichis starting to really pay dividends for us.

Today’s big game and big crowd will affectdifferent people in different ways. I always findthat this kind of game gets me pumped up, andI’m always stuck in there happy to playpantomime villain! Today we could really dowith the points, and it would be lovely for usand for the supporters to bag the win. I thinkthat we are more than capable, and fingerscrossed today’s result goes our way.

Some feel that the relegation pressure haseased a bit with our recent performances andresults along with the number of games we stillhave in hand, but I’m not counting anychickens yet. When the maths is correct thenI’m happy that we’ve done our job!

If we do manage to get ourselves safely mid-table then nothing will change on the pitch. Wecan still very much improve on what we’redoing at the moment, and I’d like to continuethe impetus that we’ve built.

Midfield has been especially strong over thelast few matches and it was great to see IanBennett take the Man of the Match award onSaturday. He’s a high quality experiencedmidfield who hasn’t played previous toSaturday as we thought he needed a rest afterreturning from injury. Kuba-Kuba has been aninspiration in the middle as have Jamie Rotherand Matt Burke. It’s great to have all these ladsplaying so well and beefing up the squad.

Facing FC United today brings back somegreat memories, perhaps the best being when Iwas at Salford City and we played FC at theWillows in front of about 4500 in the Counties.We beat them 2-1 and there was a massivepitch invasion at the end - it was crazy!


24centre

24centre 0

0

p5


24 centre

24 centre0

p60

Welcome to the Harry Williams RiversideStadium. A special welcome to today’smatch officials, and of course, our visitors,FC United of Manchester.

When the rebel team last came here inthe North West Counties days, one of theirsupporters left the HWRS with thecomment “Of course, you won’t be seeingus again”. at could have been taken as amatter-of-fact statement, or sheerarrogance. I’m sure it was meant as theformer, and most people at the timewould probably have thought the same.Strange then, that here we are meetingagain! Somehow reminds me of the oldfable about the tortoise and the hare!

It could well be that next year our pathswon’t cross, so as we will no doubt beregarded as under-dogs today, our lads willhave to be at our very best if we hope togain anything out of the game.

WHEN WILL IT END?As the heavens opened on Monday

afternoon, the omens were once again onyet another postponement.

By my reckoning, that’s the ELEVENTHgame we have had called off this season,

surely some sort ofrecord. I’ve never known

a winter like it, notfor the adverseweather conditions,

but the outcome of the same. As I writethis, we are in the hands of the League asto when the game will be replayed, butthere is very little time left. e end ofApril really cannot come quick enough.

WELL DONEI have to pass on my congratulations to

two teams from not a million miles awaywho have already tasted success thisseason.

e FA Trophy was won – on penalties– by Conference North side North FerribyUnited, who overcame favouritesWrexham in a classic England v Wales finalat Wembley last weekend. For a team froma village that makes Ramsbottom look likeManchester, that really is a remarkableachievement, and they deserve all theplaudits for so doing.

Over the same weekend, our formerplayer Chris Wilcock’s side, Glossop NorthEnd, reached the Wembley final of the FAVase. at’s the second time they haveachieved such a trip in just six years, andthat in itself is an amazing feat.

Having returned north the week beforewith a 2 goal cushion, it appeared to be acase of putting the tie to bed against atravel-weary St. Austell team. e crowd ofover 1300 at Surrey Street turned up inanticipation of a goal-fest, but it was notto be, and for the last few minutes were no

tony cunninghamand the wonderful world of

non-league football


24centre

24centre 0

0

p7

doubt biting their finger-nails as the Cornishside reduced the deficit to a single goal.However, the final whistle blew and theHillmen now travel south on the 9th Mayfor what is sure to be another memorabletrip.

Oh, and before then they just have a littlematter of around 50 (OK, OK so I’mexaggerating) league games to fit in as theyattempt to round off a wonderful season bypipping Runcorn Linnets to the onepromotion place in the NWCFL.

We have always had a good relationshipwith Glossop. A fine old traditional footballclub which still holds the record ascompeting at the top level of Englishfootball in a town with the smallestpopulation.

Whilst wishing no ills against Runcorn,who themselves have come back from the

dead in fine style, I hope Glossop canmanage to overcome the mountain ofmatches (now where have I heard thatbefore?!) and finally clinch a place in the Evo-Stik League. ey would be an excellentaddition to our ranks.

COMING UP….Don’t forget on Monday we make the

short journey to Ashton United, whilst onWednesday we entertain Farsley in the semi-final of the Doodson Cup.

Hopefully the Rams’ fans will turn up innumbers for both games. A Cup Finalagainst Warrington awaits the victors.

Wouldn’t a piece of silver-wear be a fittingend to this testing campaign?

Enjoy your non-league football!

We’ll never play you again... until next time.Billy Priestley celebrates his 13th minute goalagainst FC United last season


24 centre

24 centre0

p80

edgy


24centre

24centre 0

0

p9

I would like to welcome everyone to the HarryWilliams Riverside Stadium for this afternoon’sgame against FC United of Manchester.

Our recent results have been reallyencouraging. e lads have worked hard togrind out results and also played with qualityand scored tremendous goals along the way.We had to play four games in seven days,starting with a disappointing defeat at home toStourbridge were we had a man sent off for twoyellow cards after 35 minutes. It was alwaysgoing to be an uphill battle after that - thoughin the second half we put them under massivepressure and their keeper had to make anumber of saves to keep them in front. To playlike we did with ten men for 45 minutesshowed the character of the lads and gave us alot of belief at the start of a busy week.

Buxton away was an industrious, hard foughtperformance were we rode our luck at times.We had to put bodies on the line and withShents in goal making vital saves we came awaywith a deserved point.

e home game against Blyth was probablyour best performance since Robbo and I tookover and it was disappointing in the end to onlycome away with a point against a strong sidewho we dominated for 85 minutes. We tirednear the end and they threw everything at usto score two late goals and gain a point whichfelt like a defeat.

e final game of that busy week saw us travelto bottom side Belper where after a good firsthalf leading 1-0 we sat back and invitedpressure before conceding late on, but we hadthe courage to keep going to the end andmanaged to get a winner. We showed fatigue inthe second half and with the majority of theteam having played all four games we showedgreat commitment and character to comeaway with five points from four games.

