AFC R&D v Northampton Town - Thursday 1st December

[easystreet]

Not quite sure what I have said thats so wrong but ok

[UttoDiamond]

Totally agree with you Jim. It was mine and my brother's first game this season and we thoroughly enjoyed it - great to see some old faces and catch-up, incredibly excited about next season now, particularly if we can pull 300+ for a Youth team game.

As most people have said you can't sniff at that figure - if H&Y can survive with less than that in the Conference then the sky is the limit.

I actually think we'll have an AVG of 350 + next season (500 if we're doing well) which bodes well for the future.

The community spirit shown was fantastic - great to see so many people helping out. You can really "buy" into the project, you feel like you know where your money is going to and are really contributing.

Many times last season, even though I was involved with Radio Diamonds and Radio Northampton on occasion, I felt isolated from the higher echelons of the club - not now!

AFC Rushden and Diamonds has got a lot going for it and we should be really proud at whats been achieved so far. Fingers cross the UCL and FA will accept our application for next season - with a solid business plan I can't see how they would turn us away.

I was actually quite impressed by some of the Diamonds lads on show last night, particularly our right back and of course Danny Bird. We certainly weren't out classed by what it effectively a full-time team.

If we play like that against NSYL teams, and have James and Lewis back, then surely we'll be a match for anyone.

[easystreet]

Agree the show of volunteers helping is great and should put us in a good way forthe UCL next season if were allowed, don't see any reason why were not.

Look forward to that.

[bozzer]

you have to look at it like Man Utd playing Northampton Town in the FA Cup a few years ago, Man U were clearly better, and came out winners with i think it was 3-0, but Northampton stifled them, got in their faces and made it difficult for them.

I saw it as very similar last night, we were playing against a professional academy team who beat football cv 11-1 in the last round, a professional academy team who have been together from an early age and whom train every day, if they didn't have the most of the possession there would be something very wrong.

They gave us respect to play a strong team and we played a formation which was new to us and restricted them to 2 goals, if we'd had kept it to 0-0 deep into the second half you never know what might have happened., this is cup football is it not?

Do also bear in mind our team has only been going since August!!!!!

the lads deserve credit for their performance last night it was great earning experience.

[sussexdiamond]

With respect to the crowds we draw for Youth matches and the reference to H and Y.

Over the past few weeks I have been looking at the gates for teams below the Blue Square N and S.
The vast majority dont even get 300. Some get less than 100. How the heck they survive I dont know.

Even as a moderately successful UCL team we would draw 500 minimum, depending on where we play.

[DiamondCarvell]

you have to look at it like Man Utd playing Northampton Town in the FA Cup a few years ago, Man U were clearly better, and came out winners with i think it was 3-0, but Northampton stifled them, got in their faces and made it difficult for them.

I saw it as very similar last night, we were playing against a professional academy team who beat football cv 11-1 in the last round, a professional academy team who have been together from an early age and whom train every day, if they didn't have the most of the possession there would be something very wrong.

They gave us respect to play a strong team and we played a formation which was new to us and restricted them to 2 goals, if we'd had kept it to 0-0 deep into the second half you never know what might have happened., this is cup football is it not?

Do also bear in mind our team has only been going since August!!!!!

the lads deserve credit for their performance last night it was great earning experience.

AMEN!.. with a few changes (left-back being one) and this will be a very competitive team which could well beat the likes of cogenhoe and woodford comfortably.. the teamwork is their.

[SouthRushdenJFC]

you have to look at it like Man Utd playing Northampton Town in the FA Cup a few years ago, Man U were clearly better, and came out winners with i think it was 3-0, but Northampton stifled them, got in their faces and made it difficult for them.

I saw it as very similar last night, we were playing against a professional academy team who beat football cv 11-1 in the last round, a professional academy team who have been together from an early age and whom train every day, if they didn't have the most of the possession there would be something very wrong.

They gave us respect to play a strong team and we played a formation which was new to us and restricted them to 2 goals, if we'd had kept it to 0-0 deep into the second half you never know what might have happened., this is cup football is it not?

Do also bear in mind our team has only been going since August!!!!!

the lads deserve credit for their performance last night it was great earning experience.

Great post

[SouthRushdenJFC]

Over the past few weeks I have been looking at the gates for teams below the Blue Square N and S.
The vast majority dont even get 300. Some get less than 100. How the heck they survive I dont know.

i suspect it's either having a money bags owner or a club house that is used seven days a week

[Formic]

<snip>

The community spirit shown was fantastic - great to see so many people helping out. You can really "buy" into the project, you feel like you know where your money is going to and are really contributing.

Many times last season, even though I was involved with Radio Diamonds and Radio Northampton on occasion, I felt isolated from the higher echelons of the club - not now!

AFC Rushden and Diamonds has got a lot going for it and we should be really proud at whats been achieved so far. Fingers cross the UCL and FA will accept our application for next season - with a solid business plan I can't see how they would turn us away.

<snip>

I think UD's point about the Community spirit is absolutely right - and absolutely key to the success of AFC. Like him, I feel the new setup is prepared to embrace everyone who gets involved, and is only too willing to communicate with the fans - e.g. I was able to have a long chat with Ralph as soon as I got to the ground last night about club organisation and constitution - something you'd never have with KC or HT. Similarly, I think I know all of those involved with AFC - whereas I wouldn't have been able to name the old trust board, let alone point them out in a crowd, this time last year.

I think this approach, and the commitment of 300 or so of the ex-RDFC regulars to the new club will mean those that do come along to a game for the first time, possibly once the men's team is formed, will quickly feel welcome, and familiar with their surroundings - and thus stick around.

[UttoDiamond]

Agreed - while a winning team keeps people watching, so does making them feel welcome and creating a good atmosphere (which will no doubt come with Senior footie next season).

On another note - it was great to see so much positivity, must be in complete contrast to those poor Plops :lol: