PRESENTATION EVENING 2025

Andy Brown receiving a signed shirt from President Phil Rose as a thank you for years of service to the club.

After a season that saw Ramsbottom United go so close to winning promotion, the players, management and supporters joined together in the adjacent Ramsbottom Cricket Club, on Friday night, to celebrate a successful season in which the record 97 points gained would have usually meant promotion to the NPL.

However, the incredible form of both Bury and Lower Breck meant that they had to be content with a third place finish and the frustration of losing out in the play-offs.

But the disappointment was put to one side as around 80 people enjoyed a night of presentations, disco, raffle and enjoyable food.

Amongst the prizes awarded was that of Player-of-the-Month for April, as voted for by the Rams supporters, and the recipient was Luke Barlow.

The club’s supporters also voted for their Player-of-the-Year, and despite a number of names receiving votes, the popular winner was defender Harvey Hayhurst.

The players also voted for their own Player-of-the-Year, and this time the accolade went to striker Tom Hoyle.

Ramsbottom United’s Clubman-of-the-Year was goalkeeping coach Lewis Hindley, for all the hard work he does other than his coaching, including acting as kitman and performing other duties away from the spotlight.

Another precentation on the night was made by the Supporters Club honouring the dedication put in by supporter Mark McCann, who followed the Rams to every game over the season including pre-season.

The club also acknowledged the remarkable work put in by committee member Andy Brown, who had to step down at the end of the season. The man to go to for just about everything at the ground, Andy has spent hundreds of hours volunteering over the last dozen years or so, and will be a familiar face to many supporters.

The club organised for the players to sign a shirt and had it framed, to give to Andy on the night as a “Thank you” for everything he has done.

Leaving the club after two stints at Ramsbottom, is coach Scott Campbell, who has decided to take time out from the game, having been in the coaching roles for many years. Manger Steve Wilkes thanked him for all his work and appreciated what he had done in making the team so successful. A case of beers was well received.

Manager Steve Wilkes also chose a winner as his Player-of-the-Year, and that went to Maine Walder, who, although in the West Indies on holiday, was able to join in the celebrations via a phone link, and received much applause from the audience.

Other presentations during the evening saw flowers handed out to four ladies for all their hard work throughout the season, and praise was given to everyone else who had worked tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure that the club functioned well.

Not only does a club like Ramsbottom United need volunteers to make sure everything falls into place, but sponsors and advertisers are essential to maintain the financial stability of such clubs.

Fortunately, the Rams have been able to call on the invaluable support of President Phil Rose, whose Rosebridge company is based in the town, who has been the team’s sponsor and also responsible for attracting a number of matchday sponsors and advertisers into the club.

He, along with other sponsors, was thanked on the night for continuing to support Ramsbottom United off the pitch.

The night was a successful celebration of an excellent season, leaving everyone looking forward to the new campaign, with the target of gaining that promotion back to the NPL, top of the agenda.