63 Ramsbottom United v Burnley/Bolton Wanderers

28.07.15 04.0815

Hello everyone, and welcome

back after what seems like a very

short summer break, not least for

me and Edgy who have been very

busy building a squad which is

worthy of the Evostik Premier. A

special welcome to our friends

from Burnley and Bolton Wander-

ers as well as tonight’s o#cials.

It feels great to be able to assem-

ble a new squad and watch it take

shape after the upset and rush of

last season. The lads who got us

through the latter part of last sea-

son did a fantastic job given the

circumstances, but we knew that

would never be a squad to make

any great shakes. It has been a

pleasure to watch some of the

training sessions and performances

that these new players have put in

over the last few weeks, and I’m

sure they’ll do us proud tonight.

In the signings we have been

looking for quality, commitment,

and players that believe in our

brand of football - we’re looking to

get the ball down and shift it

around the pitch rather than the

long ball crap that you end up

resorting to if you’re not quite up

to competing fully at this level.

We have looked at a good few

young players as well as a mixture

of experience. To me it's all about

finding the right balance:- in a

young player you get a hunger and

desire to prove they can cut it and

you end up with players who grow

to your beliefs. In older players you

get a wiser head as well as some

assurance and leadership (we all

know what Alan Hansen said).

We have brought in players to

suit every position, as well as still

having the quality lads we were

lucky enought to attract last sea-

son, such as Jamie Rother and

Matty Burke.

Bringing back ‘the Mercurial’

Grant Spencer and Lee Pugh, and

retaining Lee Gaskell, David Kuba-

Kuba and in particular inspirational

keeper Grant Shenton has been a

big bonus. All of these are top

notch players who very much fig-

ure in our plans.

New coach Wayne Goodison is

someone I have known for going

on ten years - he coached me at

Salford and he has been around the

non league scene a lot of years. He

brings experience that is invaluable

to me and Phil - the work the three

of us have done together is some-

thing I hope will speak for itself on

the pitch and give are loyal rammy

fans what they deserve, and that's

a quality brand of football.

Pre-season has been very good so

far and I have really enjoyed having

the time and space to work on

some things and get a good idea of

our strengths. We have welcomed

new players and said goodbye to

old ones - this is the start of a new

era at Rammy; one that I hope will

be fruitful for all.

The first games of the season will

be the total opposite of pre-season.

It's when business starts; its when

people actually start to watch; its

when our job becomes tough and

it's the moment we all look for-

ward to throughout the summer.

To all the fans I hope we deliver

the kind of performances and

results that you deserve across the

next few months, and I hope every-

one enjoys the two home friendlies

we face against real top-quality

opposition.jon

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Welcome to the Harry Williams

Riverside Stadium.

OK, so it’s only for pre-season

friendlies, but we all know that when

these come around, the real thing is

just round the corner!

It’s been an enjoyable break after

the traumas of last season, and the

three months have given everyone at

the club time to breathe and regroup.

Not that it has been quiet down here

at the Harry Williams Riverside Sta-

dium! As you enter the gates, you will

again see a stadium in pristine condi-

tion. This is not by accident!

The amount of work carried on

since the Matlock Town game has

been quite phenomenal. 60 tons of

soil has been spread on the pitch,

along with re-seeding, and drainage

work has been carried out at various

points. The paintwork on the stands

has been scraped away and reap-

plied. New fencing panels (almost 30

of them) have been replaced, as has

the floor of the Teabar. The perimeter

walls have been given a new coat of

paint, along with the turnstiles and

main gates, as well as general trim-

ming of the grassed areas and

weeding on the terraces and walk-

ways.

And, incredibly, all this has been

carried out on a voluntary basis by a

group of supporters who have given

their time willingly for the good of

the club. On many occasions, Harry

and the two Jacks have been accom-

panied by up to ten volunteers a day.

A massive “Thank you” goes out to

everyone who has helped out during

the closed season. Your efforts really

are appreciated!

WELCOME

For our two pre-season games, we

welcome two big local Lancashire

clubs, both of whom have been kind

enough to come down and support

their small local non-league side.

We thank both Burnley and Bolton

Wanderers for supporting the non-

league game, and we hope that their

visits encourage them to create a

bond with the Rams for the future.

BURNLEY

The Clarets have had a terrific last

few seasons, bouncing up and down

between the Premier League and the

Championship. Burnley are the clas-

sic case of a football club rooted very

much within it’s town and residents.

The smallest town ever to win the

top tier, with the largest average gate

compared to the population of the

town, it’s pull is evident with the

huge numbers of former players,

from around the country, who make

their home there after their careers

are over.

Yet 30 years ago, things were rather

different. Just over 20 years after that

championship and an appearance at

Wembley in the FA Cup final, the

very prospect of the club being

kicked-out of the Football League

was a genuine threat.

