The unofficial AFC Rushden & Diamonds messageboard

According to a post on Confforum, ALL Conference games (BSP, BSS, BSN) this Saturday will have a minute's silence before the game. In a change to the normal procedure players are being asked to stand in the centre circle in alternate order home/away/home/away etc as a sign of standing together side by side in times of tragedy.

Great gesture by the Conference.

Excellent gesture, I hope as many clubs around the country can do the same as well.

I really like that home/away/home/away idea . I hope it catches on. Fantastic gesture.

Olly wrote:Excellent gesture, I hope as many clubs around the country can do the same as well.

Confirmed at Forest v Palace on their official website as well as Swindon v Tranmere and Northwich v Retford according to supporters on Facebook.

Unfortunately there are currently only 4 BSP games still on tomorrow due to the weather, and I imagine the others will face inspections in the morning.
Hopefully the planned silences will be carried over to Boxing Day.

At our next game there will be a minute's applause, rather than silence, at the request of Dale's family.

http://www.thediamondsfc.com/page/NewsD ... 07,00.html

Do you know I think that a minutes applause is better than a silence as it's a positive thing rather than negative. I think that the tradition started at Lady Di's funeral.

coltrane wrote:Do you know I think that a minutes applause is better than a silence as it's a positive thing rather than negative. I think that the tradition started at Lady Di's funeral.

The minutes applause was first introduced at football matches when George Best died, as the powers that be didn't think it was right to hold a silence for someone who drank himself to death and wasted two liver transplants in the process. Personally, I think it is a gimmick and isn't anywhere near as respectful as a whole football stadium falling silent.

I respect Dale's family's wishes though, and I understand your point about the applause being more positive, although I don't necessarily agree.

I would prefer a silence. I just don't think its right applauding the fact that somebody has been taken so early.