RAMSBOTTOM United FC have begun pre-season training and are getting down to business on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at the Derby High School, Bury.

Manager Andy Grimshaw and his new assistant Ged Walsh are hoping for a good start in the North West Counties League Division One this season and have employed a top class fitness coach in Sam Greenwood to get the players up to scratch.

United have fixed up five friendly games to date, starting with Bamber Bridge on Saturday, July 12 (3pm); Colne FC, Thursday, July 17 (7.30pm), Burnley United, Saturday July 26 (3pm), Castleton Gabriels, Thursday, July 31 (7.30pm) and Padiham, Satuday, August 2 (3pm).

All these matches will be played away from home as the Rams have had extensive work done to their Riverside Ground pitch.