Rams pre-season hotting up

Gareth Hill scored in the pre-season win at Garstang.

The Rams run-up to the start of the new season continued last Saturday with a trip to fellow-NWCFL side Garstang. A 3-2 win was clinched with the help of an own goal and one each for Matt Dudley and Gareth Hill.

Manager Rob Henry summed up the afternnon “The game at Garstang was a good work-out for us. We showed some promising aspects of our play particularly first half, however it’s valuable minutes in the legs and a chance to build further relationships. There are lots of areas we need to improve, however we did face challenges on Saturday with a number of defenders available and the fatigue was evident in those defenders late in the game.”

Next up is a trip on Saturday (3.00pm) to a Stockport Georgians side which won promotion from the NWCFL Division One South last season, only to be placed in the Midland League Premier Division for this coming campaign, along with a number of other Manchester and Cheshire area clubs. The following Tuesday sees the Rams taking the short trip down to Manchester League side, Elton Vale with a 7.30 kick-off.

Henry is prepared for these two games. “We look forward to the games at Stockport and Elton Vale, with defenders returning from illness and holidays, so we will certainly have a strong back line, which should have a positive impact on the team. By then we could possibly have a couple of new faces joining us, providing further depth and quality.”

In between those two fixtures, the Harry Williams Riverside Stadium will be staging a Charity Match between a team of former Ramsbottom United favourites and a team of former Manchester United players. Kick-off is 2.00pm, with admission by CASH ONLY being £10 adults and £5 concessions, with half the proceeds going to Bleakholt Animal Sanctuary.

Amongst the former Rammy favourites will be Jon Robinson, Andy Dawson, Billy Priestley, Scott Burton, Gary Stopforth, Lee Gaskell and John Blackley, with other familiar faces likely to feature.

For Manchester United legends, pencilled in are the likes of Lee Martin, Wes Brown, Ben Thornley, Keith Gillespie, Danny Webber, Chris Eagles and Russell Beardsmore, with one or two surprise guests.

An excellent way of preparing for the new season in the wake of the World Cup, and a touch of nostalgia for many supporters of both clubs.

As is always the case between seasons, a number of players have moved on, and although supporters will be disappointed, it’s hard to stand in the way of players wanting to progress up the pyramid. One such doing so is last season’s Player of the Year, Harvey Hayhurst, who has signed for National League North relegated side Curzon Ashton, whilst Maine Walder has moved up to the NPL North with Clitheroe.

Luke Barlow has moved sideways to Chadderton, and Luke Sephton has also moved on, this time to rivals Trafford FC. The other noteable absence will be in goal, where Radcliffe loanee Brad Rose, after two years with the Rams, has signed another contract with the National League side, leaving the Rams as a NWCFL joint-award winner, being the keeper with the most clean sheets last season. He has signed on-loan for NPL newcomers, and Ramsbottom victors, Padiham.

The club wishes all the departees well and thanks them for the sterling efforts in the blue Rammy shirt.