Ramsbottom United

Ramsbottom United FC is a non-league football club that was formed by Harry Williams in 1966, playing in local Bury and Bolton football leagues, before moving into the Manchester League in 1987.

The 'Rams' won Division One of that competition in 1990-91 before being successfully elected as a Premier Division side into Division Two of the North West Counties League in 1994 after substantial ground improvements had been carried out. 

Within a couple of seasons, they had lifted the second division title in 1996-97 and moved to the top flight, where they consolidated their position. Tragedy struck as manager Ken Bridge collapsed and died after a home game in 2001, with his memory commemorated by entrance gates to the ground being named in his honour.

Derek Egan arrived as manager in the summer of 2004, taking the side to an excellent league finish before he was replaced by Lee Sculpher, who lasted in the post until October 2007. Some short-term appointments followed before players Bernard Morley and Anthony Johnson were made, joining managers ahead of the 2009-10 season.

The team ended up as runners-up in the Premier Division in 2010-11, with Ramsbottom going one better in 2011-12 as they were crowned NWCFL champions. This led to promotion to Division One North of the Northern Premier League, which in 2013-14 led to even greater heights.

In the playoffs, Darlington and then Bamber Bridge were defeated as the Rams reached the Premier Division while improvements to the Riverside ground were made, which in time was renamed Harry Williams Riverside Stadium to honour the man without whom none of it would have been possible.

In January 2015, the management duo departed, lured by the finances of Salford City, taking eight players with them as well as their coaching staff. Somehow, striker Jon Robertson assembled a side that managed to avoid the drop. However, the 2015-16 season ended in relegation back down to Division One North for two seasons before moving to the West.

The relegation season saw Garry Vaughan take over team affairs while the River Irwell submerged the ground under five feet of water and caused excessive damage. Mark Fell took charge of the team the following season after being initially joint boss with Paul Fildes. Chris Willcock succeeded him in October 2018.

In his first season in charge, the new manager took the team to the third round of the FA Trophy before losing a replay to AFC Fylde, who would go on to defeat Leyton Orient in the final. Lee Donafee took over as manager for the 2021-22 campaign after a couple of seasons had been lost to the worldwide pandemic.

The appointment of Dave Chadwick in February 2023 couldn't save the Rams from relegation and a return to the North West Counties League. Steve Wilkes took the position as manager in May 2023. He led the side to the playoffs in 2024-25, which ended in semi-final defeat to Padiham.

Ramsbottom United will be playing in the North West Counties League Premier Division in the 2025-26 season.

My visit

Wednesday 21st July 2010

I was in the Greater Manchester area for a few days, enjoying the sights, good living and visiting football clubs. I had just visited Radcliffe Borough and took the bus to Bury, where I was looking forward to my next form of travel.

I had read all about the East Lancashire Railway, which is a heritage line run by volunteer enthusiasts. I was extremely keen to take a journey on it as it offered the chance of a ride on a steam train! I just made it to Bolton Road station and got down to the platform to find an old diesel was pulling the train. 

There was cconsolationfinding the carriages were of old stock, which took me back to my childhood. The train was full of pensioners enjoying an excursion. I got sat next to one of the volunteers and had a lovely chat as we passed through the stunning countryside. Before long, we were pulling into Ramsbottom station. I said goodbye and went on my way.

My first impression was very good. The approach road and signposts were all neat and tidy, with the ground sitting alongside the very impressive Ramsbottom Cricket Club, who are proud members of the Lancashire League.

The football ground was by now named The Jack Williams Riverside Ground, in honour of the man who made it all possible. The entrances were pristine and clean, and some gents were working on the ground and were welcoming when giving me permission to go inside. I was so pleased I made the effort.

The near Cricket Side was open with the dugouts on the halfway line. The clubhouse and changing rooms stood back from the pitch with smart benches and gardens sitting on a lawn in front. Even a little wheelbarrow in the garden had been neatly painted in club colours. The Railway End was a narrow strip of open terrace. 

The far side consisted of the main Harry Williams Stand with blue seats, including some recovered from Maine Road after demolition. Alongside is the small covered terrace called The Ellis Timlin Stand. The far end has a long, narrow covered terrace called The Jack Wolfenden Stand, named after a hard-working stalwart of the club. 

The floodlights came from The Watersheddings, the former rugby league ground in Oldham. It really was a pretty sight and a ground I'd love to visit for a game, hopefully against my beloved Scarborough Athletic.

I spent a few minutes having a look inside the cricket ground before I walked into the picturesque market town with its stunning scenery as a backdrop. I had time to kill, so I decided to go and sit in the homely pub adjacent to the station to listen to locals enjoying each other's company. 

The train took me back to Bury, when, just to round off a wonderful couple of hours, I spent time in the station buffet, which proved to be a haven for real ale. If you are in the area, I highly recommend a visit to the railway and maybe a Ramsbottom United game.