Re: Nene Park

bedforddiamond · Post by **bedforddiamond** » Sat Jul 19, 2014 12:45 am

I agree Dave, the plan should be for the NFA and ENDC to purchase Nene Park from KC at the going rate for a commercial piece of land and then turn it over for use by the people of East Northants to enjoy, combining a football arena with other sport and leisure facilities

Three of Diamonds · Post by **Three of Diamonds** » Sat Jul 19, 2014 8:48 am

I'd be a lot happier if those two organisations paid what he paid for it.

Trek · Post by **Trek** » Sat Jul 19, 2014 9:04 am

Three of Diamonds wrote:I'd be a lot happier if those two organisations paid what he paid for it.

He didn't pay a bean. The £512k that he offered to secure RDFC from the Supporters Trust in November 2006 was a loan.

OK he might argue that he passed further loans to keep the football club running up to the point he passed it to the Beasants in December 2010 but the fact remains he secured Nene Park for nothing.

Pigman · Post by **Pigman** » Sat Jul 19, 2014 10:21 am

The place is dead to me now, tainted by evil men and woman who conspired through greed to kill off the club I loved - I had many happy years there and have fond memories that can never be taken away. I'd love to go back in some ways, but 6-700 people would rattle about in there and it'd be soulless - a stadium better build to meet our needs that is affordable to run and that can be gradually adapted and improved as we progress is what we need IMO, and sorry for those that disagree, it needs to be within walking distance of Rushden town centre !!

I could create a list of people I'd like to be in NP when they blow it up, I'd willingly press the button !!!!

I like the NFA HQ idea, but hate the thought of KC and his cronies profiteering from it !! For me personally, our future lays away from NP !! But it's an interesting debate.

Three of Diamonds · Post by **Three of Diamonds** » Sat Jul 19, 2014 6:00 pm

I'd prefer he didn't get a bean for it Paul. It's something to do with Conalgen holding a debenture over the ground but as the football company is now liquidated I'm not sure how that works or his hold on the land.
Jim, there was a lot of sensible debate about N P and a healthy suspicion about any potential return there.

Trek · Post by **Trek** » Sat Jul 19, 2014 8:01 pm

Three of Diamonds wrote:It's something to do with Conalgen holding a debenture over the ground but as the football company is now liquidated I'm not sure how that works or his hold on the land.

There's the rub, KC was savy enough to ensure that the 22 acres comprising Nene Park, excluding the S&E centre, was separated from the football club. The fact remains that KC has an asset which morally may not be right but there is little anything can done, unless ENC play 'hard ball' on what they will permit to be built in any redevelopment proposals.

James Beil · Post by **James Beil** » Sun Jul 20, 2014 6:48 pm

I know it sounds far-fetched, but from the friendly at Rushden & Higham it seems that there's the basis for a pretty good ground there - it might cost a fair penny to fix up, but I can certainly see it being a very fine place to call home when the repairs are complete. If we could agree a ground share with the other Rushden team I could see it working, but I can't imagine they'd want a merger - regardless of how it actually happened their fans would probably see it as us gobbling up their football club.

Failing that, I've said before that if I win the lottery the first thing I'll do is build a proper stadium for Diamonds - is there anywhere near Lidl that's suitable? I know it's a bit of a stretch for walking for some of the fans, but it seems local enough, and I can't think of anywhere else that's suitable...

Trek · Post by **Trek** » Sun Jul 20, 2014 7:09 pm

We had the debate about Hayden Road after we played there in October 2012, and generally agreed the place would not be suitable for Southern League football and was the reason why Rushden Town faced demotion from the Southern League in 1992. It's suitable for UCL Division 1 but nothing more and the small crowds that Rushden & Higham enjoy. We're far better off at the Dog & Duck at present certainly taking into account the work that's been done upgrading facilities in the last couple of years.

The Godfather · Post by **The Godfather** » Tue Aug 05, 2014 3:46 pm

http://www.afcdiamonds.com/afc-rushden- ... pen-letter

Trek · Post by **Trek** » Tue Aug 05, 2014 3:50 pm

Still no planning application lodged with ENC.