68 Ramsbottom United v Stourbridge

Stourbridge Main Programme_Standard Programme 20/09/2015 22:25 Page 1

22.09.15

Stourbridge Main Programme_Standard Programme 20/09/2015 22:25 Page 2

Good evening everyone, and welcome

managed it, and carried it right on through

for this evening’s game against Stour-

chasing a three goal deficit. Yes, you

to the Harry Williams Riverside Stadium bridge. I’d like to extend a warm Rammy welcome to our match officials as well as

jon robinson

the players, management and officials of

our opposition who have made the long

the full 90 minutes, even when they were

need a bit of luck and a bit of confidence

to believe that you have that ability, and we’re all working hard on the latter.

Last week Lee Pugh departed the

journey tonight - I hope you enjoy your

Rammy fold again. He spoke frankly,

the game.

at this level. He decided it’s best for him

visit and have a safe journey home after

For me Saturday’s 3-3 draw down at

Stamford was extremely disappointing as, for the first 70 minutes, we played

great football and created a load of

telling me he has lost the love for football

to drop down the leagues and try and

rediscover that love and enjoyment for the game. We wish him well.

A new face for many of the fans is ex-

decent opportunities for ourselves. We

Glossop

two for new signing Sam Grimshaw, and

urday and maybe added that cutting edge

scored three excellent goals, including could have had even more, with Gassy hitting the woodwork being the pick of the chances.

From the moment that Andy Dawson

and Jamie Rother came off (both return-

ing from injury and lacking full match

fitness) we dropped too deep and

North

End

player

Sam

Grimshaw who had a good debut on Sat-

we have missed from our wide men.

That's what we know he can do and that's

what we brought him in to do - hopefully he can carry that great start into the coming games and help us to get some overdue points on the board

Overall I think the lads are showing

stopped wanting the ball, which invited

signs of coming together as a team.

push for something in the last 20 minutes,

we’re still looking into strengthening here

them on to us. A losing team will always

but we did nothing to help ourselves. We

ended up conceding three disappointing goals, becoming the masters of our own

downfall.

We are a capable squad and, although

Things are starting to take shape, though

and there to make us stronger as a unit. I

believe that once we get that first win it will give us a massive confidence boost

and more will follow - I am sure of that.

Please get behind the lads tonight and

Lady Luck never smiles on a team strug-

on Saturday against Darlington, and help

believing that we can play our kind of

selves that is so badly needed at the

gling to find its form, we need to start

football for the full 90 minutes. Stamford

us find the confidence and belief in ourmoment.

Stourbridge Main Programme_Standard Programme 20/09/2015 22:25 Page 3

tony cunningham

Stourbridge Main Programme_Standard Programme 20/09/2015 22:25 Page 4

Welcome to the Harry Williams Riverside Stadium for tonight’s clash with Stourbridge.

A special welcome to our match officials, and, of course, everyone who has travelled up the M6 to be here from the west Midlands.

It’s always difficult making lengthy journeys in mid-week, as we are well aware, and Stourbridge have a fair way to travel tonight, so I hope they will enjoy the hospitality in East Lancashire and have a pleasant journey back afterwards (with no points of course!)

Last season, due to the many postponements, we played each other home and away within four days. We played away first and came home with a well-earned three points, but in the return, it was the Midlanders who took all three points.

We need to get that first win, which had looked so likely on Saturday.

The twelve hour return journey was something of a nightmare, so I have to be honest and say that I’m glad I was unable to make it. Fortunately the Stamford secretary phoned us to warn of the bad accident on the A1 and offer us an alternative route. The team managed to arrive at the ground at 2:05pm, well in time for the exchange of team-sheets. However, the person to whom those sheets should have been given – the referee – did not arrive until over two hours later! When I phoned up for the halftime score (by which time the game should have been long-since over) I thought Andy was kidding when he said we were 3-0 up! He even held the phone up to the few Rammy fans making the journey for them to confirm what I had heard!

To then watch the tweets coming

through pegging us back was a great disappointment.

We may have been playing reasonably well so far this season – with a couple of exceptions – but to have gone ten games without a single victory tells it’s own tale.

We really need our first three-pointer, with a follow-up run of decent results pretty quick, otherwise we are in danger of being left behind.

Stourbridge will prove difficult opponents tonight after their excellent 3-0 win on Saturday against League leaders Blyth Spartans, and the prospect of a re-arranged game at home to Darlington on Saturday proves just what a tough division this is. Let’s hope for a sudden turn-around in fortunes.

AM I MISSING SOMETHING? One of my weekly treats is reading, from cover to cover, the wonderful “Non-League Paper” on a Sunday morning. Now if you don’t buy this, may I suggest that you change your habits. Just £1.50 from most newsagents, this is a magnificent publication which I have never missed in it’s 808 copies!

In this week’s edition, one story caught my eye and had me somewhat perplexed.

Stourbridge Main Programme_Standard Programme 20/09/2015 22:26 Page 5

It revolved around the prospect of Liverpool fans emulating what those at Manchester United did, namely setting up their own non-league team.

Moaning about the way Premier League teams constantly fleece their supporters (I’m sure I’ve mentioned this on the odd occasion in the past!), the realisation of this rip-off league appears to be getting through to more and more people all the time.

So these disillusioned supporters have finally had enough, and are proposing to launch City of Liverpool FC, with the initial ambition of playing in the North West Counties League next year.

Excuse me, but did not the same

Ian Flannery in a rare foray upfieldagainst the original Liverpool Mark II back in January 2012.

thing happen a few years back when AFC Liverpool were formed?

Having played at Prescot Cables, this team are currently in NWCFL Premier Division playing their home games at Marines’ Rossett Park.

So why don’t these disillusioned fans merely join ranks? It seems crazy to have two teams created for the same purpose.

Unless, of course, the knowledge of the non-league game for people who watch top level soccer means that they have no idea of either AFC Liverpool or what non-league is all about.

I shall watch this development with interest.

grant shenton

Stourbridge Main Programme_Standard Programme 20/09/2015 22:26 Page 6

Tell us about the first half of Saturday's game. 3-0 up at half-time is incredible given our recent form.

What was different, and how did it look from where you were?

I don't think we played particularly well but we did capitalise on their mistakes, which is something we haven't done so far this year. That's good to see, and definitely a step in the right direction.

And then the second half. What changed? Was it as simple as it looks on paper - the substitution of Dawson and Rother - or was there more to it than that?

It was a big loss when those two had to go off. Jamie was really creating something going forward and Dawson was his usual solid self, dealing with all that they could through at us.

The lads coming on are young players and probably don't have the experience to deal with that situation quite yet, and that really told in the end.

How did everyone feel about ending up with a draw, or was the focus more on that we've managed to start finding the net?

No it was definately two points lost rather than one point gained. On a personal level I was very disappointed with the game and thought that we had the players on the pitch

and on the bench to get the result, especially when we were three up.

We can’t afford to throw away a lead like that with the position we’re in at the moment.

Edgy's doing a great job as a standin centre-half, but it's not his natural position, and Andy Dawson's obviously still not fully match fit. Is it difficult shepherding a constantly shifting defence?

I won't lie, I hate the back four changing so much - not because I have to organize but because the four in front of me don't build that understanding with each other that has been the hallmark of all the successful back fours I've played with. Stability in there will make a world of difference for me, and for all of us.

With every match the supporters are feeling more and more positive, and the performances are still improving week on week. Are you happy that we're still moving in the right direction?

I'm a hard man to impress and, for me, improving would be winning games. We are playing football which is something I want to be a part of, but we need results now because its one hell of an up-hill climb we have on our hands. When those results start coming then I will feel much, much calmer.

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What do you know about Sam Grimshaw and how we managed to get hold of him? He looks to be one hell of a signing.

I don't know that much about him apart from one game and a training session.

He looks to have got quality, and he will only add to our squad.

It looks like Stourbridge have drawn the short straw, having to travel up to Rammy on a Tuesday night.

Do you think that'll have an impact on their performance, and by the same token would it have been better to make Darlington travel on the originally scheduled date instead of re-arranging the game for Saturday?

I always make a point to the lads before any game that we shouldn't worry about the other team and whether or not they have travelled. We should start the same every game, with commitment and pace, and put that pressure on from the first. If they’re feeling it because of the journey then so much the better, but that’s their issue, we can’t rely on that.

Stourbridge Main Programme_Standard Programme 20/09/2015 22:26 Page 8

Stourbridge Main Programme_Standard Programme 20/09/2015 22:26 Page 9

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Stourbridge Main Programme_Standard Programme 20/09/2015 22:26 Page 10

tonight’s

opposition

Stourbridge Main Programme_Standard Programme 20/09/2015 22:26 Page 11

tonight’s opposition

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Stourbridge started a new chapter in their

only pick up three draws started an alarm-

season after their transfer from the South-

continued during March as three games

history at the beginning of the 2014/15 ern Premier Division.

The Glassboys won two games on the

bounce to open their campaign and this encouraging start continued into September where they only lost one league game

away at Curzon Ashton. They also managed to overcome two potential banana

skins in the FA Cup as they defeated lower

league opposition in the form of Market Drayton Town and Blaby and Whetstone.

ing slide down the table. Unfortunately this

without a point was only halted by an away win at Rammy, this after The Rams had recorded a 2-1 win four days earlier at the

War Memorial Athletic Ground. However, this was the last three points supporters of Stourbridge would witness as their season finished with two draws and six defeats in

their last eight games, earning them a respectable 16th place position.

They have made a decent if not consis-

October did not start too well as they were

tent start to the 2015/16 league season.

Qualifying Round stage by Shildon AFC

sion with three wins, two draws and three

knocked out of the FA Cup at the Third

after losing a replay at home 2-0. This seemed to stir Stourbridge as they embarked on a five match unbeaten

league run, which culminated in a 2-1

home win against title favourites FCUM. By the end of January they were in a

comfortable position, but a poor run of form during February, which saw them

They currently sit 14th in the Premier Divi-

defeats in their opening eight games. They

recently overcame Tivdale 1-0 in the FA Cup First Qualifying Round to book their place in the next round. Manager Gary

Hackett will be hoping that the signing of experienced and proven goal scorer Karl

Hawley will help to fire Stourbridge to a higher league position this season.

1876 1888 1924 1971 1974 1991

Stourbridge FC were formed as Stourbridge Standard.

