AFC Rushden & Diamonds Chairman Ralph Burditt gave his thoughts about the close season and the preparations for the 2014-15 season when he took part in the launch evening for the new playing strip and the kit sponsors.
Ralph commented “The pre-season has been as busy as ever, with those of us working behind these scenes having to work as hard as ever, but there’s lots of exciting stuff going on, and its good to be here with all the new sponsors, and show off the new kit which is the result of a few people’s hard work.”
Ralph was then ask what stood out since the end of last season. “We’ve kept together a lot of our very successful team from last year, and I was very pleased we were able to retain so many of those great players. Peaksy has spoken about the lads that he has brought into the club in a very positive way, so I’m very excited to get to see them playing – I can’t wait. It’s also very positive that Paul Lamb has come in to join Andy – he brings a great skillset with him, including discipline and fitness coaching, so I think we’ll see the effects of that during the season. They know each other well, and both have a good relationship with me and the other board members, so it is very positive at the moment.”
With the Pre-season matches on the horizon, Ralph was asked if there were any he was particularly looking forward to. “Yes, I’m looking forward to a return visit to AFC Wulfrunians, as they looked after us very well when we went there in the FA Vase. I’m also looking forward to pitting ourselves against teams from higher leagues, like Bedford, Corby or Rugby Town, as well as the recently announced Supporters Direct Shield against Hinckley AFC at the Dog & Duck. We are grateful for the help from Supporters Direct, and their support for reformed clubs, and I am going to a conference with them looking to learn from those clubs who are further down the track than we are – as well as passing on the benefit of our experiences to those that are further behind us.
“A lot of work has already been done at the Dog & Duck over the summer, and there is more to come with the extra seats and so on, so our volunteers are working hard. We have the new Academy starting up in September, and I can see the Community side of the club going from strength to strength with a new leadership team.”
You can view the complete video interview here, and details of the Diamonds’ Pre-Season Campaign here.
You can also check out the interviews at the launch here, as well as interviews with two of our new players here and the management team here.
Details of an exciting Season Ticket offer have recently been published here. Details of the Diamonds fixtures in the United Counties League Premier Division and in Cup Competitions will be available on this website once announced, with the first few fixtures detailed here, with a summary on the Fixture News page. Details of pre-season fixtures are here, and details for renewals / new Club Memberships are here.
Pictures courtesy of Malcolm Swinden Photography (click on the link to access the Diamonds Photo Gallery). Copyright Mal Swinden ©2014
