Donafee’s triple boost for squad
LEE Donafee’s squad reshaping at Ramsbottom United continued apace this week with three new arrivals at the Harry Williams Riverside Stadium.
First up was a familiar face, the return of striker Jamie Rainford.
The 33-year-old last made a competitive appearance for the club in April 2019 against Radcliffe in the play-off semifinal.
He scored 18 goals in his 26 appearances during the 2018/19 season.
Speaking about his return Rainford said: “From the moment I left Ramsbottom two seasons ago, not by choice either. I’ve always felt I had unfinished business with the club.
“It’s a fantastic club ran by the most honest people in the chairman what a guy. A proper footballing man who everyone at the club loves.
“A great fan base also who always get behind their team and hopefully with Lee at the helm they’ll feel like they’re a lot more part of our group now.
“So for me when the opportunity came up this summer it was the only place for me to want to play this season.”
He added: “Pre-season has been tough as always but I’m experienced enough now to understand this. Plenty of football with some ups and downs but it’s geared us upright to peak come the weekend. Which as a player that’s all that matters.
“With the squad, the gaffer has assembled my only thoughts have got to be success come the end of April. To be challenging at the top end of the table which I honestly feel we will be.
“The strength in depth and the characters we have in the dressing room is frightening so hopefully, come the weekend we get off to a good start and kick on for a long hard season.”
Rainford concluded “Personal aims for me are always to score as many goals as I possibly can and help my team win football matches. With the players we have, I’m really looking forward to the season ahead.”
Manager Lee Donafee added: “Jamie is a player I’ve managed previously at Glossop and during his first spell at Ramsbottom United.
“An out and out goal scorer Jamie will add goals and will also add good experience to the current side.”
Tom Glover, 20, has been playing in Sunday league teams across the North West for the last few years and has joined the Rams ahead of the new season.
Glover works as a scaffolder during the week and has been footballobsessed since he can remember.
Speaking to ramsbottomunited.co.uk he said: “What attracted me to the club was the determination of the club to progress as a team. Once I trained during pre-season the atmosphere within the group was great and the first time at the ground against Bury was a great turnout from the fans which inspires you as a player.
“To be back playing after the last two seasons null and void is boss, I try and play as much as I can, whenever a game of football is available to me.
“The pre-season has been tough, to begin with, to reach a level of fitness needed to compete at such a level but after a few weeks and a few running sessions, the fitness comes naturally. It’s been a boss few months training and the games have been just as brilliant.
“My aims this season are to push myself and improve both technically and physically to become a better player, to get minutes on the pitch and for the team to have a successful season on the whole.
“I’m already looking forward to the first game at City of Liverpool.”
Manager Lee Donafee added: “Tom is a player I spotted locally and monitored him for the past couple of seasons.
“We agreed to bring Tom in pre-season and he hasn’t disappointed he’s trained extremely hard and is still learning to adapt to the level having previously played in the North West Counties Prem.”
Owen Collinge, 19, has most recently been playing in the Rams development squad and has now signed first-team papers.
Collinge has had previous spells at Radcliffe and Huddersfield Town.
He said: “Coming through the development team and then signing for the first team is a great achievement for myself and I can’t wait to get started.
“I feel pre-season has gone well for myself as I’ve learnt a lot from the experienced players in the squad which has made me push myself to become a better player and pick up on things.
“With our preseason I feel it has gone as well as it can as everyone has set a good standard in training every week and working hard ready for the season.
“I’m looking forward to the game on Saturday. I expect it will be a tough and physical game but overall I can’t wait for the season to start
“My aims for the season is to contribute to the team and achieve great things for this club.”
Manager, Donafee added: “Owen is a Rammy lad and joins us from the Ramsbottom development squad, he has previously been in and around the first team but after speaking to Warren Hemmingway I decided to bring Owen in for the remainder of pre-season and credit to Owen he has been exceptional.
“His performances in pre-season games left me no option to sign him for the first team for the coming season. This will be a great step for Owen in his football education and both he and the squad will benefit.”