Win both the Kidderminister Cup and the Worcester Charity Cup to claim first pieces of silverware.

Win the Birmingham League Championship for the first time.

The club are elected to the Southern League.

Finish runners-up in the Welsh Cup after losing to Cardiff City 2-0 over two legs.

Win the Midland League Championshi p but are denied promotion due to the shared use of the ground with the Cricket Club.

•

•

•

•

Stourbridge is a large town situated in the Metropolitan Borough of Dudley in the West Midlands.

Stourbridge takes its name from the River Stour that flows through the town.

•

Glass has been manufactured in the town since the 1600’s, which gives the club it’s nickname ‘The Glassboys’.

•

The Red House Cone, which stands on the Stourbridge Canal, is thought to be the only remaining glass cone of its kind remaining.

Stourbridge FC and Stourbridge CC both share the War Memorial Athletic Ground.

Alternative rock band ‘The Wonder Stuff’ who had chart hits in the early 1990’s are from the town.

•

Kenton Allen who made the BAFTA award winning television program ‘The Royle Family’ attended King Edward VI School in Stourbridge.

•

Other notable residents past and present include Coronation Street actor Johnny Briggs and Led Zeppelin singer Robert Plant.

did you know?

Stourbridge Main Programme_Standard Programme 20/09/2015 22:26 Page 13

2004 2005 2008 2010 2012 2103 2015 Reach the QuarterFinals of the FA Vase where they lose to AFC Sudbury 4-1.

Current manager Gary Hackett took sole charge of Stourbridge.

Promoted to the Southern Premier Division via the Play-Offs.

Reached the First Round Proper of the FA Cup for the first time where they lost 1-0 to Walsall.

Knocked out of the FA Cup in the Second Round Proper by Stevenage.

Finished as runners-up in the Southern Premier Division but lost out in the Play-Off Semi-Finals to Gosport Borough.

Moved to the Northern Premier Division and finished the season in 16th place.

five to watch

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Gary Hackett (Manager) Managerial Career; Bromsgrove Rovers & Stourbridge.

Born in Stourbridge, Hackett began his playing career at Lye Town and then moved onto Bromsgrove Rovers. After signing for Shrewsbury Town in 1983, he made over 170 appearances for the club and a stint in Scotland with Aberdeen followed.

He later played for clubs that included Stoke City, West Bromwich Albion, Peterborough United and Chester City before he became Player-Coach at Halesowen Town. His first managerial role was at Bromsgrove when he took over in December 2001 alongside Jon Ford. Rovers were runners-up in the Midland Football Alliance gaining them promotion to the Southern League Western Division. The duo were amazingly replaced after a 3rd place finish, but they accepted an offer to take charge at Stourbridge in May 2003. Hackett took sole charge two years later and guided the Glassboy’s to promotions in 2005/06 and 2007/08. He also made history in the 2009/10 season when he led the club to the First Round Proper of the FA Cup. This is now Hackett’s 13th season in charge at Stourbridge.

Stuart Pierpoint (Defender) Age 33 Previous Clubs; Oldbury United, Sutton Coldfield Town, Halesowen Town, Stafford Rangers, Nuneaton, Solihill Moors, Leamington Spa & Brackley.

Pierpoint joined the Glassboys in June 2015 from Brackley. After starting out in the lower reaches of Non-League football he came to prominence at Halesowen Town before joining Stafford Rangers in 2008. He soon moved on to Nuneaton, where he spent two years,

before a switch to Solihull Moors in 2011. A move to Leamington at the start of the 2014/15 season did not work and Pierpoint joined Brackley Town in December 2014. After helping Brackley keep their Conference North status, he is now hoping to bring his experience to Stourbridge.

This experienced and commanding player, who is strong in the air and a good organiser at the back has been appointed captain for this season.

Chris Lait (Winger) Age 22 Previous Clubs; Solihull Moors, Coleshill Town, Stratford Town, Banbury United, Halesown Town, Wulfrunians & Rushall Olympic.

Lait is a quick and skilful wide midfield player who started out with Solihill Moors, after progressing through the youth team before gaining a first team place in 2011. He soon joined Coleshill Town in the Midland Football Alliance to gain first team experience and later moved onto Stratford Town in March 2012. An impressive spell earned him a move to Banbury United, a team playing two steps higher up the ladder, but he returned to Stratford, helping them win the MFA League title. Halesowen Town managed to secure his signature and Lait was part of the squad who won the Evo-Stik League Division One South title in 2013/14. A brief stint at Wulfrunians was sandwiched between another period at Halesowen, but the exciting wide man was on the move again when he signed for Rushall Olympic in December 2014. Lait signed for Stourbridge in March 2015 and he has certainly shown he is capable of being amongst the goals, with three strikes so far this season.

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Kayleden Brown (Striker) Age 23 Previous Clubs; West Bromwich Albion, Barrow, Keflavik, Tranmere Rovers, Dagenham & Redbridge, Port Vale & Market Drayton Town.

Brown started his career with West Bromwich Albion; after spending time on loan at Barrow, he moved to Icelandic side Keflavik in 2010. Kayelden had further loan stints with Tranmere Rovers, Dagenham & Redbridge and Port Vale before he was released by West Brom at the end of the 2012/13 season. He was forced out of the professional due to a serious knee injury, but signed for Market Drayton Town as he tried to rebuild his football career. Brown signed for the Glassboys during the early part of the 2013/14 season and netted on fourteen occasions last term. This 6ft 2in striker has athleticism which will test any defence in the Northern Premier Division and Brown has scored four goals so far in the new league campaign.

Karl Hawley (Striker) Age 33 Previous Clubs; Walsall, Raith Rovers, Hereford, Hednesford,

The 2015-16 Stourbridge squad

Carlisle, Preston, Northampton, Colchester, Notts County, Crawley, Scunthorpe, Torquay & Alfreton.

A vastly experienced striker who started out with his hometown club Walsall. Loan moves at Raith Rovers and Hereford United followed before Hawley really made a name for himself at Carlisle. After helping the Cumbrian’s return to the Football League, he was joint leading top goal scorer in League Two as Carlisle won back-to-back promotions in 2006. He moved to PNE in June 2007, but struggled to find his previous goalscoring form and after loan spells at Northampton and Colchester he signed for Notts County. Subsequent stints at Crawley, Scunthorpe and Torquay followed before Hawley dropped in to Non-League with Alfreton Town. When the Derbyshire side were relegated from the Conference Premier last season, Karl found himself looking for another club again and signed on for Stourbridge in August 2015. Hawley’s experience and goals have added to Stourbridge’s challenge.

opposition fan

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We asked 24-year-old Stourbridge supporter and programme contributor Ian Binner if he’s be happy to talk us through his memories of his club and his vision for the future. Here’s what he had to say...

“My first game was in December 2002, back in the Midland Allance (two leagues below where we are now) when we beat Wednesfield 20. I was hooked straight away! We won the league that year but didn't get promoted due to the ground grading rules at the time. At the end of that season, Gary Hackett started as manager and he has remained ever since.

“My best memory has to be the cup runs of 2009 and 2011. We got to the FA Cup first round in 2009 for the first time in our history, and everyone thought that would be it for another 100 or so years!

Instead we make the second round in 2011 and then again in 2012!

“Players-wise, Nathan Bennett was a stalwart from the early days of me coming down through to a season or so ago before he was struck by injury issues - but he was a brilliant defender and chipped in with a decent amount of goals as well. Secondly, winger Sean Evans was a star for us and instrumental in our 2009 and 2011 cup runs.

Unfortunately he had a terrible injury in between when he moved to AFC Telford.

“Last season was disapointing it was always going to be tough to move across into the Northern Premier when most of the teams were unfamiliar. But only three wins

since the new year wasn't good enough - and in the end we only finished four points clear of the relegation zone. After making the playoffs for the previous two seasons in the Southern League, it was a bit of a disapointment to say the least.

“We also exited the FA Cup at the third qualifying round stage in a replay against lower level opposition at home - when we would have played another lower ranked team in the fourth qualifying round, so that was another blow. We also suffered badly from injuries and used a huge amount of players, with multiple coming and goings.

Striker Luke Benbow didn't score after Christmas for us, moved to Rushall in the summer, and promptly scored against us a few weeks ago. All in all, not the most memorable season. “ This season we have several new players including some high profile signings up front. We have some players coming back from the long term injury list, and we pulled of something of a coup by prising two of Halesowen Town's players of the season in Tom Tonks and Kristian Green over to us during the summer. Suffice to say, that hasn't gone down too well amongst the Yeltz faithful, and the Boxing Day derby could be interesting...

“Veteran striker Karl Hawley has been winning plenty of plaudits from opposition fans so far this season for his performances and goals. We have also just signed striker Justin Richards from Sutton Coldfield Town. On the wings,

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Dodd and Lait have been brightening up games with their pace.

“Gary has been manager since the summer of 2003 - and it's fair to say there's been a lot more ups than there have been downs over the years. We got to the quarter finals of the FA Vase, got two promotions in three seasons to the level we are at now, made a playoff final (which we won) and two playoff semi finals (which we lost) We've always been a good footballing side in my view, but whilst we have consistently been able to upset the best teams on our day we often struggle against the more limited, but highly motivated, teams.

“Anything above 16th would be good this season! I really hope we can push on and at least make the top 10, but it is a very tough league. Not every Stourbridge fan would agree with me on this, but I think this is a much tougher league than the Southern League. You've got a lot of recently ex-Conference North sides who are wanting to get back up there, as well as teams with huge resources and/or fanbases like Salford and Darlington.

You don't really have that so much in the Southern League, certainly not with the current teams in the league. There is also a very thin margin in this league between the bottom sides and the top sides - in the Southern League it was, in my experience, a bigger margin. Many fans didn't accept that as a valid excuse for last season's results, mind you.

“Our fans have always travelled

in numbers, and generally create a good atmosphere on our travels.

Our followings at recent big away games have been massive - we therefore seem to have a sizeable number of occasional fans but with so many league clubs in the Midlands area it isn't surprising. Given this is a Tuesday night, I'd say between 30 and 50 will make the trip...but given my poor record at attendance predictions over the years I'm not sure this is a reliable estimate.

