The unofficial AFC Rushden & Diamonds messageboard

Whoa there. Don't throw "we" around quite so easily. It probably will never happen but if the stadium was put into community hands and our friend was off the scene I'd love AFC RDFC to have a role there. I can't be the only one who thinks that.

It's in the middle of nowhere really. I don't fancy going back there.

nsman wrote:Whoa there. Don't throw "we" around quite so easily. It probably will never happen but if the stadium was put into community hands and our friend was off the scene I'd love AFC RDFC to have a role there. I can't be the only one who thinks that.

Obviously everyone has their own opinion, and I am simply saying this in debate terms. But I think there would be more, in fact the majority who would rather start a fresh. Nene park is just a financial black hole... It would be interesting to know who else would fancy a move back...

The Godfather wrote:It's in the middle of nowhere really. I don't fancy going back there.

This is why I'm of this view. We need somewhere closer to Rushden.

Rushden doesn't seem to be blessed with vacant land that would be suitable for a main stadium, training pitch and community pitches. I suspect at least 25-30 acres would be required.

Would it all need to be attached though? The stadium could be separate from the training pitches etc. or just have the main stadium with a 4G pitch allowing a lot of training to be held there.

Bob's Bitch wrote:Would it all need to be attached though? The stadium could be separate from the training pitches etc. or just have the main stadium with a 4G pitch allowing a lot of training to be held there.

Ideally all attached as at AFC Dunstable and Peterborough Northern Star which have utilised redundant school playing fields. Cost effective use of changing facilities etc.

Isn't one of the main points being made in that article an acceptance that Nene Park is inappropriate for the sole use of a football club? There is thus the suggestion that the council either need to commit to taking it on for multi-sports / multi-purpose use - or ensure that a condition of any planning deal is that such facilities are built for the local community, possibly on a separate site.

"...the site is only viable as a sustainable not for profit community facility with educational facilities and an enterprise centre as the core tenants, which would allow a footballing partner paying a small annual fee to use the football facilities."

" ... If there is no provision for an alternative football site in the district, then the council must reject this application and support the efforts to return this facility to community use."

I can't say I'd like to go back. Made my peace with never seeing my team in that stadium again in 2011 and the fantastically pro-active set-up of AFCRD made that easier. Let's not forget this statement has only been made by a politician in opposition, as far as I'm aware it doesn't mean there are any active negotiations going on regarding using the stadium for community sports & activities etc by those charged with making the decisions. I'd rather we engaged the council's help in finding a ground closer to Rushden.

paulg wrote: I'd rather we engaged the council's help in finding a ground closer to Rushden.

I think this is the best approach. Facilities for our club need to be incorporated as part of any future major planning proposal in the Rushden and Higham area.