There was a familiar face in the Ramsbottom United colours this week when Oliver Booth made his bow for his boyhood club.

Fans with long memories may even recall his first appearance with the Rams team - as a mascot leading the players out aged just five years old in April 2012.

On that day, after 15 years of playing in the North West Counties League, Rammy finally gained promotion to the Northern Premier League.

Needing a win on the final day of the season, they welcomed Winsford United to the Harry Williams Riverside Stadium and in front of a season-best crowd of 548, they duly gathered the three vital points required with a 5-2 victory.

It was a day local boy Oliver, aged just 5¾, also enjoyed with his favourite team.

The occasion got even better when, having lifted the silverware, Rams joint-managers, Anthony Johnson and Bernard Morley, invited Oliver to join them in the celebrations - quite a memory for such a young lad.

After his dream day, the youngster joined the Ramsbottom United junior set-up, playing for his local team as the years passed.

Twelve years on and on the day of his 18th birthday last Saturday, he received a special present when Rams boss Steve Wilkes had the now grown-up Oliver sign on the dotted line as he became a Ramsbottom United player.

Noty only that, to complete a perfect day, he played for the team that afternoon in a pre-season friendly against Fulwood Amateurs before a reunion with Johnson and Morley when Radcliffe visited for a friendly.

Booth said: “I’ve played with the Rammy Jjunior teams since I was five, and always dreamt of making it into the first team when I grew up. That dream has come true.

“I’ve always supported the club, and it’s great to remember being part of the celebrations all those years ago.

“I’m now in the first-team squad, and learning from all the experienced players we have.

“They keep pushing me on and I would love to become a regular member of the first team.

“On Tuesday, I played against Radcliffe who are managed by the same Bernard and Jonno, and it was great to meet up with them again after all this time.”

All at Ramsbottom United are now hoping Booth can make another dream come true, and see the club succeed in their quest to return to the NPL after a two-year absence.

He would then possibly be able to lift the trophy aloft again, although this time as part of the squad and not a mascot!