The unofficial AFC Rushden & Diamonds messageboard

Formic wrote:Keep an eye on the Tournament Website - http://southwestchallengecup.moonfruit.com/

They like to make a big splash once a full set of teams are signed up - including one or moe guest teams from abroad. The expectation is that it should be confirmed towards the end of this month.

Their latest press release made me chuckle:

"You only have to look back to last year to see that this Tournament provides a launch-pad for teams to hit the ground running and prosper in their domestic Leagues; BLACKPOOL, RUSHDEN & DIAMONDS and LUTON TOWN are ALL evidence of that truth."

They neglected to mention that Grimsby also took part! :lol:

davealbon wrote:

Formic wrote:Keep an eye on the Tournament Website - http://southwestchallengecup.moonfruit.com/

They like to make a big splash once a full set of teams are signed up - including one or moe guest teams from abroad. The expectation is that it should be confirmed towards the end of this month.

Their latest press release made me chuckle:

"You only have to look back to last year to see that this Tournament provides a launch-pad for teams to hit the ground running and prosper in their domestic Leagues; BLACKPOOL, RUSHDEN & DIAMONDS and LUTON TOWN are ALL evidence of that truth."

They neglected to mention that Grimsby also took part! :lol:

They also neglected to mention that we had an awful (compared to the end anyway) start! :lol:

Me +3 are considering going for the week, has anyone got any recommendations of reasonably priced accomodation (B&B's, hotels or even a caravan) As long as its not camping as i dont fancy p****** in a bucket for the whole week :lol: I appreciate that the 19th-25th July is peak season therefore prices aren't going to be that cheap. Any advice is appreciated.

I think those that camped last year had a few problems because the weather was so awful. We didn't expect to have so many games postponed due to flooding.

You might want to wait until news of where the Diamonds will be playing is announced - and what days they will play, as it's possible they may not play until the Wednesday of that week. Last year their two group games were in Ilfracombe, which is a reasonable distance from Bideford / Appledore where other games are played. Some of the roads in the area are pretty dodgy - narrow and windy, so you don't get about as quickly as you may think. Barnstaple is pretty central, but you may prefer to stay on the coast - some of the resorts are on the estuary rather than the coast itself. Barnstaple is also handy if you want to use public transport - you can get the train to Exeter / Exmouth from there, which would be useful if we have the same number of wet days and non-football days as last year.

Cheers Formic. Agree with you in regards to the camping as ive been on loads of camping holidays with my family when i was younger and a lot of those involved getting drenched so i want to comfort of a proper bed :lol:

We are thinking of staying in or around Barnstaple as its fairly central and there should be a few pubs to visit as well :mrgreen:

Can't make it this year, but went last year and it was a good laugh and we got brilliant hospitality where ever we went (the Illfracombe chairman is a legend!), would recomend the trip to anyone.

We camped last year just outside Illfracombe as it was cheap, but the weather was terrible look what happened to our tent after one night after we returned in the morning!



But im sure it would be okay if the weather was nice!

Definitely would like to go although don't want to book any accomodation up until its confirmed that we are playing there. Any ideas to when they might announce it?

diamondem wrote:Definitely would like to go although don't want to book any accomodation up until its confirmed that we are playing there. Any ideas to when they might announce it?

Next Sunday - http://southwestchallengecup.moonfruit. ... 4541008221

Formic wrote:

diamondem wrote:Definitely would like to go although don't want to book any accomodation up until its confirmed that we are playing there. Any ideas to when they might announce it?

Next Sunday - http://southwestchallengecup.moonfruit. ... 4541008221

I would imagine that somebody at the club so be able to confirm if we are taking part i would have thought :idea: . Me +3 have accomodation lined up and would like to try and get it booked during the week.

Now i wasn't there so don't take this as gospel, but i'm pretty sure someone said that we definately would be there.

Personally i will be going, it just depends on when and where, so we will wait until the Sunday until we decide.