The unofficial AFC Rushden & Diamonds messageboard

Anyone know the average away day trek? Compared to last season?
Probably more buses put on next season.

Just figuring out train routes as hopefully I'll be in Nottingham next year! The grounds that seem to be bit of a trek from the station are Loughborough Dynamo, Newcastle Town, Lincoln United and Northwich Victoria. Gave up on finding route to Gresley, Market Drayton, Leek and Stocksbridge Park Steels. £5.55 return to Belper with the station being a 6 minute walk away from the ground sounds good though!

therushden wrote:Anyone know the average away day trek? Compared to last season?
Probably more buses put on next season.

I think it was mentioned in another topic, but of course the average distance is going to be greater in this league. Having said that we won't have to use Southbound M1/M25 which is a major plus. As a result (touch wood) journeys should be more reliable, and there's the option of using the M6 toll for a few trips.

BartonRaz wrote:

therushden wrote:Anyone know the average away day trek? Compared to last season?
Probably more buses put on next season.

I think it was mentioned in another topic, but of course the average distance is going to be greater in this league. Having said that we won't have to use Southbound M1/M25 which is a major plus. As a result (touch wood) journeys should be more reliable, and there's the option of using the M6 toll for a few trips.

Previously posted by Formic in the other thread.

Formic wrote:I think the furthest trips will be to Northwich if them and / or Witton Albion are also in the NLP1S - just under 130 miles from the D&D. Measuring from the D&D there would be nine trips over 100 miles next season in this league, contrasting with the single trip over 100 this season. It will add around 25 miles to the average trip distance for the bulk of our fans from East Northants.

Formic wrote:I think the furthest trips will be to Northwich if them and / or Witton Albion are also in the NLP1S - just under 130 miles from the D&D. Measuring from the D&D there would be nine trips over 100 miles next season in this league, contrasting with the single trip over 100 this season. It will add around 25 miles to the average trip distance for the bulk of our fans from East Northants.

Add to the the 96 miles from my house to the Dog and Duck then I'm in for some extremely long trips!

I have earmarked Stamford, Spalding, Rugby and Lincoln United as the most realistic away games of me making for a day trip, however I'm sure I could be swayed for a few weekends away in Sheffield and Manchester etc. So from the point of view it offers much better "away days/weekends" with a better standard of grounds.

In all seriousness I think this league will be a lot tougher to get out of than the Southern Central, with some clubs having some bigger followings and better sides. I think we should be aiming for top 10 as a starting point, if were are pushing towards the play-offs then that would be a bonus. I know we made the Play-Off final this season, but that shouldn't mean we should automatically be looking to do the same again, nor should we expect to go one better and go up automatically. Perhaps I'm being a but pessimistic but I just think top 10 would be a good starting block.

Also I wonder how the new league will effect the squad with regards to budget and players availability and retention. I'm sure extra travelling cost will be factor as well as some players potentially not wanting to make the longer trips or being able to make potential Tuesday night trips to Sheffield of Manchester etc. Watch this space I suppose

Mileage might be greater, but travelling time might be roughly the same. I journey down from the Midlands for home games and can do it in 1hr 15, so it's not that bad. Most grounds are not that far off the M6 or M1.

It's going to be tough league that's for sure, unless we significantly strengthen, top-10 might be the height of our ambitions.

Northwich, Stamford, Basford and SL Aquaforce are all very good teams, while Leek, Newcastle, and Chasetown are always challenging for the playoffs. Leek and Newcastle benefit from good connections with Port Vale and Stoke City, while Chasetown have good links with Walsall for youth players etc.

This year's table for those interested:




It may be worth noting that Shaw Lane Aquaforce are very much a team on the up - since their formation in 2012 they have been promoted in 3/4 seasons. Basford United also got promoted last season and may be looking to continue that momentum this year.

ParcelFace wrote:Just figuring out train routes as hopefully I'll be in Nottingham next year! The grounds that seem to be bit of a trek from the station are Loughborough Dynamo, Newcastle Town, Lincoln United and Northwich Victoria. Gave up on finding route to Gresley, Market Drayton, Leek and Stocksbridge Park Steels. £5.55 return to Belper with the station being a 6 minute walk away from the ground sounds good though!

As I live in Stoke, Newcastle is doable by train, Northampton to Stoke can be cheap and the ground is a short 10 minute taxi from the station. You will find taxis are generally cheaper up here. Kidsgrove also very doable on the train, a short walk from the station. It's on the London - Crewe line.
As for Leek, that's in the middle of nowhere, but as someone has already mentioned, it's a very nice ground.
It's a competitive league but i'm sure we'll be capable of competing well.

Can get a bus from Stoke Train station to Hanley, and then Hanley to Leek. Or get a taxi. Or supporters coach if one is put on. Maybe a return of the Diamonds Travel Club!

HaydenP wrote:

ParcelFace wrote:Just figuring out train routes as hopefully I'll be in Nottingham next year! The grounds that seem to be bit of a trek from the station are Loughborough Dynamo, Newcastle Town, Lincoln United and Northwich Victoria. Gave up on finding route to Gresley, Market Drayton, Leek and Stocksbridge Park Steels. £5.55 return to Belper with the station being a 6 minute walk away from the ground sounds good though!

As I live in Stoke, Newcastle is doable by train, Northampton to Stoke can be cheap and the ground is a short 10 minute taxi from the station. You will find taxis are generally cheaper up here. Kidsgrove also very doable on the train, a short walk from the station. It's on the London - Crewe line.
As for Leek, that's in the middle of nowhere, but as someone has already mentioned, it's a very nice ground.
It's a competitive league but i'm sure we'll be capable of competing well.

Cheers!
Got no idea about Market Drayton in particular, seems to be near absolutely nothing. Stocksbridge PS also looks pretty difficult, a fair distance from anywhere with a train station.