The unofficial AFC Rushden & Diamonds messageboard

This is an interesting document:-

http://www.nnjpu.org.uk/docs/Rushden%20 ... g%2012.pdf

It would seem that North Northamptonshire Joint Planning Unit, whilst recognising that there is a shortage of brown fields sites suitable for development within the town, have indicated that the preferred option for urban expansion of Rushden is land east of the A6 between John Clark Way and Newton Road that have good transport links to the Town Centre. I think our best chance to have a community facility for our needs is one built in conjunction with any proposals for this area and the Club and supporters should be lobbying all interested parties to achieve this goal.

Lobbying hard now for a return to Nene park might well have the effect of garnering sufficient publicity (its a good news story), and support in the general population such that if it failed to materialise (very likely) there would be some carry over of goodwill that could help with a new stadium set up.
Sometimes you have to play the long game.

nsman wrote:Lobbying hard now for a return to Nene park might well have the effect of garnering sufficient publicity (its a good news story), and support in the general population such that if it failed to materialise (very likely) there would be some carry over of goodwill that could help with a new stadium set up.
Sometimes you have to play the long game.

Great idea.

Trek wrote:...the preferred option for urban expansion of Rushden is land east of the A6 between John Clark Way and Newton Road...

I live a stones throw from there, so gets my vote!

Everyweeker wrote:

davealbon wrote:A new, smaller stadium on the outskirts of Rushden is a far better long term solution IMO.)

Agreed. But we are not in a position to let 'the best' be the enemy of 'the good'. Much will depend on how much council support we will ever receive for our community-based infrastructure.

Of course, I should perhaps have added "In an ideal world," to the start of that sentence! Given the right circumstances, I would take Nene Park over the Dog & Duck (or any other existing ground in the local area) any day.

or merge with Rushden & Higham, and be called Rushden & Higham Diamonds, then we have a ground already.

Slight change of subject but still connected.

Higham Town have moved just off of Kimbolton Road in front of Moulton College. There seems to be a lot of ground there.

Anyone know how they went about this ?

They merged with Higham Colts would be my best guess

Really think the Northants FA idea is a great one! Although is she who should not be named, still a Northants FA Council Member?

Maybe a quick call to Shoey might give someone at the club the opportunity to discuss the NFA's plans for the future and along with ENDC and the MP it may make some headway ?

bedforddiamond wrote:Really think the Northants FA idea is a great one! Although is she who should not be named, still a Northants FA Council Member?

Maybe a quick call to Shoey might give someone at the club the opportunity to discuss the NFA's plans for the future and along with ENDC and the MP it may make some headway ?

I believe that Mrs Rushden & Diamonds is still on the NFA committee; if memory serves, she was recently re-elected (without challenge) as the professional football clubs' representative (or something along those lines).

While it would be great for NP to be used as a base for the NFA, if it meant that our annual affiliation fee went towards further lining KC's already considerably well lined pockets, then it should absolutely not happen IMO.