The unofficial AFC Rushden & Diamonds messageboard

There are quite a few casualities from that area who tried to progress and ran into difficulties - e.g. Spennymoor Utd, Newcastle Blue Star or Durham City. Durham managed to achieve zero points in their last season in the NPL - setting the target for the Poppies this season.

Spennymoor Town have recently announced they plan to improve their ground and go for promotion if they win the league for the fourth time in a row this season - so it looks like being a good battle between them and Darlington 1883 for top spot.

Blyth Spartans were relegated last season from the BSN and sit in 11th place in the NPL Premier division this season yet only have an average attendance of 351 this season.

The North East used to be called the 'Hot Bed of Football' but perhaps that only applies to Newcastle, Sunderland and Middlesbrough. Even Newcastle are now not filling St. James's Park for every match as was witnessed and remarked on last Monday evening.