Goalscoring duo join Rams ranks
RA M S B O T TOM United’s preparations for the Northern Premier League campaign have been bolstered by the arrival of two new faces.
Attacking midfielder Max Leonard and frontman Sefton Gonzales have both agreed deals with Chris Willcock’s side.
Leonard, 26, joined the club from fellow NPL side Mossley and has impressed in pre-season thus far, scoring a wonderful free kick away at Radcliffe in last weekend’s friendly fixture.
A prolific goalscorer from the middle of the park, Leonard progressed through the ranks at Huddersfield Town before playing non-league football locally at AFC Emley where he hit the headlines after scoring 42 goals in the 12/13 season.
After spells with Frickley and Shaw Lane, he was signed by Glossop North End, then managed by Rams boss Willcock.
Another fantastic scoring season saw Leonard finish top scorer for Glossop, netting a tremendous 23 times from midfield.
He was widely sought after the following summer and in 2017 he signed for Conference North outfit Curzon Ashton.
Despite stepping up two levels he still netted four times in the first eight games.
AFC Telford came in for him but his time at the Bucks was hampered by injuries and he was loaned to Hyde United where he finished the season helping them gain promotion to the Northern Premier League’s Premier Division.
In the summer of 2018 Max signed for Mossley where once again he scored over 20 goals from midfield at our level.
A Ramsbottom spokesman said: “Being no stranger to our current management team and the style of play they bring to the table we are all looking forward to seeing Max wear the blue of Rammy and wish him all the best for the upcoming season!”
Joining him in the squad is Gonzales, a 6 foot 5 frontman who joins the club from Matlock Town.
The 28-year-old is an established player at this level and higher, having played for the likes of Chorley, Stockport County, Clitheroe, South Shields, Droylsden and FC United previously. He knows where the net is, boasting a great goals return at every club he has been at. He has also played at the Rams level previously for Colne, scoring against the Rams last season in the FA Trophy.
Gonzales, who made his debut in Saturday’s friendly at Radcliffe, is looking forward to getting to know everyone at the Rams.
“I know a few lads in the dressing room but it was good to meet the rest of the squad on Saturday and I am really looking forward to pushing on with this group.”
Gonzales featured again on Tuesday evening in the friendly against Hyde United and is keen to use pre-season to his advantage.
“These sort of games are all about raising fitness levels and getting the lads to gel.
“We looked on Saturday like we had been playing together for a while but there’s still a lot more to come from me and the rest of the lads.”