Many will proclaim to have been

present, but I can honestly say “I was

there” as they took on Leyton Orient

at Turf Moor in a desperate bid to

preserve their league status. The

atmosphere was quite surreal. Top

referee George Courtney was

brought in as a replacement, consid-

ering the importance of the match.

The tenseness was thick in the air, but

ultimately the crowd dispersed safely

in the knowledge that the team had

done enough to prevent what would

have been the ultimate footballing

disaster as far as league positions are

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Since then, there has been a mas-

sive turn-around in the Clarets

fortunes, and I wish them well in

their quest for a speedy return to the

Premier League.

BOLTON WANDERERS

I have watched the Trotters on

many occasions over the years, and

seen some excellent games down at

the old Burnden Park.

They, too, have had their fair share

of problems over the years. At one

time, the finances dictated that part

of the Railway end be sold off and

turned into a Co-op supermarket,

creating a weird look to that end, and

in effect, signalling that the club’s stay

at their traditional venue would not

be far from ending.

After watching a game at Chorley,

I ventured over to Horwich, and

looked at what I thought was the site

of the proposed new stadium. I met

up with another chap who was also

doing the same thing (good to know

I’m not on my own!), and we took

photos of ourselves stood in the mid-

dle of an empty field on the basis

that we would look back in years to

come at us being in the position of

the new ground. As it happens we

were both about 300 yards away

from the actual site!

Not long afterwards, I ventured to

watch Burnden being demolished,

and took photos dangling rather pre-

cariously from the old railway bridge

that crosses the A666. What I’ll do for

my hobby of photographing football

grounds!

Good luck to Neil Lennon and his

side as they too look for a return

to the lofty heights of the Pre-

mier League.

Two of the

volunteers taking a

break from painting

to have a go at the

football equivalent of

playing air guitar

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Bolton Wanderers Football Club

had humble beginnings in 1874

when it was known as Christchurch

FC. However, by 1877, there was a

disagreement between the players

and members and the then

Christchurch president, Reverend

Joseph Farell Wright. The committee

convened a meeting at The Glad-

stone Hotel, where they became

known as Bolton Wanderers. At this

point, home matches took place at

the Recreation Ground, which was

locally referred to as Dick Cockles

Field.

Up to the formation of The Football

League, all Bolton’s matches were

mainly friendlies or Lancashire Cup

games. The Wanderers first major

competition participation came in

the 1881/82 season when they

entered the FA Cup. Their first tie was

against a local team, Eagley, which

ended in a 5-5 draw. In the replay,

Bolton won 1-0. It was also in this

year that the team moved home and

played matches at Pikes Lane. One of

the biggest problems during the

1880’s was the thorny subject of pro-

fessionalism. On more than one

occasion Wanderers fell foul of this.

In the 1884/85 season they withdrew

from the cup, along with opponents,

Preston Zingari.

In 1888, Bolton became founder

members of the Football League and

finished 5th out of the twelve teams.

In February 1890, Bolton achieved

what is still a club record when they

defeated She#eld United 13-0 in an

FA Cup 2nd round tie. It was in the

FA Cup that Bolton excelled and

reached the final in 1894, but was

beaten by Notts County 4-1 at Good-

ison Park. Perhaps the most

significant move came in 1895 when

the Wanderers once again “moved

house”, this time

to the much

loved Burnden

Park. They even

staged an FA

Cup Final replay

between Totten-

ham Hotspur

and She#eld

United here in

1901, with Tot-

tenham winning.

Bolton had

varying luck in

the league and

tended to be a

mid-table side

until 1899 when

they suffered rel-

egation for the

first time and

the same fate on

another 3 occa-

sions during the

next 10 years.

Although relega-

tion came in

1903, they did manage to reach the

1904 FA Cup Final, but lost against

local rivals, Manchester City 1-0 at

The Crystal Palace, despite being a

2nd Division side. John Somerville

became the club’s first manager in

1908; previously the directors had

governed team selection!

Wanderers performed well after

returning to the top division before

league and cup football was sus-

pended in 1915/16 and replaced by

more localised league matches due

to WW1. On the cessation of war,

Bolton took up where they left off,

achieving a best ever league placing

of 3rd in 1921. However, it was in the

cup that Bolton Wanderers gained

much success in the 20’s, winning the

famous trophy 3 times (1923-1926-

1929). The first win against West

Ham United in 1923 was equally

famous for being known as “The

White Horse” final. This was the first

final held at Wembley Stadium, with

an o#cial crowd of 126,000 being

supplemented by people rushing

barriers. An estimated 200,000 plus

attended the match, many standing

along the touchlines; it’s hard to

imagine what it must have been like

for the players.

