The unofficial AFC Rushden & Diamonds messageboard

I've already signed up, along with my dad, my cousin & her son. Also waiting on one person to remember to complete the form and send it off!!!

Plus my uncle gave 7 of the forms, to some gentlemen who he socialises with at the cons club, so hopefully all of those have completed their forms.

corby diamond wrote:I dont really want to create a new topic for this so while we are on the subject of next year, does anyone know what division of the ucl we are aiming for? Premier, 1 or 2... I work with a lad who plays for burton park, and he was asking how is it possible for a team to be going straight into the premier...Wont we be starting from the bottom and working our way up? thanks

It's a fair comment and probably worth it's own thread. I'm not particularly well placed but from what I do know, i'm fairly certain we'd be aiming for the UCL Premier, as this is the highest division we are allowed by the FA to start at. The season just gone was the last season that teams were allowed to enter at Step 4, and I believe Ilkeston did just that. Last season Farsley and Chester started a fresh at Step 4. King's Lynn started a new side last season in the UCL Premier. For what it's worth there isn't a UCL Div 2.

Admittedly it doesn't seem fair, but to use Burton Park Wanderers as an example, from what I know of their place i'm not sure it would even be allowed to host Step 5 football, and there is certainly little or no scope for any progression within the 'fanbase' - which probably consists of 10-20 locals plus friends/family. Don't mean that in an arrogant/harsh way it's just a simple fact. If we're getting 300+ people at youth team games, with (i think) a reasonable assumption that we'll get 5-600+ every week in the UCL, common sense will prevail and we'll enter at Step 5, but like I said earlier, i'm not the best placed person to answer and it's just a hunch.

There's only the Prem and Div 1. I believe there are also two reserve divisions

BartonRaz wrote:

corby diamond wrote:I dont really want to create a new topic for this so while we are on the subject of next year, does anyone know what division of the ucl we are aiming for? Premier, 1 or 2... I work with a lad who plays for burton park, and he was asking how is it possible for a team to be going straight into the premier...Wont we be starting from the bottom and working our way up? thanks

It's a fair comment and probably worth it's own thread. I'm not particularly well placed but from what I do know, i'm fairly certain we'd be aiming for the UCL Premier, as this is the highest division we are allowed by the FA to start at. The season just gone was the last season that teams were allowed to enter at Step 4, and I believe Ilkeston did just that. Last season Farsley and Chester started a fresh at Step 4. King's Lynn started a new side last season in the UCL Premier. For what it's worth there isn't a UCL Div 2.

Admittedly it doesn't seem fair, but to use Burton Park Wanderers as an example, from what I know of their place i'm not sure it would even be allowed to host Step 5 football, and there is certainly little or no scope for any progression within the 'fanbase' - which probably consists of 10-20 locals plus friends/family. Don't mean that in an arrogant/harsh way it's just a simple fact. If we're getting 300+ people at youth team games, with (i think) a reasonable assumption that we'll get 5-600+ every week in the UCL, common sense will prevail and we'll enter at Step 5, but like I said earlier, i'm not the best placed person to answer and it's just a hunch.

I'd be interested in knowing your source for the info about the new rule of not starting above step 4. I too had heard that mentioned - not least by a representative of Supporters Direct to a group of R&DFC Fans - but I've still to see it written down anywhere. The FA website still has the "two-step minimum demotion" rule on its website - albeit in a document that is over a season old - http://www.thefa.com/GetIntoFootball/pa ... EF409.ashx

Just got mine

Formic wrote:

BartonRaz wrote:

corby diamond wrote:I dont really want to create a new topic for this so while we are on the subject of next year, does anyone know what division of the ucl we are aiming for? Premier, 1 or 2... I work with a lad who plays for burton park, and he was asking how is it possible for a team to be going straight into the premier...Wont we be starting from the bottom and working our way up? thanks

It's a fair comment and probably worth it's own thread. I'm not particularly well placed but from what I do know, i'm fairly certain we'd be aiming for the UCL Premier, as this is the highest division we are allowed by the FA to start at. The season just gone was the last season that teams were allowed to enter at Step 4, and I believe Ilkeston did just that. Last season Farsley and Chester started a fresh at Step 4. King's Lynn started a new side last season in the UCL Premier. For what it's worth there isn't a UCL Div 2.

Admittedly it doesn't seem fair, but to use Burton Park Wanderers as an example, from what I know of their place i'm not sure it would even be allowed to host Step 5 football, and there is certainly little or no scope for any progression within the 'fanbase' - which probably consists of 10-20 locals plus friends/family. Don't mean that in an arrogant/harsh way it's just a simple fact. If we're getting 300+ people at youth team games, with (i think) a reasonable assumption that we'll get 5-600+ every week in the UCL, common sense will prevail and we'll enter at Step 5, but like I said earlier, i'm not the best placed person to answer and it's just a hunch.

I'd be interested in knowing your source for the info about the new rule of not starting above step 4. I too had heard that mentioned - not least by a representative of Supporters Direct to a group of R&DFC Fans - but I've still to see it written down anywhere. The FA website still has the "two-step minimum demotion" rule on its website - albeit in a document that is over a season old - http://www.thefa.com/GetIntoFootball/pa ... EF409.ashx

I too was going on that, can't actually find anything written down anywhere either. I'm sure someone on the committee will know for sure and can clarify...?

I seem to recall at one of the early club meetings that the FA rules were changing this season with regards to which level a pheonix club could start at once it's original club had gone. The option of joining the Southern League will not be there for us as it was for others. We have to provide a business plan for consideration and this would form the basis of the decision to where the club starts i.e. UCL Premier or Division 1. This is why it's essential we get as many people signed up for membership this season as it'll form the basis for that decision.