“I hope as many Rammy fans as possible can make the game down at Amblecote on 2nd January - try not to drink too much on New Years Eve! Away fans are always given a warm welcome. It's an 'old school' ground with bags of character that has been improved a lot in recent years and really tidied up nicely. We have a good amount of cover, particularly in the 'Shed End' behind one goal and along one side, and we have plans in place to make the improvements needed to make the step up into the Conference North. Parking is slightly at a premium at the ground unless you arrive early - and street parking in the immediate vicinity is discouraged. The best bet is to park a short walk from the ground makes the full time getaway a lot quicker as well.

“Pubs of choice are all in the main town since the one opposite the ground has closed - the Duke or the Chequers (a Wetherspoons) are usually the boozers of choice.

There's also a bar in the ground itself.”

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RAMSBOTTOM UNITED

SUTTON COLDFIELD Richards (78)

0 1

05.09.15 Att: 218

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RAMSBOTTOM 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Shenton K Harrop Pugh Haywood Dawson Fitzgerald Russell# Knight* Gaskell M Harrop+ Heron

Subs: Nolan, Rother, Cliffe*, Robinson+, Hartley#

SUTTON C 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Wren Bryant Jackson Forde Kettle Rowley Gonzales+ Trainer Bell* O’Callaghan Richards 1

Subs: Stephens+,Turton, Fitzpatrick*, Ballinger

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Supporters Club Player of the Month, Alex Meaney receiving his award from Katie Worsick.

Stourbridge Main Programme_Standard Programme 20/09/2015 22:26 Page 21

harry williams

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Well, I can’t say I’m exactly over the moon at the last few results, and I’m disappointed particularly about the FA Cup defeat at Buxton - a win would have been worth a lot of money to the club. There does feel like a light at the end of the tunnel though, as the performances have been more what I’d like to be seeing. I don’t like to lose, as I’m a winner at heart, and although some people have accused me of wanting the club to go down, that’d be the last thing I’d want. I want us to stop in this division and build from there.

It’s a hard league to compete in as there are no mugs, and four teams going down. We need to start putting a good run together now, and get ourselves safely mid-table. Yes, I would have liked a decent cup run, but there’s nothing we can do about that now, other than get focussing on the FA Trophy when that comes around.

The game at Darlington was a good performance for us, with good workrate and very little between the teams. Max Harrop was a really key player, and Edgy had an excellent game, infact the team played well as a whole.

A few people have said to me that it’s time to question Robbo’s fitness to do the job as manager, but it’s up to the club to decide that. There’s no doubt that the results have been adversely affecting the gates, and that’s important to a club like ours, and there’s no doubt that the lad is under a lot of pressure. We have to get some results and get some points, because the gap is widening now at the bottom. This club has

never been relegated, and that’s the way I want it to stay.

At this time of year the table starts to spread out a bit, and the clubs are starting to find the level they’re likely to maintain for the end of the season.

We need to make sure we turn this around quick.

Over the summer I told Robbo to go out and bring in some quality players.

He’s got a bit less than Johnno and Bernard had to spend, but it’s a good budget, and more than a few other teams around. He did well, and brought in some really good players who are starting to gel now and begin to work together properly.

There are one or two gaps, and we’re all working hard to fill them. The youngsters are very good, but they are young and they are getting muscled out of the challenges too easily.

It’s an unforgiving league and if you make a mistake at the back then the ball is in the net, it’s that simple.

Centre-half is a big problem, and that’s a position we need to bolster.

We had high hopes for Andy Dawson, but while he’s carrying injuries we’re getting found out back there. Edgy’s done a great job of filling in, but it’s not a long term fix.

At the end of the day, I want us safely out of that relegation zone and heading up the table. That’s all down to the quality that we’ve got on the pitch, and that’s down to good players working together. It’s players that get managers sacked, and it’s up to these lads to do their job to the best of their ability, and get this club where it ought to be.

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DARLINGTON

Cartman (57), White (68)

RAMSBOTTOM UNITED Gaskell (90+2)

2 1

08.09.15 Att: 1063

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Darlington made it four wins in a row with victory over bottom of the table Ramsbottom thanks to goals from Nathan Cartman and Alan White.

Cartman headed the Quakers into the lead just before the hour mark.

Substitute White then doubled the lead to score his fourth of the campaign with a fantastic volley.

Ramsbottom pulled a goal back during injury-time at the end of the game through Lee Gaskell.

Martin Gray made two changes to the team that won at Halesowen Town 3-0 on Saturday. Adam Mitchell started at right-back ahead of the injured Lewis Gibbons.

Tom Portas also came into the team replacing Leon Scott.

Darlington started very brightly in the first 15 minutes and good work from Anthony Bell forced the away goalkeeper into a save at his near post.

Two penalty shouts came and went for the Quakers, with the home crowd particularly incensed at a push on Graeme Armstrong.

At the other end Ramsbottom had a penalty appeal of their own, as well as having a goal disallowed for off-side.

The best chance of the half came late on in the first period to Stephen Thompson. Brilliant work from the winger saw him burst past two defenders to get clear on

goal, but he was foiled by the goalkeeper.

Half-time saw the introduction of new signing Ryan Brobbel and he played a crucial role in the opening goal.

The midfielder lofted an inswinging cross into the box for Nathan Cartman to glance into the corner of the net.

White had come on for Armstrong just before the first goal and once again the emergency striker got on the scoresheet. A great move saw Mitchell and Cartman involved, before Thompson chipped the ball to the back post for White to spectacularly volley home.

Darlington were now completely on top with Thompson twice nearly adding to the total with strikes from outside the box.

Captain Burgess also nearly scored, with an effort similar to that of White’s goal.

However, it would be a nervy final couple of minutes as Ramsbottom pulled a goal back against the run of play.

A low ball was whipped across the face of the goal and Gaskell came in round the back to tap home.

The Quakers though held on for another vital three points. Darlington remain second in the league table, one point behind Blyth Spartans after they won 1-0 away to Salford City, with Ramsbottom United remaining very much at the foot of the table.

RAMSBOTTOM 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Shenton K Harrop Pugh Knight Dawson Fitzgerald Kuba-Kuba+ Meaney# Gaskell 1 Russell* Heron

Subs: Edghill, Haywood#, Nolan, Rother*, Robinson+

DARLINGTON 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Jameson Mitchell Watson Portas# Burgess Hunter Thompson Turnbull Armstrong* Cartman 1 Bell+

Subs: White*1, Provett, Dowson, Brobbel+, Youhill#

Stourbridge Main Programme_Standard Programme 20/09/2015 22:27 Page 26

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tonight’s guest

Tonight’s guest predictor is our very own club secretary Tony Cunningham.

As well as his 20-year involvement in Rammy, Tony owns Leckenby’s Tea Rooms in Bury’s Millgate Shopping Centre and has been a programme columnist for Bury FC since 1978 (where he has also been a season ticket holder for almost 60 years!)

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last week’s points

Not a great week for the pundits, with Molly scoring just four points (correctly predicting three results, but no scores), with our Programme Editor Rob scoring just three points (three correct results, no correct scores).

vs

vs

Molly: Guest: You:

1-1 0-1

Molly: Guest: You:

2-2 2-2

Molly: Guest: You:

0-1 2-0

Molly: Guest: You:

2-1 1-1

Molly: Guest: You:

3-0 1-1

Molly: Guest: You:

1-3 2-0

Molly: Guest: You:

3-1 0-2

Molly: Guest: You:

1-1 3-1

Molly: Guest: You:

2-0 0-2

Molly: Guest: You:

0-0 1-0

Molly: Guest: You:

2-1 1-1

Molly: Guest: You:

1-3 1-2

MOLLY 31pts GUESTS 26pts

ey

Pit your wits against The Mighty Molly by trying to correctly guess the results from today’s Evostik Premier games. Each correct score earns 3pts, with correct results earning 1pt.

Stourbridge Retro Insert_Standard Programme 21/09/2015 22:58 Page 1

RAMSBOTTOM UNITED v STOURBRIDGE TUESDAY 22nd SEPTEMBER 7:45pm

Stourbridge Retro Insert_Standard Programme 21/09/2015 22:58 Page 2

PROGRAMME TEAM Programme Editor: Rob Moss League News: Gareth Bird Darkside Column: Darren Comer Exile Column: Richard Isaacs Tony’s Teasers: Tony Cunningham Editorial Page: Tony Cunningham Supporters Club: Rob Moss Photographs: Rob Moss, Ste Heard, Darren Comer, Angie Leach

Other Contributors: Dave Burnham, Phil Edghill, Jon Robinson, Grant Shenton, Newsthump.com, the Evostik League and Mark

Molyneaux. Special thanks to

match officials and opposition officials, supporters and

photographers too numerous to mention.

Printed by: 4 colour digital,

Newport under license from Terry Brumpton and JJ Sports Promo-

tions; fairprint Edinburgh and Alston Press Bury.

The views expressed in this

programme are purely those of the individual contributors and are not representative of the views of

Ramsbottom United Football Club.

To get in touch with us, please email:

programme@rammyunited.co.uk

PHIL EDGHILL

Good evening and a warm welcome to Stourbridge FC for tonight’s game.

Reflecting back over the last few days I have found it hard to believe we didn’t come away from Stamford with all three points. It was really tough to take for everyone, as being in such a comfortable position with 30 minutes left only to draw the game felt like a defeat at the end. I’ve been in football a long time and I can’t remember being as down and frustrated as I was on Saturday. We controlled the game for long periods and were never really in any trouble. Even though they had a few chances first half we scored three and could have had more. Second half we seemed to stop doing the things that had put us in such a strong position in the first:- we allowed them back in the game, sat too deep and invited pressure, and they always looked a threat from set pieces due to their size. It felt like a defeat after the game, but there were lots of positives to take from the first half display especially Sam Grimshaw who did very well on his debut.

The good thing about football is there is always another game to try and put things right and tonight we have to go out there and do whatever it takes to win. There have been encouraging signs with the recent displays, but ultimately football is about points and two from 24 isn’t good enough at any level. We have to be brave enough to see games through and when teams put us under pressure be able to come through it and find a way to win. It can come down to mentality, being strong physically to withstand what your opponent throws at you, and imposing yourself on them. The ones who deal with that the best will be the teams near the top end of the table. Confidence plays a big part in that and once we get a win I feel it will be a big burden lifted off the lads’ shoulders and we will start to play with a bit more freedom and hopefully get our season up and running.