Cup success bred confidence in the

team and it showed in the league

table where Bolton consistently fin-

ished well placed in the upper half.

The sale of star forward, David Jack,

to Arsenal for £10,750 (a record fee)

caused ripples of discontent. Slowly,

Bolton became less dominant and

was relegated with Blackpool in 1933.

They regained 1st Division status in

1935 and came close to another FA

Cup Final appearance. In the semi-

final, they took West Bromwich

Albion to a replay, finally losing 2-0.

Despite the opening 3 games taking

place in the 1939/40 season, the out-

break of war again saw league and

cup football suspended for 6 years.

Once more, football became region-

ally based, with matches doubling

for War Cup and Lancashire

Cup matches. Wanderers only

success during the war years

came in the cup. Bolton won

the War Cup North in 1945

beating Manchester United

3-2 over the two legged final.

Winners of the 1923

‘White Horse’ FA Cup

Final against

Tottenham, the first

final at Wembley,

which was attended

by an estimated

200,000 people

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As winners, they went on to meet

Chelsea (South winners) for the FA

War Cup Final; Wanderers won the

tie 2-1. In an FA Cup match against

Stoke City in 1946, 33 people lost

their lives at Burnden when the

incoming fans caused a surge. Barri-

ers and fences gave way under the

pressure.

Bolton signed its most famous

player, Nat Lofthouse, in September

1939, although Lofty had to wait for

his full debut until March 1941 when

he scored 2 goals in a 5-1 mauling of

Bury in the Football League North. A

meagre crowd of 1,587 attended

which shows how the war affected

crowd levels. His style of play could

be described as robust; he was a typ-

ical centre forward of his era. He

played hard and, by modern stan-

dards, took the game beyond the

rules. However, despite his hard style,

Nat was also on the receiving end

from some pretty fearsome defend-

ers (Bolton had theirs too), yet he

accepted this as a hazard of being a

centre forward and never com-

plained.

After the disappointment of miss-

ing out on a cup final medal in 1953,

Nat finally gained his in 1958. The

final itself was clouded by the

Munich Air Disaster in the February

where 8 Manchester United players

lost their lives. Naturally, the British

always like the underdog and, in the

circumstances, the groundswell of

sympathy and opinion of the country

(except Bolton) was with United. Nat

opened the scoring in the 3rd

minute, with the score remaining

until early in the second half. United

had very nearly equalised before

Lofty scored probably the FA Cup’s

most controversial goal. Dennis

Stevens’ shot was parried by keeper

Harry Gregg, who was then uncere-

moniously bundled over the goal

line, ball and all, by Nat’s shoulder

charge. The goal stood as keepers

were there to be challenged in those

days. In the modern game, the goal

would not have stood. How the

game has changed! In the 4 finals

Bolton have won, they never con-

ceded a goal.

Nat’s goals brought the cup back to

Bolton, which is still Bolton Wander-

ers’ last major success. Injury

curtailed Nat’s playing days in 1960.

This didn’t end his involvement with

the club. He went on to serve as

manager, although he never enjoyed

the role, and manager of the Social

Suite at Burnden. Finally, he was

made President of the club he had

loyally stayed with throughout. Nat

passed away in January 2011 after an

illness.

Slowly, Bolton found it increasingly

di#cult to compete with the big city

clubs, as did most of the other mill

town clubs in the North West. Rele-

gation came again in 1964 and

heralded Bolton’s longest absence at

the time from the 1st Division until

1978. During that period, there were

many memorable cup ties; 3-0

against Manchester City springs to

mind, when a Garry Jones hat-trick

sank the city slickers in front of

42,000 at Burnden. 1977 saw a long

League Cup run that was ended by

an Everton 2-1 aggregate win. The

home leg (lost 1-0) was the last

50,000 plus crowd seen at Burnden

Park. Limitations and segregation by

fences vastly reduced ground capac-

ity.

The return to the top flight only

lasted 2 seasons and this was where

the club began to suffer financially as

the club slipped down to the 4th

Division in 1987, thankfully for one

season only. It really was that bad and

the club came close to bankruptcy.

Bolton needed someone who could

get the severity of the situation over

to supporters, and, who better to do

this than Nat Lofthouse, someone we

had a rapport with. Lifeline was born

with pledges of £2 a week with cash

draws as incentive. The supporters

responded with the pledged funds

keeping the club ticking over. Gradu-

ally, times improved with another

final at Wembley achieved in the

lesser known Sherpa Van Trophy, as

opponents Torquay United lost 4-1.

