Following the news on Tuesday 15th February that Andy Peaks would be leaving AFC Rushden & Diamonds, the Board of Directors have met to discuss all the options available to us as the Club continues in its play-off push.
The most important immediate issue was to ensure stability and continuity was retained within the 1st team squad. In order to achieve that, Tim Dudding (Head of Scholarship) was asked to lead training this week and to also lead the team for Saturday’s important match at Biggleswade Town FC. Tim will be supported by Scott Carlin, Goalkeeping Coach Nathan Gaunt and 1st team physio, Roisin O’Farrell. Tim, Scott, Nathan and Roisin are well known to the players, and all were happy to step up to the challenge. With the additional guidance of Football Liaison Officer Mark Hedges, the Board is confident that the preparations for Saturday’s game are in safe hands.
The Board then discussed at length all the options open to AFC R&D in filling the managerial vacancy. It was unanimously agreed that the most logical approach at this time is for the Club to appoint an interim manager to lead the first team over the coming weeks. The Board will then work over a longer period of time to find and appoint a permanent manager who fits with the Club’s ethos and values, to take charge of the first team ahead of the 2022/23 season.
As supporters will no doubt expect, the Club has already received a number of calls and emails from potential managers and the Board would encourage anyone who is interested in applying for the interim position to please submit their CV to Chairman, Ralph Burditt by 5pm on Friday February 18th.
It is expected that interviews will be held early next week, with an announcement to be made on Thursday, February 24th.
