At a time when players seem to move from club to club on an annual basis, it’s good to report that two players have served RAMSBOTTOM UNITED well, and as a result have been recognised for staying at the Harry Williams Riverside Stadium.
Battling midfield player JAMIE ROTHER joined the Rams in the summer of 2014.
However, his first three seasons saw the player plagued by injury, so much so that a bad injury in a pre-season game at New Mills in the summer of 2016 saw him miss virtually the entire season, making a meagre four appearances late on.
Over the last two years, however, he has remained fairly clear of such, and is a regular and popular figure with his combative style in the centre of the park.
He has now reached the 100 game milestone for the club, and remains a firm favourite of the Rammy supporters.
Another who has forced his way into Rammy folklore is centre-half LUKE THOMPSON
Luke signed for the club in the summer of 2016 from NWCFL side Nelson, and has been a staple part of the Rams defence over the last three seasons.
With his never-say-die attitude, he adds to his defensive qualities by nodding home a good few goals at the other end, as his surge forward is usually accompanied by chants of “Thommooo!” from the Rammy fans.
Luke has now completed 125 appearances for the team, and, as with Jamie, will be looking to secure a play-off spot at the end of the season in the hope that the Rams can reclaim their place in Evo-Stik Premier Division.
Both players were presented with their photos ahead of the recent 4-0 home victory over Droylsden.
As the final month of the campaign hits home, it’s a quick return fixture for the Rams against a team beaten on their own patch less than three weeks ago, thanks to a last minute winner in a thriller that finished 3-2 to the visitors.
A similar result at home is essential if a play-off place (minimum) is to be guaranteed.
Just four games to go in what has been a momentous season for Ramsbottom United, and the jostling for positions at the top of the table looks like continuing until the very end.
Droylsden arrive at the HWRS in mid-table with little to play for other than pride, but for the Rams it is very much essential that all four final fixtures produce the maximum return.
Ryan Ellison completes the last of his four game ban, whilst the rest of the squad is available for selection (excluding long-term absentee Nialle Rodney, of course) and manager Chris Willcock will be hoping the poor home form can finally be consigned to the dustbin, as three defeats from the last four on home soil is totally at odds with the superb away form which sees the club unbeaten on it’s league travels since the change of management early in October.
This continued last week with an excellent 2-1 away win at fellow-promotion chasing Runcorn Linnets.
Let’s hope the townsfolk turn out in numbers to encourage the lads to grab all three points and keep the tension going until the very last kick of the season.
***NOTICE***
****Due to the Chocolate Festival in town this weekend, supporters are advised to arrive earlier than normal, as parking in the town will be severely restricted. Indeed, public transport may be a favourable option.****
With the end of the season clearly in sight, it’s a case of will-they-or-won’t-they when it comes to the Rams and their chase for a promotion place.
The win on Saturday, whilst not providing the best spectacle, earned the club another three points and hoisted them into third place on the league table.
There are just six more matches to play, and if the team have any realistic chance of winning the League, six wins would be needed.
A big ask, but the lads are full of confidence, and the first test is against mid-table Newcastle Town who arrive at the HWRS seeking some sort of revenge for the 6-0 thumping they received in the reverse fixture in Staffordshire last month.
This is a rearranged game as the original fell foul of the weather (one of only two to do so this season, compared with twelve last year!), so complacency needs to go out of the window as another three points is within the grasp.
The season so far has been both exciting and entertaining, and the hope is that the townsfolk will get down to the ground and create the sort of atmosphere to drive the lads on.
Missing tomorrow are banned duo Ryan Ellison and kelvin Lugsden, but the squad is big enough to cover those two absences, and keeper Sam Ashton returns to contention having been unavailable for the Prescot match.
Evo-Stik League Ramsbottom United have teamed up with specialist sport and education provider Dragon Football Academy to set up a Ramsbottom United under 18 College team for next season.
Dragon Football Academy will also, as a key part of the agreement, deliver a study and education programme that includes an Extended Diploma in Sport & Physical Activity combined with a range of other level 2 and 3 qualifications.
