AFC Rushden & Diamonds members have voted overwhelmingly for their newly-formed club to groundshare with Wellingborough Town FC. For the forthcoming 2012/2013 season, both teams will share the Dog and Duck ground in London Road, Wellingborough.
After spending this season watching their youth team play home matches at Kiln Park, Raunds, AFC R&D members have been voting over the last few weeks to choose a short-medium term home for the mens team, whilst the club continues its search for a permanent facility in the Rushden/Higham/Irthlingborough area. The result showed that 91.5% of members were in favour of the Dog & Duck and now both The Diamonds and Wellingborough Town FC will begin the hard work of putting their plans into practice for this historic tie up.
Speaking to afcdiamonds.com, Acting AFC Rushden & Diamonds Chairman Ralph Burditt seemed buoyed by the news, saying “Firstly I’d like to express my sincere thanks to Raunds Town FC, especially all of their volunteers who have looked after us superbly whilst we’ve been there. However, we had a different set of requirements moving forward and I’m delighted that the members have chosen The Dog & Duck for our new home, a decision which I am one hundred percent in agreement with. I’m very much looking forward to working with Wellingborough and having spoken to them at length about plans for the forthcoming seasons, I think that both clubs are going to benefit greatly from this deal as indeed is local football in general. Of course it’s not only Wellingborough who have helped us out this season and we will be remaining on very good terms with Raunds, St Neots and all the many other teams who have helped us along the way, but it’s great to finally have a plan to be in one place for the next couple of years and I can’t wait to get started!”
Wellingborough Town FC Chairman Martin Potton said that he was delighted that the members of AFC Rushden & Diamonds have chosen to groundshare at the Dog and Duck for the foreseeable future from the commencement of next season, and is looking forward to developing a harmonious working relationship between the 2 clubs.
Along with continuing to vote on many key issues at the club, all AFC R&D members will shortly be casting their votes to elect a Board to run the club on behalf of the fans.
