Dreams and Aspirations
What should a little Piggy do with his spare time when there are no Ponderings to write and no footy to watch? Mow the grass? Decorate? Naaaa, I'll sit and write down some of my thoughts on the future - at least it looks like we have one now, a few short weeks ago I was afraid we might not.
I could see us going into freefall and slipping quietly out of the League and down to the Conference with hardy a whimper, and howls of derision all around us from those who really don’t get what has happened at Nene Park !! I’m proud of what has been created by Max, a true family club of which we should all be proud to say we belong. I certainly am !!
I started writng this before any official announcement from the club on our future, before anything firm is set in stone. It sets out what I would like to see happen in a number of areas. For example:
- Financial stability for the future
- Strengthening the squad
- Involvement of fans
- Growing our fanbase
- Developments to Nene Park
- The future …….next season and beyond !!
All of these topics and more get a mention here. I’m not saying everyone has to agree with me, they are just my thoughts and how I would like to see the club develop over the next few season.
I have been lucky, I have spent the last 10 years following the Diamonds from non-league (Beazer Premier) football all the way up to the 2nd Division, and now sadly for the first time in our short history, relegation. I'm glad we’ve been relegated in a strange kind of way. It's a fitting end to Max's tenure as Chairman in many ways. It started off brightly and was full of promise, but in the end it petered out and withered. Now we need to start again with new owners and new ideas, a new and exciting challenge. It’s a minor setback, no more, I’m hoping it makes some of our supporters appreciate any future success that comes our way more, some really do seem to take it for granted. Like I have said many times in the past, it is character building for supporters and enables us to prove to those around us that we’re not fair weather friends that will disperse the minute the going gets tough, or run to a team up the road if it becomes more successful than us. We’re in this for good !! I feel this season many of our supporters, and the club itself, have grown up a little.
But what are my hopes and dreams for the future? I want to state upfront that I think Rushden and Diamonds FC have a very promising future. I am placing my trust in the new owners that they are, like me, football fans first and foremost and want the best for the club. Why else would they be putting money into the club? Investing in a football club at this end of the market is like throwing money into a black hole. But Rushden and Diamonds have what many clubs don’t – they do have a great and solid foundation on which to work and build, they have potential, I think great potential.
We have a fantastic little stadium that is the envy of many clubs - the infrastructure at Nene Park is very, very good. Sure its small, but perfectly adequate for the two Divisions we will be plying our trade in for the next few seasons (or more?), so the new people know they won’t have to fork out for any extensive ground works – it can form part of their longer term business strategy/thinking. So all you Diamonds fans who want new stands and bars etc should forget that – we’ll have to do it on the green stuff first I reckon !! Any future ground developments will have to be funded by on-field success. If its not, I see troubled waters ahead of us.
I see the new owners have issued a statement read out at the RDISA AGM recently that says they aim to have us in the 1st Division in 5 years – a bold statement indeed. But realistic?? I sign up to the dream, I too want that type of success, but I have a few reservations.
I want my team to be successful, of course I do, but not at all costs. We have seen what folly throwing money at a football club is. Whilst I thank Max for the success his millions have helped deliver, and the fantastic memories it has helped me gather, I want any future success to be built on a solid financial foundation. If the new owners have the financial clout (and business acumen) we’re being led to believe then we are indeed very fortunate they have stepped forward. I look forward with great anticipation to see who they are and what plans they have for us – I hope its not too long before they reveal themselves, I know many supporters are holding onto the season ticket money until they know who we are dealing with. I believe them to be men of honour, but await their full and formal announcement of the takeover with great hope.
Next year’s ticket prices have been announced and many took a sharp intake of breath when they saw the price of failure. Next year we are paying 2nd Division prices to watch 3rd Division football. I haven’t got a problem with that because I recognise the great deal we have had over the past few years, probably paying closer to Conference prices than 2nd Division ones !! But I don’t want to see that money wasted on extortionate wages for show pony players. I think the prices are recognition by the owners that we have a small fanbase and that they need to balance the money coming in, with that going out. I don’t think there is a bottomless pit of money being shovelled our way and that we will have to balance the books, I hope that is the case anyway.
