prammynewsv WHITBY TOWN21-10-14

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johnno

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Hello and welcome to the Harry Williams Riverside Stadium for

tonight’s game, especially to all those who have travelled from

the East Coast and the beautiful town of Whitby.

We played Whitby only a few weeks ago in what turned out to

be one of our most frustrating nights so far this season. We didn't

have a centre forward available which meant Mr Howson had to

exit his defensive duties and spearhead our attack - to be fair we

were beaten by a very good side on the night and if not for the

skipper (Shents) we'd have taken a real hammering. e lads are

still disappointed with that performance and can't wait for the

chance to put a few wrongs right.

We are now a third of the way through the season (15 games)

and we sit in a decent fourth position. e top three teams have

got a little bit of a cushion in front of us but we're hopeful that

with a string of wins we can close that gap quite quickly. Behind

us in the table is getting very congested as teams are all beating

each other, but Skem have shown if you can put a run together

you can pull away from the chasing pack which has now got to

be our aim.

On the player front we are more or less at full strength. We had

a behind-closed-doors friendly last Tuesday at Chorley and were

able to field two different starting elevens which shows how

strong the squad currently is. Lee Gaskell is back in full training

and Lee Pugh is over his hamstring issue. e only other players

still out are George Grayson who needs to have a scan on his knee

that he picked up at Frickley and obviously Andy Dawson is still

waiting from his specialist as to when he can start training again.

Finally, I have to mention the crowds this season. e numbers

have been staggering at home and Saturday’s was the icing on

the cake. I'm pretty certain that 470 has got to be one of our top

three crowds so well done to you supporters for getting behind

the boys, they love it I can assure you.

COYR

- Johnno

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Welcome to the Harry Williams

Riverside Stadium. A special welcome to

our match officials this evening, and, of

course, our visitors from Whitby Town.

We enjoyed the company of Buxton on

Saturday – one of my favourite places –

and now a team from another town that

I always enjoy visiting.

Whitby have already beaten us at their

place this season, and as we meet them

again in less than a fortnight in the FA

Trophy, I think it’s fair to say that we’ll be

sick of the sight of one another come 2nd

November!

It will be another tough encounter

tonight as this run of three home games

in eleven days comes to an end, but we’ve

already chalked up two wins, so,

hopefully, we will be going all out for the

hat-trick today.

Another fine performance on Saturday

against one of the top teams in the

league. I had a wry smile on my face early

in the second half, though. eir No. 2

had been lucky to stay on the pitch after

a first half fracas, and thinking they

would save him from possible further

punishment, the Bucks management

team decided to substitute him at half-

time. Didn’t quite have the

desired effect though, did

it? Within two minutes

of coming on, the

substitute was shown a straight red for

giving away the penalty!

Overall, we thoroughly deserved the

three points, and, whisper it quietly, it

looks as though we are finally getting to

grips with this new level of football. It’s

continuing to prove attractive and the

locals certainly appear to be embracing

what the team is doing. A superb crowd

of 470 on Saturday was way above what

we could have envisaged only a few short

years back. Credit to the locals – and, no

doubt, one or two from further afield –

for supporting the lads. It is much

appreciated.

I even heard that on Saturday, a couple

of people came up from Portsmouth,

which is quite amazing seeing as how the

Pompey were playing just six miles away

at the JD Stadium. Mind you, seeing that

Bury beat them 3-0, it was probably a

wise choice!

ONLY IN NON-LEAGUE

Heard a lovely tale last week

concerning Blyth Spartans visit to Belper

Town. Apparently a group of Spartans

supporters were stood behind the Belper

keeper, and they were making the

weekend one of celebration as they were

enjoying a bachelor party. As is usually

the case, much good humoured banter

occurred between them and the

tony cunninghamand the wonderful world of

non-league football

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custodian during the game, and the keeper

obviously enjoyed it, as the Blyth lads moved

on to Nottingham for a night out….and the

keeper joined them!! Talk about the

camaraderie of non-league football.

PLEASE FEEL FREE

Perhaps it’s because I’m cocooned in my

box these days, but I can happily report that

not too many critical comments have reached

my ears this season concerning my choices of

music at matches. Yes, I know they are mainly

older records, but there again, so am I!

However, should anyone wish to put

together a compilation on a CD of tunes that

they feel would be appreciated by the

supporters, then please do so. I will gladly

receive all such discs, and play them all for

your delight and delectation!

JOIN US ON SATURDAY

I have to say that despite the distances

being travelled this season (Whitby Town…

.you have my sympathies!), the away support

that we have been welcoming down here at

the HWRS has exceeded my expectations.

So too has the away support following the

Rams, which appears to be much larger than

during our NWCFL days. Obviously a result of

the increased attendances here, and it’s great

going to away games and seeing so many

familiar faces, and I know the players

appreciate the effort that is put in by the fans.

With that in mind, I shall be making my first

visit to Marine for quite a few years on

Saturday, and with the team playing so well, I

hope that as many of you as possible will be

making the relatively short trip to Crosby.

Enjoy your non-league football!

Buxton’s answer to LuisSuarez ends up in theNaughty Corner after hisreaction to Jordan’senthusiastic tackle

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Another clean sheet, and a relatively

quiet game against one of the top teams

- you must be happy with that

performance.

I said a few weeks ago to you that I want

a game in which I'm a spectator. So I'm

very happy with a clean sheet. e lads in

front of me were awesome, every one of

them - the three in the middle of the

park just played out of their skins. Our

back four was solid, and there wasn’t a

single shot on goal all game, so everyone

played their part inthe clean sheet. It's a

great feeling.

e reverse situation to last week, with

a penalty and their player sent off. Is it

the Rammy fighting spirit that saw us win

last week's game 4-2 while Buxton

seemed to all but crumple.

I think there's a few factors in both

games. Last week we lost a man but with

the type of game we play we were still

comfortable. But against Buxton they

lost a man and we used that to our

advantage. We used the ball really well

and made it very hard for them.

Buxton are a good side and I

believe this was the first time

they haven't scored in the

league. But I think even with

eleven men on the pitch we

would have come out with

the win untroubled.

After Saturday's game the fans feel on

top of the world, as though Rammy can

go all the way to the play-offs. Do the

players share that feeling, or are they a bit

more pessimistic?

All the lads in the changing room know

we are good enough to go above and

beyond because of the ability on the

pitch and the knowledge of the

management team. We are a very young

squad with few older guys so every game

adds to that experience, and we will only

get better, so why not? Little rammy

knocking on the promotion door again!

