The unofficial AFC Rushden & Diamonds messageboard

Are there even any seats at Latimer park? And would it be as much as £100k to get it up to scratch, the most expensive improvements along with the lights would be I imagine a temporary seated stand and a temporary terrace like ours, our terrace cost £10k didn't it? But even so how are they going to raise the money for that :?

RJ speaking on Ploppies Radio this afternoon says that Southern League have been asked for dispensation to achieve necessary ground grading within 8 weeks from the 31st March deadline date. They should have a decision this week and are planning to start work a week tomorrow. They will only be installing temporary buildings, portakabins etc so don't need planning permission in their opinion. A seated stand for 350 plus some additional covered standing area is planned. There is a mountain of work required, pitch side barriers need improvement, the ground needs fencing off, more hard standings required, floodlight to be installed, new turnstiles, dressing rooms to be upgraded etc. etc. My ball park figure of £100k wouldn't be far off bearing in mind our new pre-fabricated terrace cost £20,000 I am led to believe.

indeed the Peter DeBanke Terrace cost £20,000

I really hope Burton Park Wanderers have put some safeguards in place if a deal has been reached. Unless all work is paid for up front, they could find themselves going to the wall themselves. I would be totally amazed if they honestly think that the upgrading work could be completed before 31 May. That is 103 days ! Hats off to them if they can achieve that with virtually no volunteer support, but where has all the money suddenly come from to pay for the work. I fear they are being somewhat economical with the truth.

It depends upon what they're planning on doing though, you could put up temporary seating using scaffolding at a fraction of the cost, Bedford Blues rugby club did this a while back and had the seated stand up the whole season. You don't have to spend £20k on a stand like we did, ours was an investment for the future remember, as well as an immediate need.

I dislike the Plops as you all know only too well, but you have to say credit where it is due, if they can get the work done then fair play to them. We know only too well the dedication required to take on a project like that - they'll need to roll their sleeves up to keep the costs down, or RJ will have to spend some money.

Their longer term will need sorting out re: NP lease etc, but if they can get the agreement to extend the groundworks deadline and then get the work done, good for them. I'd prefer them to get relegated to the UCL so we play them quicker, but you can't have everything ;)

The Authorities do seem to bend the rules for them, as with the 5 (wasn't it?) games they didn't play a while back, most other clubs would have been kicked out of the League, the potential support they "could" muster could be the reason the SL would be keen to keep them. As with us, it spreads the money around with clubs who are struggling financially doesn't it? That can only be good for football lower down the leagues.

317 today eh? Less than we were getting to watch our U18's last season ;)

I heard the Jeune interview, and he admitted that they have chosen to put aside the issue of Nene Park / Mr Ladak in order to progress their plans for Latimer Park. He did admit though, that Mr Ladak could insist they return to Nene Park at any time. He also reiterated that any prospective buyers for the Poppies have been put off by the need to also take on the Nene Park lease - himself included.

As mentioned earlier, I hope BPW use the proceeds of yesterday's game to take the right independent advice to make sure their ground isn't compromised by these plans which look to be hugely optimistic in terms of scale / cost / practicality and timescales.

It really is mystifying. Surely if KC sees they are spending even a small amount of money on the Latimer Park project, he is going to demand his rent money immediately.

I'm guessing that Ladak has been paying the rent anyway so KC won't really care unless that stops.

Sara Pascoe wrote:I'm guessing that Ladak has been paying the rent anyway so KC won't really care unless that stops.

I can't see why he'd voluntarily pay the rent now he appears to have no interest in the Poppies - but is still their "majority shareholder" - given it is the club that is liable for the rent. If he can't find a buyer to pick up the tab he's more likely to put the club through another insolvency event to wipe out the debt (plus rates bills / other bills from earlier in the season) - which would mean a second CVA for them at best....

Formic wrote:

Sara Pascoe wrote:I'm guessing that Ladak has been paying the rent anyway so KC won't really care unless that stops.

I can't see why he'd voluntarily pay the rent now he appears to have no interest in the Poppies - but is still their "majority shareholder" - given it is the club that is liable for the rent.

He's the guarantor on the lease though and I'd imagine his kneecaps would be in danger if he stopped paying the rent. Maybe the final twist will be KC issuing a winding-up order for the rent. I very much doubt it though.