The unofficial AFC Rushden & Diamonds messageboard

Olly wrote: its scary to think we'd need 5 promotions to get back where we were before

All the more exciting.

I'd be happy for us to start in the UCL Division 1... wouldn't want to rub any other clubs up the wrong way.

I personally think it would be better to start in the UCL Division 1. The transition between youth and senior should be easier with possibly not quite the pressure to pay high match expenses.
It would also enable the Club to continue to build on the excellent foundations that have been put into place this season.

For the record, only four UCL Premier sides (out of the 21) have applied for promotion to the Southern League, subject to their League position at the end of the season. AFC Kempston Rovers, King's Lynn Town, Long Buckby and St.Ives Town.
http://www.htucfl.com/LeagueNews/view/19757

Another aspect of which division do we enter at is that the UCL Premier currently has 21 teams whereas Div One only has 17. i think they will want to try and even things out a bit.

From the quality of play I would prefer us to go straight into the Premier, but as has been stated we have no divine right and other clubs would be even more narked by us than they will be anyway., and I agree for transitional reasons, both playing strength and financial, it would not be a bad idea to start in div 1.

The other clubs whichever division we enter at will welcome our following with open arms, and just imagine if AFC K*ttering are there with us!!!!

I can understand what everyone is saying, but i'd personally be a little disappointed if we had to start in Div One. Quality of our side won't be as good, and am I right in thinking there wont be any Tuesday night games as not all sides have floodlights? Not to mention the fact that there will be less games to go to.

If it's about the ground then fair enough, not a lot we can do about that, but if we're put in there because of previous problems - such as a few people spitting the dummy about King's Lynn being put straight in the Prem - then i'd be a little annoyed.

Other teams have reformed in Step 4 of Non-League such as Chester, Farsley, Halifax, and Ilkeston this season. Did the teams in their respective steps 5/6 get annoyed about that? I doubt it. People were annoyed about King's Lynn because they are a massive threat, same for us next season. I've read that thread on the UCL Facebook page and some of the stuff being written is a joke.

I'm not saying we've got a right to be accepted into the UCL Prem, far from it, just that I hope there is a valid reason for putting us in Div One and they're not just doing it because they're worried about the reaction of a few clubs. Seems odd to me that some people (like this guy from BPW) seem to think this is a certainty before we've even applied.

I'll probably get shot down for this but had to get it off my chest.

If it means there are more games to attend then I'll have to put myself in the Prem camp, just because after this season of nothingness I want to see as many games as possible!

BartonRaz wrote:I can understand what everyone is saying, but i'd personally be a little disappointed if we had to start in Div One. Quality of our side won't be as good, and am I right in thinking there wont be any Tuesday night games as not all sides have floodlights? Not to mention the fact that there will be less games to go to.

If it's about the ground then fair enough, not a lot we can do about that, but if we're put in there because of previous problems - such as a few people spitting the dummy about King's Lynn being put straight in the Prem - then i'd be a little annoyed.

Other teams have reformed in Step 4 of Non-League such as Chester, Farsley, Halifax, and Ilkeston this season. Did the teams in their respective steps 5/6 get annoyed about that? I doubt it. People were annoyed about King's Lynn because they are a massive threat, same for us next season. I've read that thread on the UCL Facebook page and some of the stuff being written is a joke.

I'm not saying we've got a right to be accepted into the UCL Prem, far from it, just that I hope there is a valid reason for putting us in Div One and they're not just doing it because they're worried about the reaction of a few clubs. Seems odd to me that some people (like this guy from BPW) seem to think this is a certainty before we've even applied.

I'll probably get shot down for this but had to get it off my chest.

I don't think we agree on much BR, but I'm with you on these sentiments. No-one should be offended by our applying for the highest position possible, and as long as the process is fair, then I'll take whatever comes our way.

Being placed in UCL Prem would save us needing a promotion that might not happen for a season or two, and so would be a great start.

wewantourdarbyback wrote:

Olly wrote: its scary to think we'd need 5 promotions to get back where we were before

All the more exciting.

Agreed, I haven't seen us win a promotion yet, so five will do nicely thanks. Consecutive please.

BartonRaz wrote:I can understand what everyone is saying, but i'd personally be a little disappointed if we had to start in Div One. Quality of our side won't be as good, and am I right in thinking there wont be any Tuesday night games as not all sides have floodlights? Not to mention the fact that there will be less games to go to.

If it's about the ground then fair enough, not a lot we can do about that, but if we're put in there because of previous problems - such as a few people spitting the dummy about King's Lynn being put straight in the Prem - then i'd be a little annoyed.

Other teams have reformed in Step 4 of Non-League such as Chester, Farsley, Halifax, and Ilkeston this season. Did the teams in their respective steps 5/6 get annoyed about that? I doubt it. People were annoyed about King's Lynn because they are a massive threat, same for us next season. I've read that thread on the UCL Facebook page and some of the stuff being written is a joke.

I'm not saying we've got a right to be accepted into the UCL Prem, far from it, just that I hope there is a valid reason for putting us in Div One and they're not just doing it because they're worried about the reaction of a few clubs. Seems odd to me that some people (like this guy from BPW) seem to think this is a certainty before we've even applied.

I'll probably get shot down for this but had to get it off my chest.

No it seems for that level you need floodlights (Which is good, love floodlit games) as the requirements for UCL Div 1 Level (Grade G) mention floodlighting, 'Floodlights must be provided to an average lux reading of at least 120.....'

http://www.thefa.com/Leagues/NationalLe ... 202011.pdf

But I agree with what you're saying about hoping to get into the prem and of course there would be only 34 league games if we were put into Div 1.