The club was deeply saddened to learn of the sudden passing of Mal Swinden over the weekend. Mal was the Club photographer for both Rushden & Diamonds FC and AFC Rushden & Diamonds and, though he had recently retired, his photos charted the highs, and lows, of our football journey.
Mal was well known at the Club. He generously donated the photos that adorn the walls of Dale’s Bar and gave his time to the new club without hesitation. He was a valued member of our volunteer team and had previously won the Volunteer of the Year award.
Ralph Burditt, Club Chairman, paid tribute to Mal this morning: “It’s difficult to encapsulate Mal’s immense contribution to Rushden & Diamonds, both FC and AFC, in just a few short sentences. A quick internet search for Mal’s work brings up image after image from across our history – from Quincy Shorunmu doing a drag-back to Billy Sharp scoring “that” goal. I knew Mal personally for the latter part of his time volunteering for the Club and found him to be someone who was perpetually calm and focused on the job at hand, whatever the situation. Through his work, Mal not only captured our most treasured memories but also did a huge amount to promote the Club, through his accreditation and by making his work available to the Northants Evening Telegraph, the Non League Paper and countless other publications. Without Mal, there would have been many times where the Club simply didn’t make the front page.
To get those images, Mal always had to be in the right place at the right time and that has meant following the Club up and down the country for years. Mal is well-known to Diamonds fans and was very well-liked. He was often to be found in the corner of a clubhouse in some far-flung corner of the UK preparing his equipment for a game or sending off some images before a publication deadline. He was always ready for a chat, with a warm smile and had an infectious chuckle when something amused him. Mal will be greatly missed and our thoughts go out to his friends and family at this very sad time.”
Stacey Hawkins, Club Secretary, also paid tribute to Mal: “The Club has lost a friend and true gentleman. Mal stayed loyal to the new Club, giving his time voluntarily and without question. On a personal level, he watched as my children grew up from youngsters on the Peter De Banke at Nene Park; taking photos of them as they enjoyed matchday mascot experiences and then, over the last couple of years, offering advice and support to Matt as his interest in photography developed. I will be forever grateful to him for that support and encouragement.”
Mal captured some fantastic moments and a selection are featured within this gallery
