26 27 Programme Ramsbottom United 170926

At the end of the 1996/97 season, the club installed floodlights for the first time – acquiring a set from the soon-to-be-demolished Watersheddings ground of Oldham Rugby League Club. These were in place in time for the club to move up to the top Division, having won the championship of Division Two in only their second season.

Third place in the Premier Division was attained in season 1999/2000. The following season brought many high spots, especially the 3-0 home derby win against top-of-the-table Rossendale United.

Tragedy struck in 2001, as successful manager Ken Bridge collapsed and died following a home game against Cheadle Town, but he is remembered with the gates at the entrance of the ground being named in his honour.

In 2009/10, Harry Williams took the bold step of appointing joint-managers in players Bernard Morley and Anthony Johnson at the beginning of the 2009/10 campaign.  A ten year best total of 81 points and a club-record 14 away victories followed, but this was merely an indication of what was to come.

2010/11 proved to be even better as the crowds began turning up in increasing numbers, and the team finished runners-up to New Mills.  But even better was to come! The 2011/12 season finally saw the Rams move up again after 17 years in the North West Counties League. More goals, more points, more home wins and more supporters (the club’s then attendance record of 1653 was achieved against FC United of Manchester) culminated in the team edging out Runcorn Town with a magnificent end-of-season unbeaten run.

The new challenge hardly saw the club falter after three years of entertaining and successful football. But for a winning goal scored by the champions Skelmersdale United in time added on in the last game of the season in west Lancashire, the Rams would have competed in the play-offs at the end of a great first season which saw them agonisingly miss out in sixth spot.

2013/14 will go down in folklore in the town. After a dreadful start which saw the club bottom of the league after the early rounds of games, steady progression saw a gradual push up the table.  The race between up to a dozen clubs for the play-off spots continued to the very last week of the season. A last day home draw with Bamber Bridge saw both teams qualify, but it meant that the Rams had to travel up to Durham to meet the re-incarnation of former Football League side, Darlington.

The home side were expecting to progress, but having already achieved the double over them, a trip to Darlo’s temporary home at Bishop Auckland held no fears. Despite the vociferous and partisan crowd of almost 2,000, the hundred or so who had made the journey up from Lancashire were treated to a performance that silenced the home fans and deservedly saw a return home with plans afoot for the short trip to meet Bamber Bridge again at Irongate four days later.

The play-off final attracted over 1,200 people, and whilst it was a tight affair with a last kick penalty squaring the game for the home side, the Rams notched another in extra time to deservedly win the game and with it a remarkable second promotion in three seasons.

The first season at Evo-Stik Premier level was probably the most traumatic in the club’s history. Having begun the campaign well with basically the same squad, the management team decided to accept an offer to join Salford City, one division below, and promptly moved in early January with the club just outside the play-off positions.  In the ensuing twelve years, there have been highs and lows, but a runners up finish last season in the North West Counties League suggests that things are very much on the up at the Harry Williams Riverside Stadium.