Whitby again tonight - a team who did

for us at their place earlier in the season,

albeit with us missing a whole load of

players. Do you think they'll be seeing a

very different Rammy performance this

time around?

Again another good side. At their place

I would say that is the only game where

we didn't play at 50% of our capabilities,

but I think that's down to them playing

well. And yes we had few lads out but the

lads we bring in have the quality to be in

the team. Saying that, this will be a

different rammy and another

entertaining game for the fans with

hopefully another rammy win if we do

our jobs well.

grant shentonshouting from between the sticks

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Only two minutes on the pitchand the Buxton sub shuvs Wizfor a penalty, showing thatperhaps number 2 wasn’t allthat bad after all!

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Like the Napoleonic armies prior to reaching the gates

of Moscow, Buxton had been unbeaten on their travels so

far this season but found themselves similarly repelled at

the Riverside Ground returning home disheveled,

disheartened and thoroughly defeated. e score line did

not reflect the Rams superiority over the full 90 minutes

or a performance that was almost complete and perfect

in its execution.

For a few weeks there has been signs of the brewing storm

which swept Buxton away; the odd thunderous attack and

lightening strike in the area. On Saturday all the elements

came together as the Rams gave a sustained display of solid

defence, control in midfield and accurate passing at pace

in attack. e win was based on 3 partnerships; Steve

Howson, firm and resolute, and Cedric Krou all languid

elegance in interception and distribution, denying Buxton

sight of never mind an effort on goal; Scott Burton and

Gary Stopforth whose return to full match fitness is no

coincidence with the teams uplift in form providing a firm

base to allow Grant Spencer to roam and torment at will

and not least Joel Pilkington and Phil Dean down the left .

2 - 0Harry Williams Riverside Stadium

18th October 2014

Att: 470

Rammy Goals: Abadaki (49), Dean (69)

Buxton Goals:

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Man o f the MatchScott Burton forcinghis way through

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2 - 0Harry Williams Riverside Stadium

18th October 2014

Att: 470

Rammy Goals: Abadaki (49), Dean (69)

Buxton Goals:

For 45 minutes there was an intriguing tussle between

Dean and Steve Istead Buxton's right full back. It was

matador against bull, Dean attacking at pace with feint

and dummy Istead lunging in, turned in and out,

sticking to his task bravely but with building

desperation and by half time having been booked only

one mistimed tackle away from a red card.

Buxton sensing that dilemma substituted him at half

time- but what false economy. e first touch of his

replacement Stuart Ludlum was a push into Phil Dean's

back, clear in the area just two minutes into the second

half. Red card not having touched the ball! Osebi

Abadaki ripped the penalty high into the roof of the

net. Jordan Hulme had a chance to double the lead

moments later only to skew wide but it was just a

matter of time before the Rams scored again with a

goal of beauty in its construction and finish. On 69

minutes a double exchange at pace and with precision

between Hulme and Spencer carved out yards of space

for Dean on the corner of the box. Dean with the cold

eyed calmness of the matador delivering the final

thrust steadied himself, touched the ball forward and

sent a shot screaming past a bewildered goalkeeper

into the far corner. Quite superb.

A flurry of substitutions took some heat out of the

Rams attack but there was still time for Tom Williams

to show the virtue of the early well delivered ball from

wide into the box and Nelson Mota contriving to walk

around the keeper twice in the same movement but

not find the net from inside the 6 yard box. ere are

tough matches ahead but momentum and belief is

growing that this just might be another extraordinary

season.

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Here we go again! Yet another thing for

us all to get outraged about. Can’t the

media let us just have a nice sit down

with our cup of tea without needing to

whip us up into yet another frenzy of

outrage. Whether it’s immigration or

nude celebrity photos, Ebola or

Wembley attendances, there’s always

some outrage for the Daily Mail or the

BBC to wave in our faces to try and get

us wound up. is time it’s the BBC

releasing its annual ‘Cost of Football’

report, and once again we have to put

up with Jeremy Vine spouting his

inciting rhetoric at poor builders,

plumbers and chefs who just want to do

their job in peace while listening to a bit

of music.

e media has cherry-picked all the

worst statistics, taken them out of

context, and has started trying to thrust

outrage on us - and we buy into it, we

get outraged about it! We hear about

the obscene player wages, about the

ridiculous price of pies, and the fact

that a season ticket at Southend

costs you more than one at

City and we start ranting.

e biggest headline

seems to be that

non-league

Kidderminster charges a mammoth

£4.50 for a pie, while those loveable

crafty cockneys at Arsenal only charge

you £3.50. But if you dig through the

bare statistics, you very quickly discover

that things are perhaps not quite as

simple as the BBC tries to make out - are

they ever?

To pick the example of the pies - go

and have a look at the famous

Kidderminster Pie. It’s a Shepherd’s Pie in

a chinese takeaway tin ‘the size of your

face’ as one supporter so eloquently put

it on his blog. e people of

Kidderminster could feed a family of

four for a week on one of these things.

What do you think a standard Arsenal

pie is like? Do you reckon it’s home-

made by a lovely old fella in a pinnie?

And then if you look at admission

prices you have to ask yourself if they

can be taken at face value, or whether

there’s more to it than just the pound

signs.

Let’s compare, for example, Salford

City and Rammy. Backed by a multi-

millionaire, with a handful of “class of 92”

players on-board, what percentage of

club income do you think needs to

come from gate receipts at Salford?

Indeed, would the gate receipts even

the price of footballoutrage at the rising

costs of watching the beautiful game

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come close to covering the playing

budget for a week? With that kind of

financial backing the setting of the

admission prices is almost arbitrary, or at

least of relatively minor significance. At

Rammy however, the admission price is

absolutely crucial as it’s virtually the only

income that the club has, and the only

means of paying the bills. If Salford spend

more each week than they’re getting in

gate receipts then they will just need to

stump up a bit themselves. e same

situation at Rammy would see the club

going to the wall overnight like so many

others up and down the pyramid.

So when we’re comparing the

admission prices at somewhere like

Chelsea to those at Bury, we need to

scratch through the superficial surface

of those statistics and look instead at the

reasons that prices are as they are.

If you pick up a copy of the Premier

League table, you can reel off ‘e Big

Five’ teams straight away. Chelsea,

Manchester City, Manchester United,

Arsenal and Liverpool. ese are the

clubs for whom gate receipts are almost

an incidental income. With fans buying

shirts all over the world, huge company

backers and investors, and massive telly

and sponsorship deals these clubs can

almost view their supporters as being

the studio audience. If you’re signing

Angel di Maria for almost £60 million

while selling hundreds of thousands of

shirts in Japan and the Middle East then

what’s a couple of quid here and there

on ticket prices?

