Merger?!

[BartonRaz]

I would hate to see either club die personally, but Rushden & Diamonds is obviously my priority.

If there was no possibility whatsoever of Rushden & Diamonds surviving in its current form, and the merger happened, then i for one would support the merged team. I'd be more open to the concept if a.) Edinburgh was manager, and b.) the name was NOT 'K*ttering Diamonds' - that doesn't sit well with me. K*ttering would be moving in with us, not the other way round as that name implies.

Lets be realistic here, fans would walk away from the club but we'd still increase our supporter base at a stroke, because of the initial intreague from the whole of Northants we'd get attendances that wouldn't look out of place in League Two, and we'd have a far better opportunity of getting this merged team into the football league, and this time SUSTAINING IT.

The situation is not ideal I agree, and in my opinion it must be the only option left, but i think it is undeniable that this does actually make sense. Before this is even contemplated we should focus all our efforts on saving Rushden & Diamonds though.

[Trek]

Good post, BR.

[mattreddan]

I have tonights ET here if you want me to type it out in full?.. if it hasn't been already?

[DiamondEejit]

Agreed, great post BR. Every fans priority should be trying to keep the club as it is with a merger as the last LAST resort.

As far as the name goes, i'd have thought something along the lines of Rushden & K*ttering Diamonds would be more appropriate under the circumstances?

Personally, I think if a merger did occur, from a financial point of view, we would be much closer to the break even attendance needed, and if the "club" starts strongly then the attendances would rocket, which would make playing at Nene Park, in this division, sustainable? Although please correct me if I'm wrong...

[HiHoRushden&Diamonds]

To me it seems stupid that two clubs might fold in the next few years, if the merger is the last resort then yes I think it would be acceptable. The enjoyment of watching football and supporting a team takes priority over local rivalry for me. If the merger guarantees long term stability then I think it is a must.

K*ttering Diamonds sounds odd, tacky and wrong. East Northants FC or something like that sounds better IMO.

EDIT: I'd just like to add that the current owners of both teams would have to leave as well.

[Stalin]

Don't think a merger would work to well, only as a last resort maybe.

A ground share however just makes too much sense IMO, the more I think about it, the more it just seems the perfect way forward for both teams.

With regards to a merger, if it ever happened, imagine a day when Rushden and K*ttering, K*ttering and Diamonds, Town, Town and Diamonds who what ever they would be called had an home game and the away manager was Duane Darby or Brett McNamara.

Both hero's in the eyes of each sets of fans yet the ultimate villain in the others.

[DiamondsFan]

I am desperate for Diamonds to survive but will be gone in seconds if there is a merger. Nothing more to say.

[PhilM2]

You want to save your local football club, but what are you actually trying to save ?

1). The team of players? Clearly not. They come and go with breathtaking regularity as the finances of the club change, as they fall ou of favour with the manager and as they find better clubs offering them more money

2). The manager? I dont think so, managers come and go like the players. They follow the money and the opportunities.

3). The name. Maybe some people like to support the name as a way of sustaining a group identity. You pin your colours to the mast and support your chosen club no matter what happens through a sense of loyalty. I guess that's a sort of religious kind of thing. That's not me though, I'm not religious, and I'm not fussed about group identity.

4). The stadium. It's a nice facility, providing first class entertainment on a Saturday afternoon. It gets youngsters interested in sport, and provides a starting point for young players. I can see that as a good reason for saving Nene Park.

5) The History. Sounds good, but history doesnt need saving. It's done and dusted, finished, and not going anywhere. Remember it, but you dont need to save it. Look to the future.

For me the big reason for wanting to see RDFC cntinue in some shape or other is because it is a focal point for sport in the area, and a great source of local outdoor entertainment. Anything that gets children interested in sport from an early age has got to be a good thing.

The local rivalry thing is entertaining while things are going well, but when everyone is in the sh1t maybe its time to put differences aside and try to help each other out, rather than cheerfully watching each other sink without trace.

[bozzer]

what would you think is worse.

a merged club playing at NP

or KTFC playing at NP?

[PhilM2]

what would you think is worse.

a merged club playing at NP

or KTFC playing at NP?

If it is sustainable, then 2 clubs playing at Nene Park sounds like the best option.