So, first and foremost I want to see the new owners pledge to run us efficiently and effectively. I think the offloading of high earners and the increased ticket prices as big steps towards achieving that. I don’t want us to be a rich man’s plaything – we have seen before what a rocky road that could lead us to. I actually think, from the snippets of information I am picking up, that this lot know what they are doing. They sound like astute businessmen who have done their thinking and planning well ahead of the game – hence the caution they have displayed in the takeover talks. They seem to know what they are getting into and share my belief that this is a club with a future – we have great potential, but we need people with the right business acumen to help us achieve it. I have faith that the new owners have that.
We are led to believe we will start this new era debt and loan free? If that is true then Max will have left a great legacy. I hope that is the case, for the squad we have been left with is certainly not up to the standard required to sustain our League status, let alone get us back to the 2nd Division at the first time of asking. We were decimated with weeks of the season left, and I attach no blame to the new Board for that. Since the season’s end we have lost further players, a clear out was expected and I wasn’t surprised by many of the names released. I think it is a positive (and bold) step by the new management team.
I see many of our foes (especially our Cobbler friends) for next season think we are all washed up and dry and are predicting a season of struggle next season - I think they may be in for a bit of a shock !! I honestly think we will be able to mount a serious challenge for promotion next season. The 3rd Division isn’t full of quality teams at the moment and I think the experience of being in the 2nd Division this year will set our younger players in great stead for next year. But strengthening of the squad is imperative and it must be done swiftly to not only ease supporter’s nerves, but to give the players plenty of time to gel and mould into a cohesive unit so we can come out of the traps flying come August!!
I see Ernie has already entering into discussions with players – I’m pleased the work has already begun. The players are coming back from their summer break a week early and Stuart Robson has been appointed Technical Director (what does that entail??) – positive signs. I might not know what a Technical Director has in his job description, but one thing all this does show me is that we are a professional operation. The focus is firmly set on getting back up to the level we know we can survive at, and were surviving at relatively comfortably until the night of the long knives, and getting us back there quickly.
I’m not going to present a long list of names of players I would like to see Ernie employ next season, I wouldn’t presume to know enough about the beautiful game to do that – although I do have a few ideas if you’re reading this Ernie? You know how to get hold of me ! What I will ask of him is to get us a balance of experience and youth. We need an experienced midfielder to pull the team together, something in my opinion we have been lacking ever since Butts left us. If Macca has a younger brother with half his ability and passion for the game I’d love to get him on board !! This year, time and time again, we have been exposed in the middle of the park – we have been found wanting. We have little creative play, and even less of a bite there – I trust Ernie to have recognised this and to do something about it.
I’m guessing Ernie will have funds at his disposal to get players in, if not in fees, certainly in a wages budget. I hope he invests it wisely, I believe he will.
Supporters have a big part to play in the early days of next season too. We must start the new season as we finished this one – getting behind the team from the off and urging them on. This is essential, especially with all the new faces we will have. We must make them understand we love our club and welcome them into the fold. We have to lift the pressure off Ernie and the new players and show 100% support from day one. If things don’t go our way early on we have to hold our nerve and keep the support going – it will take time for the players to settle in and start to play as a team. The season is a long one and it’s the position we are in at the beginning of May that matters – not the end of August !! I just ask supporters to remember that if the start is less than positive.
Next season, with the right blend of players, I can see us getting back into the 2nd Division, if not as 3rd Division Champions, then certainly in one of the automatic places. Too optimistic I hear you cry? I don’t think so. I believe we will have a strong squad next season. I have faith in the management team to do a job for us. If it doesn’t then I hope the new owners will act swiftly to address the situation. Ernie will have a honeymoon period obviously, the 3 games in charge this season don’t count as far as I am concerned. But I am prepared to give him the first 10 games of next season with HIS chosen men to get us a good start – if we don’t start brightly I will start to have some nagging doubts, those doubts will soon fester into something more serious as the games drift by. The jury is out on Ernie, but this Diamond for one is glad to have him on board. He talks the right talk – now lets see if he can walk the walk !!