But to teams such as Stoke or Burnley,

who you could never call big players on

the world stage when it comes to shirt

sales, the admission price is absolutely

critical.

Arsenal’s admission prices are

completely insane, as are those of their

minted London neighbours’ Chelsea.

Arsenal v Manchester

City at a packed

Emirates last season

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I even remember hearing the Arsenal

Chief Executive proudly state, on

opening their new stadium, that

although Old Trafford is bigger, the

Emirates takes more in gate receipts! He

was proud of this - proud of screwing his

own fans. And it IS all about screwing his

own fans because, just like Salford City,

Arsenal aren’t dependent on the

admission money. ey don’t need every

last penny of it to survive, and they don’t

need to rip real fans off to be able to

afford players costing tens of millions.

While Stoke charge what they need to

charge, clubs like Arsenal charge

whatever the hell they think they can get

away with. e saddest thing is that the

ground continues to be full every week,

and this says more about their

‘customers’ than their management...

When it comes to outrage in football,

few subjects cause more foaming at the

mouth than the amount of money that

players are paid in wages, and that clubs

are willing to stump up in transfer fees.

It horrifies me when clubs like

Everton or West Brom start

coppering up their loose

change to try and bring

in players that they

patently just cannot

afford. However - and this opinion is

likely to get my lynched - e Top Five

clubs CAN afford to pay, and indeed

they NEED to pay, because they aren’t

football clubs that work like the rest of

us. ey are enormous branded

franchises that need to be seen to be the

biggest and best. ey need to stay one

of e Big Five and in order to do that

they need to compete at the very top

level. ere is only one Ronaldo, Rooney,

Robin van Persie, and the club who has

that player will sell shirts, boots, scarves

and overpriced little red flags all over the

world. e Top Five clubs can afford to

pay out the insane money, and there will

always be a full house of gullible fools

willing to stump up the ridiculously

inflated admission prices to have the

experience of watching these players

take the field. e Top Five clubs are

currently this country’s biggest exports,

and they run their businesses extremely

well - who are we to criticise? While their

stadia are full and their shirts are selling

all over the world, who are we to

complain? How they spend that money,

whether it be on transfer fees or private

jets, is up to them, and they’re doing a

damn fine job of it.

We just have to remember that they

“e Big Five are enormous brandedfranchises that need to be seen to be

the biggest and best”

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are an elite league and this is not football

as we know and love it.

So e Top Five are a law unto

themselves, and are able to compete on

that world stage. e real game of

football starts when you rule that lot out

of the equation. e real game of football

involves Bolton, West Brom, Sunderland,

Stoke and so on down. ese are the

teams that don’t have the multi-

billionaire backers and the worldwide

marketing deals, and the biggest mistake

these clubs can make is to try and

compete with e Big Five- they will

never manage it, and if they try then they

will flounder in the process. And this is

where my heart sinks for English football.

As a teenager I used to watch Preston

in Division Four, and as we got battered

by Whitley Bay on a drizzling January

evening I would dream of one day seeing

the Mighty Northend taking the field at

Anfield or at (then) Highbury. We got

promoted, and then again. Under David

Moyes we found ourselves in the playoffs

for the Premiership, and it was then that

I realised, having seen the fate of Bolton

Wanderers, Coventry and Blackburn

Rovers, that the dream was an empty

one. Little Preston would never compete

with those giants. e end of every

season would see us clinging on to a 1-1

draw by the fingernails, praying we’d

avoid relegation yet again. What kind of

joy is there in that? e dream of

promotion is all very well, but what fun

is it being the little kid who gets beaten

up at school every day?

Just like Harry Williams, Baxi ran

Northend sensibly. ey never over-spent

on the budget, chasing something that

was unsustainable, and that’s why the

club continued to exist. What happened

since is woeful, as is the case of many a

club dreaming of the unattainable Big

Time, but we won’t go into that.

Portsmouth fan Graham Scholes

brought his family to Rammy even

though Portsmouth were just four

miles up the road at Bury

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England’s current plight is a fine

example of a club that’s trying to ‘walk

the talk’ as would be said by those

corporate shiny arses who miss ten

minutes of each second half cos they’re

still in the bar. e FA is trying to

emulate e Big Five when they

promote the club, create their brand and

attempt to charge far too much for

tickets. ey need to open their eyes to

the reality that England doesn’t have the

big backers, doesn’t have the investment,

corporate wherewithall, sponsorship or

fanatical religious support that e Big

Five has. Truth be told, we’re all born

England fans, and we’re stuck with it. We

can’t just choose to support Brazil in the

same way most of e Big Five fans

chose their team.

Another inevitable reality for England

is that they always lose - that’s not a

condemnation of the quality of the

team, but it’s the nature of the

competitions that they enter. Only one

team ever wins the World Cup or the

European Championships and

that team has to be the best in

Europe or the World. If

you’re not that team

then every time you

will crash and burn in

hopeless despair - as has always

happened every year since 1966. Fans

can’t take that kind of misery every

couple of years- they want success, they

want goals and wins and to be top of the

league. e Big Five are e Big Five

because they win stuff, and they don’t

scrape out dull wins against San Marino

or Andorra. By the very nature of

internationals, unless England becomes

the best in the world, they will never win

anything! at’s why you can’t charge

top Premier League admission for

England matches, you just don’t have the

fanatical support outside of a couple of

thousand tub-thumpers who go all over

the world with England - the same fans

who’ve just had their points system

changed, screwing their years of loyalty!

Big mistake, but that’s a different issue.

e question for all football clubs

outside e Big Five needs to be, “What

are you trying to achieve?”

As I’ve grown older, wiser (and

chubbier) I’ve learnt that what matters

is the ride. Whether they will admit it or

not, clubs like FC United will inevitably

become everything that they despise as

they rise up through the leagues, or they

will be easily swept aside by the

opposition. AFC Fylde, Salford City and

“my advice to those people gettingoutraged about the BBC report is

to vote with their feet”

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Warrington Town seem to be striving for

some elusive and nebulous pipe dream that

I can’t ever see them achieving, certainly

not when the money wanders off.