The team improved as did the

crowds, but it was the arrival of Bruce

Rioch that moved the club to

another level. He demanded his team

played proper football, the passing

game. The players took to the idea

and supporters gave approval in

increasing numbers. Bruce laid the

foundations for the future success of

Bolton Wanderers in subsequent sea-

sons. However, after leading them to

the Premier League in 1995, via an

never to be forgotten 4-3 win over

Reading in the play off, Rioch opted

to take up an offer to manage Arse-

nal. It wasn’t the best way to begin

life in the toughest of leagues and rel-

egation came after a season.

The new home of Bolton Wander-

ers, The Reebok Stadium, was ready

for football in 1997 and what better

way to celebrate 102 years of history

at Burnden Park than to leave tri-

umphantly as champions of what

was the old 2nd Division in record

style with 98 points and 100 league

goals. However, pretty football does

not guarantee success at a higher

level and so it proved once again

after one season.

Sam Allardyce arrived in October

1999 with a different style of football,

not as pleasing to the eye, but sure to

get results. Sam had two near misses

that season. Wanderers missed out in

the FA Cup, losing the semi-final to

Aston Villa on penalties and also a

controversial play off Semi-Final to

Ipswich. What a difference a season

makes as Bolton missed out on auto-

matic promotion, but managed to

beat Preston North End 3-0 at Cardiff

to win promotion to the Premier

League.

Premier League football lasted for

11 seasons in a period when the

names of players who came to the

club resembled a who’s who of foot-

ball. If Sam had a legacy, it would be

bringing European games to The

Reebok, something the older genera-

tion would have never thought

possible. Gary Megson, who took

over from Allardyce, also led the

Wanderers into Europe. Who would

have thought that the mighty Bayern

Munich would be held 2-2 in Munich

and Athletico Madrid defeated over

two legs. Heady days!

Bolton’s tenure in the Premier

League ended in 2012 with a 2-2

draw at Stoke City. Since then they

have struggled and only with the

recent appointment of Neil Lennon

has there been a chink of light of

what might lie ahead. Past achieve-

ments count for nothing, but Lennon

is moulding his own side now and

will have high expectations of them.

Whichever way the season goes,

history shows that football life

for Bolton Wanderers’ sup-

porters is like a roller coaster.

- words and photos kindly

provided by Rammy and

Wanderers Supporter Trevor

James.

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In 1882 Burnley Football Club was

founded after Burnley Rovers

decided to change their allegiance

from rugby union to football. The

club played their first competitive

match in October 1882 against Ast-

ley Bridge in the Lancashire

Challenge Cup, which ended in an

eight nil defeat. Burnley moved to

Turf Moor in 1883, the ground being

their home still to this day, with only

near neighbours Preston North End

occupying the same ground continu-

ously for longer.

Burnley’s first appearance in the FA

Cup came in the 1885/86 season, due

to eligibility restrictions they had to

field a reserve side and the game fin-

ished in a resounding eleven nil

defeat to Darwen. They became

founder members of the Football

League when it was formed in 1888,

finishing ninth out of a league of

twelve in the first year of the compe-

tition. The following season saw

Burnley collect their first of silver-

ware, defeating close rivals Blackburn

Rovers two nil to win the Lancashire

Cup.

The 1910/11 season saw Burnley

change their colours to the now

famous claret and blue, which was in

recognition to Aston Villa, who dom-

inated the early years of the Football

League. After a number of years in

the Second Division, ‘The Clarets’

finally gained promotion back to the

top league in 1913; they also reached

the semi-final of the FA Cup. The fol-

lowing season saw Burnley go one

better in the country’s premier cup

competition; with a one nil win over

Liverpool sealing victory with the

cup presented by a reigning

monarch, King George V, for the first

time.

The Claret’s first League Champi-

onship was won in 1921, this despite

losing their first three games. A thirty

match unbeaten run saw the title

sealed, a record that stood until Arse-

nal went unbeaten throughout the

whole of the 2003/04 season. Relega-

tion in 1930 saw the club struggle for

the next fifteen years; this period also

included narrowly avoiding a further

relegation by two points in 1932.

The first season after the Second

World War had ended saw Burnley’s

fortunes change with promotion

back to the First Division and

another FA Cup Final appearance,

where they were beaten by Charlton

Athletic at Wembley. Former player

Harry Potts took over as manager

during the 1950’s, which saw the

Claret’s finally become a force in the

Football League. Burnley won the

championship for the first time in

1960 after a tense battle with both

Tottenham Hotspur and Wolver-

hampton Wanderers, with the title

clinched at Maine Road against Man-

chester City. The following year

pitched Burnley into European foot-

ball for the first time and another FA

Cup semi-final appearance.

The 1970’s started with relegations

and promotions, before a disastrous

end to the decade saw Burnley rele-

gated to the third division for the first

time in their history. Under the lead-

ership of Brian Miller, Burnley did

return to the second division for one

season in 1982. Despite being rele-

gated again, they did make the

semi-finals of the League Cup, beat-

ing both Spurs and Liverpool during

their run.

