After Tuesday’s visit of Sir Keir Starmer and Gen Kitchen I thought I would update you on how we approached the Wellingborough and Rushden By-Election.
Our objective from the start was very simple, to allow all candidates to understand what we as a Club do from the First Team to the Scholarship Partnership with Moulton, an extensive Elite Academy and successful community section in male and female football. Most importantly, it allows us to demonstrate what we need in the future with a new home that can accommodate every aspect of the Club and show how we can work in partnership with others to benefit our community. It also gives each candidate the chance to meet our supporters and part owners to gather their perspectives on what is needed in the local area on a wider scale.
As part of the process, every candidate who wished to attend had the same opportunities to meet with Club representatives such the Directors, Management Team, Academy, Scholarship, Part Owners, and supporters. Furthermore, each candidate will have the opportunity to select the player of the match and be interviewed by our media team.
Candidates confirmed as of Tuesday:
- Will Morris – Green Party – Quorn AFC postponed
- Ana Savage Gunn – Liberal Democrat – Coventry Sphinx FC
- Gen Kitchen – Labour – Gresley Rovers FC
All these invitations were put out in good faith and we were awaiting responses from the remaining parties, due to the nature of this by-election these visits were subject to change, and we did our best to keep people informed. Any candidate was welcome to come to more than one game and bring others to see what we do and what we can build for the future, the only criteria being having one candidate per game.
More locally, we have continued to develop our relationship with North Northants Council, again by demonstrating what we do and could do in the future working in partnership to help rebuild communities in our area. We’ve had representation from NNC at several events, including the Deputy Leader of NNC to ‘Legends’ and from this we can help develop policies and infrastructure at a local level that not only help us as a club but hopefully increase our impact in the local area which will hopefully bring an increase in fanbase.
If you would like to know more, feel free to email me at matt.taylor@afc-diamonds.com and I’d be delighted to take the time and discuss how partnership working can help drive our Club forward.
Matt Taylor
Commercial Director
matt.taylor@afc-diamonds.com
