Name: Crilly Park
Capacity: 3,000
Record Attendance: 1,856 v Aldershot - FA Vase1993/94
Address: Spa Road, Atherton, Greater Manchester, M46 9FB.
Telephone: 01942 883950.
Directions: M61 to exit 5. Follow the signs to Westhoughton and at the roundabout on the A6, turn left. At the first set of traffic lights, turn right into Newbrook Road and follow the road downhill, over the railway bridge and just after the pedestrian lights, turn right by the station into Upton Road. Take the third left into Springfield Road and at the end turn left into Hillside and follow the road to the ground.

The roots of the club began in the streets of Atherton with a group of young lads aged between 10 and 12 on a local council estate playing football in the street. One of the older boys answered a letter in a football magazine to play a friendly match at Swinton, around five miles away. Although these lads had no proper kit, no adult with them and not even a team name, they travelled unaccompanied to the match. No doubt it was an exciting adventure for these youngsters.

One of the lads was Frank Riley, younger brother of Joe, and not being happy about the youngsters travelling so far alone, Joe suggested they put a team together and entered a local league where travelling would be limited. A number of the lads showed an interest in the idea, but not being sure how to go about it, they asked Joe to manage them. Joe had footballing experience, having played up till 1953 when he broke his leg and then played a few games for Atherton Central until late 1955.

For the clubs 50th anniversary season Mark Cox was appointed first team manager and he brought in David Tulloch as his assistant. Mark has a vast knowledge of football at this level and the new management team set about building a strong squad. Tulloch left before Christmas as matters away from football was taking up his time and after acting as a temporary Assistant Manager, Roy Sweeney was officially appointed in that role in February 2007. However, on 1st March 2007 Cox announced his resignation and Sweeney was promoted to Manager, bringing in team captain Rob Hope as his assistant. After a short settling in period, performances improved as Sweeney and Hope strengthened the side. After 29 games the club had 21 points, but in the last 13 matches they doubled their total with another 21 points gained despite a growing injury list. With the management and players all promising to remain at the club for 2007/08 season, things looked promising for the following season.

However, results in 2007/08 didn't match up to expectations and with matters away from football taking up much of Sweeney's time, he resigned at the beginning of December. Reserve Team Manager Malcolm Anderton took over control of the first team as caretaker manager, assisted by Rob Hope and while the team played attractive football at times, results still didn't go their way. On 10th March ex-LR player Stuart Humphreys was appointed for the second time as the new manager and immediately set about strengthening the squad.

The Rams have already beaten Atherton LR this season after a tremendous 3-0 victory over at Crilly Park on the 25th August.

Goals by Maden, McManus and Pearson only show half the story as a Steve MacDonald penalty for the Rams was well saved by the Atherton keeper midway through the second half.

However, it was during the 2006-07 season that will be long remembered by the Ramsbottom supporters after the Rams hammered Atherton 9-1 after a thrilling second half performance. The scoreline was 2-1 to the Rams at the half time interval and its doubtful that both sets of supporters had any inkling into what the second half would produce.

A superb hattrick by Ryan Moore followed by two goals apiece for Steve Maden and Steve MacDonald and further strikes by Lee Cryer and Carl Lomax gave the Rams their second biggest victory in the North West Counties League.