I want to say a big thankyou to all the supporters who have been really supportive, especially those who have travelled with us recently - it’s really appreciated by all of us and I hope for you we can get a win tonight which you deserve.

Tonight’s opponents are coming off the back of a great win over Blyth at the weekend so we understand how tough it will be, but we are confident we can get a home win which is long overdue.

Enjoy the game!

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LEAGUE NEWS Blyth Spartans

The Spartans won worldwide acclaim last season with their amazing run to the Third Round Proper of the FA Cup and the famous trophy recently made an appearance at Croft Park. Officials announced that the cup would be coming to Northumberland days before Tom Wade’s men started their journey again away at First Division North side Spennymoor Town.

The FA chose Blyth to show off the trophy to mark their achievements last season as they won away at Hartlepool United and eventually lost 3-2 in a an epic tie with Birmingham City at home.

On-loan keeper Russel Griffiths is due back at Northwich after staring on the international stage for England. The 19 year old shot stopper is officially on loan with the First Division North side from Everton until 12th September. The youngster, who has been rewarded with a new contract by the Premier League club, was called up by the England Under 20’s to face the Czech Republic. Griffiths was on the Toffees bench for the Europa League game against FC Krasnodar and also for a number of League games when Tim Howard was injured last season. The teenager has played a vital role in Jim Gannon’s side, keeping three clean sheets in his four appearances so far for the club.

Colwyn Bay

Colwyn Bay captain Wes Baynes has left for Welsh Premier League side Gap Connah’s Quay, after the two clubs agreed a four figure fee. Since arriving at Llanelian Road last season, Baynes had made 34 appearances and turned down a move to Brackley Town earlier in the season. The Bay also announced the deadline day capture of Macclesfield Town striker John Marsden. The 22 year old was a prolific scorer for Liverpool Schoolboys and after playing at youth level for both Wrexham and Celtic, he later had spells with Stoke City, Southport and Shrewsbury Town.

Emirates FA Cup

The draw has now been made for the FA Cup Second Qualifying Round. After collecting £3000 for winning their First Qualifying Round games, clubs will pick up another £4500 for winning the ties that are due to be played over the weekend of Saturday 28th September.

The Second Round ties that involve Premier Division clubs are as follows: Armthorpe Welfare vs BUXTON BARWELL vs Cogenhoe United Chorley vs FRICKLEY ATHLETIC Coleshill Town vs STAMFORD Corby Town vs RUSHALL OLYMPIC FC United vs WITTON ALBION BAMBER BRIDGE vs SKELMERSDLE UNITED HALESOWEN TOWN vs Nuneaton Town HYDE UNITED vs NORTHWICH VICTORIA MARINE vs Washington SALFORD CITY vs Curzon Ashton STOURBRIDGE vs Dunkirk Thackley or Abbey Hey vs ASHTON UNITED WORKINGTON vs Harrogate Town

Frickley Athletic

Polish goalkeeper Sebastien Malkowski has been handed a contract after playing an impressive part in Frickley’s best start to a league season in years. The 28 year-old arrived at Westfield Lane in the summer after plying his trade in his homeland. The former Polish international’s contract offer had been prompted by his excellent contribution for Frickley, who currently sit in 5th place in the Premier Division.

Manager Karl Rose said, “Seb has been excellent and we need to protect the side so it made sense to secure him on contract”.

Transfer News

Matthew Chadwick Salford to Ashton United Will Haining Macclesfield to Ashton United Anthony Dwyer Mansfield to Mickleover Christopher Spencer Mansfield to Mickleover Ben Harrison AFC Telford to Nantwich Town Lewis Fenney Leamington to Rushall Olympic

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Jack Roberts AFC Telford to Rushall Olympic Justin Richards Sutton Coldfield to Stourbridge Liam Studholme Ashton United to Workington

FA Cup First Qualifying Round News

After last season’s FA Cup heroics Blyth Spartans fell at the first hurdle in a 2-1 loss at lower league Spennymoor Town. The wet weather conditions played a big part in the opening goal of the game as a slip by Andrew Cartwright allowed Nathan Fisher to fire Spennymoor in front after nine minutes. Andrew Stephenson was playing a major part for the home side and it was from his corner that led to the Moors going two up as Liam Henderson hammered a shot into the net after Joe Tait’s initial header was blocked. Stephen Turnbull reduced the deficit for Blyth with a penalty in the 64th minute, but it was not enough as the Spartans FA Cup campaign ended for another season.

Workington progressed as they thrashed Colwyn Bay 5-0 at home, with Scott Allison creating club history by scoring a hat-trick of penalties.

Allison’s first came in the 31st minute, as he picked himself up to net from the spot after being clattered by Chris Sanna, and his second coming eight minutes later following a Valter Fernandez handball. It was three just before half-time with defender Kyle May heading home at the back post. The second half remained scoreless until the final five minutes, when Allison netted his hat-trick and substitute Rob McCartney scoring his first goal for Workington.

Salford City and Whitby Town must do it all again as their match ended in a 1-1 stalemate.

Whitby took the lead just before half-time; home keeper Craig Dootson saved a penalty from Mikey Roberts, but could nothing to stop Adam Gell following up to score. Salford got back on level terms not long after the break through Dominic Smalley and although Whitby had a late goal disallowed the game ended in a draw.

Halesowen Town managed to sneak past Mickleover Sports with a last gasp winner. The home team went in front two minutes before the break with a 30 yard wonder volley from Aaron Griffiths. Sports thought they had salvaged a

replay in the 80th minute when Anthony O’NeilDwyer pounced, but Halesowen were not to be denied as Connor Collins smashed home in the last minute to win the tie.

Hyde United recorded an impressive 3-1 win at Darlington 1883. The away side went ahead early on through Aryton Bevins, but the Quakers equalised mid-way through the first-half with Nathan Cartman scoring. The second half belonged to Hyde, as a brace from Scott Spencer saw their progression to the next round.

Marine comfortably beat Clitheroe with goals from Carl Peers and Karl Clair claiming a 2-0 win. Barwell also made it comfortably into the Second Qualifying Round with a 4-1 home win over Midland League Westfields. Anthony Carnet gave Barwell a half-time lead, which was doubled by Daniel Gaunt on 63 minutes.

Although James Febery pulled a goal back for Westfields, late strikes from Alex Tomkinson and a second for Carney completed the win for Barwell.

There were however some shocks as Grantham Town suffered a 3-0 defeat away at Chasetown; Nantwich were also beaten 1-0 at Spalding United, with Sutton Coldfield being knocked out by lower league opposition in the form of Oadby Town.

Ashton United, Matlock Town, Stamford and Skelmersdale United all face replays, with their First Qualifying Round games ending in draws.

Saturday’s Division One North News

Four games took place in Division One North on Saturday, with the majority of teams still involved in the F Cup, however they still managed a total of twenty-three goals.

Prescot Cables ended their winless run in emphatic style as they routed New Mills 7-1 away. Cables were three up by half-time, with a brace from Phil Bannister and a goal by Rob Doran. The second –half continued in the same fashion as Doran netted his second and this was followed by further goals from James McCulloch, Joe Evans and an own goal in the final minute.

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In a goal-laden weekend, Trafford hammered six past a hapless Harrogate Railway, with three strikes in each half; Jack Dorney scoring twice in this one sided affair.

Elsewhere, Radcliffe managed their second win of the season as they defeated Ossett Tiwn 4-0 at Stainton Park and Warrington Town came out on top 3-2 in a five goal thriller at Mossley, with all the goals coming in the opening thirty-one minutes.

Midweek Premier Division News

Sutton Coldfield beat Grantham Town 2-0 at home on Tuesday evening to maintain their recent good form in the league. With the match scoreless at half-time, Luke Rodgers sparked the game into life in the 58th minute and the same player doubled the lead for Sutton Coldfield with twenty minutes left on the clock. The defeat leaves Grantham with only four points on the board so far this campaign.

FA Cup First Qualifying Round Replays

A number of Northern Premier Division sides were in action on Tuesday evening as they attempted to progress to next round of the FA Cup at the second time of asking.

After drawing away on Saturday, Skelmersdale United managed to squeeze past Glossop North End. Gerrard Kinsella fired Skem into a half-time lead in the 22nd minute, but a David Young penalty with eighteen minutes to go for Glossop forced the tie into extra-time. Barely three minutes after the restart, Georgie Donnelly won the tie for Skelmersdale as they advanced into the Second Qualifying Round.

Rushall Olympic made easier work of their match against lower league opposition Shepshed Dynamo. However it was the underdogs who took a shock lead from Michael Reeves 7th minute strike, but the Pic’s edged themselves in front by the break, courtesy of goals from Jackson Roberts and Alex Reid. Rushall put the game beyond Shepshed after the break as Reid scored twice to complete his

hat-trick and earn the Pic’s an away tie at Corby Town.

Stamford looked to be in for a good night when they took a 4th minute lead against Leamington. The away side must have thought they had forced the game into extratime when James Mace netted with five minutes to go, but Gregory Smith broke their hearts scoring a 90th minute winner.

Matlock Town were involved in real thriller as they shared six goals away at Whitley Bay. Their north-eats opponents raced into a two goal first-half lead through Adam Shanks and Sam Norris. The tide turned after the break as Joel Purkiss and Danny Holland netted to send the game into extra-time. Matlock must have been dreaming of the next round when Jack Siddall scored in the 99th minute, but Christopher Reid pounced with a minute to go to ensure penalties would decide the two team’s fate. It was to be Whitley Bay’s night as they moved into the Second Qualifying Round after winning 4-2 in the shootout.

Wednesday evening saw Salford City hammer Whitby Town away from home as they triumphed 5-0. James Poole opened the scoring in the 19th minute, with Jordan Hulme adding a second two minutes later. The Ammies were three up by the break as Poole netted again on the half hour. Poole completed his hat-trick in the 48th minute and Elliott Kebbie hit the fifth to complete the rout as Salford booked a home tie against Curzon Ashton in the next round.

Ashton United were made to work a little harder as they visited Guisborough Town.

Matthew Chadwick opened the visitors account after eleven minutes, but Guisborough were soon back on level terms through Steven Snaith. A Martin Pilkington penalty in the 21st minutes gave Ashton a half-time lead and they went further ahead as the same player scored in the 71st minute. Although the home side reduced the deficit with three minutes to go via a Curtis Round strike, Ashton managed to deal with a nervous end to come out on top with a 3-2 win.