So what should we all be trying to

achieve? We have to strive towards

something, and yes, the aim for Rammy has

to be onwards and upwards. Seeing Rammy

enter the Football League would be a

fantastic day, but the day itself would be

the realisation of that dream. To compete

in the league (or even in the Conference)

will require the club to lose just about

everything that it currently is, and end up

just like all the other Accringtons, Burtons

and Shrewsburys. For me it is about the

ride, and about the friendships made along

the way. Yes, the club will need to work on

drumming up more sponsorship, put work

into producing merchandise and possibly

hunting down some decent financial

backing, but at the end of the day we’re

here for the passion of the football and of

the supporters, a grass roots passion that

will inevitably disappear the higher we rise

up the leagues.

As to the price of supporting Rammy, it’s

gone up 28% this season, which is a

mammoth rise when you look down the

BBC’s report, but this rise is to pay for the

increase in expectations that we now have.

Knowing the way Harry is, this rise WILL

pay the bills, not just the interest on bills,

and not just the loan repayments to some

evil circling shark of a property

developer/speculator who wants to build

executive appartments without a care

about the flooding issues. Knowing Harry,

the decision to increase prices has not been

made lightly or from a position of greed,

but from a position of grounded reality.

And so my advice to those people

wanting to get outraged about the BBC’s

report is to calm down and vote with their

feet - get their whinging arses down to a

decent non-league club and discover what

real football is like, played by real players in

front of real supporters.

Harry Williams - doing it right!

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

fixtures & results 2014/15

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

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

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

Abadaki Burton Mota # Hulme 2 Dean + Pugh Williams # Irwin Slaven * Cook +Abadaki + Burton 1 Pilkington Hulme 1 Williams 1# Dean + Mota # Irwin Slaven * CookAbadaki # Stopforth Pilkington Hulme Williams + Burton + Dean * Mota Robinson # CookMota 1* Burton Spencer Hulme Robinson 1# Williams * Cook + Dean # Morley AbadakiAbadaki * Burton Mota + Hulme Spencer # Robinson 1# Williams + Slaven Pilkington Dean *Abadaki 1 * Burton Hulme # Spencer + Dean 2 Williams * Mota Slaven Robinson 1+ Gaskell #Abadaki 1 * Burton Hulme Spencer # Dean 1 + Williams + Mota * Slaven Robinson # Pugh

MATCHBAL

Today’s other league fixtures:

Barwell v Stamford

Belper v Stourbridge

Blyth v Skelmersdale

Frickley v Buxton

Grantham v Nantwich

Halesowen v Rushall

Kings Lynn v Ilkeston

Matlock v FC United

Trafford v Ashton United

County Cup:

Bootle v Marine

fixtures & results 2014/15

Ramsbottom United Sponsorship

A range of sponsorship packages to suit all budgets are now

available, including pitchside advertising from £150, matchball

sponsorship at £40 and corporate hospitality packages from

just £25 per person.

For more details call 07576 390762 or email

bobsolo37@googlmail.com

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1. What colours do Coalville Town play in?

2. Whose ground, that used to be called Hope Street, is now known as Valerie

Park?

3. Which club is bottom of the NWCFL Premier Division?

4. Who is the manager of AFC Telford?

5. Stamford is in which county?

6. Which Evo-Stik club plays at the wonderfully named “Home of Football

Stadium”?

7. Joe Connor scored the only goal of the game last Saturday to win the game for

which Conference club?

8. Who scored Bradford PA’s only goal on the same day?

9. Which Welsh club plays at Belle Vue?

10. Grant Spencer’s brother, Scott, moved from Hyde to which other Conference

club this summer?

ANSWERS: 1. Black and White 2. Prescot Cables 3. Bacup and Rossendale Borough 4. Liam Watson 5. Lincolnshire

6. Sheffield 7. Southport 8. Billy Priestley! 9. Rhyl 10. Stockport County

tony’s teasers

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Well, now we’ve done it! Some bright

spark had the (dangerous) idea of

letting the fans have our say in the

matchday programme. And so here is

that page!

What we’re after is anything at all

related to Rammy - your opinions on

away trips, or on the performance of the

lads; anything you have to say about

footie at a local or national level; even

something as strange as a photo of a

pretty creepy looking spongebob

squarepants holding a Rammy scarf. If

you’re a youngster then why not get

scribbling with your felt-tips and come

up with a life-like portrait of Jon

Robinson (complete with occasional red

mist!) which we’ll happily print right

here in the programme.

If you want to email your contribution

then you can send it to qy@dr.com - If

you need to post it then just email us at

that address and we’ll either come and

pick it up, or give you somewhere to

send it. We always like photos so if you

can accompany your letter/article/ rant

with a photo of something then that’d

be even better.

We’ve now got a 68 page programme

to work with, which allows us to put

some proper stuff in here - and what’s

more interesting to Rammy fans than

what other fans have to say! So please,

get scribbling.

We’d also be delighted to hear from

fans of other clubs, so if you’ve got

something to share with us then feel free

to get in touch: qy@dr.com

the fan

page

Richard sent us loads of these weird

photos after his trip to the USA -

just wait til you see the one of KISS

p

p

Joel PilkingtonJoel Pilkington

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

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

now to claim your magnificent prize!

p

ramm

y un

itedRamsbottom United Football ClubPresident: John SmithChairman: Harry WilliamsVice Chairman: Chris WoolfallSecretary: Tony Cunningham Matchday Secretary: Andy Edmunson Treasurers: H Williams, C WoolfallCommittee: Harry Williams, Chris Woolfall, Andy Edmundson, Kevin HitchenCatering Manager: Sophie FletcherProgramme Editor: Rob MossContributors: Callum Rigg, Darren Comer, Richard Isaacs, Tony CunninghamMatch Reports: Paul Cropper

The Harry Williams Riverside, Acre Bottom, Ramsbottom, Lancashire,Tel: 01706 822799

Recent Senior Honours: Bolton Comination Div 1 Champions: 1972/73Bolton Comb. Premier Champions 1976/77: Bolton Comb. Div2 cup runners up: 1979/80,1982/83Bolton Comb. Div2 runners up: 1982/83Bolton Comb. Cup winners: 1976/77, 1979/80, 1983/84Bolton Comb. Div1 runners up: 1984/85Bolton Comb. Cup runners up: 1985/86, 1987/88Manchester League Cup Winners: 1990/91Manchester League Champions: 1990/91Yorkshire Cup runners up: 1993/94Northwest Counties Div2 Champions: 1996/97Northwest Counties Div2 Trophy: 1995/96Bolton Hospital Cup winners: 1974/75, 05/06. 06/07, 07/08Northwest Counties Premier runners Up 2010/11Northwest Counties Premier Champions: 2011/12Northern Premier League Div1 playoff winners: 2013/14

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rammy in exilesky sports statto richard isaacs

Good evening everyone - as ever, I hope

you are all keeping well.

