The unofficial AFC Rushden & Diamonds messageboard

sussexdiamond wrote:I believe Bishops Stortford and Gloucester have both played in the Conference North

As have Lowestoft Town.

Stamford's reprieve confirmed, subject to any appeal by other clubs.

Stamford reprieved (as mentioned above) and Corby moved into the Southern League as a result. Stamford's place in Northern League Div One South is taken by Evesham United.

Hope I feel different when the season starts, but I feel less and less enthusiastic about this division every day. Now only one opponent within 45 miles.

Evesham not too happy about this and may well appeal, thus ensuring the saga continues.

BartonRaz wrote:Stamford reprieved (as mentioned above) and Corby moved into the Southern League as a result. Stamford's place in Northern League Div One South is taken by Evesham United.

Well that's one of my "local" away game options down the sh*tter! Was looking forward to a day on the beers in Stamford and visiting the new ground. Ah well!. Looks like Evesham have a similar style ground to Ashington a few years back- so pretty uninspiring!

Sid wrote:Hope I feel different when the season starts, but I feel less and less enthusiastic about this division every day. Now only one opponent within 45 miles.

Imagine living in London. The loss to St Ives not only cost us a promotion we should have taken, it has completely ruined the chances of me making games next year unless I fancy a 2-3 hour commute there and back.

Do people think we will stay north as we rise up the pyramid? I'd love the Conference South.

Oundle Diamond #2 wrote:

Sid wrote:Hope I feel different when the season starts, but I feel less and less enthusiastic about this division every day. Now only one opponent within 45 miles.

Imagine living in London. The loss to St Ives not only cost us a promotion we should have taken, it has completely ruined the chances of me making games next year unless I fancy a 2-3 hour commute there and back.

Do people think we will stay north as we rise up the pyramid? I'd love the Conference South.

Obviously this is hypothetical as there's no guarantee we will make it that far although I'd like to think we will. If we were at Step 3 we'd be in the Southern League Premier next season with 3/4 teams more northerly than us geographically including K*ttering and Corby. If we hit Step 2 I'd say we're nailed on Conference North unless something drastic happens. Gloucester are in Conference North, the most northerly team in Conference South is Bishop Stortford which is a good hour south of here.

League boundaries are creeping southwards all the time. I can remember the likes of Boston United, Burton Albion, Tamworth, Stafford Rangers and even Leek Town in the Southern League.
I have little doubt that before long, the likes of Oxfordshire, north Bucks and Bedfordshire will be NPL territory.
Maybe a major restructuring by the FA might help, but the reason lies beyond football, with the south-east doing well and other areas falling further and further behind.

Sid wrote:League boundaries are creeping southwards all the time. I can remember the likes of Boston United, Burton Albion, Tamworth, Stafford Rangers and even Leek Town in the Southern League.
I have little doubt that before long, the likes of Oxfordshire, north Bucks and Bedfordshire will be NPL territory.
Maybe a major restructuring by the FA might help, but the reason lies beyond football, with the south-east doing well and other areas falling further and further behind.

With the restructuring of the football league in the next few years, there's a good chance they are looking at non-league ax well. Hopefully make a northern, central and southern divide as some of the travelling, especially midweek, must take its toll on a lot of players and staff.