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RAMSBOTTOM Shirts: Blue. Shorts: Blue.

1 (Goal) Grant SHENTO 2 (Right Back) Kyle HARROP

5 (Centre Back) Andy DAWSON

7 (Right Wing) David KUBA-KUBA

4 (Midfield) Prince HAYWOOD 9 (Forward) Jamie ROTHER

Referee: Mr Ian Johnstone

10 (Forward) Christopher LAIT 11 (Left Wing) Charlie PRICE

8 (Midfield) Karl HAWLEY

3 (Left Back) Daniel SCARR

6 (Centre Back) Matt DODD

1 (Goal) Lewis SO

Shirts: Red & white. Shorts:

STOURBRID

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TOM UNITED

Substitutes: 12 Charlie Russell 14 Jake Cliffe 15 Clevon Beadle 16 Melford Knight 17 Andy Fitzgerald

: Blue. Stockings: Blue.

1 (Goal) HENTON capt 6 (CentreBack) Phil EDGHILL

3 (Left Back) Luke HERON

8 (Midfield) Alex MEANEY

11 (Left Wing) Sam GRIMSHAW

10 (Forward) Lee GASKELL

Linesmen: Mr Joe Starkie Mr Mark Smith

9 (Forward) Justin RICHARDS

1 (Goal) wis SOLLY

4 (Midfield) Tom TONKS

7 (Right Wing) Leon BROADHURST

5 (CentreBack) Stuart PIERPOINT

2 (Right Back) Kristian GREEN

Shorts: Red. Stockings: Red.

RBRIDGE

Substitutes: 12 Ben BILLINGHAM 14 Brian SMILKE 15 Drew CANNAVAN 16 Kayelden BROWN 17 Chris KNIGHT

Stourbridge Retro Insert_Standard Programme 21/09/2015 22:58 Page 8

EVOSTIK RESULTS

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GARY LINEKER TO REMAIN HIGHEST ENGLAND GOALSCORER WITH HAIR

Despite having scored fewer goals than Rooney and Charlton, Gary Lineker remains England’s top scorer with a full head of hair.

The coiferred forward scored 48 goals in 80 games for the national side, one less than both Rooney and Charlton, but retained his full complement of active follicles throughout his career. As such, the Match of the Day presenter remains England’s highest scoring player with an entirely hirsute scalp.

England fan Simon Williams told us, “If you look at photos when Gary Lineker scored his last England goal, he still had a full thatch up top – even noe he’s still got plenty there, even if it’s a bit grey.”

Rooney beat Sir Bobby Charlton’s goalscoring record against Switzerland but Lineker can relax that his title as England’s top scorer with a full head of hair is far from under threat.

As one football expert explained, “The next highest scorer who has a realistic chance of catching him is probably Harry Kane – and he only has two England goals.”

“So he’s a lot of matches, and a lot of years from even getting close to Lineker.”

“That said, those blond locks don’t look like they could be in it for the long haul, so another seven or eight years could see him joining the Rooney and Charlton ranks of balding goalscorers.”

“Either way, Lineker can relax.”

HELP WANTED

MIDWEEK FIXTURES & RESULTS Monday: HYDE

7-1

STAMFORD

ILKESTON

1 -1

DARLINGTON

Tuesday: A - BARWELL

v

NANTWICH

B - BLYTH

v

MICKLEOVER

C - BUXTON

v

ASHTON

D - COLWYN BAY

v

WORKINGTON

E - GRANTHAM

v

MATLOCK

F - HALESOWEN

v

MARINE

G - RAMMY

v

STOURBRIDGE

H - RUSHALL

v

FRICKLEY

v

S U T TO N C L D

J - RUSHALL

v

WORKINGTON

K - SKELMERSDALE

v

MATLOCK

v

SALFORD

I - SKELMERSDALE

Wednesday: L - WHITBY

The Supporters Club is on the lookout for a couple of new committee members who are keen to get involved. If you’re interested in doing your bit to help promote Rammy United and help get the supporters club to where it needs to be, then please email supporters@rammyunited.co.uk or contact Katie (who sells golden goals) or Rob (who waves around the camera every game).

Also, can you spare as little as half an hour to help get the club and pitch ready for the next match?

Volunteers are desperately needed every day of the week between 11 and 2pm, so if you are available then please come down and help Harry keep things in tip-top condition.

It's Tuesday night. So it must be time for a bit more football at the HWRS and tonight we welcome Stourbridge to our humble little quarter of East Lancashire and we wish them a enjoyable (result apart!) evening with us and a very safe journey back down that lengthy M6 that I know and .... ahem .... love so much!

Well, my cricket season has finally come to its end. The 2015 domestic cricket campaign, encompassing 38 matches, over 7,000 miles up and down the country, a flight to Dublin for a very damp day at Malahide, a sensational series of matches against New Zealand and seeing Lancashire win a one-day trophy for the first time since 1999 (the NatWest T20 Blast) has marked this season out as a very busy one and I am looking forward to having a bit of a break!

Although ... my attention now turns to the Great South Run! Yes, that's right you didn't read that incorrectly. This once mammoth man is going to be running ... well, sort of running ... the 10 miles around Portsmouth (will I actually be allowed in given my supporting of the Premier club of Hampshire?!?) on Sunday 25th October, raising money for The National Autism Society and Rugby for Heroes (my nephew suffers with autism and I have many friends involved with the second worthwhile charity and hearing what they are achieving is driving me on).

I am in the process of setting up a sponsorship page and as soon as I have achieved it, I would very much like you to support me, if you possibly could.

This is quite a big thing for me. I could barely walk to the city centre, which is about quarter of a mile from my home, now I am heading out for 10 miles pounding the streets. I am excited

about it all, apprehensive for sure and no doubt will roll in last (well, maybe not roll!!) but I really do not care, I want to get to the finish line.

So after going to a rugby match last Saturday afternoon down in Havant and waiting for the Rammy game to actually kick-off on Twitter, I headed to the gym for an hour of intense fast paced walking, doing four miles in just under an hour (ok, Mo Farah I am not but, for me, even being at the gym is something of a triumph!!). As I walked down to the place of torture, we were 3-0 up. As I worked myself up into quite a sweat, the pings of despair on my phone interrupted my flow as Stamford pulled themselves back into the game eventually snatching a point at the death.

Arghhhhhhhhh!!!! But, we have to go again. It's a good away point after a long journey and disrupted preparation and I believe we have played some good stuff on the park as well so, whilst the league table might not look that attractive right now, we have to be positive.

In all honesty, it is still far too early to be jumping to conclusions and getting all worried about things. 9 games of a 46 game season - we have 37 games to go! Players leave and more players arrive. Our turnover of players at the moment is quite something but I suppose it was always likely to happen given our current situation of just two points in the bag but a couple of wins and things begin to settle down. We don't have to be concerned right now.

Get behind the lads!

Unfortunately, I am not going to be up for this game as much as I would like to be. So give the lads a cheer for me please! I will probably be back in the gym again!

rammy in exile

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tony’s teasers

1-WHICH CLUB plays at Church Lane?

2-WHO IS THE MANAGER of Brighouse Town?

3-WHICH COLOURS do Dulwich Hamlet?

4-IN WHAT YEAR did South Liverpool win the NPL Challenge Cup? 5-IN WHICH LEAGUE do Brandon United play?

6-WHAT IS THE NICKNAME of Droylsden?

7-WHERE DOES ex-Bury and AFC Fylde striker James Dean now play?

8-WHAT IS THE LINK BETWEEN Sutton Coldfield Town and Romulus?

9-RAMMY LINK: Where did the ground’s floodlights come from?

10-MISC: Which former Conference club is hosting London Broncos home rugby league games this season?

HOW DID YOU DO? answers at bottom of page 10-Non-League guru!

8-9 Non-league enthusiast 6-7 Pretty good, but much to learn 4-5 Average, so time to read up on the non-league game 2-3 You must be missing out on the delights of non-league 0-1 Obviously an armchair Premier League viewer!

match officials IAN JOHNSTONE

MARK SMITH

JOE STARKIE

Born in 1993, newly qualified primary school teacher Joe Starkie lives in Pudsey. He played football from age 8 and started refereeing for a bit of pocket money when he was 14. He works as a coach for the Leeds United Foundation.

Born in 1970, Leeds born and bred referee Ian Johnstone works as an HGV driver for a chemical company. He lives with his partner Sara and two sons who are both in the armed forces, and became a referee when his son’s junior football team was short - he ended up getting trained up.

Born in the year Rammy was formed (1966), Insurance Underwriter Mark Smith is the father of two teenage girls. He played park football for 20 years before taking up refereeing 11 years ago when his legs couldn’t take playing any more.

ANSWERS: 1-New Mills 2-Paul Quinn 3-Navy and Pink 4-1983-84 5-Northern League 6-e Bloods 7-Chorley 8-Both play at Sutton Coldfield’s Central Ground 9-Oldham RLFC’s Watersheddings stadium 10-Barnet

Stourbridge Main Programme_Standard Programme 20/09/2015 22:27 Page 28

BUXTON

Hardy (pen 3), Barraclough (57)

RAMSBOTTOM UNITED Gaskell (20)

2 1

12.09.15 Att: 207

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RAMSBOTTOM 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Shenton K Harrop Pugh Haywood Dawson Fitzgerald Russell# Knight* Gaskell 1 M Harrop+ Heron

Subs: Nolan, Rother, Cliffe*, Robinson+, Hartley#, Dawson, Beadle

BUXTON 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Barnes Belezika Green Ravenhill Gascoigne Leta Burbeary* Burrell Barraclough 1 Hardy 1 Buckley

Subs: Doran, Wiles*, Ryan, Young, Jameson

Stourbridge Main Programme_Standard Programme 20/09/2015 22:27 Page 30

BUXTON

Hardy (pen 3), Barraclough (57)

RAMSBOTTOM UNITED

match review

Gaskell (20)

If committment to the cause, effort and energy, drive and determination were all that were needed to succeed in football at this level then the Rams would have least earned a replay in this cup game, if not a place in the second qualifying round. Until Jamie Rother, still returning to full match fitness after injury, and veteran player manager Jon Robinson, ran out of steam after 60 minutes or so the Rams were more than a match for a Buxton who are sitting high in the NPL and had beaten them a few weeks earlier in an ill-tempered match at the Harry Williams Riverside Stadium. The introduction of Robinson, with his ability to get on the end of the long ball with foot and head and pressure defenders, to play up front in support of Lee Gaskell brought a much greater threat to the Rams’ attacks. The problem was that, apart from the moment on 20 minutes when Robinson was able to cause enough distraction to give Gaskell the time to latch on to a long ball and coolly score from the edge of the area, a way could not be found to get the two sufficiently close together to consistently discomfort a shaky Buxton defence.