On the Tuesday evening Barwell made the tripto us and took all three points with adetermined well organised performance. It wasdisappointing for us as we let our recentstandards drop.

We asked for a reaction at Grantham on theSaturday which we definitely got! With trickyconditions on a bobbly, hard pitch wecontrolled much of the game, especially secondhalf, and probably should have scored morethan the one goal, which was a great strike fromDavid Kuba-Kuba who has been brilliant sincehe came into the side. In the end we weredelighted with the three points.

e squad is really starting to gel now andwith lads coming back from injury andsuspension we should have pretty much a fullsquad to pick from for today’s game. MarkAyres return has been a big boost - he’s a greatdefender and a top lad around the club andknows Rammy inside out.

Our opponents are currently riding high atthe top of the league and will give us a real bigtest with the quality they have all over thepitch. ese are the sort of games as a playeryou love to play in, so our lads will need nomotivation. A big noisy crowd, a chance toprove yourself against, who I think will go on towin the league this year after a few failedattempts at the play offs in recent seasons. Weneed to thrive on these occasions and take thegame to them on our own pitch and hopefullyget another vital three points for us as we enterthe business end of the season.

It’s always a big game when FC United visitthey bring great support in numbers so nodoubt Harry will be kept extremely busy!

Enjoy the game!


24 centre

24 centre0

p100

Before the match on seeing the Barwell keeper Liam Castlepull off a brilliant save in the warm up some wag in thecrowd shouted that would be the last save he would makemade all night. Be careful what you wish for might havebeen the retort because in the 90 minutes of actual footballthe keeper was not called on to make another save. To befair Tom Brooks was twice unfortunate to see shots hit theoutside of the post with the keeper beaten as was VinnyMukendi who saw a neat header bend wide of the post withCastle grasping nothing but air.

And then almost on the final minute Tom Brooks, sentclear by a delicious dummy by Jon Robinson, went too widein evading the keeper and as the ball bobbled could notdirect his shot on goal. So ended a very frustrating anddisappointing match in which neither team contributedmuch that pleased the eye and the fatigue of the previousweek's exertions finally caught up with the Rams.

As always the effort was there but against teams with theability to move groups of players around the ball , such asBarwell, the Rams struggle - players in possession are toooften isolated the Rams will always struggle. For VinnyMukendi to be effective a way has to be found to getsomeone close to him to feed off his knock ons - and theright kind of ball has to be played to him. Tom Brooks hasdone a great job in the last couple of week playing in anarrower position on the right hand side. Need as needsmust has the time arrived for the Rams to abandon thepolicy of playing two out and out wide men andconcentrate more on a tighter mobile midfield quartet?

On the night Lee Neville was again the mainstay of aresilient back four and Grant Shenton pulled off two goodsaves to keep the Rams in with a chance of the equaliser.But the Rams remain vulnerable to the high ball. Just beforethe half hour Jamie Towers, who certainly does, roseunimpeded at the far post and redirected a firm headerback across the goal for Dominic Brennan to score at thenear post.

So the good ship Rams battered bruised and weary butstill afloat, sails tattered and jury rigged, ploughs on throughstormy seas -next port of call being Grantham on Saturday.


24centre

24centre 0

0

p11

0 - 1e Harry Williams Riverside Stadium24th March 2015Att: 182Rammy Goals: Barwell Goals: Brennan (27)


24 centre

24 centre0

p120

is afternoon’s mascots are Rammy United Jedis(Under 8s) who lifted two trophies last year, theWoodbank Mini League trophy and the WalshawWorld Cup 2014. e team is managed by AndyEntwistle and his assistant Steven Plummer, and

comprises omas Garofalo, Luke Barlow, JoshEccles, Michael Norris, Oscar Price, LewisCrossthwaite, Niall Plummer, James Wilson andCharlie Entwistle.

We hope you enjoy your day.

meet the mascots


24centre

24centre 0

0

p13

Artificial Grass

Driveways

Patios

Fencing

Wrought Iron

Walling

LandscapeDesign

T: 01706 281145M: 07970 184876W: www.bespoke-landscapes.comE: [email protected]

.bespoke-landscapes.com: wwwW: 07970 184876M

: 01706 281145T

.bespoke-landscapes.com: 07970 184876

: 01706 281145

.bespoke-landscapes.com

Patios

Driveways

Artificial GrassArtificial Grass

allingWWalling

ought IrrW

Fencing

[email protected]: gorE

dscapeLan

onought IrDesign

[email protected]

dscape

[email protected]


24 centre

24 centre0

p140


24centre

24centre 0

0

p15


24 centre

24 centre0

p160

fc united are backa return trip on the rammy rattler

FC United of Manchester were formed in2005 as part of a protest against MalcomGlazier’s takeover of Manchester United FC,although this was not the sole reason, it wasthe final straw. Many fans had becomedisgruntled at how their club had changed,including varied kick-off times due to TV,heavy handed stewarding and to top it all off,the ever increasing ticket prices.

Enough was enough and in May 2005, agroup of fans formed a group and the newclub was born. eir main ethos was to havea one member one vote philosophy; nowwith over 3000 ‘co-owners’, this is as far awayfrom the multi-million pound institutionsthat exist in professional football in thiscountry can be.

e Red Rebels soon appointed KarlMarginson as manager and their historic firstgame against Leigh on 16th July 2005 waswatched by a crowd of 2552 fans. Aftersuccessfully applying to the North WestCounties Football League, they secured aground share with Bury FC to use Gigg Laneas their home ground. e first season was atriumph, as FC United lifted the Division 2Championship in front of 6000 fans at theirlast game in April. e following year saw thisachievement eclipsed as they secured aLeague and Cup double, only losing twoleague games all season.

e Unibond League was the next step forFC United and an assault on the Division One

North title, the 2007/08 season also saw theclub enter the FA Cup for the very first time.e Reds had a disappointing start to theseason, but with an end of season fixture pile-up to contend with, they somehow battledto gain a Play-off place. After conceding firstagainst Skelmersdale United in the Final, FCUnited eventually sealed a four one win togain their third promotion in a row.