The education and football coaching programme will be delivered by qualified and experienced tutors and football coaches employed by Dragon Football Academy and College League and FA Youth Cup.
Ramsbottom United FC and Dragon Football Academy are now launching a student recruitment campaign but the entry criteria requires footballers aged 16-18 to have the minimum of 4 GCSE’s. Enrolled students who meet the attendance and participation requirements of the course will receive a weekly allowance from Dragon Football Academy.
An open evening trials session is to be held at Wright Robinson High School, Manchester (M18 8RL) on Monday, 29th April starting at 6pm, and every Monday thereafter.
Students interested in joining should contact Dragon Football Academy, Academy coordinator Callum Davies on 07809420118 or by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Further information about Elite can be obtained by accessing their website www.dragonfootballacademy.com
Dragon Football Academy said:
“We are delighted to announce our partnership with Ramsbottom United FC which will offer talented footballers a realistic pathway into semi-professional football and beyond.”
A spokesman for the club added:
“We are really pleased to partner up with Dragon Football Academy as this allows Ramsbottom United to move onto a new level, encouraging youngsters to gain degrees whilst improving their football skills and enhancing the profile of the club”.
Ramsbottom United manager Chris Willcock has brought three new faces to the club ahead of the transfer deadline on Thursday as the Rams look to gain promotion to Evo-Stik Premier.
Experienced midfielder SPENCER HARRIS joins the club from National League North Boston United where he had made 28 appearances this season, and he capped a debut on Saturday against Prescot Cables by scoring the second goal in the 2-0 win.
The 28 year old began his career at Huddersfield Town before moving on to Guiseley, Buxton, Farsley Celtic and Hyde United before joining Willcock at the now-defunct Shaw Lane club.
Also making his debut for the club, on his 27th Birthday, in the Prescot Cables game was goalkeeper DALE LATHAM, who has been brought in as cover for regular custodian Sam Ashton.
Latham has plenty of experience having turned out for the likes of Avro, Mossley, Droylsden, Salford City and Winsford United.
He joined the Rams, ironically exactly a year after he made his debut for his former club Atherton Collieries in their first defeat in ten games….0-1 away to Ramsbottom United!
Completing the trio is young 20 year old JACK KAY, who is on a dual registration from National League high-flyers AFC Fylde.
The youngster comes highly rated by the Mill Farm club, and will be looking to gain some valuable game time as he looks to make progress with the club whose Football League ambitions have been well documented, and who will now be looking forward to a trip to Wembley in the FA Trophy Final, having overcome a severe test against the Rams in the last sixteen.
As the season rapidly approaches the finale, just eight games remain, two of which are against local rivals Droylsden.
The first takes place on Tuesday at the Butchers Arms, and a healthy following of Rammy supporters will hopefully encourage the side to return up the M66 with all three points if the promotion challenge is to continue.
Eight points away from League leaders Atherton Colls appears to be a formidable challenge, but this team will not give up the fight until the play-offs become a more realistic route to Evo-Stik Premier.
Former top level side Droylsden have had a mediocre season lying in 13th position with 37 points from their 29 games, but have a better home record of 6 wins against 4 on the road.
Dave Pace’s team usually provide stern opposition, and nothing less will be expected as the Rams look to continue their unbeaten league record on the road under Chris Willcock.
They will still be hurting after failing to see the game out at Chasetown on Saturday when they played most of the 90 minutes with just ten men following the early dismissal of Ryan Ellison.
A late goal stole two precious points from the Rams, so a three point haul is essential in east Manchester in what will hopefully be a more pleasant evening weather-wise, than we have experienced just lately, which left a quarter of the HWRS ground covered by water on Saturday.
It’s tough at the top and a good run-in should see the Rams finish in at least a play-off spot, but football can be unpredictable, and the last six weeks of the season promises to be well worth keeping an eye on.
Tom Kennedy has been announced in the Evo-Stik team of the year.
Tom has made 45 apperances for the Rams this season scoring 4 goals so far.
