Ben Morgan has announced he is moving on from AFC Rushden & Diamonds and asked for the following to be published:-
Sadly, I have had to make the extremely difficult decision to leave AFC Rushden & Diamonds.
It is a decision which I thought long and hard about, but due to increasing work demands and a desire to make the most of playing opportunities, I can no longer give the club the commitment and devotion that I expect from myself and that the club warrants.
I would like to say a huge thank you to everybody that I’ve met over the last 2 years since the beginning of the AFC R&D senior side and acknowledge the help, support and dedication that I’ve experienced. Ever since day one, at the senior team trials, there has been a real sense of professionalism, ambition and warmth about the club and the staff behind the scenes. The club genuinely felt like home – and that means a lot coming from a Kettering boy!
There are far too many people to mention, but in particular I would like to thank Stacey, Bob, Darren, Mark Hedges, David Cockings, Theresa & David, John Gregory, Chas, Ralph and Jon Ward for their tireless commitment and dedication to developing the club and for making me very welcome.
I would also like to personally thank Mark Starmer & Andy Peaks for giving me the opportunity to play at such an exciting club and also Arron Parkinson & Chris Hope for their wisdom and advice. Both top guys. Also, a big thank you to Dean and Andy Smith for keeping things together with the under 21s and giving me the platform to help the younger players develop.
Finally, I would like to say a great big thank you to the amazing supporters who make the club what it is. That first season was immense. I’ll never forget moments like the amazing support at Ashington, my first goal at Yaxley and Sam’s goal at home to Eynesbury. There is nothing quite like hearing your name being chanted from the stands. So thank you for giving me that experience.
I’d have loved to have given you more personal glory moments but unfortunately time on the pitch has not been as high as I would like which has ultimately led to me making this difficult decision.
I sincerely hope that when the time is right, I may return to the club in the future, but in the meantime I fully urge the fans to get behind Andy, Paul, Biff and the players this season in the pursuit of the league title and Wembley. The new signings are great additions and added to the quality that is already at the club, it is exciting times for the Diamonds fans.
I’ll certainly be back to watch some games next season so I hope to catch up with you all soon, but the aim is now to join a club that will allow me to play regularly and compete at the best level possible.
Good luck and god bless. Always a Diamond.”
Thanks guys.
Ben
Commenting on Ben’s decision, AFC Rushden & Diamonds manager Andy Peaks added the following: “Naturally I am disappointed to see a player like Ben leave the club, given his significant contribution, on and off the pitch, over the past two seasons. However, I understand the reasons for Ben’s decision, and genuinely wish him well. He is a top bloke and will always be welcome back.”
Ben made his debut for the club in the historic first game against Thrapston Town in August 2012, as a second half-substitute, and went on to make 54 appearances for the club, including 18 starts, scoring 11 goals.