It is Sunday morning and I am just about

coming down off Cloud 9 following my

footballing experiences of yesterday.

Naturally, top of the list, was our

outstanding 2-0 victory over table

climbing Buxton - avenging the FA Cup

loss at their place just a month ago. And

we are fourth! Good heavens above .....

Just down the road from our 2-0 win

was another extremely pleasing home

victory, this time coming from our good

friends at Bury, who are having a terrific

season and sit second in League 2

following their 3-0 success over some

hopeless bunch from down the road from

me here. It was interesting to hear that

there was a spectator at the Buxton game

with three children, all wearing

Portsmouth shirts. It was a good job I

wasn't there! Did he not fancy watching

his normal rabble in favour to watch

quality football instead?

And then there was my Scottish

team winning 3-0 at home. I have

followed Queen of the South since I

was about 8 years old. I think it was

wholly due to them having 'South' in

their name that attracted me to them

and I have ventured to Dumfries a

couple of times to watch them, a dull

0-0 draw with Meadowbank istle

and a cup game against Hibernian. I

also watch them in the 2008 Scottish Cup

Final at Hampden Park, losing to Rangers

3-2 in a brilliant game that Queens - still

in the second division playing the then

mighty Scottish big-guns - were 2-0 down

and then levelled to 2-2 before conceding

late on.

And was there another result yesterday

that springs to mind? Umm, let me have

a think!

Ohhhh yes, I knew it would come to me

eventually. How about Southampton's

incredible, mindboggling 8-0 success over

Sunderland in the Premier League? I went

out into town last night and it was

buzzing with everyone who was anyone

talking about it. No-one could quite

believe it and continues Saints' sensational

run which has seen us sit third at the top

table of English football. Not bad for a

club and a team that were written off pre-

season having sold £100m worth of talent

to the so-called bigger clubs. Only

Chelsea and Manchester City sit above us

in the table - none of those players sold

went there!

We were a club in crisis. A club in

meltdown. Ok ok, no-one in this city is

getting carried away purely because we

haven't played Chelsea, City, United or

Arsenal yet so know that maybe its a little

bit false (West Ham are fourth for

instance). But to even be third in this

table is something of dream land stuff.

p

I was watching a rugby match between

Havant and Wimbledon on Saturday

afternoon with my Dad (which finished

in a very enjoyable 29-29 draw) but was

watching my phone intently for the

updates. I couldn't quite believe what I

was seeing from all four fixtures above

but took a lot of pleasure out of all of

them.

Which brings me back to my main

focus. Rammy! Who honestly expected

us to be fourth at this stage of the season

- especially after we started the season

with one win in the first five? at is the

beauty of football, you just never know

what is going to happen. at is probably

why I have never won the pools! Because

you have no idea at all what is going to

happen.

is evening, we welcome Whitby

Town, a side we have already played this

season and will play again in just 10 days

time in the FA Trophy. We endured, lets

say, a difficult evening on the East Coast

when we ventured over there and they

are having a decent season in eighth

place along with a fairly good away

record of three wins on their travels. So,

who is going to put some money on the

match in total confidence that they will

win?

I tell you something else that really

cheered me up as well. Seeing the total of

people watching the game on Saturday

too. 470! How terrific is that?!?

New or old spectators (or even Pompey

followers!!), welcome to Ramsbottom.

Really looking forward to coming up

and watching again very soon. Until then

.... COME ON YOU RAMS!!!!!!!!!!

Before the hair weave -

Richard meets yet another

famous footballer

p

Arm yourselves with a cross and a few

bulbs of garlic for the first Saturday in

November, as the Rams embark another

long, journey to take on Whitby Town, for

the second time this season. e journey

should take around 2 hours 30 minutes

each way, but I would suggest leaving

enough time to beat the roadworks on

the M62 and M1 if you are going to take

that route.

Our earlier visit this season saw a mix ‘n’

match Rammy team go down by 2-0, in

what was probably one of our poorest

performances this season. Hopefully, we

can make amends for that result and

progress in the 1st Qualifying round of the

F.A Trophy

Whitby Town were formed in 1892 and

play at the Turnbull Ground (YO21 3HZ)

which is a traditional ground with a

modern main stand and an open terrace

behind one goal. e club have played at

this level of non-league football for many

years and perhaps had their best seasons

in the mid 1990’s, winning the Northern

League Division One in 1996-97, which

they followed up by claiming the

Northern Premier League First Division

the following season. e 1996-97 season

also saw the Seasiders take a visit to the

old Wembley Stadium (before it became

just another corporate football stadium

blasting music over the P.A. system) where

they beat North Ferriby United 3-0 to lift

the F.A. Vase. ey also reached the final

of the (then prestigious) Amateur Cup in

1964-65 where they lost to Hendon by 3

– 1 at Wembley.

Whitby itself is famous for being the

town that inspired Bram Stoker to write

his 1897 novel , Dracula, after visiting the

town a few years previously. is has led

in recent years to the town becoming the

Goth capital of the world. e Whitby

Goth Weekender takes place annually and

this see’s thousands of Goths and other

outsiders descend on the town for a

music festival and other activities related

with the darkside (pun intended) is

year e Goth Weekender will take place,

yes you guessed it, on the very weekend

the Rams are in town.

the boogie buson the road with rammy

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Whitby is going to be pretty packed

with people attending the festival and the

safest bet will probably be to grab a pre-

match pint at the ground or one of the

hotels close by. e town centre is about

a 10 – 15 minute walk from the ground,

and I doubt any of the goths will be

bothered with the football when they can

be watching the likes of ex-Stranglers

frontman, Hugh Cornwell who is

headlining the festival. Whilst he is

singing ‘No More Heroes’, the Rams

players will be proving him wrong and

showing there are indeed still some

heroes.

On a final note there are links between

the Goth Weekender and this particular

part of Lancashire where we live. Money

raised by people attending the Goth

Weekender in 2007 was used to erect a

memorial bench on Whitby seafront

dedicated to Sophie Lancaster, who I am

sure you all know was attacked by a

group of youths in Stubbylee Park in

Bacup and later died from her injuries. It

might be a nice touch to leave some

Ramsbottom United related item in

tribute to her if you are passing.