By the end of the 1984/85 season

the Burnley faithful surely could not

believe that life could get any worse

as the Clarets found themselves

dropping into the bottom tier of the

Football League for the very first

time. Two seasons later the Football

League introduced automatic pro-

motion and relegation between the

league and the top tier of non-league

football. A horrendous season, which

included a first round FA

Cup defeat to non-league

Telford, saw Burnley go into

the final game needing a win

to stay up. Fortunately a two

one victory at Leyton Ori-

ent, coupled with a loss by

Lincoln City meant Burnley’s

Football League status was

retained.

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Burnley’s recov-

ery started in the

early 1990’s

when they were

the last club to

win the old

Fourth Division.

Promotion to

Division One fol-

lowed two years

later, but their

stay only lasted a

season, before

Stan Ternent

took the Claret’s

back up to the

second tire of

English football

in 2000. Their

stay in the newly

named Champi-

onship would

last a further

nine years before

an Owen Coyle

inspired side

reached the Pre-

mier League via a

one nil win

against She#eld

United at Wem-

bley in the

Play-Offs.

The team

started well in

the top flight and they recorded a

one nil home win over Manchester

United. With Burnley’s form starting

to dip, Owen Coyle left to take over

at Bolton Wanderers and was

replaced by Brian laws. Unfortunately

the new management team could

not stop them slipping out the Pre-

mier League after one season,

although they did go down fighting

beating Spurs four two at home on

the last day of the season.

Brian Laws was dismissed midway

through the next campaign and

replaced with Eddie Howe, an excit-

ing young manager. Burnley never

really threatened the promotion con-

tenders and Howe left to join

Bournemouth in October 2012 and

was replaced with former Watford

manager, Sean Dyche. The 2013/14

season saw Burnley finish as runners-

up in the Championship, gaining

promotion back to the Premier

League. Again their stay in the coun-

try’s top flight was only to be for one

season and Burnley were relegated

back to Championship with two

games to play, this despite an away at

relegation rivals Hull City.

It will be interesting to see how

Burnley adjust to life back in the

Championship this season, especially

with the loss of prolific striker Danny

Ings who has joined Liverpool and

Kieran Trippier who has moved to

the capital with Spurs. I am sure

come the start of the new season the

Claret’s will be amongst the

favourites to gain promo-

tion back to the Premier

Legaue.

- words kindly provided by

Gareth Bird.

fixtures & results 2015-16

Sick of missing out on getting a programme?

Get your copy reserved for the season by getting in touch with Rob on

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This season we want to hear first-hand 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

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gramme.

For your chance to win a Chocolate Cafe hamper, worth over £40, all

you have to do is write your email address on a card, and post it in the

box on your way out - don’t worry, we won’t spam you with junk mail!

Can you spare an hour or so to deliver fixtures leaflets around your

neighbours?

Please get in touch with Katie on 07836 556177 or by email:

[email protected]

jon robinsonmanager

Date of birth: 28/12/81

Hometown: Salford

Favourite team: Manchester United

Former clubs: Irlam, Flixton, Salford,

Bacup, New Mills

Height: 5ft 9ins

Occupation: Maintenance Worker

Married? Kids? Married to Hayley. Son

Isaac (2)

Favourite music: Indie and American

Rock

Favourite food: Italian / Spanish

Joined Rammy: September 2009

Description: Scrapping striker who scores

a huge number of goals by sheer will-

power. Surprisingly deadly in the air. A

Rammy lad through and through, he

took over the managerial reins in January

2015.

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/16

Since then, there has been a mas-

sive turn-around in the Clarets

fortunes, and I wish them well in

their quest for a speedy return to the

Premier League.

BOLTON WANDERERS

I have watched the Trotters on

many occasions over the years, and

seen some excellent games down at

the old Burnden Park.

They, too, have had their fair share

of problems over the years. At one

time, the finances dictated that part

grant shentongoalkeeper


Hometown: Newton Heath


Former clubs: Moston Brook, Maine

Road

Height: 6ft 2ins

Occupation: Claims company Case

Manager

Most memorable moment: Beating

Salford late-on, with Kieran Pickup

scoring.

Married? Kids? Engaged with two

children

Favourite music: Rolling Stones, Elvis,

Oasis, Smiths, Johnny Cash

Favourite food: Mediterranean, especially

tapas

Joined Rammy: 5years ago

Words for the fans: Hope everyone

enjoys the new chapter in the club’s

history.