FC United’s first year in the NorthernPremier Division proved to be a thrilling one,with the fight for a Play-off place going downto the last game. With the club locked on 71points with both Bradford Park Avenue andKendal Town, they were denied anotherpromotion by Kendal scoring an 88th minutewinner in their game. e 2009/10 seasonstarting with Karl Marginson having torebuild his squad. e League campaign wasa disappointing one, as FC United finished in13th place, although they just missed out ona place in the FA Cup First Round Proper,being beaten by Northwich Victoria in theFourth Qualifying Round.

With the side boosted by a number of newadditions, Karl Marginson was optimisticthat FC United could mount a real challengefor promotion. With the club near thebottom of the league for most of season, thisseemed an impossible task, but with a laterun of excellent form, a Play-off place wasconfirmed. After dispatching Bradford PA inthe Semi-Final, FC United were beaten one


24centre

24centre 0

0

p17

nil by Colwyn Bay, in a match that failed tolive up to its expectations. 2010/11 will beforever remembered for the Red’s FA Cuprun, which included a three two away winat Football League Rochdale in the FirstRound Proper. e Second Round sawthem take on Brighton and Hove Albion,who showed their class, winning the tieafter a replay at Gigg Lane, which waswatched by a crowd of 6700 people.

e next two seasons saw FC United gaina top six finish and a place in the end ofseason League Play-offs, but yet again it wasall to end in disappointment. 2011/12 sawthem come up against their old rivalsBradford PA in the Final, but a last minutewinner meant they were condemned to aone nil defeat. e following year aMatthew Wolfenden wonder strike fromthe halfway line, enabled the Reds to set upyet another Final, this time againstHednesford Town, but lightning struck for

a third time and Town ran out worthywinners.

Last season FC United finished in theirhighest ever League position of secondplace, giving them yet another crack atpromotion. is time round FC weredefeated in the Semi-Final by nearneighbours Ashton, who scored a latewinner in extra-time.

e future looks now looks far brighterfor FC United as they get ready to moveinto their own purpose built ground atBroadhurst Park in the Moston area ofManchester. e Reds had a steady start tothis season, but a real surge of form in thenew year has seen them shoot up theleague table, where they now have a sevenpoint cushion over their nearest rivals.Surely this year will finally see FC Unitedpromoted to the Conference North, afterso many near misses.

Tom Greaves scoring his first of twogoals against Rammy back in August


24 centre

24 centre0

p180

thre

e to

wat

ch

Matthew Wolfenden (Attacking Midfielder/Striker) Aged 27Previous Clubs; Oldham Athletic & Wrexham.Wolfenden started his career at FootballLeague Oldham Athletic and he made hisdebut at the age of 16 years and 115 days,making him the second youngest player toever play for the Latics at that time. Mattyended up at FC United via Wrexham in 2010and has now made over 170 appearances forthe Red Rebels. He has the ability to changethe game in a second and known for hisspectacular long range goals, which have leftmany goalkeepers grasping in thin air.

Jerome Wright (Defender/ Left Winger) Aged 29Previous Clubs; Maine Road & GriffinGrowlers.After being released by Oldham Athletic at 16,Wright’s career really began to sparkle atMaine Road. His form for the Manchester clubsoon attracted the attention of FC United andsince joining he has never looked back. He isFC’s record appearance holder and this seasonhas seen him hit the 300 game mark. Jerome’space sees him flying down the wings, but he isequally at home shoring up the left side ofdefence.

Tom Greaves (Striker) Aged 28Previous Clubs; Bradford Park Avenue,Garforth Town, Guiseley, Woodley Sports,Bridlington Town & Ossett Town.An experienced striker who has scored goalswherever he has played. FC United have seenthis both for and against them, in 2012 it wasGreaves last minute winner in the Play-OffFinal for Bradford Park Avenue that denied theRed Rebels promotion. He top scored last witha final tally of 34 goals and this season has beenno different as Greaves has found the net on18 occasions so far this year.


24centre

24centre 0

0

p19

Malachi swapping shirts with Callum Byrneduring August’s 3-1 defeat over at Stalybridge


24 centre

24 centre0

p200

meet the away fanssimon ‘the weatherman’ king

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

If you’d asked me in the first half of theseason I would have gone with ‘tetchy’.We’d had a lot of draws, performancesweren’t fantastic and there seemed to beno end in sight for our new ground. A lotof people seemed to forget we’re alwaysslow starters though, and in the last fewmonths we’ve gone top of the leagueplaying some lovely football, the ground istantalisingly close to opening, and themood has swung all the way to ‘giddy’.ough speaking as a pessimist, I‘mterrified this giddiness is going to comeback and give us a proper slap in the face.

Are things going to plan would you say?Aside from the ground being about a year

late, then yes. It’s nearly ready now, asidefrom a few finishing touches and the needfor security to stop city fans sharing theirjoy at the ground being built by daubinggoodwill messages on the stands. On thepitch (at the time of writing) we’re sevenpoints clear at the top with a game in hand,so after four consecutive years of ending upin the play-offs, it’s nice to have our fate inour hands for once.

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

Tom Greaves has been scoring goals forfun, and Craig Linfield is always impressive

on the wing, but for me Shelton Payne isone to watch out for. And I’m not just usingthis as an opportunity to promote a songabout him to the tune of Carly Simon’s‘You’re so Vain’ that a group have of ushaving been trying (and so far failing) to getgoing. Honest...

How long have you been a supporter?Since we were formed in 2005. Prior to

that, my Saturday’s were spent at OldTrafford.

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

Considering we’re only ten years old,we’ve crammed a lot in. Winning theleague in our first season, beating Rochdaleand taking Brighton to a replay in the FAcup in 2010, all the European aways we’veplayed in Germany, Sweden andSwitzerland; we’ve been spoilt for choice.For me though, raising £2 million throughcommunity shares and building our ownground takes some beating.

As for this season, it's got to be the gameagainst Torquay in the FA Trophy. We took1400 down there and we didn’t look out ofplace against a team from two leaguesabove us. ough my mate looking overthe platform at the train station and hisglasses falling onto the track after playingBarwell runs it a close second.


24centre

24centre 0

0

p21

How would you change the club if youwon the lottery?

Our manager Margy has an obsessionfor jeans, but the quality of them arealways questionable at best. I’d take himshopping for the best denim moneycould buy.