“”

p

Born in January 1991, this 6ft 2” goalkeeper

joined Rammy from FC United at the end of

August 2010. He was number two at FC

United, but a superb season in 2010/11 saw

him win Player of the Year for the Rams. He

Signed full-time with the club at the start of

2011/12.

Signed for the club after impressing the

managers when he played against the Rams

for Atherton LR. Adds a whole new

dimension to the Riversiders’ squad, and

equally at home on the right side as either a

defender or attacking winger.. Brother of

Plymouth Argyle’s Deane Smalley.

Battling midfield who signed for the club in

2011 following the demise of Rossendale

United, for whom he scored a hat-trick in the

ridiculous 7-5 Rammy win the previous

season. Won the NWCFL title with the club

and was offered terms with Conference

Premier side Hyde but returned to the club

on loan, eventually signing full terms.

Dominic SMALLEY

Grant SHENTON Grant SPENCER

ram

my

unite

dm

eet t

he la

ds

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Signed from local rivals Radcliffe Borough

after a spell playing in Australia, the big man

is equally at home in the heart of the

defence, or up front poaching goals.

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

off game for our opponents Bamber Bridge.

e Rams management team acted swiftly

in the summer to bring him down to

Ramsbottom

Former Burnley professional player who is a

model of consistency, wherever he is picked.

A previous Player of the Year award-winner,

Joel is a firm favourite with the fans at the

Harry Williams Riverside Stadium, and has

played over 200 games for the club.

It has taken some two years for the

management to finally get Scott to join the

Rams. Bernard and Jonno have followed

Scott’s career with Runcorn Town and he

finally joined the club in late January 2014.

A hard-working midfielder, similar in style to

Gary Stopforth, and an integral part of the

promotion winning team.

Steve HOWSON Joel PILKINGTON

Scott BURTONTom WILLIAMS

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Experienced striker Jon was signed from New

Mills and despite plentiful interest from

other clubs has remained loyal to the Rams

for a number of seasons now, and always

finishes near the top of the goal-scoring

charts. Regarded as a “Rammy legend” in

east Lancashire..

A constant threat in attack, a solid

performer in defence. Awarded Clubman of

the Year award in 2011. Continues to cause

plentiful problems to defences around the

leagues.

Signed at the end of August 2011 from

Manchester League side Walshaw Sports and

has taken his opportunity with some relish.

Last season the 29 year old won the Golden

Boot accolade for being the highest scorer in

the Division One North.

Joined the club in December 2011 from

Clitheroe via Padiham. Son of a former

1990s Rammy favourite Martin, midfielder

Jordan is highly rated and scored 8 goals for

the Storks before going to Clitheroe. A

versatile player – he can play anywhere from

defence to striker.

Jon ROBINSON Lee GASKELL

Phil DEAN Jordan HULME

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Having spent time at University, the

youngster spent last season with Shepshed

Dynamo before moving back to the north-

west, where joint-managers Bernard Morley

and Anthony Johnson snapped him up for

the Rams.

e speedy wingman joined the Rams at the

beginning of the 2014/15 season, having

spent the previous campaign at fellow Evo-

Stik Premier club Nantwich Town.

Joined the Rams in the summer of 2014, this

midfield player spent last season as a

member of the struggling Droylsden side

which changed places with e Rams at the

end of the campaign.

Cedric joined the club in January 2014

having impressed the management team

during his time with rivals Trafford FC.

Essentially a defender, Cedric has the ability

to fit in other positions for the team.

Sam COOK Malachi SLAVEN

Osebi ABADAKI Cedric KROU

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Previously club captain of the Rams, who

famously lifted the play-off trophy at

Bamber Bridge in May 2014, Danny moved

to Salford City in the summer, but soon

returned. His consistent displays at the back

and in midfield have seen him become a

firm favourite with the fans.

A 24-year old forward player who signed for

the Rams in the middle of September.

Previously with FC United of Manchester

and Salford City. Prior to that he had spells

at Niort, Lilas, DH Saint-Maur and Paris DC

in France, as well as Tercera in Spain.

A skilful battling midfielder who signed full

time with the Rams during the summer of

2012 after coming on loan from AFC Fylde

the previous season and dominating the

midfield. In his third season with the club he

was a vital member of the promotion set-up

last term.

A left-back who signed for the Rams in the

middle of September. Previously with

C.E.Principado De Andorra, a second

division Andorran team with whom he

experienced Champions League football.

Gary STOPFORTH

Nelson MOTA Alex PIACENTILE

Dan WARRENDER

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Son of Manchester United player Dennis

Irwin, Liam signed for the Rams in the

middle of September. Previously with

Stockport Sports, Altrincham and Bolton

Wanderers. He played at international level

for Republic of Ireland youth.

Appointed joint manager at the start of the

2009/2010 season and took the club to the

NWCFL title in 2011/12 season, despite

missing much of the season through injury.

He has helped guide the club through

another promotion via the play-offs into the

Evo-Stik Premier League in May 2014.

Re-joined the club in January 2009 and

became joint manager at the start of

2009/2010. A Rammy man to his core, a

combative and hard-working midfelder who

has occasionally taken over with some

prowess in goal. Successful in guiding the

Rams to two promotions in three seasons.

Liam IRWIN

Anthony JOHNSON Bernard MORLEY

e talented left full-back rejoined the club

from Chester during the 2013/14 season

having had a short spell here a couple of

years earlier. His long throw-in is always a

dangerous piece of his armory.

Lee PUGH

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A highly respected coach who has

experience at all levels of the game, from

local football with Walshaw to League One

time at Bury. Highly respected coach and a

coup for the club to have secured him. Also

a holder of a UEFA B Coaches badge.

A 20 year old player who joined from

Conference side Tamworth early in the

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

back capable of playing on either flank,

giving the Rams additional defensive

flexibility.

Darren GREEN

John is the goalkeeping coach at

Ramsbottom, and was formerly manager at

NWCFL side Maine Road, where he

constantly had them pushing for promotion.

George GRAYSONJohn MORREY

Former manager of Atherton LR, leading

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

Resigned from his post with the Crilly Park

club and joins Ramsbottom United as a

highly rated coach.

Glenn MOSES

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SERIOUSLYSTRONGSERIOUSLYVERSATILE

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whitby town driving miles and miles since 1893

After World War One, the town of Whitby

had two clubs, both playing in the

Scarborough and District League, Whitby

Whitehall Swifts and Whitby Town, the

latter having first played Northern League

football as early as 1893. Ever conscious of

Whitby’s more illustrious past, the two

clubs in 1926, decided to amalgamate as

Whitby United. e new club was admitted

into the Northern League and the club's

name was changed to Whitby Town in

1949.