As a result, for all their superiority in the first half and frantic efforts in the last quarter when they found themselves behind for a second time, that goal, together with a scuffed attempt a shot from Luke Heron, were the only two attempts the Rams managed on target in 90 minutes, whereas Buxton saw themselves

2 1

12.09.15 Att: 207

denied by several fine saves from Grant Shenton, and somehow denied the lead on the stroke of half time when a shot into virtually an open goal somehow found the inside of the post, bounced across the goal and was cleared away for a corner.

The match was a microcosm of a season so far, in which the Rams are finding mores ways to self inflict wounds than a Jesuit flagellant. It remains a mystery how, just 3 minutes into the game, and literally seconds after the ball safely was safely in the hands of goalkeeper Shenton, possession was lost to Barraclough who had ample time to feed Hardy with what would have been an easy chance, if he had not been tripped in a desperate attempt at a tackle. The striker made no mistake from the spot.

To their credit the Rams refused to take a backward step and Gaskell's equaliser, when it came, was well deserved. But more than honest endeavour is needed. The Rams continue to find it difficult to sustain control composure or creativity on the ball and insist on retention of a formation that offers little presence or threat down the left side.

As the second half progressed the warning signs of a second Buxton goal were all too apparent. The Rams found themselves being pushed deeper into defence and only some good saves and deperate clearances kept the scores level. When the second goal eventually came on the hour it was again self-inflicted. Possession

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Lee Gaskell buries it from long range

Robbo doing the hard bit, but not managing to get in the cross

was lost under no real pressure in the Buxton half and three sharp passes sent Barraclough into space in the Rams’ box. His shot was under-hit but squirmed away from Shenton and rolled over the line.

David Kuba-Kuba bustled away down the right but could not find the time or space to get in a telling cross.

Buxton were forced back and at times

had to defend manfully, but, in truth, another equaliser was a distant prospect not helped by a number of dead ball opportunites and corners being squandered . At the final whistle the sight of most of the Rams team on their knees was a sign of the effort put into the game and despair at another odd goal defeat.

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when losin words by Dave Burnham Losing. Never gets much easier does it? Leaves a dull feeling in the pit of your stomach which lasts – well it depends on how important the defeat was. It might last a few minutes or several days. The consequences for players may be tough; relegation, being dropped, being sacked. For a fan there might be embarrassment when you get back to work or back home, or just an empty, grumpy feeling that hangs on and on. I’m an old man, so my playing days are long over. But I still savour the sour sorrow of defeat in my Monday night quiz team. It hurts more against some teams than others or if you have scored an ‘own goal’.

This happens a lot, for instance by my answer to a question in a round whose heading was ‘Beginning with the letter ‘V’, ‘Name any of the planes in Britain’s 1960s ‘V’ Bomber force’. My answer was ‘er...Lancaster?’

But losing a quiz on a Monday night has the mild solace of being able to have a pint or two during the match – something most footballers are denied on the pitch. And the consequences of defeat are minimal. I cannot even be dropped as no one else wants to play for us.

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ing really matters But sometimes, of course, the consequences of defeat are sharper.

Older fans will remember poor little rich boy Beckham’s return from the World Cup in France in 1998. He’d played OK against Argentina, but having been badly fouled by Simeone, lying prone on his stomach, he raised a languid leg and grazed the side of Simeone’s

thigh. Red Card! His return to Britain was marked by sustained tabloid fury, a hanging in effigy in East London and concentrated catcalls as the new season started. For younger readers let me say that David Beckham was at the time the coming thing; a golden boy. He had everything, so his petulance was a kick in the teeth for the rest of us. In addition he played for Manchester United, then as

now universally hated. What’s more the Red Card game was the cliché English defeat – a failed penalty shoot out - and it was against one of England’s three great bogey teams.

Put this all together and there was reason enough for murder to be in the hearts of many.

But murder did not take place...unlike in Columbia in 1994. Poor Andres Escobar was a full back with Athletico National, a solid player, said to be a target for AC Milan.

David Beckham - hanged in effigy for getting sent off against Argentina.

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AndrĂŠs Escobar - murdered

by Humberto Munoz after conceding an own goal in 1994.

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Escobar also played for the national side. In a group game on June 22 against the USA, Escobar made a mistake, sticking out his leg to deflect a cross...and saw the ball shoot into his own goal. This led to Columbia’s exit from the competition. Fifteen days later after a night out in Medellin, three men approached him as he sat in his car. An argument broke out and one of the men shot Escobar six times.

Humberto Munoz was jailed for 26 years for the murder. He reputedly worked for a gang whose leader had lost money on the Columbia game. So was it misplaced rage that led to Escobar’s death, or was it just money?

Even worse is the story of the so called ‘Death Match’. This took place in Kiev on 9 August 1942, between a team from the No 1 Bread Factory, which included many footballers from the ‘Dynamo Kiev’ organisation, and a Wehrmacht air defence team from the occupying Nazi forces. The game was refereed by a Nazi officer who ignored brutal fouls by the Germans and who at half time threatened the Ukrainian team with death if they won. After the match all the Ukrainian team were arrested or shot. Simple.

This story became legend after the war with two novels and a very successful film which confirmed the tale - a convenient anti-Nazi horror story which the Soviets made hay with.

But…once the Soviet empire fell in 1990 less ‘committed’ investigators found local people who had witnessed the match. These people all said that the refereeing was fair and that no brutality took place. And no one was arrested after the match and shot.

The grim legend, it seems, was based on what happened a few months later. It was then that five of the men who had played in the match were arrested and subsequently shot. This had nothing to

do with football – the five probably being shot because the ‘Dynamo’ Sports organisation had many policemen in it, including NKVD and Cheka officers.

Unsurprising really that the Nazis killed them because these were the sort of men shot out of hand in other places as soon as cities were occupied.

What a relief then – them not being shot for winning a football match, but for ‘legitimate’ reasons!

Of course living in Medellin, the drug capital of the world, or being a Ukrainian secret police officer in Nazi Occupied Kiev has/had dangers unrelated to football. But the Maldives? Honeymoon destination of choice for the well heeled – sun, sand, sangria... and that other thing, what could go wrong here? The Maldives is an archipelago of flat sandy atolls with a population just shy of 400,000. Nevertheless it has a football league of long standing. In 1964 the president of the league Habi Alshak, presumably in an effort to spice up proceedings, proposed that if a team finished bottom of the league twice in a row the chairman of the team should be stoned to death. Was this a joke? It could be something he said off the cuff, like pundit Alan Hansen’s quip the day after Escobar’s murder, that after a stinker of a game, an Argentine defender ‘should be shot’ – a comment that he then had to publically apologise for. But perhaps it was serious; the Maldives does have a legal system related to Sharia, which has some pretty stark punishments. Anyway the proposal was chucked out; the chairmen of the teams all voted against it – they thought the stoning plan might put just that little bit too much pressure on the teams.

So after Rammy lose keep cheerful, you’re probably not going to be shot or stoned to death when you get home...probably.

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STAMFORD

Robbins (75,79), Powell (90)

RAMSBOTTOM

Grimshaw (29,37), Gaskell (45)

3 3

19.09.15 Att: 310

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STAMFORD 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Knight Callinor Rawdon Carr Jones Powell 1 Hicks Hall G Smith J Smith Robbins 2

Subs: Bell, Clements, McGarr, Neil, King

RAMSBOTTOM 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Shenton K Harrop Heron Haywood Dawson* Edghill Kuba-Kuba+ Meaney Rother# Gaskell 1 Grimshaw 2

Subs: Russell#, Cliffe, Beadle+, Knight, Fitzgerald*

from the darkside

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Bank Holiday weekends and nonleague football really are a couple of those great British institutions aren’t they? Well, that’s what we had just a couple of weeks ago when we travelled up to Workington on the Bank Holiday Monday for a rip-roaring derby day in Cumbria. Well, it was certainly a derby day for our hosts, and members of the football league until 1977, but for The Mutton Army it meant a round trip of almost five hours. Still, no use in complaining, especially when you think of the miles the Workington faithful put in during the season, ouch. There are certainly worse ways to spend the Bank Holiday than travelling through the beautiful North Lakes scenery, with a couple of beers and a few Rammy Ultras, on the way to see if we

could eventually get a victory and get that monkey off our backs (No, that’s not Don the Steward, cheeky).

On boarding The Rammy Rocket we were a little concerned that Andy ‘Jimmy Mack’ Massey was travelling unaccompanied as Hilary was busy with family commitments. Even more concerning, and remembering Matlock last season, was the fact he had his vuvuzela with him! Still, we had Little Katie, Angie Carlsberg and The Jean Genie to keep him in check when he started getting out of control, phew. We were also joined by a couple of Junior Ultras in Jack the Lad/I’m Awesome and Ethan Carlsberg, making the most of the holiday before they embark on their college

courses now they have left school it’s all downhill from here lads, just look at me! Making up the numbers and ensuring I had a couple of ‘beer buddies’ were Ste ‘Carlsberg’ Heard and Easy Rider Clive. Andy Massey drinks Rose Wine so is shunned by us real men on the coach.

After an early start we made our first stop at Tebay Services shortly before lunch and if you have never stopped here before, do in future. In my opinion, it’s by far the best stop on the whole motorway network in

this country, although I didn’t get to taste the wonderful, locally sourced food as Mrs Darkside (absent on dog sitting duties) had made me the usual mountain of sandwiches. Tebay was a busy little service station on the day with hordes of youngsters returning from the Leeds/Reading Festivals and generally being cool in their designer wellies, although nothing is quite as cool as a trip to Workington’s Borough Park, kids. Anyway, you might have your ‘Twigs’ and ‘Taylor Swifts’ but, have you ever heard Sham69? I rest my case m’lord!