How would you describe yoursupporters?We were once described as ‘a right

bunch of d*cks’. is was from one ofour own supporters. I can’t reallydisagree.

What are your hopes for the rest ofthe season?

at this is the year we don't fall at thelast hurdle and we go and get ourselvespromoted. As fun as it is each April withour annual 'trudging away from theground feeling like going home andcrying in a corner', it really is time for achange.

What's your connection with the club?As well as being a supporter

(obviously), I’m also a volunteer and thisseason I ran for the board. I’m puttingthe fact I didn’t get on down to an anti-ginger bias in our membership, ratherthan the fact they just thought I’d bebobbins.


24 centre

24 centre0

p220

F D Y

No 52

o a

F o p

P P i

D F

p o

F

YD

p

i P

P

p

a o

P

p

i

52 No

52


24centre

24centre 0

0

p23

Financial PlanningDesigned For YOUR LIFESTYLE

Northern Star Financial Management Limited52 Bolton Street, Ramsbottom, Lancashire,BL0 9HX

on 01706 [email protected]

For a confidential initial one to one at our expenseplease contact us...

Professional Financial Planning here in Ramsbottom.

Designed Financia FFinancial Planning

ord F Forinancial Planning

ng ng

please contact us... at our eone to one

or a confidential initialF

LIFESTYLEOURYDesigned F

please contact us...xpense at our e

or a confidential initial

LIFESTYLE

LELELE

amsbottom.in Planning here

rofessional FP

please contact us...

thernstarifa.co.ukadvice@nor01706 822622on

Planning hereinancialal F Financial

please contact us...

thernstarifa.co.uk01706 822622

amsbottom.Rin

amsbottom.

52 Bolton Street, Ramsbottom, Lancashire,BL0 9HXinancial Management Limitedn Star FtherNor

52 Bolton Street, Ramsbottom, Lancashire,BL0 9HXinancial Management Limited


24 centre

24 centre0

p240

goal

spon

sors

hip

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

Trigger £2 Stephen & David £2Ste, Angie & Ethan £4Maria £1Mr & Mrs Darkside £2TobyTrotter £1Little Katie £1smiffylad £1Rammy Blue £1Chris S £2Johnno & Bernard £2Tony Cunningham £1Lui Delverto £1Rob Moss £2John Ayers £2Richard Isaacs £2Emma James £2Ian McCool £2Frank Crook £2Paul Gaskell £5Tanners Croft £2

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

e Fans Fund total currently stands at £623


24centre

24centre 0

0

p25


24 centre

24 centre0

p260

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 ASHTON 1-1 309 Shenton Grayson * Pugh Spencer 1 Howson Krou Abadaki #Sat 27th Sept A Frickley Athletic 2-4 215 Shenton Pilkington Grayson + Stopforth Howson Krou Mota 1*Sat 4th Oct A Trafford 1-0 294 Shenton Smalley Pugh Stopforth Howson Krou Abadaki *Sat 11th Oct H BELPER TOWN 4-2 371 Shenton Smalley Pilkington Stopforth Howson Krou Abadaki 1 *Sat 18th Oct H BUXTON 2-0 470 Shenton Smalley Pilkington Stopforth Howson Krou Abadaki 1 *Tues 21st Oct H WHITBY TOWN 4-0 237 Shenton Smalley Pilkington Stopforth Howson Krou Abadaki +Sat 25th Oct A Marine 3-1 366 Shenton Smalley Pugh Stopforth Howson 2 Robinson Abadaki 1Sat 1st Nov A Whitby Town FAT 1Q 2-1 233 Shenton Smalley * Pugh Stopforth Howson Krou Abadaki #Tues 4th Nov H WORKINGTON 1-1 250 Shenton Smalley Pugh Stopforth Howson Krou Abadaki +Sat 8th Nov A Halesowen Town 0-2 358 Shenton Smalley Pugh Stopforth Howson Krou Robinson #Tues 11th Nov H WEST DIDS Lancs Cup 3-0 132 Shenton Smalley Pugh Spencer 1 Robinson + Krou Abadaki *Sat 15th Nov A Nantwich FAT 2Q 3-1 238 Shenton Smalley Pugh Stopforth Howson Krou Williams 1*Sat 22nd Nov H GRANTHAM TOWN 3-1 351 Shenton Smalley 1 Pugh Stopforth Howson Krou Williams *Tues 25th Nov H BURSCOUGH Lg Cup 5-1 140 Shenton Williams Piacentile 1 Slaven Howson 1 Krou AbadakiSat 29th Nov A Banbury United 3-0 235 Shenton Smalley Pugh Stopforth + Howson Krou 1 Williams #Tues 2nd Dec A Salford City Lg Cup 3-1 189 Shenton Smalley Dean Stopforth Howson Krou AbadakiSat 6th Dec A Matlock Town 1-1 257 Shenton Smalley Pugh Stopforth Howson Krou Williams 1Mon 8th Dec A Atherton Collieries Lancs 1-2 120 Shenton Smalley Grayson Stopforth Howson Pugh Williams *Sat 13th Dec H STOCKPORT COUNTY 3-0 907 Shenton Smalley Grayson + Stopforth Howson Krou Williams *Sat 20th Dec A King’s Lynn Town 1-2 510 Shenton Smalley Grayson Stopforth Howson Krou Abadaki *Sun 28th Dec H SKELMERSDALE 0-3 372 Shenton Smalley * Grayson Stopforth Howson Krou AbadakiThu 1st Jan A Nantwich Town 2-3 285 Shenton Hulme Grayson Stopforth Howson Krou Abadaki +Tues 27th Jan H NORTHWICH VIC LgCup 3-1 158 Shenton Grayson Pugh Harrop Krou Jones AbadakiTues 10th Feb H HARROGATE RA LgCup 3-1 131 Shenton Slaven Grayson Kuba-Kuba Jones Pugh 1 Lazenbury +Sat 14th Feb A Stamford 1-1 319 Shenton Bowyer Grayson Harrop Frost Pugh Brooks *Tues 17th Feb H RUSHALL OLYMPIC 2-3 223 Shenton Bowyer Pugh Burke Heron Jones Abadaki *Sat 21st Feb A Witton Albion 1-2 349 Shenton Bowyer Pugh Harrop Frost + Jones # AbadakiTues 24th Feb A Blyth Spartans 0-2 364 Shenton Bowyer Pugh Slaven Robinson Harrop AbadakiSat 28th Feb H ILKESTON 1-2 290 Shenton Harrop Pugh Burke + Robinson Jones AbadakiSat 7th Mar A Skelmersdale United 0-3 229 Shenton Harrop Pugh Edghill + Frost Neville WilliamsTues 10th Mar A Stourbridge 2-1 230 Shenton Harrop Neville Edghill Frost Ayres Abadaki *Sat 14th Mar H STOURBRIDGE 0-1 261 Shenton Harrop Neville Edghill + Frost Ayres Abadaki *Tues 17th Mar A Buxton 1-1 197 Shenton Harrop Neville Burke Ayres Bowyer Williams +Thurs 19th Mar H BLYTH SPARTANS 3-3 234 Shenton Harrop Neville Burke Ayres 1 Bowyer Williams +Sat 21st Mar A Belper 2-1 221 Shenton Harrop Neville Burke # Ayres Bowyer Brooks 1 *Tues 24th Mar H BARWELL 0-1 182 Shenton Harrop Neville Burke # Ayres Bowyer BrooksSat 28th Mar A Grantham Town 1-0 191 Shenton Harrop Neville Bennett Ayres Bowyer Brooks*Weds 1st Apr H TRAFFORDSat 4th April H FC UNITED OF MCRMon 6th April A Ashton UnitedWeds 8th April H FARSLEY LgCup SemiFinalSat 11th April H HALESOWEN TOWNTues 14th April H ASHTON UNITEDThur 16th April A Curzon AshtonSat 18th April A BarwellTues 21st April H FRICKLEY ATHLETICSat 25th April H MATLOCK TOWN


