AFC Rushden & Diamonds are pleased to announce that Ben Morgan and Arron Parkinson have both agreed to take on additional responsibilities at the club.
Ben will, when first team playing commitments allow, be player/assistant manager for the Under 21s team, whilst Arron will take up coaching duties with both the First Team and Under 21s as he continues to look towards working his way back to full fitness.
The Under-21 team are to play in the Midland Football Combination Under-21 league, and this allows up to three over-age players to take part in league games. They will be managed by Dean Thomas.
Speaking about his expanded role with the club, Ben said:
“As a senior member of the AFCRD playing squad, I’m delighted to have the opportunity to link up with the Under 21’s in a coaching, assistance and playing role alongside Arron & Dean. There is a wealth of talent and huge potential in the squad, which I have already witnessed first-hand.
“Our group of lads play the game in a really attractive manner, and I’m hoping that my experience at senior level will aid the transition of these younger players to not only compete for places but flourish in the first team.
“AFC Rushden & Diamonds continue to place huge emphasis on youth development and I’m hoping that, alongside my playing duties with the first team – when required – I am able to play a small part in the continuing development of our younger players.”
Arron continues treatment for the medical condition that kept him out of games at the end of last season, and speaking about his additional role he said:
“I’m very happy to have the opportunity to get involved in the coaching side of things during this enforced break from playing. Once I have finished my playing career I would like to continue to be involved with football through coaching/management, so it makes sense that I use this time positively and start to put the foundations in place for that.
“I’m a football-orientated person and just want to be involved on a match day, so when Starms and Peaksey offered me the chance to do that I jumped at it. I’ll look to use the experience that I’ve gained over the years to help the lads along and hopefully learn a few things myself along the way. Obviously a big focus for me at the moment is getting back involved in the playing side as well, and I am relishing the chance to start playing again in the near future.”
You can read a preview for our two games on Saturday – the first team game at Deeping Rangers and the U21 game at Bewdley Town by clicking on the appropriate link. Details of the next fixture for each of the Diamonds teams are in the Match Status page here.
Pictures Courtesy and Copyright Mal Swinden ©2012-13 Malcolm Swinden Photography
