Ramsbottom Preview

On New Year’s Day, Colls are on the road again, for what is another very tough game at Ramsbottom United. The Rams currently sit in 5th place having knocked Radcliffe off top spot on Boxing Day. Having caught Colls in their first league game without Greg Hartley in August, Ramsbottom were worthy winners as they travelled back up the M66 with 3 points. Since then, manager Mark Fell departed for Lancaster City to be replaced by Chris Willcock. Colls fans will remember him as the manager of Glossop North End when they beat us in the Men United Cup of 2015 at Curzon Ashton in front of a 4 figure crowd. Willcock's team were gearing up for a visit to Wembley in the FA Vase. With that in mind, Micheal Clegg and his team will no doubt be preparing his team having learnt lessons from that encounter. Willcock moved fast to bring in a number of players, most notably Nic Evangelinos from Ashton United in the Conference North, having clinched promotion via the play-offs from the Evo-Stik Premier Division last season. Winger Eddie Moran who was part of that Glossop side in 2015 returned to the club having previously left Ramsbottom for Wythenshaw Amateurs, whilst captain of that Glossop side Kelvin Lugsden also joined his old boss having previously reunited at Shaw Lane. Meanwhile players such as the experienced Phil Dean were released. We meet a Ramsbottom United side not only in great form in the league but also on an FA Trophy run, hosting Weymouth in the Second Round on 12th January, having beaten Workington and Yaxley in replays to leave them as the last NPL team in the competition. Danger men are Jamie Rainford who started the season at Widnes having spent last season at Colwyn Bay and Ruben Jerome who joined the club from Emley having previously played at Warrington and Southport, both who have contributed goals this season. Admission Adults £8 Conc £4 U12 £1 Postcode - BL0 0BS