24centre

24centre 0

0

p27

Priestley Hulme 1 Burton Gaskell Robinson 1* Dean + Pilkington Slaven Abadaki + Ahmadi * CookPriestley Hulme Burton Gaskell Robinson + Dean # Pilkington * Slaven + Abadaki Ahmadi # CookPriestley Hulme 1+ Burton Robinson 1# Pilkington Dean 2 Abadaki * Slaven + Ahmadi # Cook WilliamsPriestley Hulme Burton Robinson 1 Pilkington Dean Williams Slaven Cook * Krou + MorleyWarrender Abadaki + Slaven Robinson * Hulme 1# Dean Williams + Krou * Cook # Morley JohnsonKrou Abadaki Burton * Slaven 1 Hulme 1 Dean # Williams # Robinson * Cook + Morley JohnsonWarrender 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 MorleyKrou 1 Abadaki Burton Mota # Hulme 2 Dean + Pugh Williams # Irwin Slaven * Cook +Krou 1 Abadaki + Burton 1 Pilkington Hulme 1 Williams 1# Dean + Mota # Irwin Slaven * CookKrou Abadaki # Stopforth Pilkington Hulme Williams + Burton + Dean * Mota Robinson # CookKrou Mota 1* Burton Spencer Hulme Robinson 1# Williams * Cook + Dean # Morley AbadakiKrou Abadaki * Burton Mota + Hulme Spencer # Robinson 1# Williams + Slaven Pilkington Dean *Krou Abadaki 1 * Burton Hulme # Spencer + Dean 2 Williams * Mota Slaven Robinson 1+ Gaskell #Krou Abadaki 1 * Burton Hulme Spencer # Dean 1 + Williams + Mota * Slaven Robinson # PughKrou Abadaki + Burton Hulme 1# Spencer * Dean 1 Williams * Mota Gaskell + Robinson #1 PughRobinson Abadaki 1 Pilkington * Hulme Spencer # Dean + Williams + Mota # Gaskell Slaven * PiacentileKrou Abadaki # Burton Hulme + Spencer 1 Dean Williams Mota Gaskell # Robinson + Pilkington *Krou Abadaki + Burton Hulme 1 Spencer * Dean # Pilkington Williams # Mota Gaskell + Robinson *Krou Robinson # Burton Hulme Gaskell * Pilkington + Dean + Abadaki # Spencer * Mota PiacentileKrou Abadaki * Williams Gaskell 1 Mota # Dean 1 Howson + Piacentile Burton * Hulme #Krou Williams 1* Burton Hulme # Spencer 1+ Dean 1 Abadaki * Gaskell + Robinson # Mota PiacentileKrou Williams * Burton Hulme 1 Spencer + Dean Abadaki Gaskell + Robinson 1* Kuba-Kuba PiacentileKrou Abadaki Kuba-Kuba Hulme 1 * Robinson Spencer 1 Pugh Burton Stopforth Dean * JohnsonKrou 1 Williams # Burton * Robinson 1 Dean 1 Abadaki # Grayson Kuba-Kuba * Slaven + PiacentileKrou Abadaki Burton + Hulme 1 Robinson * Spencer 2 Pugh * Slaven Piacentile Kuba-Kuba + BrooksKrou Williams 1 Burton Hulme Spencer * Dean + Abadaki Kuba-Kuba* Robinson + Grayson BrooksPugh Williams * Burton Robinson # Brooks Abadaki + Dean * Spencer +1 Hulme # Hartley MorleyKrou Williams * Burton Hulme Spencer Dean Robinson + Abadaki * Morley Kuba-Kuba SlavenKrou Abadaki * Burton Hulme Spencer 1 Dean Williams * Kuba-Kuba Robinson + Slaven Brooks #Krou Abadaki Burton Hulme Spencer + Dean Williams * Brooks + Robinson Slaven MorleyKrou Abadaki + Burton Williams # Robinson 1 Spencer * Dean 1 + Davies * Johnson Slaven # MorleyJones Abadaki Bennett +1 Gaskell Brooks *1 Lazenbury # Hartley * Slaven +1 Dawson # RobinsonPugh 1 Lazenbury + Bennett Gaskell Brooks # McDermott 1* Hartley 1+ Abadaki * Cliffe Robinson # SmithPugh Brooks * Rother + Gaskell Baguley # McDermott Burke * Abadaki 1+ Hartley # Heron LazenburyJones Abadaki * Rother 1 Gaskell 1 Baguley # McDermott + Hartley + Brooks # Harrop * Lazenbury FrostJones # Abadaki Burke Gaskell Rother 1 McDermott * Edghill # Brooks Krou + Lazenbury * GraysonHarrop Abadaki Burke Gaskell Rother * Brooks Edghill Hartley Heron *Jones Abadaki Rother * Gaskell Baguley Heron 1 Edghill Hartley Brooks + Slaven * SmithNeville Williams Rother # Gaskell * Baguley Abadaki Heron Robinson Bowyer + Brooks # Slaven *Ayres Abadaki * Rother 1 # Mukendi 1 Baguley McDermott + Hartley Brooks * Slaven Bowyer # Heron +Ayres Abadaki * Rother Mukendi Bennett # McDermott Gaskell # Brooks Kuba-Kuba Williams * Bowyer +Bowyer Williams + Bennett * Mukendi # Gaskell 1 Heron Hartley + Kuba-Kuba* Frost Edghill Robinson #Bowyer Williams + Kuba-Kuba Robinson 1* Gaskell McDermott 1 Brooks + Hartley * Heron Edghill BennettBowyer Brooks 1 * Kuba-Kuba Mukendi Gaskell + McDermott 1 Heron * Bennett Rother + Edghill # RobinsonBowyer Brooks Kuba-Kuba Mukendi + Gaskell McDermott * Heron * Williams Bennett # Rother Robinson +Bowyer Brooks* Rother # Robinson + Gaskell Heron Edghill Burke # Kuba-Kuba1* Mukendi +


