Luke joins Rams
RA MS BOTTOM United’s rebuild continues ahead of the new season after the addition of central defender Luke Thompson from Nelson.
The 25-year-old is a combative, strong defender, who has previously played for the likes of Padiham, Colne and Nelson. He now makes the step up to Evo-Stik football and joint manager Paul Fildes thinks the Rams could have unearthed a gem.
“Luke is raw talent. He’s a defender who loves to defend which is something of a rarity nowadays,” he said.
“He’s a leader, strong and powerful and can chip in with goals as well. We’re keen to have a real hard work mentality at the club and Luke fits the bill.”
Thompson is expected to be part of the Ramsbottom team that kick off their pre-season fixtures on Saturday with a match against one of his former sides.
They are making the short journey up to North West Counties neighbours Nelson, with the match set to kick off at Victoria Park at 3pm.
Along with Thompson, it also sees a speedy return to their old club for jointmanagers Fildes and Mark Fell.
Nelson began their preseason with two home games against Hyde United and Bradford Park Avenue before this weekend’s clash with Ramsbottom.
The new-look Ramsbottom team will feature new signings along with a number of trialists as Fildes and Fell look to add more faces to the squad ahead of the new season which kicks off on Saturday 13 August.
It’s been a busy week for Ramsbottom as they have also had matches confirmed for the FA Cup and the FA Trophy.
They were pulled out of the hat first on three occasions at the FA headquarters, and amazingly will take on the same side in both competitions.
The Rams will place Sheffield FC at the Harry Williams Riverside Stadium, first in the Preliminary Round of the FA Cup on Saturday 20 August.
Sheffield then return to Ramsbottom on Saturday 8 October in the FA Trophy, and should the Rams be successful against their Evo-Stik Division One South opponents, another home tie awaits against the winners of the game between Prescot Cables and Ossett Albion. This match would then take place on Saturday 29 October.
The two games against Sheffield will be the first time the two clubs have ever met in a competitive fixture, although the Rams did visit their Dronfield ground for a pre-season friendly in 2015.