He's been named in the team alongside;
Danny Roberts (Leek Town); TOM KENNEDY, Callum Grogan (Radcliffe FC), Danny Lafferty (Atherton Colls), Waqas Azam (Colne FC); Daniel Trickett-Smith (Leek Town), Max Leonard (Mossley FC), Ben Hardcastle (Atherton Colls); Tunde Olowabi (Radcliffe FC), Alex Curran (Colne FC), Chris Almond (Prescot Cables).
After the disappointing – and unexpected – home defeat against Newcastle Town on Tuesday, this game really has the feel of a must-win contest.
Three home losses from the last four has severely put a dent in any possible automatic promotion hopes, so, in reality, it looks like the play-offs could be the only way to end the campaign on a successful note, although there are a number of other teams looking to pip us at the post.
Unusually, though, the Rams are now ahead of other contenders with regards to games played (that in itself is a miracle considering all the FA Trophy games we have had to fit in), and it’s now down to the last five games of the season, three against fellow-promotion hopefuls.
As we sit in 4th spot with 61 points from our 33 games, the hosts are one above us having played one game less, but with an extra point in the bag.
At home, Linnets have so far recorded ten wins, with just two league defeats, but it must be pointed out that since the arrival of Chris Willcock in early October, our only defeat away from the HWRS was that at AFC Fylde in the Trophy.
A continuation of that run will be essential against a Runcorn side that arrived in Ramsbottom in December and returned home victorious by 3 goals to 2 in a controversial game which saw two Rammy players dismissed.
So revenge should be in the air, and hopefully the Rammy supporters will be out in numbers to cheer on the lads, whose only absentee will be Ryan Ellison, serving the third of his four game ban.
After three trips on the road which have yielded seven points, it’s back to the HWRS as the Rams take on old foes Prescot Cables.
With points ever-more precious as the final league fixtures come into view, the home side will be hoping for a repeat of the scoreline when the two sides met at Hope Street back in early November.
Making their second visit to the ground in four days, having previously beaten tenants Skelmersdale united 3-0, the Rams went one better against the Cables and came away on the back of a superb 4-0 victory, which included that fluke goal from keeper Sam Ashton.
Cables arrive in Ramsbottom in 8th place, ten points behind the hosts but with two games in hand.
Games between the two sides are traditionally entertaining and with Cables support dramatically increasing over the last couple of years, there should be a decent number of travelling supporters coming over to help create a good atmosphere for both teams.
Ryan Ellison will be unavailable as he serves the first of his four game ban following his dismissal at Chasetown last Saturday, whilst Nialle Rodney looks as though he will be out for the rest of the season.
That last minute winner at Droylsden, in a highly entertaining encounter, which increased the points total by two, could prove crucial as we enter the last five weeks of the campaign, and another three will be invaluable if the team can see off what will be a strong challenge from the team from Merseyside.
As always the support from the fans on the sidelines will be greatly appreciated, so let’s see a big crowd at the HWRS and another win as we look towards the top of the table.
Ramsbottom United make the long journey down the M6 to the west Midlands for their first ever visit to Chasetown as the race for promotion hots up.
Trailing leaders Atherton Colls by nine points, but with a game in hand, three points are essential if the Rams are to continue their push for automatic promotion with just one place available. Otherwise, it’s into the lottery of the end-of-season play-offs, which in themselves are proving a fascinating contest.
Currently sitting in fourth spot, things have changed dramatically since the reverse fixture back in early October.
This was Chris Willcock’s first game in charge following his appointment four days earlier. At that time, the team were in the bottom half of the table and the visit from Chasetown probably answered a few of his early questions. Racing into a two goal lead during a first half that the home side dominated, the Rams were pegged back and had to settle for a 2-2 draw having been under considerable pressure during the second period.
Much, of course, has changed since those early autumn times, and Chasetown currently find themselves in 14th place with 35 points gained from their 30 games. 18 of these have been gathered at home with 4 wins and 6 draws.
As for the Rams, those two disappointing home reversals were put to bed last week with a hard-earned but much-deserved 2-1 win at Clitheroe in the same sort of miserable conditions expected in the midlands tomorrow.
It’s a long journey for the fans, but hopefully a good number will make the trip to encourage the team to return home with all 3 points.