24 centre

24 centre0

p280

1. Which two clubs will contest this season’s FA Vase final.

2. Which Evo-Stik League side plays at Turnbull Ground?

3. What colours do Kidsgrove Athletic play in?

4. Who is the manager of Mossley?

5. Which club won the first-ever NPL title?

6. In what year?

7. What is the nickname of Caernarfon Town?

8. Now defunct Kirkby Town changed their name to what (and they are also

defunct!)?

9. Which club won Evo-Stik North last season?

10. In which League do Charnock Richard play?

ANSWERS: 1. Glossop North End and North Shields 2. Whitby Town 3. All Blue 4. Peter Band 5. Macclesfield Town 6. 1968/69 7. e Canaries 8. Knowsley United 9. Curzon Ashton 10. West Lancs. League

tony’s teasers


24centre

24centre 0

0

p29

ANSWERS: 1. Glossop North End and North Shields 2. Whitby Town 3. All Blue 4. Peter Band 5. Macclesfield Town 6. 1968/69 7. e Canaries 8. Knowsley United 9. Curzon Ashton 10. West Lancs. League


24 centre

24 centre0

p300

rammy in exilesky sports statto richard isaacs

Good afternoon everyone - and, for thefirst time in a very long time, I can actuallysay it's great to be here! Yes, the southernerdecends upon you and is looking forwardto this game immensely.

For, I actually missed both matches whenthese two clubs met previously back in2006-2007 - and I was actually living upnorth then too. I wasn't at the Boxing Daygame at Gigg Lane as I was working on thenotorious 2006/07 Ashes Series in Australia(that was the first one we lost 5-0 under thecaptaincy of Andrew Flintoff) and thesecond game, on the Easter Saturday here, Iwas seconded to score Ramsbottom CricketClub's first pre-season match of the seasonagainst Ormskirk so my dad could help outwith the stewarding at the game. So I amgenuinely excited about being able to watchthis game.

Well, I was excited. I was really lookingforward to Monday night's game at CurzonAshton, which is only down the road fromCath's house but that, of course, fell to the

weather. e last time I came up,I didn't see anything either so I

am wondering if it is me. Ouch .....sorry, the last time I came up, Icame to see my lovely lady and itjust so happened that Rammy'sgames were called off due to theweather (is that better, love?!?).

My excitement has beentempered quite considerably by

the antics of some of the FC United ofManchester supporters over the price ofadmission for this game. Our twitter feedhas gone berzerk with disgruntedsupporters of the nomadic team and ourFacebook page has also taken a hit. And, asthe club stated at the time, the reasoningfor it is exactly the same as the reasoning forthe Stockport County game. I am sure thatyou wouldn't like to be stood in the car parkstill queuing to get in at 3.15pm, eh? I willbe here nice and early, getting comfortableand enjoying the atmosphere. It is our homegame, this is our home ground, enjoy yourstay with us FC United of Manchestersupporters.

And relax ....e Cricket World Cup finally came to its

conclusion last Sunday morning with arather disappointing final betweenAustralia and New Zealand. For those ofyou who were not up at 4.35am, you missedthe games end ... Brendon McCullum beingdismissed fifth ball of the game. e blasterof cricket balls at the top of the inningsknocked over before the coffee had evenbrewed and the writing was on the wall.It has been a very long tournament - as

good as seven weeks long - and with all thegames overnight, my body has taken a realpounding but it was nice to come up hereand relax for a few days, take a bit of timeout before preparing for the next SkyCricket assignment, the Indian Premier


24centre

24centre 0

0

p31

League and England's tour to the West Indieswhich start next week. I did enjoy telling JacquesKallis that I once batted two days after he didon the same wicket at Pontypridd in 1999 - hescored a spectacular 155 while I followed in hisfootsteps with a pleasant on the eye 10!But I hope anyone who was watching it saw

that it was a decent tournament - and I thinkwe did it quite well considering the timings ofthe matches here in the UK.

Have been really encouraged by our recent runof form, culminating in a very good win atGrantham on Saturday (entrance fee £10 I will

add) and we have started to make progress upthe table again, which is a big relief as it has beena worrying time for everyone involved with theclub. So let's continue to get right behind thelads and see if we can take something today infront of a partisan crowd - of which I will be onecheering hard for my team.

Just a few games to go now and we can see theend of this season - a season of mixed emotion.Some big highs and some crippling lows. But weare still here, little Rammy, still fighting hard andproving many wrong.COME ON YOU RAMS!