!n 1983-84, Whitby came to national

prominence when they came back from

two goals down to beat Halifax Town 3-2 in

the FA Cup first round proper. ey were

beaten by a late penalty at Wigan in the

following round. e same season, Whitby

reached the quarterfinals of the FA Trophy

for the first time losing to Dagenham in a

replay.

1996-97 saw a 0-0 draw against

Hull City in the first round proper

of the FA Cup, which was played at

Scarborough oh police advice. In a

remarkable replay at Boothferry

Park, Whitby came from behind to

take a 4-3 lead which was held until

the dying seconds of the game.

With only 49 seconds remaining,

Hull levelled the score and went on

to win 8-4 in extra time. Superior

fitness told in the end. is was to

be one of only five defeats in the

entire season.

e Club came from behind in the

Northern League race, winning the

Championship in style from

neighbours, Billingham Synthonia,

before completing an amazing

"double" by winning the FA

Carlsberg Vase at Wembley, beating

North Ferriby United by 3-0.

e following season, 1997-98 saw

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continued success at the Turnbull Ground

when the Club won the UniBond League

First Division Championship by a margin of

7 points at their first attempt as well as

beating York City 3-0 in the final of the

North Riding Senior Cup to become holders

for a fifth time. Whitby again reached the

final of the NRSC in 1999 only for York to

gain revenge by winning 4-2. In the 1999-

2000 season the Seasiders finished 12th in

the UniBond Premier League and were

beaten finalists in the President's Cup, losing

over two legs to Trafford after a penalty

Shootout.

e 2001-2002 season saw Whitby finish in

a disappointing 15th in the league, but they

got to the FA Cup 1st Round for the 7th

time, only to lose out to Plymouth Argyle

after a replay, 3-2. e first game was at the

Turnbull Ground in front of the BBC Match

of the Day Cameras.

Season 2003/04 saw another excellent cup

run halted at the hands of Hartlepool

United. e blues put up a spirited show at

Victoria Park but fell 4-0 to an excellent

Pools side. Whitby also managed to finish in

the play off zone for the new Conference

North but went out on penalties to Radcliffe

Borough, a team they had beaten 5-0, 6-2

and 1-0 in the regular season.

e Club appointed current manager and

ex-Sunderland player Darren Williams in

October 2011. 2012/13 saw the club finish a

creditable 12th in the league after a poor

start, while last season saw them placed

ninth, their best finish for eight seasons.

Currently they sit mid-table with draws at

home against Trafford and Workington

preceded by defeat at the hands of FC

United. Saturday saw them make the

horrendously long journey (170 miles) to

Rushall Olympic, reminding all of us just

how lucky we are to be Ramsbottom

supporters!

Photos by kind permission Bri Murfield

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STEVEN SNAITH

Position: Forward D.O.B 23.05.94.

Steven signed in July 2012 on his release from

Hartlepool United and quickly established

himself as a tireless forward, who holds the

ball up well. He's tough and tidy in

possession and was prolific for Pools at Youth

Level with 24 goals from 41 appearances- he

netted four in five starts for Hartlepool

Reserves.

MATTHEW WATERS

Position: Midfield/Forward D.O.B 14.12.93.

Talented young striker who has looked more

accomplished playing deep in midfield for

the Blues since signing in July 2014. Came

through the ranks at the famous

Middlesbrough academy and looks like a

bright addition.

LEE BULLOCK

Position: Defender/Midfield D.O.B 22.05.81.

Bully's an experienced and versatile former

Football League star. Played with Darren

Williams at Cardiff City, Bradford and York

City and can play central defence or midfield.

Very strong in the air and composed on the

ball, which he passes well. Signed from York

in July 2013.

DAVE McTIERNAN

Position: Midfield D.O.B 13.07.84.

A popular midfielder who re-joined Whitby

in the summer of 2010 and has developed

from a pacey winger into a tough, classy,

grafter in the centre of the park. Macca broke

a record when scoring Newcastle Blue Star's

SECOND goal on 47 seconds in a 2008

Northern Premier League First Division

outing. He later joined Blue Square North

Harrogate Town, before returning to the

Blues. fou

r to

wat

ch

Photos by kind permission Bri Murfield

p

Our recent run of away games finally

came to an end a fortnight ago when the

mighty, mighty Rammy made the short trip

down the M62 for a derby game with

Trafford. After some recent long trips it was

nice to eventually have a Saturday where I

had time to have a full, English breakfast

before setting off, so trust Mrs Darkside to

pick this day to go off and do some of her

voluntary work with the National Trust

(thank goodness then for Entwistles Deli on

Bridge Street for making sure I had a

kitchen free morning). With Mrs Darkside

saving the planet and Geoff watching Bury,

it was all change in the Hulme-mobile with

Paul and Cheryl Whizz joining us. is was

a nice change, and quite a relief for my ears

as I am usually sat in the back with Geoff

and Mrs Darkside who never shut up

talking ( I should record some of their

conversations, they are comedy gold) .

We set off at 2.00, as Martin had been

coaching the

Rammy Juniors

Under 14’s in the

morning (that’s the

next generation of

Rammy players

only using their left

foot then). As we

got on the M62 we

hit the traffic jams,

which we pretty

soon realised were not going to Trafford

F.C., but the Trafford Centre. is led to a

conversation in the car about why anyone

would spend a Saturday afternoon

shopping, and quite a few expletives were

used to describe the shoppers as the clock

edged closer to 3.00.

Luckily, we made it just in time for the kick

off and I bought myself a programme,

which wasn’t too bad, and better than quite

a few this season. ere was the usual large

turnout of Ultras, although many others

had turned up late so we were pretty

spread out around the ground. Most of us

had also missed our pre match pint and a

bit of a chat. I always enjoy the pre match

with my fellow supporters and it makes

Saturday afternoon about much more than

just the 90 minutes of the game. is made

for a pretty quiet 1st half, although we still

heard a few scattered chants of ‘Yooouuuu

Raammms’

You were allowed to have a pint (in a

plastic glass) while watching the game, so I

headed off to the bar to get myself and

Martin a pint, while Paul had opted for a

pie and a brew to start with. e 1st half

was a pretty tight affair and both teams

seemed pretty well matched which made

for a pretty tense atmosphere on the

terraces. It was 0-0 at half time and at that

point I would have been happy for it to stay

that way.

from the darksidedarren comer reports on the latest

rammy ultras adventures

p

from the darkside

e 2nd half saw the Rams start to

dominate the game and we were

frequently attacking the Trafford defence.

