The unofficial AFC Rushden & Diamonds messageboard

We'll be under the spotlight from now on (although in truth I think we were from the "off") so best behaviour is vital - we can't afford any slip ups and the best way of dealing with this is to moderate it ourselves - we all have a role to play in getting behind our boys and encouraging them, that doesn't have to mean we berate the opposition.

Had someone encroached onto the pitch in the Conference they would have been faced with a 3 year ban - the same applies here ! Next time the perpetrator will be asked to leave and not return, we'll have no choice as we'll be under the microscope from now on both home and away - but that aside, its the way we should behave anyway.

I don't think we need to get all heavy handed with this, but we could ultimately get expelled from the League and a lot of hard work by a lot of dedicated people will come to nothing - remember, we'll be applying to the UCL for membership next year and a record of bad behaviour in an U18's league will not go in our favour. Its OUR club, so we all have a role to play in challenging unacceptable behaviour in a non-threatening way.

Come and have fun by all means, get behind the team and cheer them on - but please bear in mind these lads are young and we have a duty of care to ensure they are respected and treated well, let's leave the abuse to that lot down the road eh? We're better than that !!

2 wins out of 2, 4 goals scored (and some crackers amongst them) and no goals conceded - we have plenty to get behind them about

Well said Piggers!

I think the Daventry 'keeper needs to "man-up".

Now going over the barriers onto the pitch thats a no no.

[quote="Mat.H"]I think the Daventry 'keeper needs to "man-up".


Thats the point i think, the Daventry keeper is still a kid (in age only i would imagine)

Although i would think alot of the young lads whould have heard far worse playing in Weetabix leagues growing up, from my experience refereeing in those leagues it was always far worse than the mens leagues!!

Mat.H wrote:I think the Daventry 'keeper needs to "man-up".

Now going over the barriers onto the pitch thats a no no.

Actually, I thought the Daventry keeper handled it really well, much better than some keepers much older and more experienced.

Respect > FA Respect Document <



TheFA.com/Respect

Perhaps be a good idea to laminate a few of those and put them up at the ground if possible?
It's a pity we didn't know about that before it happenned. Oh well, we live and learn - at least it didn't happen at Bugbrooke!

Three of Diamonds wrote:Perhaps be a good idea to laminate a few of those and put them up at the ground if possible?

We're way ahead of you! ;)

I should imagine that it will also be in this Thursday's programme.

This isn't something new and surely everyone is aware that foul and abusive language is not acceptable at football games, the same as encroaching onto the pitch.

I don't think we need to blow this out of proportion and I don't think it will happen again, but just because people weren't told how to behave at a football match doesn't really let them off the hook - they knew they were stepping over the mark and thought that because it was U18s football the rules don't apply - well they do !

We now move on - if there is a repeat of that behaviour then people will be invited to leave and not return, we'll have to do that or face sanctions, but we should also want to do it because it is the right thing to do. Just a shame we have to.