The unofficial AFC Rushden & Diamonds messageboard

AFC Rushden and Diamonds are delighted to announce Mark Starmer as their first ever manager.

Mark will take the helm of the newly formed Under 18s team for the 2011-2012 season and joins following a very successful campaign managing the youth side of the old Rushden and Diamonds. He brings a vast knowledge of football at all levels to the new club and is widely regarded as one of the top youth coaches in the area.

Starmer, who holds a UEFA A coaching badge, took the Rushden and Diamonds Youth Team to victory in the Midland Youth Cup last season, in addition to the winning the FA Youth Alliance League also reached the 4th round of the FA Youth cup.

Mark said “It is a great honour to be the manager of AFC Rushden and Diamonds, with all the hard work that has been put in so far in such a short space of time by everyone the progress has been fantastic, I am looking forward to meeting the players on Thursday and getting them ready for the season.”

He added, “These really are exciting times for everyone involved and I can’t wait to get started.”

Absolutely fantastic news!!

Good appointment that. I know it's a year down the line but is it the intention of him taking over the senior side when it's created or would he continue with the youth?

Great news!

Absolutely brilliant news 8-)

Absolutely brilliant news!!! :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

This is tremendous news, the speed with which everything is now happening is incredible. Long live AFCR&D!!! I trust this news will be announced to the press in order to fan the flames of interest in our club and to convince the doubters that the fans have seized the initiative.