24 centre

24 centre0

p320


24centre

24centre 0

0

p33


24 centre

24 centre0

p340 pp


24centre

24centre 0

0

p35 pp


24 centre

24 centre

p36

0

0


24centre

24centre 0p37

0


24 centre

24 centre0

p380


24centre

24centre 0

0

p39


24 centre

24 centre0

p400

Buxton is becoming a real home fromhome for the Darksides recently. To startwith we had the F.A. Cup game back inSeptember, where we lost a pulsatinggame by the odd goal in five after being 3-0 down in the first half hour. Next up wewere due to play our league encounteragainst the Bucks of Buxton a couple ofmonths ago but, a heavy snowfall theprevious day meant the game was calledoff. e main problem with this, apartfrom the backlog of fixtures that werebuilding up, was that I had booked myselfand Mrs Darkside into the BuckinghamHotel (e Kim Bassinger Suite to beprecise, I kid you not) for a romanticweekend in the beautiful, Peak District spatown. Yes, it was a romantic weekend, nota dirty weekend in a Sid James andBarbara Windsor style, as suggested bythose forum users with filthy minds (HelloRichard the Voice, Hello Sir Paul of

Cropper). So, after a couple

of visits to Buxtonalready this season,I found myselfpicking up MrsDarkside at 4.30,from her hard graftat TNT, for ourthird visit in sixmonths. We had alovely, early Spring

afternoon, with the sun shining as we hitthe road, and apart from the expecteddelays around the M67/A67 turn off it wasmore than pleasant drive, although I’mnot sure Mrs Darkside enjoyed thepunkrock/dub reggae megamix on my I-Pod, as much as I did. As we drove overthe hills, high above Glossop, I was able topoint the lay-by in the middle of nowhere,where a few years I had taken adesperately needed pee, on route towatch Rochdale playing at Chesterfield(Darksides glory hunting years, indeed)On that day, in the middle of nowhere, apolice car drove past, just as I was midleak, and with not much crime in thoseparts they stopped to investigate myactions. Luckily, they understood mypredicament and I didn’t end up on thefront page of the Buxton Gazette.

We arrived at Buxtons, Silverlandsground at 6.00 and parked up in the streetoutside. We had a quick look around theground, and spoke to a couple of friendlystewards, before making the short walkinto the town centre for something to eat.We headed to the Lone Star Grill, wherewe had eaten on our previous visit, andordered ourselves Burritos and Burgers.Now, I’m no Egon Ronay (sorry for thatreference, teenagers) but, next time youvisit Buxton this place is well worth a visitwith first class food, friendly staff and anexcellent real ale bar next door to help

from the darksidedarren comer reports on the latest

rammy ultras adventures


24centre

24centre 0

0

p41

from the darkside wash it all down. After eating we made ourway back up to the ground and headed tothe bar to see who had made the trip. Asalways, we had a good turn out and I hada chat with Toby Trotter, who thanked mefor getting him a programme from theStourbridge game. Also in attendance werethree generations of the Davies family, withRoger, UkePunk, Jake and Joel. is wasgood to see as they had to miss the lasttwo midweek away games, at Blyth andStourbridge, due to the long distances onschool nights. And, for the first time in afew weeks we even had both of eWorsicks, with neither Andy nor LittleKatie having to work. I also had thepleasure of meeting regular forum poster,tannerscroft for the first time and wespent the match talking with him about allthings Rammy. e Derbyshire Branch ofe Ultras are born and TC is actuallymaking his first visit to e Riversidetoday….. Hello TC, and I’m sure that win,lose or draw you will have a great day

And so on to the game itself, where wegot battered for ninety minutes, yet cameaway with a 1-1 draw. is probably doesthe players an injustice as they battledaway from the first minute till the last andthose of us who travelled concluded laterthat we were now really starting to gel as ateam. e goals, when they came, werewithin a couple of minutes of each other,just after the hour mark. Buxton had manychances in the opening hour but, amixture of bad finishing and some topdrawer saves from Captain Shents, hadsome of us believing that this just might beour night. When we did concede in the64th minute, our hopes seemed dashedand our spirits dropped, however theywere ignited, more or less, immediatelywhen the true Rammy legend that is Lee

Gaskell popped up to equalise for us. issparked off some unexpected, yetdelightful celebration on the terracingwhere we were gathered, especially fromPaul and Rita Gaskell, along with GrandpaGaskell, who were stood with us. Wesomehow managed to hold on for the lasttwenty minutes and if we thought Shentshad been playing well, he saved his best forthe last few minutes when he pulled off adouble save that had some of the morevintage supporters in our midstmentioning Jim Montgomery and the1973 F.A. Cup Final. is still was notenough to gain him the MOM from thetravelling Ultras, which we were prettyunanimous in awarding it to Tom Williams,who had been our creative spark allevening, giving their left back a torrid timein the process. As you can imagine, theteam got the usual ovation from the Ultrasat the final whistle, as Silverlands rang outwith the cry of ‘We Love you Rammy, WeDo….Oh, Rammy we Love You’

After the recent midweek trips toStourbridge and Blyth, the journey homewas relatively short and sweet, well maybeapart from the dark, winding road leadingus back down into Glossop. We passed thetime listening to 5Live and their round upof the evening’s football, which seemed toconsist of so-called experts slagging offArsenal for going out of Europe, but to behonest, I couldn’t care less and was moreinterested in checking on the Evo-Stikresults to see if our point had moved usfurther away from the dreaded relegationzone. All in all, a good evening was had byall and to top it off, we were back inRammy just before 11.00, so we were ableto pop into e Railway, say hello to Joe,and have a quick pint of Cumberland Ale,yum yum!


24 centre

24 centre0

p420


24centre

24centre 0

0

p43


24 centre

24 centre0

p440


24centre

24centre 0

0

p45


24 centre

24 centre0

p460

You were involved for a good whilewith FC United. How did you find theclub and their supporters?

I loved being there as a young lad. Ienjoyed all my time with the club andwas lucky enough to play in a fewleague games -I know how hard it is asa young player to get game time at thislevel. And the fans are brilliant - I spentmany games in the stands with themwhen I could. So I hope they will makelots of noise and enjoy the match anda little banter with myself.

Yet another postponement onMonday night, which leaves us tryingto squash a tenth game into April.Although it's a real pain in the backside,is it a blessing in disguise, giving the ladsa rest before the big games againstTrafford and FC United?

I think it will help us. e lads willhave a bit of time to recover with notplaying that game so i believe it's ablessing.

