Many AFC Rushden & Diamonds fans who supported R&DFC will remember Richard Butcher, who went on to play several seasons in the Football League before his premature death aged only 29 in 2011.
His mother, Gail Butcher, has set up the Richard Butcher Memorial Trust, and has recently compiled a book about Richard’s life with contributions from those who knew him. She describes the book as one that will take you through all the twists and turns and ups and downs of a professional football career through players’ and managers’ eyes, along with Richard’s own life story, where you will read about the funny side of him as well as the tough side. The book is available as either an e-book or in printed form from Amazon – click here for details.
The book was written with the hope it will help young footballers in the future, as it will help contribute to a campaign to get a community pitch and clubhouse in the Northampton area. Backed by Northampton Borough Council, local MP Brian Bindley and council leader Mr David Mackintosh, Geraldine Davis, Tony Clarke and the Northamptonshire FA and a host of energetic volunteers, the Trust hopes to keep Richard’s unselfish ethos alive by building a club house, for community use, serving young and old, as well as providing a pitch and training facilities for young boys and girls, at Far Cotton. You can read more about the campaign on the dedicated website here.
Donations can also be made directly to the Trust here.
