Rams revving up
RAMS BOTTOM United are set for a busy week ahead as their pre-season fixtures get underway ahead of the new campaign.
The Rams are on their travels on Saturday, as
they head to Caenarfon Town, before then returning to the Harry Williams Riverside Stadium on Tuesday for a home match against Nantwich Town.
Ramsbottom also were set to take on Rochdale as the Free Press went to print on Wednesday, and it looked set to be a difficult match for the Rams.
Speaking ahead of the game, Dale manager Brian Barry-Murphy said: “There will be a lot of players who didn’t start on Saturday starting on Wednesday night.
“We feel as though we want to take a strong team to Ramsbottom and pay them the respect they deserve. We’re very much looking forward to it and it should be another exciting game.
“The lads are conditioned very, very well and they’re getting fitter and stronger as we progress towards the start of the season. Their attitude has been exemplary.
“In terms of the squad, we’re almost at full strength. Ollie Rathbone and Eoghan O’Connell aren’t too far away from joining back in, so we have no major injury issues.
“Our squad is a little bit smaller than last season, and that’s something that we are aware of, so we’ve got to manage the group accordingly and try to keep everybody fit.
“A lot of the players who were involved on Saturday were young players, and we love having them there, but over the next couple of weeks we might be looking to add one or two new faces to try and make our group stronger and protect the young players so we can add them in when it’s right as the season progresses.”
Ramsbottom’s pre-season campaign continues with a trip to Newcastle Town on Saturday 3 August, before matches in quick succession at home to Ashton United on Tuesday 6 August, and then away to Kidsgrove Athletic on Thursday 8 August.
Meanwhile, Ramsbottom’s division have a new title sponsor after Northern Premier League announced a new twoyear sponsorship deal with leading online gambling company BetVictor, starting from this season.
NPL chairman Mark Harris, in a joint statement with Isthmian Football League equivalent Nick Robinson and the Southern League’s Terry Barratt said: “We are delighted to be working with BetVictor, such a high-profile sponsor. It is a major coup for the leagues at the Steps 3 and 4 of the National Leagues System.
“By working collectively, we become a much more attractive commercial and media proposition. We are all striving to professionalise our competitions and this sponsorship takes things to a new level.”