With 48 points on the board andRammy six places above the

relegation zone with threegames in hand, it feels safety isalmost secured. Is that how itfelt after the excellent display

and result at Grantham?

We got three massive points fromthat game which give us somebreathing room. I was never worriedabout relegation and I think some ofthe lads share that same mentality.at being said there is an element ofcaution from some players who are yetto be convinced.

Conditions at Grantham seemedtough, with a strong wind to contendwith, though Rammy seemed to copeand exploit it better. Would you agree?

It was very hard to deal with the windand the pitch was very dry and patchyso playing football was difficult. In theend we played the elements muchbetter than our opponents and I didn'thave a single save to make in the gameso I think that speaks volumes.

In a ground that's got a big runningtrack, and even a hammer-throwingnet, how does it feel playing so far awayfrom the supporters?

It's non league which is a long wayaway from a Champions Leagues nightunder floodlights with fifty thousandfans cheering. I enjoy being close to thefans and having a good bit of banterwith them so it’s just not the same.

grant shentonshouting from between the sticks


24centre

24centre 0

0

p47

We feel like the team is now starting tosettle down really well, after the upheavalof Salford making off with the managersand team, is that how it feels on the pitchand in the dressing room?

True to Rammy ways the gaffer and hisstaff have kept that same mentality as beforeand all the new lads have settled in really well.e coach trips feel the same and everybody isenjoying it on and of the pitch!

e disciplinary record took another hit withKyle Harrop calling the referee somethingunpleasant last week. Is it annoying when playersget such stupid sendings off?

Players get frustrated in games. it's going tohappen, but that doesn't justify it. Kyle knowswhat he did. He said his apology in the correctmanner and we move on.

Are you looking forward to playing in front ofa bumper Riverside crowd, and of keeping goalin front of your own fans for once (due to thesegregation)?

It’s the reason we all start playing football, toplay in front of big crowds so I'm very excitedabout the game. And yes, it will be good toexperience two sets of fans in one game. Italso means I've got at least 45 mins of noabuse - that is unless I through one in!Fingers crossed.

Enjoy the game everyone feel free to havea chat in bar after game. COYR!


24 centre

24 centre0

p480

As I write this I’ve just arrived home fromyet another postponement - this timeaway at Curzon Ashton. With the raintipping down in Rammy I’m even startingto wonder whether Wednesday’s gameagainst Trafford might be in jeopardy or, ifthat game IS played then just how well thepitch can recover for today’s game againstFC United. United fans of a certain age willremember some of the great mud-bathgames that took place at Old Trafford inbygone days, perhaps we’ll be in for one ofthose this afternoon.

Although a Liverpool fan by birth, and abit of a secret scouser, I’ve had a soft spotfor today’s opponents since they formedten years ago (blimey that’s gone quick!)ere’s no love anywhere in my heart forthe Big United, that’s for sure, but a groupof supporters with so much passion anddrive that they can take on the task thatthey have, and not only top the EvostikPremier whilst being as yet homeless, butalso get there with so much gas yet in thetank.

I think that, in contrast, a goodnumber of us Rammy fans

are a bit bemusedabout happeningsdown the road atSalford. Yes, we’vehad our

management teamand entire squad ripped

away from us by the ‘class

of 92’, so we’re a bit biased in it all, but thequestion keeps cropping up in my mind,“Just what are they trying to achieve?”

If you look at FC United’s fan base thenyou see one that is huge, and capable ofgrowing and growing as they climb up theleagues and more people fall out with thecorporate crap that is Premier Leaguefootball, but what does Salford City have?ey have a shed-load of money in theshape of a Singapore businessman, buttheir crowds are as poor now as they haveever been. eir ground is spacious, butsurrounded on all sides by housing, andaccess is pretty awful.

I can only assume that their billionairesugar daddy is after getting himself a third(or possibly fourth if FC United have theirway) top flight team in Manchester, butdoes he not realise that the people ofManchester are not the people of MiltonKeynes - they won’t just turn up in largenumbers to watch a team that they haveno spiritual connection with... or maybe Iam wrong. rough their bargain bucketseason tickets Blackburn Rovers certainlymanaged to fill their ground withspectators rather than supporters - peoplewho bought a season ticket in order towatch Arsenal, Chelsea, United etc visitEwood and give Blackburn a hiding.

Johnno tells me that the scale of plansthat Salford City have for their future isabsolutely frightening, and so perhaps I dothem a disservice from a position of

supporters clubon the terraces of rammy


24centre

24centre 0

0

p49

ignorance, but in my head football thriveson the passion and community of itssupporters (as well as the stack of moneythat funds its ambition). FC United haveshown that they have the former, and thatthey are capable of raising the latter, atleast to the extent that they can build a£6M ground from scratch - in my eyes theyare the club that are most likely to make asuccess of their venture and, despite mylifelong dislike of Manchester United, Ireally do wish them the best of luck with itall. I have to confess that I’ve even put myhand in my pocket a few times to helpfund some of their progress, but don’t evermention that to my folks or I’ll be ex-communicated!

And so to today’s game, a rematch of thatclassic Rammy v FC United clash that tookplace way, way back when we were crapand they were shiny and new. A lot of timeand water has passed under bridges since

that game, and I’ll confess that we asRammy fans never thought that we’d beplaying FC United again, but perhaps forour visitors today is a chance to re-livethose great Football Special away daysonce more, and for Rammy it’s a chance toplay in front of a huge crowd and maybebuild ourselves another couple of turnstileslike we did with the proceeds from the lastgame. It would have been nice to be upthere knocking at the door of promotionourselves, but for this season we arecontent with mid-table obscurity (or asmid-table as is possible in this incrediblytough league).

And so I’d like to thank everyone for theirsupport today, on both sides of thecompletely unnecessary segregationfencing, and here’s hoping we get to watcha top quality football match that seesRammy post another three points on theboard.

Salford City’s usual bumpercrowd when they still playedin Traditional Tangerine


24 centre

24 centre0

p500

leag

ue p

ositi

on points total

ram

my


24centre

24centre 0

0

p51

leag

ue p

ositi

on

points total

fc united


24 centre

24 centre0

p520

BUILDERSSWEARBY IT !


57 Ramsbottom United v FC United of Manchester

Documents

Transcript of 57 Ramsbottom United v FC United of Manchester