The unofficial AFC Rushden & Diamonds messageboard

I understand and respect people's views on AFC. Everyone is different which has been shown by the spectrum of views on this topic. AFC has meant that I have not had to dwell on the loss of the old club anywhere near as much as I may have, although there are moments when I do sometimes think back.

Apart from building up funds for next year, our attendences this year could also contribute in a big way towards us building our case to the FA to place us as high as possible. They've been fantastic so far, all our games have seen over 100 people, both home and away, turn up. If we can maintain or better what we're getting, the stronger the argument we can make.

If you haven't had a chance to get down to game or only got the chance to go to the friendlies, come to Sunday's game if you can.

Those of you who are not coming for various reasons please come along we need all the support we can get to help set things up for next season, even if you just buy a membership or provide a raffle prize it will all help

Corby won 3-1 tonight after extra time. Crowd was 642. Difficult conditions but nevertheless an entertaining match.

easystreet wrote:Lost the love of it really since last season hence my lack of posts. Took some time to chill out after the debacle of our club last season.

Our u18s playing/plodding along in a at best average league doesnt appeal to me sorry, I did go once or twice but to be honest they didnt inspire me and it didnt get me excited, maybe 3/4 decent lads.

But Mark is doing a great job with the players that he has.

I understand what people are saying regarding the old club, however this the start of something new and exciting... Last season i only took interest in the first team, never took any notice of the reserves, younger team etc, however watching the lads play makes me think there is so much more to life than premiership football etc...

I really do disagree with your comment easystreet, sorry to say and your right to voice your own opinion... However plodding may seem to be the wrong word, the lads have achieved a tremendous amount since coming together as a team.

We had some great away games over the years, and the stadiums, factilities we have experienced have been fab, so I can understand why it may seem to be a bunch of young lads running around a poor pitch, but its our support which will increase their success rate.

I have heard that £30 may seem to expensive for a shirt, but I feel so proud to wear mine, and im sure the people who have also got one feel the same. Its such a shame that people feel this way about the club, and maybe it will be different next year when the senior team comes together...I hope people who do feel this way changes their mind next season. We need all the support we can get...

I will also urge anyone who has a free Sunday this weekend to come on down to the dog and duck to cheer the boys on... Like it has been said before, even if people buy a raffle ticket it will help for our new challenge next year

Here's my twopenn'orth;-

after 40 years supporting the Diamonds at Nene Park, I felt extremely hurt at the way it was killed off, and still do to an extent - it was my hometown club and it still hurts every time I drive past it. It wasn't just a new club that died it was two merged clubs with over 100 years history. The new AFC club is an extension of that. It is a true CLUB and not just a TEAM that you follow, where you rely on the whim of the big money who fund it. We had many people come along to watch the old team, but not many of those stayed around for the club when it struggled.
I understand people want to watch a team on a Saturday but it's not "support" it is merely "following", not really different to watching the Premier League on SKY, and I truly hope they give AFC R & D a fair crack and ENGAGE with it.
We have the chance of building something NEW in these troubled times, something wonderful and personal to each and every one of us.
I'm not giving in to security under pressure, I'm not giving up on the promise of adventure, I'm not giving up on implausible dreams - experience to extremes.
WE ARE THE CLUB, HOW MUCH BETTER CAN IT GET?

Three of Diamonds wrote:Here's my twopenn'orth;-

<< snip >>
I'm not giving in to security under pressure, I'm not giving up on the promise of adventure, I'm not giving up on implausible dreams - experience to extremes.

Nothing like a bit of Rush for a Thursday morning, eh ToD ?

I went to the Corby game last night, to see their new stadium, which was about an 80 mile round trip for me. I found it quite a weird atmosphere, not as good as even for a couple of friendlies the Diamonds played at their old ground. Although there were quite a few singers, complete with drum, the 1.5-sided nature of the ground seemed to mean the sound dissipated too much. It wasn't helped by the weather, and a striker who took the meaning of languid to a new extreme. Andy Burgess kept up his sicknote reputation by failing to last the first half. Histon were a completely different team to the one we used to hate so much - passing the ball on the floor, with none of the long throw or hoofing tactics, and if they had a striker would have probably won the game.

Formic wrote:It wasn't helped by the weather, and a striker who took the meaning of languid to a new extreme.

I hope you're not talking about the living legend Matt Rhead?? ;)

I find him fascinating to watch and think he's a great player personally. He wins absolutely everything in the air, has an excellent first touch, and regularly scores. (Trek back me up here ;) )

I agree about the atmosphere though, it's been poor all the times i've been going. They actually tried to get all singers into the terrace for last nights game, and i think it worked as it looked far fuller than usual, but the atmosphere was still poor.

Picking up on your comment about Histon, Tony, they appear to be completely unrecognisable from the team we use to play - no giants, little spoiling tactics, hardly any aerial ball and small nippy forwards. Livermore has certainly got them playing in a different style.

As for atmosphere, I thought it was OK with over 600 there on a wet evening. Quite noisy in the main stand, particularly from a few youngsters and two old gals connected with the HIston's directors.

Yes BR, I've taken to Rheady. Thought he was a bit of a pub player when I watched him at NP last December but he is really quite clever with his flicks and the way he draws fouls from his opponents.

I suppose watching the Steelman, on a regular basis, is that I've started to engage with them and now recognise all the players even though they don't have names on their backs!

Also nice to meet detoxybird. ;)

So, following replays, here are the local teams FA Cup games in the 3rd Qual Round...

Hednesford V Corby
Kidsgrove V Long Buckby
Daventry V Nuneaton

Anyone going to go to any of those? I think i'm going to go to the Daventry game but not 100% at the moment.

Edit: On the basis that I could do Daventry anytime, it's now a toss-up between Hednesford V Corby and Kings Lynn V Stratford.

Trek wrote:Picking up on your comment about Histon, Tony, they appear to be completely unrecognisable from the team we use to play - no giants, little spoiling tactics, hardly any aerial ball and small nippy forwards. Livermore has certainly got them playing in a different style.

As for atmosphere, I thought it was OK with over 600 there on a wet evening. Quite noisy in the main stand, particularly from a few youngsters and two old gals connected with the HIston's directors.

Yes BR, I've taken to Rheady. Thought he was a bit of a pub player when I watched him at NP last December but he is really quite clever with his flicks and the way he draws fouls from his opponents.

I suppose watching the Steelman, on a regular basis, is that I've started to engage with them and now recognise all the players even though they don't have names on their backs!

Also nice to meet detoxybird. ;)

....Nice to meet you too Trek albeit brief as it was a little busy....

When you have Ground structured the way Steel Park is at present it is a little difficult to build up a good atmosphere at times. Nene Park was the same when we only had the North Stand whilst we were under construction

For a long time new clubs we watch and new grounds we go to will not feel right and probably never will, whether that is Corby, St Neots or even the AFC....the reason......because they are NOT Nene Park and NOT RDFC