It's been a while

[Southstand]

Hello all, I thought that as I’m still reading on here all the time, I’d sign up once more.
Some of you may know me as Matt Banyard, a long ago I was the poster Southstand on here, later joining the Diamonds as office admin, then eventually shop manager, ticket office manager, press, website, it etc – eventually becoming club secretary at the old R&DFC.

I moved on in March 2011, partly because I was getting fed up of certain actions and the people responsible for them at Nene Park, partly because there was only so much of not being paid I could afford to take. I’m now living in the West Midlands with my girlfriend Lucy, in a new job working in sales for Dotted Eyes, a GIS company and generally enjoying things, except for the lack of a Saturday football team.

I’d stayed away from here, in fact basically turned my back from Football for quite a while to be honest, so it’s a nice feeling to be back on here. I don’t really want to be here to trudge up the ghosts of the past, as obviously I had a closer view of things in the build up to the club falling apart than many. My thoughts on it can be summarised by the fact that I’m quite bitter at what happened, what was allowed to happen and certain individuals involved.

Anyway eventually I received my unpaid wages via the National Insurance (what a fine service that is, I know we all begrudge paying it, but its things like that which make you appreciate it) – so ultimately I ended up leaving R&DFC more or less even, which is more than I can say for many individuals and businesses, who no doubt were left significantly out of pocket.

So onwards and upwards, I’m so impressed with the new setup, I’ve unfortunately not managed to get back to see the lads play, however would like to before the season’s over, as I want to keep in touch with the people from Nene Park that I used to get along with.

p.s. Watching K*ttering’s demise every Saturday evening fills me with nothing but joy too – well played Sutton.

[Mad Dog]

It has been a long while.

Welcome aboard mate. It's good to hear that things are ok with you. Although you're now viewing from afar, it will certainly be great to hear your views on here, be it on AFC R&D, Cuckoo FC or football in general.

[Pigman]

Hi Matt, great to hear from you, glad things worked out for you in the end.

It'd be great to see you at a game sometime, I think you'll be surprised by just how entertaining the football is, lots of "old" faces too. We're well shot of certain people to be honest, while we may not have fancy surroundings, what we have is ours

Pop down and say hi sometime eh? You'll always be guaranteed a warm welcome !!

[diamond82]

Hey Matt it's Chris. Glad to hear all is going well mate. Like yourself I'm enjoying watching how badly the new incumbents of Nene Park are doing. Other than that I echo your sentiments. Not paying a huge amount of attention to football. I do miss watching live games especially during the international weekends but other teams just don't have he appeal to make me want to pay to watch them.

Anyway thanks for sorting me out with all the old shirts over the years. I guess I'd better take even better care of them now!

[Diamond_ Wolf]

Welcome Matt. Make sure you get down to a game soon, you will enjoy it for sure.

Have you signed up as a member yet? ;)

[STAGMAN]

Hi Matt glad to see you on here and very pleased to hear that you have a decent job where you actually get paid for doing it ( thats a novelty), Joan also sends her best. Didn,t get back to you on LIndelkin owing to loss of password. All the best to you nad Lucy and hope to see you at one of our games soon , its a good standard of football , what else would you expect from Mark

[wewantourdarbyback]

Welcome Matt, nice to have you here, glad you've been paid.


We're developing a clan in the west midlands now

[Formic]

Hi Matt,

Glad things are going well for you - I guess you'll have started to understand the funny accents over there by now. ;)

I'm glad you got paid in the end. I know how difficult those last months at R&DFC were for you, with all of the unforeseen challenges - not least having to put on a positive spin on certain happenings.

Hopefully when AFC R&D gets a league place for next season there will be a chance for you to share some of your expertise from the many roles you had at Nene Park.

[bozzer]

absolutely right Formic

the more people involved with skills the stronger the club will be

[davealbon]

Welcome back Matt. Look forward to seeing you at an AFC game in the not too distant future!