Description: Charismatic and influential

goalkeeper whose vision helps score as

many goals as his athleticism denies.

ashley shentongoalkeeper


Hometown: Manchester

Favourite team: Manchester City

Former clubs: Failsworth Dynamos

Height: 5ft 11ins

Occupation: Warehouse Supervisor

Most memorable moment: Winning the

Lancashire Amateur League with

Failsworth

Favourite music: House

Favourite food: Chinese

Joined Rammy: July 2015

Description: Older brother of first-choice

keeper Grant Shenton. Exceptional

reserve keeper to have on the books.

lee pughleft back


Hometown: Rossendale

Favourite team: Burnley

Former clubs: Bury, Hyde, Bacup,

Clitheroe, Chester

Height: 6ft

Occupation: Production Planner for a

filtration company

Most memorable moment: Getting a

Youth Training contract, and last year’s

playoS with Rammy.

Married? Kids? No

Favourite music: Deep House - I’m

matchday DJ for the players.

Favourite food: Sunday Roast

Joined Rammy: Christmas 2013

Description: No nonsense hard-man with

a huge long throw and mean free kick.

kyle harropright back


Hometown: Chadderton


Former clubs: Curzon Ashton, Bacup,

TraSord, Sorrento, Mandurah, Ashton

United, Nantwich

Height: 6ft

Occupation: Builder specialising in loft

conversions

Married? Kids? No

Favourite music: Motown

Favourite food: Cheese!

Joined Rammy: January 2015

Words for the fans: I’m really looking

forward to being part of a team pushing

promotion. We can get there!

Description: Full back or holding

midfielder

ben woodswing-back



Favourite team: Arsenal

Former clubs: Hough End Gri#ns

Height: 5ft 10ins

Occupation: Student

Favourite music: RnB, Afro Beats

Favourite food: Nandos


Description: Fast full back back who likes

to get forward and cause a bit of trouble

on the wing.

andy fitzgeraldcentre back / right back


Hometown: Stockport


Former clubs: Manchester United,

Blackburn, Stockport, Curzon Ashton,

Hyde

Height: 6ft 1in


Occupation: Sports Coach and Herbalife

Distributor

Most memorable moment: Making my

debut in the Conference Premier in front

of 3000 fans.

Favourite music: Old School RnB

Favourite food: Spaghetti Carbonara


Words for the fans: I came to Rammy on

loan a couple of seasons ago, and the

fans are the main reason I decided to

come back. I hope we will give you all

something to be proud of this season.

Description: Hard working full back or

holding midfielder with a great pedigree.

andy dawsoncentre half


Hometown: Rochdale


Former clubs: Roach Dynamos,

Blackburn, RadcliSe

Height: 6ft 3ins

Occupation: Warehouse Supervisor


Northwest Counties and two promotions

with Rammy.

Married? Kids? Married to Sarah.

Favourite music: RnB

Favourite food: Chicken stir-fry

Words for the fans: Keep on making the

noise home and away, it’s a great boost!

Description: A Rammy favourite and one

of the club’s longest serving players, Andy

has struggled with injury for the past

three season, but after a series of knee

operations is back in the squad.

kieran nolancentre half


Hometown: Salford


Former clubs: Manchester City, Bolton

Wanderers

Height: 6ft 1in


Most memorable moment: Playing

against Ajax in Holland and meeting

Dennis Bergkamp.

Biggest influence: My family have always

ben a huge influence keeping me focused

on trying to become a footballer.

Favourite food: Nandos and Indian


Words for the fans: I hope that I can

bring something new to the team and

please the fans by putting in good

performances and winning games.

Description: Skillful young centre back

who’s come through Bolton Wanderers

Academy setup. Very brave, creative and

has huge potential.

callum jonescentre half


Hometown: Salford


Former clubs: Hindsford, Ashton

Athletic, TraSord

Height: 6ft 1ins

Occupation: Pest Controller

Most memorable moment:

Married? Kids? Engaged. Son Alfie (2)

Favourite music: Funky House & Indie

Favourite food: Italian


Description: No-nonsense centre-half

prince haywoodmidfielder


Hometown: Modena, Italy

Former clubs: Modenese, Virtus

Pavullese, Stalybridge, Hindsford, Colwyn

Bay

Height: 5ft 7ins


Favourite team: Inter Milan and Chelsea

Most memorable moment: Playing in

front of 6000 spectators and reaching the

Cheshire Senior Cup Final.

Biggest influence: My mother and

childhood best friend.

Favourite food: Lasagne

Words for the fans: I’d like to prove

myself, have a good season and hopfully

help Rammy reach the playoSs.

