Hello everyone and thanks for taking the time to read the latest update from The AFC Rushden & Diamonds Board.
Last week I updated you on how our financial situation has progressed over the last few difficult weeks. This week, I want to share with you the work which is going within the Club regarding sponsorship and other important commercial activity that underpins our plans for the coming season.
I would like to thank everyone who took part in the vote to select our new Home and Away shirts for the 2020- 2022 seasons. The winning shirts are a custom design ‘name in a shirt’ option. Not only does this give the Club a unique shirt design, it also gives us a great opportunity to raise much needed revenue. Every pound spent on including names in the first team shirt design goes directly to the Club. The shirts also make a great Father’s Day present and you can pre-order via the link here. There are several options available for Adults and Juniors including:
- Adult Shirt plus Name: £100
- Adult Shirt Gift Package: £120
- Framed Shirt: £300
- Name in the Shirt only: £50
There has been a brilliant uptake from supporters wanting to have their name included in the shirt. However, please remember that you only have until June 30th to take up this unique option.
The search for a new Main Shirt Sponsor continues unabated. Losing such a well-known company as Auto Windscreens was a major blow, and replacing them would prove difficult under normal circumstances, never mind during the effects of a pandemic. I urge anyone reading this update and in business or if you know someone in business who might still to be able to help at this difficult time, to contact John Gregory, our Commercial Director, at marketing@afcdiamonds.com or call John on 07788 102430. There are large and small advertising and sponsorship opportunities available, to suit all marketing budgets. Full details including available package discounts will be provided on request. I encourage all businesses to contact John to find out how to become a Club or a Diamond Sponsor and enjoy the promotion of your company and brand on our club website. See here for the latest news from the Commercial Team.
I would like to thank now, those companies and individuals who have already stepped up to the plate. In particular Steve Filsell from Fuelsell Multifuel Suppliers for their continued Back of Shirt Sponsorship – detailed here, and Mike Paul and his GoFundMe fund raising which has raised over £2,700 sponsorship revenue so far. John is also waiting to hear from any individual or business interested in becoming one of our Founder Member Club2020 Patrons – details are here. It is asking a lot more in terms of cost; we do appreciate it requires a significant donation and commitment towards club income at this difficult time. But don’t forget the exceptional Club2020 benefits can be shared and used on a match-by-match basis by families, groups of individuals and companies.
Last week in conjunction with our friends at Rushden & Higham United, we completed the main pitch works programme. Designed to improve the quality of the pitch, making it more resilient, the programme follows the recommendations from Northamptonshire Football Association’s formal pitch assessment carried out last year and includes:
- Scarifying the pitch and levelling of penalty boxes.
- Application of topsoil and dressing.
- Vertidraining.
- Overseeding.
We will also now start the normal summer maintenance works at the ground to make sure it is ready for the new season.
We expect to hear back from East Northamptonshire Council next week as to whether we have been successful in our application for a Discretionary Grant.
On Sunday, Scott ‘Biffa’ Carlin will be answering your questions from 2pm on our Twitter account. Scott is our Head of Academy as well as a coach with the first team so he’ll be pleased to answer any questions you may have regarding our youth pathway.
Finally, as the lockdown restrictions are now changing please make sure you keep up to date with all the necessary current advice. The best place to follow the guidelines issued by the Government and Public Health England are updated daily and can be found here – https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus.
