The unofficial AFC Rushden & Diamonds messageboard

Squad update says Winters and Ashton need more knee operations, Robbie Parsons has buggered off to Rugby and Stevo has gone to Gresley.

Formic wrote:

Curly wrote:Remember when the price rise was justified as helping with the budget? Where are we seeing the rewards, we're paying at the very least the joint highest entrance and we're not getting the performances to go with it.

We'll pay £9 on Saturday and look where Northwich are....

This may well be true but there have been some games that have been 6 or 7. The only other place I've paid 9 so far is Belper.

I have no issue with how much the entrance is but more the reasons given and the fact that we have a weaker squad this season, just feels a bit of a swiz to me

Curly wrote:

Formic wrote:

Curly wrote:Remember when the price rise was justified as helping with the budget? Where are we seeing the rewards, we're paying at the very least the joint highest entrance and we're not getting the performances to go with it.

We'll pay £9 on Saturday and look where Northwich are....

This may well be true but there have been some games that have been 6 or 7. The only other place I've paid 9 so far is Belper.

I have no issue with how much the entrance is but more the reasons given and the fact that we have a weaker squad this season, just feels a bit of a swiz to me

When the accounts are published at the AGM for members to read you will see it isn't a "swiz"

I look forward to it, I can assure you I'm not the only person who feels like it though. It certainly doesn't feel very justified at the minute, hopefully the accounts will make it look better.

Don't forget Curly, that we also put the price up due to being placed in the Northern League which incurred a lot more travelling, therefore expense. Next season will be a great opportunity to engage with more local people so I hope that we try to reduce the admission price but (hopefully) pick up more members.

Three of Diamonds wrote:Don't forget Curly, that we also put the price up due to being placed in the Northern League which incurred a lot more travelling, therefore expense. Next season will be a great opportunity to engage with more local people so I hope that we try to reduce the admission price but (hopefully) pick up more members.

Now the extra travelling I understand and totally accept not a problem at all, I haven't got a problem with the increase full stop just how it was forwarded.

I certainly would think we'll get more through the gates but actual members I'd be pleasantly surprised if there's much of an increase.

Three of Diamonds wrote:Don't forget Curly, that we also put the price up due to being placed in the Northern League which incurred a lot more travelling, therefore expense. Next season will be a great opportunity to engage with more local people so I hope that we try to reduce the admission price but (hopefully) pick up more members.

Incorrect I think,the price increase was sold as being 100% towards playing budget. That is what the members were asked to vote it in for, no mention was made of contribution towards additional travel expenses. Are travel expenses that much greater? I've been on the coach for a lot of away games this season and we tend to keep moving going north as opposed to sitting in traffic going south, come May I doubt the time spent on the road will be more than 15% greater. That though is irrelevant, if it was sold as player budget, voted in for that then it is I assume 100% being used for that.

Next season is a great "opportunity to engage with more local people" i agree. However, the history of football at any level will tell you that if you have poor results and play poor football, generally that means you attract less people through the gates. My thoughts are that we can't simply assume that because we are returning to Rushden we are going to engage with more local people and/or attract more members. I think thats where some of the worry is, for want of a better word, with our recent form. It 'could' be argued that now, more than ever, is when we need this team playing well, but more importantly winning. As Mr Chairman said himself at the club forum, attendances are what keep clubs like ours alive and kicking and had to be the most important factor considered, when thinking about our new ground etc. In my opinion, i don't think the club do enough to advertise the cub locally and i for one, hope that that changes in the lead up to our return Rushden. (but that is a whole different discussion for another day!)
I think that there has been some very valid points made by some of the members on this forum about our recent form, Peaksy etc and whether or not you agree with another members points of view or not, shows that there is a common theme running through the threads........there are a lot of people who care about this club.
We are not all going to agree with what certain people say or think, but as AFC fans we should respect their opportunity to speak out and voice their feelings,opinions and listen to their ideas.
One thing is for certain, we are and we will continue to be one of the best supported clubs in whatever league we are playing in, this season or next season and for that every single one of us should be very proud as we are ALL a part of that.
Forza AFC Rushden and Diamonds!

Brownie wrote:

Three of Diamonds wrote:Don't forget Curly, that we also put the price up due to being placed in the Northern League which incurred a lot more travelling, therefore expense. Next season will be a great opportunity to engage with more local people so I hope that we try to reduce the admission price but (hopefully) pick up more members.

Incorrect I think,the price increase was sold as being 100% towards playing budget. That is what the members were asked to vote it in for, no mention was made of contribution towards additional travel expenses. Are travel expenses that much greater? I've been on the coach for a lot of away games this season and we tend to keep moving going north as opposed to sitting in traffic going south, come May I doubt the time spent on the road will be more than 15% greater. That though is irrelevant, if it was sold as player budget, voted in for that then it is I assume 100% being used for that.

Fair point, maybe I read or heard that somewhere and linked them together. I didn't vote for a rise because I don't think it's the right reasons and IMO moving to HR should give us the opportunity to demonstrate to local footy fans that it's not all about money.

Three of Diamonds wrote: I didn't vote for a rise because I don't think it's the right reasons and IMO moving to HR should give us the opportunity to demonstrate to local footy fans that it's not all about money.

Good point. I spoke to a few people the other evening who suggested that if we remain at Step 4 level next season which many think we will then, to coincide with our move to Hayden Road next season, members should be given the opportunity of voting to have admission prices at £8 adults and £5 concessions as one of the options.

Controversial I know but it has it's merits.