By this point the travelling Ultras had made

their way to the side of the ground Rammy

were attacking and the atmosphere

suddenly seemed more positive. Looking

around it seemed to me that there was

almost as many Rammy fans as there was

Trafford, and it was another amazing

turnout from Ramsbottom to watch the

‘tiny’ team.

We were finally rewarded with just over

10 minutes left to play when substitute

Robbo banged in a great goal from the

edge of the area. e celebrations after the

goal, when Robbo ran over to celebrate

with the Rammy fans, were the highlight of

the day for me, and I’m sure a few of you

will agree. Trafford, who were not a bad

team at all, tried to pressure us in the last

minutes, but Shents was looking

unbeatable and at 90 minutes we were

celebrating another three points. As usual,

the players applauded the travelling

supporters, and of course, we gave the

players a rousing applause.

We stayed back for a couple pints after

the game, and sat outside in the sunshine

talking about another wonderful

performance. We were soon joined by

Jonno and Bernard along with the players,

and as always they were more than happy

to have a chat with the supporters.

ankfully, the trip home did not entail

any traffic jams and we were back in the

cricket club in no time, where we were

joined by Mrs Darkside. We were also

joined by the Gaz and Mary Chain, who

had missed the game, and Mary had

brought along her cousins Bernard and

Mandy, who were down from Glasgow. A

few pints of Moorehouses and we were off

to the Eastern Eye for a good old nosh up

and to continue yet another day of

celebrating our little ol’ football club.

40 minutes in, and

already mentally

preparing for a

0-0 draw

p

Four hundred and seventy! It’s hard to

believe that four hundred and seventy

people watched Rammy on Saturday -

the kind of attendance earlyish on in the

season that promises so much should the

team still be performing that well come

May - and I can see no reason why they

won’t. e question I asked myself is why

so many new faces? Two of my

neighbours came to the game along with

their kids, even though last week it would

have cost them a whole lot less (Quid a

Kid). So there was me wondering why

they weren’t at the match the week

before, and how come they were so keen

to attend this Saturday? So I asked them...

Apparently, all the kids at school had

been talking about Rammy’s great win

last week. All those kids who’d come

along for a quid went straight to school

and advertised Rammy to all of their

friends - by the time it got to Saturday

morning they were whinging and begging

their parents to take them to the match.

Rob, who lives two doors down, came for

just his second visit in three

years, and brought his

seven-year-old daughter

Millie, all because she’d

heard how great

Rammy were from kids

who came last week.

ese young

supporters are the future

of Rammy, and the Quid a Kid,

timed as it was to coincide with a great

performance and great win, meant that

this week the crowd became the second

biggest we’ve ever seen at Rammy (if we

discount the two games where the away

fans came on a fleet of coaches).

We need these kids coming to games

more regularly, and we need to do

everything in our power to persuade

them to attend matches. Even the

atmosphere was something special

because there were families all around the

ground. To this day I remember every

detail of my dad and my uncle Bill taking

me to my first ever football match at

Anfield, and the blokey bond that’s always

been there between us as a result. A lot of

these kids are getting their first ever taste

of footy down at the Riverside, and even

if they ultimately sell their souls and

become City fans, there will always be a

little part of them that is Rammy.

Sadly, the league fixtures computer has

now served us up a pretty crumby run of

games that will do its best to undo the

good work. It’s exactly a month until our

next Saturday home game and the away

matches are bleedin’ miles away. So we’re

going to have to remind these newcomers

to get back down here on 22nd

November, and remind them what a

fantastic day out local non-league footy

can be. How we do that is a question we

definitely need to work on answering.

supporters clubon the terraces of rammy

p

I’m just going to have to say a word or

two about a match that Bri Murfield

(Whitby Town’s photographer) told me he

attended on Saturday. For me it epitomises

the fantastic thing that is lower-league

football.

Bri freely admits that the insane distances

Whitby have to travel (Saturday they had

a 340 mile round trip to Rushall Olympic!)

means that he can’t realistically get to

many away games. He’s also a taxi driver, so

missing the Saturday night trade in Whitby

is not great for business.

Anyway, he went to a match between

Sleights Reserves and Falsgrave Reserves on

a local park pitch, and sent me a link to the

photos he took. e game looks to have

had just about everything you could ever

wish for in park football - an incredibly

rotund referee whose belly defied all laws

of gravity, a load of clatteringly agricultural

tackles with the players trying to lug the

ball through three inch thick grass, and my

favourite photos of all shows the 4ft tall

dwarf fella stubbing out his fag to get on

the pitch and score the winning goal!

Football at these lower levels is a truly

wonderful game, and I love it that the

result of a Sleights Reserves v Falsgrave

Reserves match is as important to those

lads as the result is to players at any level.

So I’d like to thank Bri. He probably won’t

be at tonight’s game, but I’d very much

appreciate one of you die-hard Whitby

fans passing on my appreciation of his

fabulous photos. - Rob

“the 4ft tall dwarf fella stubbed out hisfag to get on and score the winning goal“

The future of Rammy: a huge proportion ofSaturday’s gate wasyoungsters - the way itshould be.

p

Grant SHENTON

Dominic SMALLEY

Joel PILKINGTON

Gary STOPFORTH

Steve HOWSON

Cedric KROU

Osebi ABADAKI

Scott BURTON

Jordan HULME

Grant SPENCER

Phil DEAN

Jon ROBINSON

Malachi SLAVEN

Dan WARRENDER

Tom WILLIAMS

Lee GASKELL

Lee PUGH

Sam COOK

George GRAYSON

Shane BLAND

Ibrahim HASSAN

Mark ROBINSON

Lee BULLOCK

Richard PELL

David McTIERNAN

Matthew BROWN

Dale HOPSON

Matthew WATERS

Steven SNAITH

Liam SHEPARD

Darren WILLIAMS

Lee MASON

Ross GARDNER

Craig FARRELL

Kevin BURGESS

Managers: Anthony Johnson,

Bernard Morley

Managers: Darren Williams

Referee: Alan Bennett (Wigan)

Referee’s Assistants: James Morgan (Wigan), Liam Ockleshaw (Skelmersdale)

Next home game: Tuesday 14th November 7:45pm, Rammy v Workington

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