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As we set off again, we started getting messages from those supporters making their way up by car to say there were lengthy tailbacks on the M6. Unfortunately, it wasn’t the usual deluge of people making their merry ways to Blackpool, it was in fact a woman threatening to throw herself off one of the bridges over the M55.

Thankfully, she was eventually talked down but, it did mean we were a few supporters short as they turned round and went home. We passed the rest

Woolly was an NHS doctor with all the hours he puts in), I had the honour of being Acting Secretary for the day. Quite an honour but, not one I would like to have every week as it does take away from spending time, drinking time with

of the time, or at least the men (!) did, by playing the ‘Caravan Game’. The rules are not suitable enough to be explained in a family publication such as this but, come and see me on the Jack Wolfenden Kop sometime and I will tell all (proof of age will be required). As Mrs Darkside is always asking me “when are you going to grow up?”

On arriving at the ground I left my fellow Ultras and went with Harry and Sophie into the Directors Lounge.

With Andy ‘Tight Lips’ Edmunson on holiday and Chris ‘Woolly’ Woolfall needed at work (anyone would think

the other supporters.

Fair play to Andy and Woolly, they do a great job around the club and we probably take them for granted sometimes. Without them though, the club couldn’t function.

One of the rewards for my efforts was a pie, chips ‘n’ mushy pea lunch, washed down with a pint of Cumberland’s finest, Jennings Bitter. For regular readers of this column you will be aware that Workington won my award for ‘Best Pie in the NPL 2014/2015’ and you might want to get down the bookies now as I think it might just win it again this season.

from the darkside

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Don’t tell Harry, but the Workington pies are even better than the ones we get down at The Riverside.

We made our way to the rather spacious Borough Park terraces before kick-off and, as last season, we were warmly greeted by the Workington supporters who, it has to be said, are a pretty friendly bunch. Also present, courtesy of British Rail or whatever it is called in these days of privatisation, was Killie Craig, Scotland’s Number One Rammy Ultra and good to see him it was indeed. With the sun beating down on us, and Rammy creating a few chances in the first

fifteen minutes, it was looking like it could be a rewarding day for all those travellers from East Lancashire. Then it happened, Workington broke away from a Rams attack and before you could say “Richard Issacs for Prime Minister” we were a goal down. The one goal soon turned to a couple, and this in turn led to a third around the half-hour mark. We must have looked as shell-shocked as the players as we made our way to bar for a half time pint, yet funnily enough the Workington support seemed to be in a slightly happier mood.

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Gassy’s mum and Daz compete in the Workington Annual ‘standing effeminately’ Competition. The judges look distinctly unimpressed.

By the start of the second half we had been joined up in Cumbria by some of the Ramsbottom followers who had been held up on the M55, with various members of the Gaskell and Cliffe families finally arriving after a few, long hours in their increasingly hot motors.

Credit to Rammy in the second half as they kept up the work rate and continued pushing for a way back into the game but, as usual, Lady Luck wasn’t with us. This was further compounded when Workington scored a late penalty, after a double save from Shents, for a rather flattering 4-0 victory.

At the full time whistle I had to go and submit my match report to the NPL with, thankfully, plenty of help from the Workington Secretary, who had been great with me all day, so a big thank you goes out to him. I even got a couple of free pints in The Bill Shankly Lounge but they didn’t taste half as sweet as those I share with my comrades in The Mutton Army, and pretty soon I was rejoining them on The Rammy Rocket for the long trip home, defeated but, not disheartened

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Watch the match in style with our Corporate Hospitality Packages starting at just ÂŁ25 per person. For further information call 07576 390762, or email bobsolo@googlemail.com

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fixtures & results 2015-16

This season we want to hear firsthand what our supporters think about everything, from team and player performances right through to what everyone thought of the pies and the parking!

To that end, we’ve had printed a load of ‘Have Your Say’ cards, which you can pick up near the tea-bar. Onto these you can write your thoughts and then post them into the boxes near the exits as you leave. These will be available at every game from now on.

Alternatively, you can use your phone to text TV444 followed by your comment to 82055. These cost the same as any other text you would send.

The comments will be given to Robbo/Harry etc, and will be posted to @RammyReaction on Twitter. A selection will be published in the programme.

Ramsbottom United Football Club President: J Smith Chairman: H Williams Vice Chairman: C Woolfall Secretary: A Cunningham Matchday Secretary: A Edmunson Treasurers: H Williams, C Woolfall Committee: H Williams, C Woolfall, A Edmundson, K Hitchen, A Cunningham Catering Manager: S Fletcher

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

06/07, 07/08 Northwest Counties Premier runners Up 2010/11 Northwest Counties Premier Champions: 2011/12 Northern Premier League Div1 playoff winners: 2013/14

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RAMMY

STOURBRIDGE

FORM

NUMBER OF WINS

0 -1 2-1 2-1

2-2 3-2 2-3

3-3

GOALS SCORED

POSITION 24th

GOALS SCORED PER GAME

ATTENDANCES

BIGGEST WIN

CLEAN SHEETS

WORST DEFEAT

3-0 POSITION 11th

ATTENDANCES

BIGGEST WIN STOURBRIDGE BLYTH

3 0

WORST DEFEAT

WORKINGTON RAMSBOTTOM

4 0

TOP SCORERS

Lee Gaskell Sam Grimshaw David Kuba-Kuba Max Harrop

FORM

3 2 1 1

WHITBY STOURBRIDGE GOALS CONCEDED

GOALS CONCEDED PER GAME

4 0

TOP SCORERS

Karl Hawley Kayelden Brown Chris Lait Leon Broadhurst Matthew Dodd

5 4 3 2 2

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ATTENDANCES

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24

TEAM Darlington Workington Blyth Spartans Salford City Ilkeston Stourbridge Halesowen Town Hyde United Buxton Marine Matlock Town Stamford Nantwich Town Colwyn Bay Whitby Town Ramsbottom United Frickley Athletic Skelmersdale United Mickleover Sports Rushall Olympic Barwell Grantham Town Sutton Coldfield Town Ashton United

Clevon Beadle Jake Cliffe Andy Dawson Phil Edghill Andy Fitzgerald Lee Gaskell Sam Grimshaw Kyle Harrop Tom Hartley Prince Haywood Luke Heron Callum Jones Melford Knight David Kuba-Kuba Dominic McHale Alex Meaney Kieran Nolan Jon Robinson Jamie Rother Charlie Russell Grant Shenton Ben Woods

Avg 1205 515 497 494 478 460 429 398 374 364 340 330 295 290 243 239 236 229 218 216 204 189 165 151

EVOSTIK PREMIER DIVISION

TEAM 1 Blyth Spartans 2 Darlington 3 Nantwich Town 4 Buxton 5 Sutton Coldfield Town 6 Barwell 7 Rushall Olympic 8 Frickley Athletic 9 Mickleover Sports 10 Salford City 11 Stourbridge 12 Matlock Town 13 Ashton United 14 Workington 15 Skelmersdale United 16 Marine 17 Halesowen Town 18 Hyde United 19 Ilkeston 20 Colwyn Bay 21 Stamford 22 Whitby Town 23 Grantham Town 24 Ramsbottom United

P 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 8 9 8 9

W 6 6 5 5 4 4 3 4 4 4 4 4 3 3 4 2 4 3 3 2 2 1 0 0

SEASON 2015-16 / CAREER STATISTICS

SIGNED July-15 Jan-15 Aug-08 Jan-15 July-15 Aug-10 Sep-15 Jan-15 Aug-12 July-15 Jan-15 Jan-15 July-15 Nov-14 July-15 July-15 July-15 Aug-09 Mar-15 Aug-15 Aug-10 July-15

SEASON APPS 5 1 4 3 7 10 1 8 0 8 8 2 2 6 4 9 2 1 2 2 10 6

SUB 1 3 0 0 1 0 0 1 3 2 1 0 0 3 2 0 3 3 1 1 0 0

GOALS 0 0 0 0 0 3 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

CAREER APPS 5 1 176 47 7 184 1 28 0 8 16 8 2 17 4 9 2 170 18 2 237 6

SUB 1 3 5 15 1 37 0 2 0 2 7 0 0 9 2 0 3 43 4 1 1 0

D 1 0 2 0 3 2 5 2 2 2 2 2 4 4 1 6 0 2 2 2 1 3 4 2

L 2 3 2 4 2 3 1 3 3 3 3 3 2 2 4 1 5 4 4 5 5 5 4 7

GOALS 0 1 23 1 0 113 2 0 12 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 107 3 0 0 0

F 14 20 29 13 13 17 17 15 10 10 19 13 16 11 14 10 9 12 13 11 24 15 11 6

A GD Pts 11 3 19 12 8 18 19 10 17 12 1 15 13 0 15 12 5 14 13 4 14 12 3 14 9 1 14 9 1 14 19 0 14 14 -1 14 11 5 13 8 3 13 16 -2 13 7 3 12 13 -4 12 14 -2 11 16 -3 11 16 -5 8 28 -4 7 18 -3 6 20 -9 4 20 -14 2

YELS 0 0 26 6 0 10 0 0 1 0 1 2 0 1 1 1 0 49 3 0 12 1

REDS 0 0 4 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 4 0 0 1 0

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who’s who? meet the rammy squad for 2015/16

Jon Robinson

Phil Edghill

Grant Shenton

Date of birth: 28/12/81 Place of birth: Salford Position: Manager / Striker Height: 5ft 9ins Previous clubs: Salford, Flixton, New Mills, Bacup A passionate and neversay-die striker who will score goals by sheer enthusiasm alone. Took over the managerial reins in January 2015.

Date of birth: 13/09/79 Place of birth: Oldham Position: Manager / Midfield Height: 6ft Previous clubs: Rochdale, Curzon, Hyde, Salford Versatile midfielder who’s happy anywhere on the pitch. Intelligent, mature and articulate addition to Rammy’s management.

Date of birth: 28/01/91 Place of birth: Newton Heath Position: Goalkeeper Height: 6ft 2ins Previous clubs: Maine Road, FCUM Charismatic and influential goalkeeper whose vision helps score as many goals as his athleticism denies.

Kyle Harrop

Lee Pugh

Ben Woods

Date of birth: 22/05/92 Place of birth: Chadderton Position: Defender Height: 6ft Previous clubs: Curzon, Bacup, Trafford, Ashton United, Nantwich Full back with a great ability to read the game.

