The unofficial AFC Rushden & Diamonds messageboard

There may be a few twists and turns yet and obviously the FA will ratify next month but I think it will be a racing certainty that we will be placed in the Northern (Southern) section. Perhaps a pain for our Bedfordshire fan base but for those based north of the A14 probably easier away travelling. A lot of new clubs to play and new (and better) grounds to visit, Rugby Town and Stamford AFC are good examples.



I'm looking forward to it!

I've started a provisional map for NLP1S, based on the speculations, and it looks like there will be some decent treks, even for those people based in North Northants -



There are two trips to Northwich if both Victoria and Witton are transferred. I guess a few of the journeys will be somewhat familiar to established Diamonds fans - Leek, Northwich, Lincoln, Barnsley, Sheffield etc but the players' coach will be needed for most games I'd guess.

A group of our regular fans who have watched every away fixture this season and travel by car from Rushden, who decided to watch a Sheffield FC home match, on the Saturday our fixture at Egham was postponed, expressed the view to me that their journey up the M1 was very simple and a lot easier and far less time consuming than the majority of southern journeys they've made this season.

While the M1 and M6 can be a pain at times, it's nothing like the M25. Standard of grounds are much better up north as well, the likes of Leek Town, Rugby Town, Stamford are far superior to your Eghams and Roystons. Personally I can't wait, as most away games will be within 1hrs drive. It's a tough league, yes, but with the right squad we're definitely capable of top-5.

At least the catthorpe interchange will be sorted!

If you hit the M1 far enough up then you miss all the roadworks around J15 as well

Although I would much prefer, for personal reasons, for us to remain in SLC it does seem that the NLS is not such a bad idea.
If Shaw Lane Aquaforce (shortly to be renamed Barnsley ? FC) is the furthest we travel then that is actually nearer than Petersfield according to AA Route planner by 1 mile and the same time 2hrs 10 mins. What we will lack is any local derbies with only Rugby anything remotely like a derby game.

If we should gain promotion from the NLS next season, or whenever, hopefully we would be able to revert to the SL Premier?

sussexdiamond wrote:Although I would much prefer, for personal reasons, for us to remain in SLC it does seem that the NLS is not such a bad idea.
If Shaw Lane Aquaforce (shortly to be renamed Barnsley ? FC) is the furthest we travel then that is actually nearer than Petersfield according to AA Route planner by 1 mile and the same time 2hrs 10 mins. What we will lack is any local derbies with only Rugby anything remotely like a derby game.

If we should gain promotion from the NLS next season, or whenever, hopefully we would be able to revert to the SL Premier?

Yes we would go into the Southern League Premier although again we are on the borderline. Corby look set to go North next season whereas K*ttering should stay in the South. As you can see, it's tight.

In terms of derby games Stamford isn't very far to go and obviously we have history with Spalding. The likes of Romulus, Bedworth and Loughborough are dead easy to get to also although not derby games.

BartonRaz wrote:

sussexdiamond wrote:Although I would much prefer, for personal reasons, for us to remain in SLC it does seem that the NLS is not such a bad idea.
If Shaw Lane Aquaforce (shortly to be renamed Barnsley ? FC) is the furthest we travel then that is actually nearer than Petersfield according to AA Route planner by 1 mile and the same time 2hrs 10 mins. What we will lack is any local derbies with only Rugby anything remotely like a derby game.

If we should gain promotion from the NLS next season, or whenever, hopefully we would be able to revert to the SL Premier?

Yes we would go into the Southern League Premier although again we are on the borderline. Corby look set to go North next season whereas K*ttering should stay in the South. As you can see, it's tight.

You never know with the FA, they could decide to rip up all the boundaries and start again.

It all depends on location and preference but I for one am welcoming a move into the North.. With local trips to Stamford, rugby and Loughborough!! I ain't so sure how a league can be classed as a tougher league? At the end of the day you can only beat the team in front of you on the day. And as some defeats last season proved anything can happen on the pitch..

The furthest team north is shaw lane Aquaforce yet is 30 mile closer for me than petersfield.. And going in with Lincoln FC, and having family in Lincoln will be a pleasant trip up the A1