The unofficial AFC Rushden & Diamonds messageboard

I spoke to Helen Thompson earlier about the Trust's stance on the phoenix club, and she has assured me that they are fully supportive of our quest. Having taken on control of the youth setup they are obliged to provide funding for it (although it is virtually self funding) but will make all their remaining funds available for the phoenix club. They will be having a board meeting to discuss things further once Cheryl returns from holiday.

Thrapston Town have already been in contact as they are very keen to have us as their tennants, and Raunds Town have also expressed their interest. Regarding the cooperative fund at Raunds, it's likely that we will only be able to apply for money from there if we include Raunds in the name. Helen doesn't think we would be successful otherwise. There is also an issue with the name "Rushden & Diamonds" as it is a registered trademark and would apparently continue to be so even after the club is wound up.

Helen has given me names of some people who have the necessary business credentials and who may be interested in taking an active role in the running of the new club, but suggested we get things in place first before contacting them. The same goes for the Irthlingborough Diamonds Trust.

Excellent information Dave - I fear that we may have to negotiate on the name to have any chance of going forward, but as I mentioned on another thread, and as Pigman and Mad Dog have stated, we ultimately will thrive or fail on two fronts in my opinion:

1) A ground with prospects going forward

2) People with business skills to move forward (chiefs over indians, as was mentioned).

Everyweeker wrote:1) A ground with prospects going forward

Spot on there pal. History suggests that phoenix teams return to the level at which they came or thereabouts. Aldershot, Wimbledon (getting there) Accrington Stanley, Telford, and probably Halifax and Chester in the very near future.

If we get caught at at ground that cannot be expanded or isn't suitable then we are in trouble. The situation with the ground is vital in my opinion as people won't continue to support a new club if the team is stuck in the UCL prem year in year out.

The offer from Thrapston especially sticks in my mind. I've played there a couple of times, and as generous and kind as the offer is, it would have to be extraordinarily short term because it's not good enough. Unless it has changed since I last saw it you wouldn't even be able to charge spectators. Anyone seen it lately and can verify this?

Regarding Thrapston, I've played football/cricket there a lot over the last few years. There is a touchline which has a seating stand (similar to the pitch 2 ones) and a derelict cage style stand, with the other 3 having Sunday League Style fencing. Highly doubt it would be suitable.

Oundle Diamond #2 wrote:Regarding Thrapston, I've played football/cricket there a lot over the last few years. There is a touchline which has a seating stand (similar to the pitch 2 ones) and a derelict cage style stand, with the other 3 having Sunday League Style fencing. Highly doubt it would be suitable.

Suitable for what?

Thrapston are in the UCL Premier next season aren't they?

AndyKirkup wrote:

Oundle Diamond #2 wrote:Regarding Thrapston, I've played football/cricket there a lot over the last few years. There is a touchline which has a seating stand (similar to the pitch 2 ones) and a derelict cage style stand, with the other 3 having Sunday League Style fencing. Highly doubt it would be suitable.

Suitable for what?

Thrapston are in the UCL Premier next season aren't they?

But what are we looking for AK? To get this team back where it belongs sustainably, or to just plod along in the UCL until the end of time? It would be suitable until we got promoted which could potentially be one season. We don't want to have to up sticks on an annual basis.

Unrelated to the ground, Thrapston is also considerably further away from Rushden or Irthlingborough than Raunds is.

Until we sit down with these clubs and talk, we're jumping the gun at the moment. I do think an option to improve the standard of whatever ground we play over time is something that we'd need to discuss to allow progression up the leagues and allow the phoenix club to grow. There's also plenty of time to look at any option carefully and make an informed decision.

I don't think anyone is suggesting that we put ourselves in a position where we'd never be able to gain promotion up the leagues if the ground wasn't up to scratch.

Wellingborough Town's ground might be suitable for agroundshare as well. Plenty of room to develop should this be possible. Raunds Town also looks doable and has a better clubhouse then Wellyboro

davealbon wrote:There is also an issue with the name "Rushden & Diamonds" as it is a registered trademark and would apparently continue to be so even after the club is wound up.

I did say a couple of days ago that this might be the case... which is why some other name - linked, but not identical - needs to be decided upon as a back-up in case whoever owns the patent/copyright/registered trademark can't be persuaded to part with it.

there needs to be good parking too. not as if any of us are going to be walking there.