Date of birth: 26/05/92 Place of birth: Rossendale Position: Defender Height: 6ft Previous clubs: Bury, Hyde, Bacup, Clitheroe, Chester No-nonsense hard man with a huge long throw and mean free kick.

Date of birth: 1/07/97 Place of birth: Manchester Position: Wing-back Height: 5ft 10ins Previous clubs: Hough End Griffins Extremely talented young full back with bags of pace, which allows him to wreak havoc coming forward.

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6

Andy Fitzgerald

Andy Dawson

Kieran Nolan

Date of birth: 22/12/93 Place of birth: Stockport Position: Defender Height: 6ft 1in Previous clubs: Manchester United, Blackburn, Stockport, Curzon, Hyde Hard working full back with a great pedigree.

Date of birth: 19/09/85 Place of birth: Rochdale Position: Centre-Half Height: 6ft 3ins Previous clubs: Blackburn A Rammy favourite and one of the club’s longest serving players.Struggled with injury for the past three seasons, but after a series of knee operations is back in the squad.

Date of birth: 12/01/91 Place of birth: Salford Position: Centre-Half Height: 6ft 1in Previous clubs: Manchester City, Bolton Skillful young centre back who’s come through the Bolton academy setup.

Very brave, creative and has huge potential.

Prince Haywood

Melford Knight

Alex Meaney

Date of birth: 2/04/92 Place of birth: Modena, Italy Position: Midfield Height: 6ft 1in Previous clubs: Modenese, Stalybridge, Colwyn Bay No-nonsense hard working midfielder with bags of experience despite his age.

Position: Midfield Previous clubs: New Mills, Glossop, Runcorn Linnets, Mossley, Trafford Strong and experienced midfielder who likes to get stuck in. The Enforcer in the middle!

Position: Midfield Previous clubs: Stockport, Lancaster, Nantwich, Chorley, Skelmersdale, Curzon Ashton A left-footed attacking midfielder who works tirelessly and has a great eye for reading play.

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Zac Hargreaves

Jake Cliffe

Jamie Rother

Date of birth: 18/10/98 Place of birth: Bury Position: Midfield Height: 5ft 11ins Previous clubs: Bury, Burnley Young and nippy midfielder with great skill, fitness and masses of potential.

Date of birth: 14/09/95 Place of birth: Bury Position: Midfield Height: 5ft 11ins Previous clubs: Preston, Bury Young and very promising midfielder whose performances become more outstanding every time he takes the field.

Date of birth: 28/01/91 Place of birth: Middleton Position: Midfield Height: 5ft 8ins Previous clubs: Oldham, Salford, Bacup, New Mills A very hard-working midfielder whose neversay-die attitude makes him a real inspiration in the Rammy team.

David Kuba-Kuba

Charlie Russell

Tom Hartley

Date of birth: 1/03/95 Place of birth: London Position: Midfield/Wing Height: 5ft 8ins Previous clubs: Preston, FCUM A very hard-working midfielder who’s skilled, strong and confident on the ball. Extremely influential player on the field for Rammy.

Date of birth: 24/03/96 Place of birth: Halifax Position: Midfield Height: 5ft 8ins Previous clubs: Leeds, Stockport A young creative midfielder who has the ability to take on anyone and deliver a great ball. He is currently on loan from Stockport County to get some match experience.

Date of birth: 11/11/96 Place of birth: Rawtenstall Position: Midfield/Striker Height: 5ft 7ins Previous clubs: Blackburn, Moston Tough and skillful young striker / attacking midfielder who is a very exciting prospect for the future.

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Marley Gough

Luke Heron

Lee Gaskell

Date of birth: 15/09/92 Place of birth: Bolton Position: Midfield/Striker Height: 5ft 8ins Previous clubs: Burnley, Bolton, Lancaster, Mossley A creative midfielder and playmaker with an eye for goal.

Date of birth: 24/03/96 Place of birth: Bury Position: Winger Height: 6ft Previous clubs: Oldham, Trafford Young and creative wide player whose performances are going from strength to strength.

Date of birth: 07/02/85 Place of birth: Bury Position: Striker Height: 6ft Previous clubs: Bury, Morecambe, Trafford, Warrington Tall and classy striker who has an eye for the spectacular but isn’t afraid to work hard for the cause.

Clevon Beadle

Saindou Djanfar

Wayne Goodison

Date of birth: 19/12/95 Place of birth: Manchester Position: Winger Height: 5ft 11ins Previous clubs: Trafford, Radcliffe Leggy young and passionate winger with bags of pace who likes to run at defenders and can deliver a mean cross.

Date of birth: 27/02/91 Place of birth: Mayotte, Africa Position: Striker Height: 5ft 11ins Previous clubs: Chateaux Gombert, En Avant Guingamp, Endoume, Luynes Sport, Consolat, CA Plan de Cuques Tall and fast striker with great technique and whose potential is frightening.

Position: Coach Previous clubs: Barnsley, Crewe, Rochdale, Hyde, Accrington, Buxton Vastly experienced coach with some great ideas for getting the best out of his players. Played over 200 matches in professional football as a right-back.

supporters club

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I’m going to break with tradition for this issue of the programme - tradition being me rambling and ranting about various things football - and try and get this column to be, at least in part, about the Supporters Club! This incarnation of the club is now in it’s fifth year, and I’d like to tell you a little bit about what we’ve been up to over the last few weeks. We had a quiet year last season, and a few of our plans were scuppered by the huge number of postponements, and by the vast swing in fortunes that hit us back in March. This season though, we’re back with all guns blazing, and hoping to get shed-loads of stuff done.

You may have noticed Andy Brown shaking Grant Shenton’s hand on the pitch before the Sutton Coldfield match. The reason is that, for a second season, the Supporters Club has decided to sponsor Grant Shenton’s gloves. He gets through a minimum of fourteen pairs in each season (possibly more this season, given how busy he is), and needs completely different pairs for wet and for dry games. Football seems to have come a long way since you just stuck the fat kid in nets and hoped that he’d get in the way of a few shots, and if you’ve ever seen these gloves up close then you know what I mean - they look more like they belong to a big cartoon animal than a goalie! We’re always keen to encourage and reward the loyalty of players to us and to the club though, and I feel it is a really positive way to use some of the Supporters Club funds - we hope you agree.

We’ve also decided to help our physio Harun Bhatti to buy supplies for his kit bag. We were astonished to discover that he spends about £15 a week of his own money on strapping

for the team and various other bits and bobs, and felt that this was an unacceptable expense for him. It’s not necessarily the best use of our funds, but a sense of ‘what is right’ drove the decision to help him out.

Again, I hope everyone agrees.

Upwards of 5000 flyers went out around Rammy prior to the start of the season and, although we missed some areas, we reckon we covered the vast majority of the town. Any flyers remaining went to the Black Pudding Throwing event, where we decided to run a stall to raise a bit of awareness about the club, as well as the usual advert on the scaffolding, and to the Music Festival in the more than capable hands of Angie.

As well as doing an amazing job with marketing the club, Angie’s the one responsible for producing the fantastic Rammy key-rings, which are given out when you sign up to join us.

These, along with the Supporters Guide, are worth the fiver on their own, so I hope anyone who hasn’t joined up will consider doing so.

Top of our list for this season is getting some more youngsters and families down to Rammy. Although we did put pressure on the club to reduce admission prices for youngsters this didn’t happen, though Harry has been willing to allow occasional ‘quid a kid’ games. I know that a lot of people don’t want “a load of kids running about”, and I can understand that, but we need those kids, as well as the community as a whole to be behind the club, and getting them down to games is a great way of achieving that. We’ve also made headway over the last couple of weeks on developing ties between the club and the local schools. We have some very skillful and accom-

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plished players and coaches throughout the entire ranks of Rammy United, and we feel it’d be fantastic to share some of those skills with the local school children. We’ve had mascots in the past, and would love to keep going with that (if you know someone who might be interested in being a mascot for the day then please speak to Katie who does the Golden Goals), but we’ve long felt that we need to go further than that.

What better for an aspiring six-yearold to meet the likes of Prince Haywood or Lee Gaskell at their school pe lesson, only to come down to the match, lead out the teams, and watch those same players ply their trade. Closeness to the community is one of the really great things about non-league football, which stands it apart from the primadonna Premiership crap on the telly, and it’s something the Supporters Club is intent on working on.

Other things we’ve achieved over the last few months include encouraging a load of people to help get the ground up to scratch over the summer. Andy Brown, Daz Comer, Ste Heard and all the other people

who’ve shown up to help are supporters club members, and we’re really proud of the long hours that everyone has put in on our behalf.

You’ll notice that we’re now organising a ‘Man of the Match’ for each team for home games, as well as asking members to vote in each Player of the Month poll. Irwell Works Brewery are supplying some of their splendid beer to the monthly winners, which we’re really grateful for.

There’s lots more that we’re up to, but still a heck of a long way to go until we’re happy that the Supporters Club is where it needs to be, and most of that is down to having keen, enthusiastic and creative people involved. I know that sitting on a committee is not for everyone, and to be honest, the last thing we want is a load of hardened committee members. If you are interested in getting involved (in any capacity) then please speak to me (Rob - you’ll see me waving a camera around at most of our matches). You’ll be welcomed with open arms!

Supporter Andy Brown presents Grant Shenton with his first pair of sponsored gloves.

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Manager: Jon ROBINSON

Grant SHENTON Clevon BEADLE Ben WOODS Alex MEANEY Kyle HARROP Andy FITZGERALD Dominic McHALE Prince HAYWOOD Lee GASKELL David KUBA-KUBA Luke HERON Sam GRIMSHAW Jake CLIFFE Tom HARTLEY Callum JONES Phil EDGHILL Charlie RUSSELL Andy DAWSON Keiran NOLAN Jon ROBINSON

Manager: Gary HACKETT

Lewis SOLLY Kristian GREEN Daniel SCARR Tom TONKS Stuart PIERPOINT Matt DODD Leon BROADHURST Karl HAWLEY Justin RICHARDS Christopher LAIT Charlie PRICE Ben BILLINGHAM Brian SMILKE Drew CANNAVAN Kayelden BROWN Nathan HAYWARD Chris KNIGHT Lewis McPIKE

Referee: Ian Johnstone Referee’s Assistants: Joe Starkie, Mark Smith

Next home game: Saturday 26th September 3pm, Rammy v Darlington