season 1999-2000 witnessed the rangers finish second, their highest ever position, in the pennine league premier division. the following season, 2000-2001, again saw rangers riding high in the premier division and top of the table at christmas. however, the club suffered badly with the foot and mouth crisis, the ground was closed and the nomadic rangers won only one of their last nine matches. the next couple of seasons witnessed the rangers struggle and they couldn’t maintain their pennine premier league status.