The unofficial AFC Rushden & Diamonds messageboard

You may have seen that Steve Whitney lost his battle with cancer this week.

Steve was, of course, involved in the early days of AFCR&D as well as having a long career in local football, mainly with Under 18's.

Thoughts with Steve's family.

RIP Steve
You were an inspiration in the early days of AFCRD
Our thoughts are with your family

Likewise, thoughts with Steve's family & colleagues.

Steve was our first director of football in the first U18s season, and then the initial Academy Director from August 2012, when that was first started up.

https://www.afcdiamonds.com/steve-whitn ... f-academy/

I last spoke to him at a RHUFC match I think at Hayden Road, a few years back, soon after he'd started at Raunds Town to manage their youth setup.

Very sorry to hear this , Steve did so much for local football throughout his life and was at the first meeting we had at the Sports centre . Then involved in the early days as well. god bless you mate.

So sorry to hear this news, Steve gave so much to local football over the years, and to AFCR&D in our early days, thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time!

Steve was crucial in helping us start our u18s, he was able to assemble a squad and worked with Starms. It was a pleasure to have known him

A couple of years ago when sorting out my late brother in laws belongings, there was a box that contained football related memorabilia, programmes, books and badges etc, among them were a few books from the eighties, nineties and early 2000's by Steve.

Until then I only knew him as a youth coach / ex footballer and had no idea of how much he, like Tony Kempster had contributed to the wider circle of non league football over the years.

RIP Steve.