5th May - Hillier Cup Final

[corby diamond]

RDFC club and fans were always a bit dismissive of the competition in the past but we, as a new club, have now treated the competition with the respect it deserves.

Does it deserve any respect? It's a competition with no prestige, prize money or fan interest. Every team in the competition sees it as a nuisance and this can be said for every County Cup in the country. They're competitions that should be scrapped. There's only slight interest in this game because of the teams involved but as Brownie says, if we've both lost in the playoffs, no one's going to be up for it. If we win the playoffs then it'll be an 'after the Lord Mayor's show' type game.

Nail on the head!! In my opinion I think the new club had hardly been interested looking at the past couple of years.. I think this has been the first year they may have played for it. I've got my ticket for the final but being something so meaningless it ain't going to be the same..

[bozzer]

i suppose it could go that way, but it could also go the way of the season has finished which means both can put full strength teams out, i can't imagine either taking it lightly can you?. Whilst it is a pain being changed so close to the date, with our match called off too it was the right thing to do and playing this wednesday would have made no sense with the players both teams would have had to put out.

[SouthRushdenJFC]

Don't the winners play The Cobblers for the Maunsell Cup? Isn't that pre-season?

[MarkH]

Don't the winners play The Cobblers for the Maunsell Cup?

Yes they do.

Isn't that pre-season?

Yes it is.

[Trek]

The Hillier Cup winners play whoever NFA decides to nominate for the Maunsell Premier Cup. In the past RDFC have played Northampton Town losing 3-0 pre-season back in 2007 but have also played Peterborough United (who are affiliated to the NFA) beating them on penalties after drawing 2-2 at Nene Park. It is interesting to note this match took place in January 2006.
Diamonds also won the trophy in July 2008, for the fourth time, once again beating Peterborough United 2-1 at Nene Park.

[sussexdiamond]

Ketterings Cavalho has been suspended for six games by FA for spitting at opponent and will miss the Hillier Cup match.

Good job they don't ban supporters for same offence or they would have very few at the match, if you recall one of our previous games at RR.

[bozzer]

We have sold 400 tickets so far

[BartonRaz]

Is somebody able to confirm who in our current squad is ineligible for this game? I imagine there's quite a few.

[AFCRD_Dan]

Is somebody able to confirm who in our current squad is ineligible for this game? I imagine there's quite a few.

Possibly Hall? Definitely Jason Lee and Elliot Sandy, as the latter got them in to the final! Jepson as well, but he seems to have gone from the squad.

[TheIncognitoKid]

Leslie and shariff are cup tied, you'd imagine bowen would be as well