The unofficial AFC Rushden & Diamonds messageboard

Two of Diamonds wrote:Why should we give our hard earned cash to them? We'll need it more than K*ttering or Corby - I'm sorry but the only alternative is to leave the youth set-up behind as we'll most likely see no benefit from it. Trust me, I watched that youth set up and had many many happy hours watching players develop, I even took a day off work to watch them win the league. They're not ours anymore so why give it money?
What's your alternative?

Ah right, no, I agree. Missed the bit about providing funds. I was asking what the alternative was to them affiliating with K*ttering I completely agree that IDT shouldn't necessarily be involved.

This is a very rare post from me, but I would be most concerned with funds collected to save RDFC and held by the trust, and the youth policy issue.
Was it not stated some time ago that the trust would be taking over the youth set-up?
I do not want to think too deeply about conspiracy theory, but perhaps the very idea of funds collected to 'save RDFC' into the trust would simply mean that those funds will now be used to develop the youth policy - but not RDFC - it will have gone!
Maybe all those funds will be diverted into a youth policy - but for the benefit of whom??
That would leave nothing for a new club - and there may be nothing we could do about it.
I am not sure I believe I could feel so cynical, but developments over the last couple of weeks have made me feel exactly that way.

If the youth team has been self funding for a while why would it need extra? Bringing through youngsters would be an idea money spinner for the phoenix club. I'm sure I've missed something having been out of the country for a while but why would the RDFC trust allow our youth team to come under the banner of the scum?

wewantourdarbyback wrote:If the youth team has been self funding for a while why would it need extra? Bringing through youngsters would be an idea money spinner for the phoenix club. I'm sure I've missed something having been out of the country for a while but why would the RDFC trust allow our youth team to come under the banner of the scum?

The only issues I can see are: Where would they train and if they had to rent somewhere else would it cost more/ facilities be worse? Is it realistic for a youth system of that quality to be affiliated with a UCL side, can they still play in the same leagues and against the same opposition? Is it completely self funding or only because of the money it has generated through selling players on like Tomlin, Jackson etc... If AFCRDFC were way down the nonleague structure they wouldn't be able to command those kind of fees or give players that level of first team experience.

So as we stand what is the Trusts position with regards to the future of the Diamonds, Nene Park and K*ttering Town?

From all that I have read and heard, is it wrong to think that the Trust actually want to get into bed with the Poppies because their allegiance is to Nene Park and not the Diamonds?

Thats how I feel it looks, am I wrong?

nick wrote:

wewantourdarbyback wrote:If the youth team has been self funding for a while why would it need extra? Bringing through youngsters would be an idea money spinner for the phoenix club. I'm sure I've missed something having been out of the country for a while but why would the RDFC trust allow our youth team to come under the banner of the scum?

The only issues I can see are: Where would they train and if they had to rent somewhere else would it cost more/ facilities be worse? Is it realistic for a youth system of that quality to be affiliated with a UCL side, can they still play in the same leagues and against the same opposition? Is it completely self funding or only because of the money it has generated through selling players on like Tomlin, Jackson etc... If AFCRDFC were way down the nonleague structure they wouldn't be able to command those kind of fees or give players that level of first team experience.

Well by the looks of things being in step 5 won't be good for the youth, judging by this quote from Ilkeston FC when they were placed in the Evo-Stik South league (Step 4), rather than step 5

“Had we gone down three steps [to step 5] it would have seriously affected the whole infrastructure of the club but now we can continue the youth development by playing in the Conference Youth League - which is a good standard - and start signing players capable of being successful in the Evo-Stick South. The big thing is that everything we do from now on will be with a real sense of purpose."

http://www.ilkestonfc.co.uk/news/its-ev ... lkeston-fc

For the youth team to continue in the league they won last season they have to be affiliated to a club at level 4 or above. That leaves them with very few options other than K*ttering and Corby. As the scum will probably be playing at Nene Park next season, it makes sense (as gut wrenching as it is) for them to be affiliated with them.

The Trust's hands are tied really regarding the youth as they have an obligation to do what's best for them and it would seem, for next season at least, that affiliating with the scum is best. Complications lay in the fact that they already have a youth setup, so how things will pan out I really don't know.

Re: Stalin - I think you are wrong. Individually, there may be members of the Trust whose allegiance is to Nene Park, but as a Trust the two members that I've spoken to since Thursday say that it is fully supportive of the phoenix club.

Regrettably a youth set up in line with what was running over the last few years cannot be sustainable, I agree first team has to be the focal point - the youths if good enough will get picked up by other clubs if they havent already - it may be that they get an opportunity to break in and retain a place at the new tenants CoE.

I understand it was self financing with parents paying £400 for their sons to work/play at CoE and they have to be applauded - perhaps they would consider FootballCV for a few quid more their kids will still get trained, educated and play against professional clubs where they might impress other clubs and get an offer!

Is it worth pursuing to see if there is any money left over within the youth setup (unlikely) but they were switched on in managing their affairs!


I am sure when RDFC ressurects and flies back through the leagues a new youth setup will emerge!

davealbon wrote:The Trust's hands are tied really regarding the youth as they have an obligation to do what's best for them and it would seem, for next season at least, that affiliating with the scum is best

Surely this is a matter which needs to be sorted out ASAP, if the youth team end up joining the Poppies system surely the trust no longer have to support them, if they feel obliged to continue their support surely the trust has no future associated with what ever phoenix club gets launched.

Is the money which was raised to save the club being used in any way to support a youth set up which will end up being connected to the Poppies?

That has to be a total non starter, RDFC need to concentrate on the new team first (youth later)

its controversial, most youth players will be looking elsewhere if they have any sense - a new RDFC could build up community links with courses/sessions!

I know is is dreadfully sad as they have done nothing wrong and a lot right!