Description: No nonsense hardworking

midfielder with bags of experience

despite his young age.

melford knightmidfielder

Former clubs: New Mills, Glossop,

Runcorn Linnets, Mossley, TraSord


Description: Strong and experienced

midfielder who likes to get stuck in.

alex meaneyattacking midfielder

Former clubs: Stockport, Lancaster,

Nantwich, Chorley, Skelmersdale, Curzon

Ashton


Description: A left-footed attacking

midfielder with a great eye for reading

the play.

zack hargreavesmidfielder


Hometown: Bury

Favourite team: Burnley

Former clubs: Bury, Burnley

Height: 5ft 11ins


Occupation: Student


league with Bury.

Married? Kids? Girlfriend Ella

Favourite music: Catfish and the

Bottlemen

Favourite food: Pasta


Description: Young and nippy midfielder

with great skill and masses of potential.

jake cliSemidfielder


Hometown: Bury

Favourite team: Liverpool

Former clubs: Preston, Bury

Height: 5ft 11ins


Description: Young and very promising

midfielder who really impressed last

season.

jamie rothercentral midfielder


Hometown: Middleton


Former clubs: Oldham Athletic, Salford,

Bacup, New Mills

Height: 5ft 8ins

Occupation: Contracts Manager for a

construction company

Most memorable moment: Playing

against the ‘class of 92’ in front of 12,000

people

Married? Kids? No

Joined Rammy: December 2014

Description: A hard-working midfielder

who likes getting stuck in.

matty burkecentral midfielder


Hometown: Salford


Former clubs: Blackpool, Salford, Barrow,

Vauxhall Motors, Hyde, Alfreton Town,

Ashton United, StaSord Rangers,

Droylsden

Height: 6ft 1ins

Occupation: Maintenance Worker in care

homes

Most memorable moment: Playing for

England Schoolboys U18s

Married? Kids? Engaged to Rachel with a

son Freddie (8 months) and step-

daughter Olivia (8).

Favourite music: House or Old School

Favourite food: A good steak!


Words for the fans: Keep the faith as we’ll

do the job!

Description: No-nonsense hardworking

and creative midfielder.

david kuba-kubawinger / midfielder


Hometown: London


Former clubs: Preston, FC United

Height: 5ft 8ins

Occupation: Student

Description: Handy player who’s strong

and confident on the ball. Extremely

influential last season for Rammy.

grant spencercreative midfielder




Former clubs: Bolton, Salford, Styal,

Curzon, Rossendale, Hyde


Height: 5ft 7ins

Occupation: Recruitment Consultant,

Football Coach

Most memorable moment: Playing in the

Youth Cup Quarter Final at Anfield

Married? Kids? Girlfriend Charlotte


Description: Creative midfielder and

winger who has the ability to take on

anyone and deliver a great ball. He has an

eye for the sensational and is worth

almost a goal a game.

tom hartleystriker / attacking midfielder


Hometown: Rawtenstall


Former clubs: Blackburn Rovers, Moston,

Rammy Youth

Height: 5ft 7ins

Occupation: Bricklayer


FA County Youth Cup with Lancashire

twice.

Married? Kids? No

Favourite music: Anything, even Justin

Bieber haha

Joined Rammy: August 2012

Description: Tough and skillful young

striker / attacking midfielder who is a

very exciting prospect for the future.

clevon beadleright wide player



Former clubs: TraSord, RadcliSe

Height: 5ft 11ins


Description: Leggy young winger with

bags of pace who likes to run at

defenders and can deliver a mean cross.

rhys nevinsforward



Former clubs: New Mills, Maine Road,

Jamaica U17s

Height: 6ft 1in


Description: Fast, skillful and strong

attacking player with a great touch and

an eye for goal.

luke heronwinger


Hometown: Bury


Former clubs: Oldham Athletic, TraSord

Height: 6ft

Occupation: Student

Most memorable moment: Getting

promotion with Garry Vaughan’s

2012/13 TraSord team

Married? Kids? No

Favourite music: House and Rock



Description: Young wide player who joins

Rammy after 2½ seasons with TraSord.

lee gaskellstriker


Hometown: Bury


Former clubs: Bury, Morecambe, TraSord,

Warrington

Height: 6ft

Occupation: Electrician


playoSs with Rammy, and playing live on

TV in the FA Cup 2nd Round.

Married? Kids? Girlfriend Lindsay

Favourite music: It’s Not Unusual by Tom

Jones is my Karaoke favourite

Favourite food: Curry


Description: Tall and classy striker who

has an eye for the spectacular but isn’t

afraid to work hard for the cause.

harun bhatticlub physio


Hometown: Burnley


Former clubs: Burnley, Blackburn Rovers,

Accrington Stanley

Height: 6ft 2ins

Occupation: Car Salesman

Most memorable moment: Representing

England at U14s and meeting Cristiano

Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney at

Blackburn Rovers Academy.

