The unofficial AFC Rushden & Diamonds messageboard

I’m sure all will agree he deserves a thread of his own and comments not being lost in a who’s staying/who’s going one.
Much can be said about Bully but for me his contribution off the pitch was equal to that on, and he never failed in all those years to stand up for the team and every individual in it when things weren’t right. I also have no doubt a few players over the years stayed at the Club longer than they may have done because of him.
Not only a fantastic footballer and leader but also a totally honest decent bloke who it’s been a pleasure to know, all the best Bully wherever your going and hopefully see you (and family) around in the future.

I totally agree with everything Brownie has said. I can only add from a journalist point of view that he was an absolute joy to interview not only saying all the right things but providing the listeners with a clear insight on a game.

He will surely go onto be a brilliant manager once he hangs up his boots while I'm sure he will also make an excellent match summariser.

Thank you for the memories and if I have one overriding memory then who can forget the ice cool extra time penalty at Royston to take us into the play-off final.

A great player, fantastic leader and a R&D legend.

A great player
A great bloke
He'll be greatly missed.
Good luck to you and your family Liam, and sincere thanks for all the memories and joy.

I thought the comment on the ET site from Andy Burgess regarding the departure of Alex Collard and Liam Dolman was a bit disrespectful,

Andy Burgess wrote: “I am not going to sit here and cry my eyes out over losing a couple of players.”

I have a few concerns about Burgess's attitude, he arrived saying every game was a cup final, then seemingly forgot that for the last 3 games before saying the final game was a cup final, for me a good manager wouldn't have got us into such a fine position and then shockingly miss out on the play-offs.

Good luck to both Alex and Liam at Tamworth FC valuable additions to any football club at this level.

Adrian wrote: Thu May 26, 2022 11:04 pm I thought the comment on the ET site from Andy Burgess regarding the departure of Alex Collard and Liam Dolman was a bit disrespectful,

Andy Burgess wrote: “I am not going to sit here and cry my eyes out over losing a couple of players.”

I have a few concerns about Burgess's attitude, he arrived saying every game was a cup final, then seemingly forgot that for the last 3 games before saying the final game was a cup final, for me a good manager wouldn't have got us into such a fine position and then shockingly miss out on the play-offs.

Good luck to both Alex and Liam at Tamworth FC valuable additions to any football club at this level.

That sentence did stick out for me also.

You only say that if you know that you can get that quality replaced…. which I hope does happen

Why should he care about them going, its football he hardly knew them, he was keen on keeping Collard not sure re Dolman.
Players come and go, fans get attached to players emotionally and cry when they leave i doubt any manager does.

The quality of replacements is going to depend on budget and availability , understand he offered Collard good money but players do follow managers when they leave which in my opinion means he didn't give two hoots for this club and like Dolman he played for Peaks not us, so i,m not giving to cry.

I think he was just being pragmatic. He tried really hard to keep Alex, but was never going to beat Tamworths offer. His attitude was more "its happened. I could do more, let's move on". He is likely to have to adopt that attitude as more leave. You could just as easily criticise Bully and Alex who both gave glowing endorsements of Burgess in interviews. Burgess could be quite justified in being slightly miffed with them. But as I said he is realistic and knows the score, he's been there himself.

Just read Biggles post. Totally agree.