Category: Club News

Programme editor required

The Rams are looking for a volunteer to take over Matchday Programme editing.

The position would be ideal for someone looking to gain experience in the world of IT, publicity or printing.

The job entails collating various articles from regular contributors, along with a small amount of input from the editor, using a template which is then forwarded to our printer.

Anyone interested in taking up this position is asked to contact the club via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., when further information will be given.

Category: Club News

Chester recall Brown & Downes

The two loanees who have been with the Rams since the start of the season, have been called back to CHESTER FC by former Ramsbottom joint-managers Anthony Johnson and Bernard Morley with a 24 hour recall, as per the terms of the loan.

Both players were due to stay at the Harry Williams Riverside Stadium until the end of October.

Nathan Brown has featured regularly during his time with the club, whilst defender Alex Downes has spent some time on the substitute’s bench.

Ramsbottom United thank both youngsters for their efforts and wish them well for the future.

Alex Downes

Nathan Brown

Category: Club News

PREVIEW: Kendal (A)

The Rams make the journey up the M6 into the picturesque county of Cumbria to take on a Kendal Town side that will be looking to gain revenge for a defeat at the Harry Williams Riverside Stadium earlier in the month.

On that occasion, in a low-tempo affair that had 0-0 written all over it, Ryan Ellison pounced with just a couple of minutes to go, to fire home a match-winning volley and grab the three points on offer.

The Mintcakes will be going all out to prove that they can do better than that on their own turf, although so far this season they have only won one league game there, suffering two defeats.

Indeed, Kendal’s form has not been good, as they have tasted victory just once on their travels, succumbing to three defeats away from home, leaving them in 16th place in the table.

After the disappointment of gaining just one point from the last two home games, the Rams will travel in the hope of claiming a much-needed victory, although it looks as though the squad will be depleted.

Long-term injury will keep Greg Daniels out, whilst Tom Eckersley will probably also miss out due to a knee problem, Also likely to be absent are Ryan Ellison (family bereavement) and Rob Henry (illness).

On the plus side, it looks like new signing Kyle Jacobs, who had a fine debut against Trafford, will make his second appearance for the Rams.

A fine weather forecast should mean a pleasant trip up to the edge of the Lake District.

Let’s hope it’s a pleasant trip back!

Category: Club News

Haslam's Hut

Ramsbottom United’s chief Programme seller, match reporter and committee member Jon Haslam can look forward to a dry winter this season, as the Supporters Club have erected a Programme hut to keep him out of the Ramsbottom weather.

Club photographer Frank Crook was asked to cut the ribbon (who took the photo then, Frank?) and he did so ahead of the home game against Chasetown.



Jon commented “It’ll be good to keep dry but my only concern is that someone may lock me in it!”

Category: Club News

PREVIEW: Chasetown (A)

After a week of upheaval, it’s back to where things matter the most….on the pitch.

With Mark Fell and Graham Lancashire departing for struggling Premier Division side Lancaster City, the Rams acted quickly to bring in the experienced Chris Willcock, most recently in charge of the now-defunct Shaw Lane FC and Glossop North End, with whom he appeared in the FA Vase Final at Wembley.

Visitors to the Harry Williams Riverside Stadium are Staffordshire side Chasetown, whose late move into the Evo-Stik West came about as a result of the afore-mentioned Shaw Lane’s demise.

It’s not been a good start for the visitors, who currently sit bottom of the pile with just one solitary win all season.

As for the Rams, it’s difficult to know what will happen as, when managers change, there is the inevitable movement of players.

Time will tell what changes there will be at Ramsbottom, but after a difficult week it will be a relief to get back to playing football and seeing how things develop over the next few days.

Category: Club News

BREAKING: Mark Fell leaves the club

Evo-Stik West side Ramsbottom United can confirm the departure of manager MARK FELL.

