AFC Rushden & Diamonds can confirm that experienced Striker Dominic Lawless and promising young Goalkeeper Rhys Redding will join AFC Kempston Rovers and Woodford United respectively, ahead of Saturday’s opening games of the 2015/16 season. Lawless (28), is a summer signing from Newport Pagnell where he had recently won the “Players’ Player of the Season” award after scoring 34 goals during the 2014/15 campaign. Before joining the Swans he had played at Banbury United and Bedford Town at Southern League level, as well as successful spells at St Ives Town and Buckingham Town. Redding (17) was a member of the successful AFC Rushden & Diamonds U18 Academy side last season, as well as being part of the Under-21s squad and a regular feature on the First Team bench.
Speaking to afcdiamonds.com about both moves, Manager Andy Peaks said “I spoke to Dom at length after Saturday’s game and we both agreed that pre-season hasn’t gone as well as it could for him. He’s not quite match fit at the moment and the only way he’s going to get match fit is by playing. It works out well for all parties that he can go and get some games at Kempston and hopefully do well for them. In a couple of weeks we’ll see where we are, but this is certainlty not the end for Dom at AFC Rushden & Diamonds as far as either of us are concerned.
Rhys is at a critical stage of his development where he needs to get games in men’s football. He’s exactly the kind of promising local youngster who we want at our club and I am keen to do everything in my power to help him maximise his potential as a player. He’s been to play for a couple of different teams in pre-season, including Woodford United last Saturday, and has enjoyed himself. Woodford need a goalkeeper for their first few games and when [Woodford United Manager] Arron Parkinson asked me if we would consider letting him have Rhys I didn’t have much hesitation in saying yes. I know that Rhys will be playing under someone who both he and I can trust and that’s vitally important.
Both players remain registered to play for AFC Rushden & Diamonds in the Evo-Stik Southern League
