Weekly Update #6

This week, the Board have been conducting interviews with the candidates for the First Team Manager’s role. It has been interesting and refreshing to meet the candidates and listen to their thoughts and aspirations. There are two more interviews to go so we hope to make the appointment soon and, of course, we will let you all know once the candidate has accepted the position.

We are very grateful to Tom Lorraine for giving up his time to help in the interview process.

We are aware that there have been many questions surrounding the recent absence from the team of Nathan Hicks. Nathan is unavailable for personal reasons and, therefore, it would not be appropriate for the Board to make any other comment other than to say that we are supporting him. When there is any update, we will let everyone know. In other player news, we are pleased to advise that Peter Abimbola’s loan from Northampton Town FC has been extended for a further 28 days but, unfortunately, Kartell Dawkins has been recalled by Leicester City FC so that he can participate in a trial at Sheffield Wednesday FC. We wish Kartell the best of luck and hope to see him again soon.

The Commercial Team have been working hard to improve and rejuvenate our commercial offering and a new commercial pack will be available shortly. We were pleased to welcome Café Bangla as match sponsors to Hayden Road last Saturday and thank them for their ongoing support. Café Bangla are offering all AFC R&D members a 10% discount when you dine in their restaurant on presentation of your membership card. If you know of anyone or any company that would like to sponsor a match, please contact Alex and the Commercial team will follow it up. Player sponsorships are also now available for the remainder of the season, and we are grateful to everyone who has already sponsored a player. There are plenty still available so if you’re interested, please contact Alex.

Tim Sams, our new Supporter Liaison Officer, handed out vouchers for free tea and coffee at Tuesday’s match v Tamworth. Tim funded this himself and certainly kept the ladies in Dale’s Bar busy! Thank you, Tim, Jane and Eileen, for your hard work and generosity, it was greatly appreciated on a very cold evening.

The anniversary of Dale’s passing is on Wednesday next week, 14th December. It doesn’t seem possible that 12 years have passed since that awful night. As always, our thoughts are with Isobel, George and all of Dale’s family and friends as we remember him. Please remember that it is okay to not be okay, you are not alone, and our chaplaincy team are available for everyone if you need to talk. Contact details are available on the website or you can contact Roger Knight, Club Chaplain, direct at rogerknight41@outlook.com

Elsewhere around the Club, there was an impressive win for the Moulton College U19 team who won 5-1 away at Lichfield City in the National League U19 Alliance on Wednesday afternoon. The team are currently top of the league table and unbeaten so far this season. The Moulton College U23s are also having an impressive season, having lost only once so far and currently sitting 2nd in the National Football Youth League.

Finally, as always, we wish the best of luck to all our teams playing this weekend and hope that as many games as possible escape a postponement due to the freezing temperatures. Please keep an eye on the website and our social media channels for updates from Needham Market FC for the first team game tomorrow. As it stands the game is on, but we’ll bring you any news on a pitch inspection as soon as we can.

Thank you all for your continued support and dedication to our Club.

AFC Rushden & Diamonds

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