[ Sat 6th Oct ] v Rushden & Higham Utd KO 3pm AWAY

[Dazzler]

Anybody a bit concerned about this if the ground is so run down?

Yep, I can see it (probably) being the first UCL game with a delayed kick-off due to fan congestion.

And we did have a delayed NSYL one last year I think, if I recall.

[Trek]

A historic ocassion, I believe, with the first time a senior team representing either RDFC or AFCRD playing in Rushden!

[davealbon]

A historic ocassion, I believe, with the first time a senior team representing either RDFC or AFCRD playing in Rushden!

I'm reliably informed that R&DFC did play a County Cup match against Higham Town at Hayden Road during their maiden season.

[ron manager]

So is the ground going to cope with us, from what I remember, and it was a long time ago ;), there is a small terrace and the main stand, but its not clear if this is condemned and we cannot use it. I see that they have removed the shed on the side of the pitch and put about 10 seats in, but that's not going to help.

The ground capacity I believe with the main stand is around 1500, but without it its meant to be 700 or so, so surely this going to be pushing it. I'm not saying move the game, god forbid, I cannot wait to go back to Hayden round, and really looking forward to it - and probably one of the main reasons the crowd is going to be large, just think it might be a bit of squeeze to get us all in, Maybe we just all have to stand side ways

[ron manager]

For those that have never been, heres what it looks like now

http://pitch-side-stories.blogspot.co.u ... 00-am.html

Looks like is still got a few terraces still left, and the main stand "looks" like it has new seats (although it does say its not in use), so should be no problems. Just getting us all in through one entrance is going to be fun

[Chas]

Unfortunately those pics are a little deceiving, especially as one of them, (pic 3 showing two stands) is on old pic and not how it is now. As others have said the main stand (1st pic) is derelict (apart from the changing rooms underneath it). There is one stand with limited seating (probably around 50 as others have suggested) that you can see in pic 4 & 5.

There is tiered 'terracing' around various parts of the ground (to the left of the main stand as in pic 1) then to the right of the stand after an outside seating area, which then runs around the back of one goal and partly up the other side I think to the seated stand. The rest of the far side is open standing area, alhouh there's not much room on the far side, but plenty of room behind the other goal, but with no tiered terracing you won't see much unless you're near the front.

[therushden]

Hey!

American football is an awesome game.

no it isn't. It's a ****ing boring several hour shite fest of meandering, mundane and moribund pointlessness .

sounds like coldplay

[Mat.H]

Been 22 ish years since I last watched football at Hayden Road, it will seem strange having home and away fans shout "come on Rushden", used to shout "come on Town" and tea was served in real mugs.

[ron manager]

Unfortunately those pics are a little deceiving, especially as one of them, (pic 3 showing two stands) is on old pic and not how it is now. As others have said the main stand (1st pic) is derelict (apart from the changing rooms underneath it). There is one stand with limited seating (probably around 50 as others have suggested) that you can see in pic 4 & 5.

There is tiered 'terracing' around various parts of the ground (to the left of the main stand as in pic 1) then to the right of the stand after an outside seating area, which then runs around the back of one goal and partly up the other side I think to the seated stand. The rest of the far side is open standing area, alhouh there's not much room on the far side, but plenty of room behind the other goal, but with no tiered terracing you won't see much unless you're near the front.

Thats not a different ground, that's the old sheds that I referred to, that used to be there, its just an old photo.

Still, If a thousand do turn up, the ground will look very full

[Formic]

A historic ocassion, I believe, with the first time a senior team representing either RDFC or AFCRD playing in Rushden!

I'm reliably informed that R&DFC did play a County Cup match against Higham Town at Hayden Road during their maiden season.

If that's true it's well and truly slipped under the radar. The information on RDFC1992 - http://rdfc1992.com/rushden-diamonds-ma ... n-1992-93/ agrees with the info in Ian Addis / Mick Dean's book, which shows the County Games in the Hillier Cup against Brackley, S&L, Long Buckby and K*ttering that season. I wouldn't have thought Higham were at a high enough level to play in the Senior Cup. Perhaps the R&DFC youth team or a reserve team might have faced them, although if a game was switched from Nene Park you'd have expected it to go to Higham's ground at the time.