The unofficial AFC Rushden & Diamonds messageboard

Biggles wrote:I think that we should not take for granted that we would be placed in step 5 or 6 you only have to look at Chester who had there own stadium, the backing of the local council and a healthy large fan base which with all this the F.A. at first in there wisdom placed them in the Northern Counties League at step 9 or 10, it was only the determination of the people behind the new Chester that took the F.A to appeal and won.

You've mixed up your steps a bit there, but you are correct that Chester were originally placed at Non-League Step 5 (North West Counties Premier - the same step as UCL Premier), and then elevated on appeal to Step 4 (Northern Premier Division 1 - the same step as Southern League Division 1 Central)

Details here

Yep getting my steps and Leagues confused, misread some of the info.

Never mind its Age you know :oops:

Biggles wrote:Yep getting my steps and Leagues confused, misread some of the info.

Never mind its Age you know :oops:

Also Chester don't own the Deva Stadium. It was never a given that the Council would grant the reformed football club a lease on the ground.

Ahh but to be pedantic ;) i never said they owned the Deva and it must have been agreed with the council to play at the Deva otherwise their application to the F.A would be pointless :?: as i would have thought no tenure of stadium via ownership or groundshare then its hard to plead your case to be let into a senior League.

I think we should be put into a Sunday league, and bring in players that arrive to the ground, from the pub with 10 minutes till kick off. ;)

Biggles wrote:as i would have thought no tenure of stadium via ownership or groundshare then its hard to plead your case to be let into a senior League.

So who's to say that this won't be arranged with Raunds Town or whoever before the new club apply to join the UCL Premier Division next season?
I should imagine that the acting committee, judging by their excellent work to date ;) , are well aware of what is required to compete at the possible highest level of senior football.

The other option is to change our name to Rushden and Diamonds Nomads, claim Romany ancestry and if the F.A refuse us entry into the UCL prem for not having a permanent ground we sue them using the European court of Human rights and take the issue to the U.N.

sounds like a cunning plan

I've got great faith in the people who have got us this far, against all the odds, to sort this out.

Sure they're new to it, and the learning curve has been a steep one, but they've coped with everything thrown at them brilliantly. What I'd say is trust in these guys n gals and they will deliver the highest place possible.

I will say their job will be made far easier if we can demonstrate we're a strong and sustainable club, and that means people signing up as members !! THAT will add more power to their elbow when they sit at any negotiating table and thats why its so important you join, and get as many of your fellow fans to join as well.

When it comes to putting together a squad for next season, will we be holding trial days like AFC Wimbledon etc did? I know of some players currently plying their trade above UCL level that I may be able to have a word with. Best to branch out as wide as possible when recruiting players i'd have thought.