Fell has been in charge at the Harry Williams Riverside Stadium for over two years, initially joining the Rams in the summer of 2016, on a joint-manager basis with Paul Fildes. When Fildes left the club midway through the first season, Fell took sole charge, and in his two seasons has seen the club finish in 14th place in the League. However, the former Nelson boss has decided it’s time to move on.

“I’ve enjoyed two and a half years with the club and wish to thank everyone connected,” he said upon his departure.

“ The club is in an excellent position, one point off the playoff places and with a great squad full of good players and just as importantly, good lads for the new manager to work with.

“People are the lifeblood of non-league teams and I want to especially thank Harry, Tony and Andy for their unconditional support - all proper football men who have nothing but the club’s best interests at heart.

“For me there is an opportunity to move onto pastures new which I’m excited about and looking forward to.”

Ramsbottom United would like to wish Mark well for the future whilst acknowledging and offering thanks for his unstinting hard work both on and off the pitch during his time at Ramsbottom.

Category: Club News

Rams sign Kyle Jacobs

Earlier this week, Former FC United defender Kyle Jacobs has made the switch to the Harry Williams Riverside Stadium. Jacobs, who played 140 games for FC comes in to strengthen the defence.

Starting his career in the professional ranks at Oldham Athletic, the 31 year old has also played for Macclesfield Town, Stockport County, Chorley and, most recently, Ashton United.

The club website team are sorry for the delay in releasing the article.
Category: Club News

Higgs Scoops Player of the Month

The supporters of Ramsbottom United have cast their votes for the club’s Player-of-the-Month for September and the winner is tenacious midfield player Jack Higgs who receives his case of beer from League sponsors Bowland Brewery.



Jack Higgs receives the award from Supporters Club member Matthew Frampton

The 25 year old arrived at Rammy during the summer of 2018, with an impressive pedigree including spells at Histon in the National League South and Enfield Town at step 3. Jack was also part of the St Ives team that won promotion from step 4 to step 3. Jack is originally from Essex and moved to Manchester last year for work, he played a handful of games for Glossop at the end of last season.

Category: Club News

CLUB STATEMENT: New Manager

Ramsbottom United can confirm that CHRIS WILLCOCK has been appointed their new manager following the departure of Mark Fell to Lancaster City.

A former prolific striker with the Rams from 2000-2002, Wlilcock has had a successful career in non-league management, most notably leading Glossop North End to promotion into the Northern Premier League as well as taking the Hillmen to Wembley in the Final of the FA Vase.

Spells in the hot seat at Winsford United, Mossley, Woodley Sport and Stocksbridge Park Steel preceeded his last position when he took over the reins at Premier Division high-flyers Shaw Lane FC earlier this year. In his 15 games in charge, he oversaw 12 victories, before the club pulled the plug and resigned from the league and senior football.

The experienced manager will bring in his own back-room staff and begins his duties with the team’s training session ahead of the home clash with Chasetown this coming Saturday.



Category: Club News

MATCH OFF!

Our match against Prescot Cables on Tuesday night is postponed due to Prescot taking part in a FA Trophy replay.

A new date will be announced in due course.



Category: Club News

PREVIEW: Trafford (H)

The Rams welcome old foes Trafford FC to the Harry Williams Riverside Stadium to renew battles that began way back in the North West Counties League days.

Trafford, by their own standards, have had a mixed start to the campaign with three wins and three defeats from their opening six games, leaving them in 12th spot, and arrive on the back of an FA Cup defeat at Ashton United at the weekend.

Whilst that game was taking place, we were entertaining Clitheroe for the second time in four days, and after the Integro Cup defeat against our east Lancashire rivals, Saturday’s league game was a cracker. Spoils eventually shared, but we needed to come back from a 1-3 deficit with two late goals, to grab a well-deserved point which lifted us to 8th spot in the early season table.