Married? Kids? No

Favourite music: RnB and loads of other

stuS

Favourite food: Anything chicken


Words for the fans: We have some of the

best fans in football, particularly given

how far we have to travel. Keep up the

good work.

wayne goodisoncoach

Hometown: Wakfield

Former clubs: Barnsley, Crewe, Rochdale,

Hyde, Accrington, Buxton

Joined Rammy: May 2015

Description: Vastly experienced coach

with some great ideas for getting the best

out of his players. Former right-back,

playing over 200 matches in professional

football.

phil edghillassistant manager


Hometown: Oldham


Former clubs: Rochdale, Ashton United,

Chadderton, Rossendale, Curzon Ashton,

Hyde, Salford

Height: 6ft


Conference North with Hyde

Married? Kids? Engaged with three kids

Favourite music: RnB

Favourite food: Chicken curry


Description: Versatile ball-playing

midfielder who’s happy to play anywhere

on the pitch. Intelligent, mature and

articulate addition to Rammy’s

management staS.

mark molyneauxgoalkeeping coach

Description: Ex Rossendale United

manager turned goalkeeping coach. Well

known for his slightly bizarre sense of

humour.

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YPPY

I’ve just finished writing a letter to

Bernard Manning Junior, chairman of

Radcliffe Borough Football Club to

ask him what the heck his board

were thinking of when they set the

prices for their pre-season friendlies.

In desperation over the last few

weeks, I’ve been going to watch the

(very accomplished) fellas over the

other side of the wall hitting a little

red ball about the place, and I’ve got

used to paying the much more ami-

able £4 admission fee, and then

about the same for a huge Sunday

roast as cooked by the magnificent

Sandra! To then be whacked about

the chops with the £8 each that Rad-

cliffe were charging came to us as

doubly surprising... and not only us -

I understand a good handful of peo-

ple told the chap on the turnstile to

stick his eight quid, and turned on

their heels straight back to Rammy.

I had a quick word with our com-

mittee members during the second

half, who were loitering sheepishly

outside the Radcliffe Corporate Con-

servatory, which has been the site of

a whole load of unpleasantness over

the last few months (say no more!)

and basically I accosted them with

my opinion on not only paying eight

quid, but also on having to pay £3

more than Huddersfield Town had

just a couple of days before!

It turned out that their sheepish-

ness had been brought about just a

few minutes earlier by what can only

be called ‘A Good Masseying’ that

they’d witnessed Bernard Manning Jr

receiving from our very own Rabble-

Rouser Andy Massey. I must admit

that I calmed down a bit at that

news, as anyone who’s had the pleas-

ure of meeting Andy Massey will

attest that he’s hard to beat when it

comes to telling people The Way It Is!

When I got home, I got to wonder-

ing about the situation. We’ve had

long and happy associations with

Radcliffe Borough over the years, and

this last few months has done quite a

bit to sour the relationship. If you

look at any of the photos I took at

the game, you can see that virtually

all the crowd had travelled over from

Rammy, and for me the regular pre-

season friendly is up there with our

visits when Rammy’s matches are

called off. For those reasons I thought

sup

po

rter

s cl

ub

it best to write to Radcliffe, and ask

them why they’d chosen to charge us

the full league prices for the game.

They must have had a good reason in

their own minds, and I reckon it’ll do

a bit to calm tempers up the hill if we

were party to what they were think-

ing. I got the idea cleared at a

Supporters Club Meeting on Thurs-

day and have just sent the letter.

We’ll have to see what their reply

says, and I’ll be sure to put it in a sub-

sequent programme.

I don’t know much about Radcliffe’s

fortunes off the pitch of late, but the

ground and crowds certainly seem to

be suffering. The pitch was always

one of the best I’d come across, but

it’s not looking a patch on its former

self. The programme (a monthly

magazine with just a team sheet

inserted) seemed just a little bizarre.

Someone told me that the clubhouse

no longer belongs to the club, and I

guess that’s the case for the training

facilities alongside - I hope not. It did

feel like a club on the slippery slope.

Let’s hope they can pull it around.

Tonight’s programme has been a bit

of an ordeal to put together, not least

because Burnley’s media team have

promised me photos and articles,

and have delivered precisely nothing!

As a result, I’ve made it predomi-

nantly a guide to the raft of new

players that Robbo has brought into

the club, which I hope everyone finds

helpful.

It only remains to thank

Trevor James for put-

ting together the

stuff about Bolton

Wanderers. His

collection of Wan-

derers

memorabilia is

absolutely amaz-

ing, and I hope it’s

of interest.

It didn’t take Stevie

Wonder to see that

virtually everyone

at the game was a

Rammy fan!

“a great performance, but why did

it cost us eight quid to watch it?”

Documents

63 Ramsbottom United v Burnley/Bolton Wanderers