Without Ryan Ellison, who has been in tremendous form, due to a family bereavement, Rob Henry and Tom Eckersley through late injury call-ups, and with their replacements unavailable, we had to contend with just one fit substitute on the bench, whilst Greg Daniels is still some way from being fit again.

Games between the two sides are generally close affairs, so it will be interesting to see which side comes out on top of what should be an entertaining local derby.

Category: Club News

PREVIEW: Widnes (A)

Preview by Tony Cunningham

The new era with Chris Willcock in charge began with a home draw against Chasetown, who came back from two goals down to snatch a point with a late equaliser.

The draw left the Rams in 13th place in the table.

League newcomers Widnes – promoted from the North West Counties league in the summer, just a few years after their formation - currently sit one place higher on goal difference, so a tight game could be on the cards.

Although their official home is the Halton Stadium where relegated Widnes RLFC play, the football club is currently decamped at the home of Barnton FC just outside Northwich, whilst a new pitch is laid at their usual venue.

A number of new faces appeared on Saturday within the Rams line-ups, with the possibility of one or two others following the new manager to the HWRS.

There are still 84 points to be played for this season, so plenty of time for the changes to make an impact on the team, as all eyes are fixed upon a move up the table towards the play-off places.

Hopefully, Barnton’s ground will have a good scattering of Rammy fans eager to see the club move forward under Chris’s guidance.

Photo of Barnton FC



Address:

Barnton FC, Townfield Lane, Barnton, near Northwich, CW8 4LH

Admission:

Adults: £7.00

Concessions: £3.00

Under 16's: Free

Stats below compiled by Adam Clark

This is the first meeting between the two clubs

The Rams have only won once on the road this season

Here's the current standing in the Evo Stik West

PWDLFA+/-Pts
1Runcorn Linnets107121812+622
2Mossley9612179+819
3Radcliffe10532198+1118
4Atherton Collieries96032515+1018
5Trafford96031411+318
6Leek Town8521205+1517
7Prescot Cables85122112+916
8Kidsgrove Athletic8431137+615
9Colne8422118+314
10Market Drayton Town94231314-114
11Newcastle Town113441414013
12Widnes104151313013
13Ramsbottom United103431416-213
14Colwyn Bay113351720-312
15Clitheroe102261425-118
16Kendal Town10217715-87
17Droylsden71331015-56
18Chasetown101361324-116
19Glossop North End10136617-116
20Skelmersdale United11137625-196
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The only other fixture in the Evo Stik West tomorrow is Kendal Town v Colne

Please follow our twitter & facebook pages for updates tomorrow night

Chris Stringer's Match Report will also be online on Wednesday.

Category: Club News

Fell Lands Lancaster Job

Following on from his resignation at Ramsbottom United, MARK FELL has been appointed manager of struggling Evo-Stik Premier Division side Lancaster City.

Joining the former Rams boss at the Giant Axe is Ramsbottom United assistant manager, former Burnley, Wigan and Rochdale striker GRAHAM LANCASHIRE.

Both take up their positions with immediate effect.





Meanwhile, Ramsbottom United are inviting applications for the manager’s position, with CVs to be sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

In the meantime, goalkeeping coach Andy Robertson will take temporary charge of the team for training and matches.

Category: Club News

Rams sign Tom Eckersley

6ft 4in TOM ECKERSLEY has signed for Ramsbottom United.

Equally at home in central defence of midfield, the experienced 26 year old made his debut for the Rams in their Integro Cup tie against Clitheroe

Eckersley signed his first pro contract at Bolton Wanderers in 2010, before moving on to League Two side Accrington Stanley, from where he had loan spells with Stockport County and Barrow.

He signed for Conference Premier side Tamworth in 2013, which included a short loan spell with Rushall Olympic, before moving on to a joint registration with AFC Fylde and Witton Albion.

After 32 appearances for FC United of Manchester, he had spells with Ashton United and Radcliffe before becoming Rams manager Mark Fell’s latest capture in a bid to boost the side’s defensive capacity.