For me, one of the good things to come out of Max’s imminent departure was the club getting closer to the fans, bringing them into the fold – to a certain extent anyway. Max had never been one to fully engage with the fans, I don’t know why he was so loath to involve us, perhaps he felt it was his “baby” and he didn’t feel it appropriate – I honestly don’t know, but he missed a great opportunity.
I send out a plea now to the new owners to maintain the closer links that have been established over the past few weeks/months. I would like to see some real involvement in the running of the club by the fans - it is us who are the life-blood of the club afterall. Without us there isn’t a club !!
Perhaps some kind of share issue could be considered to enable those (foolhardy?) fans that want to invest in the club the opportunity to do so. Imagine 5000 shares or bonds at £10 each - £50000 invested immediately and made available to the manager to bolster the team. This would have to involve some kind of "say" in the running of the club - a place on the Board perhaps by an elected member from those who invested? I’m just firing from the hip here with an idea. Would I invest in the club?? Sure, in a small way. I haven’t got the kind of money needed to support the club financially, but would I pledge some of my money – too right I would. It might be something for the club/new owners to consider eh?? This is just one way for the supporters to feel closer to the club, to have a real tie to its future success.
The meetings with the Supporters Clubs and representatives from rdfcnet.co.uk should, in my humble opinion, continue. The fans have shown their commitment to helping the club through small gestures such as undertaking cleaning duties after games, the bucket collection which raised over £1000 and stewarding duties at other events – we have offered our services to undertake certain maintenance to the ground over the summer months to ensure the stadium is looking mighty fine when the season starts. There are other ways supporters can help the club. We have many supporters with great ideas and skills who would love the opportunity to get involved. I say tap into this talent and utilise it for all its worth.
A Supporters Trust has been suggested before as a way ahead. I know for a fact some serious thinking has gone into the creation of such a beast by certain parties, but it hasn't come to fruition for a number of reasons, which I won’t go into here. Perhaps this is something we need to open up again and look at, once we know who the new owners are and how committed they are to working with fans. Would they welcome a Trust? We’ll have to see.
Last season we had an average of 4456 people attend each game. Apparently Mark Darnell budgeted (too optimistically as it turned out) that we would get 5000 per game. With the low ticket prices and high wages we all saw what happened. So one of the first things we need to do is grow our fanbase.
I hope one of the early actions of the new owners is to appoint an experienced Marketing Professional who can exploit the brand name “Diamonds” to its full potential, both to businesses and to the local population. We need to get our name, and the successes that will come on the field, out there amongst the local community. We need to let people know what a great stadium and facilities we have. I honestly believe there are football supporters out there who don’t follow a specific team who could be tempted to come down to Nene Park if we “sell” the club right. These people, in time, will become true supporters – just as I have done. We, as supporters, need to get rid of the notion of “glory hunters” etc and welcome and embrace new supporters to our club. We simply must attract new supporters if we are to succeed and climb the Divisions. The Bedford area is a prime example. Advertising in the area and putting the club on the map, stressing how easy it is to get to now the by-pass is open etc, could tempt a few over. We already have a number of people who travel over, I’m sure this could be grown. We need someone with innovative ideas to attract people to our games. Like any business, we need to speculate to accumulate – this would be a wise investment in my opinion.
As we see success on the field and more fans coming to matches, as they will if the club is marketed correctly, the stadium will need to undergo further development. The first phase I would like to see is a two-tier stand (or a much larger version of the AirWair ) at the PDB end, all seated !! Yep, me, the guy who wants to stand wants an all seater stand to replace the PDB Terrace. Why? Because we will have to become an all seater stadium at sometime if we are to progress up the leagues and put a tier above the PDB it would, IMO, be a wrong move. Seats cannot be installed into the PDB Terrace (it’s the wrong height I have been told) later so if we build up, it needs to be a totally new stand. Think of it – 4500 seats at that end full of home supporters (well, perhaps full is pushing the imagination a bit, but you get my drift). Easier policing and ticketing arrangements, and no more moving season ticket holders around, or turning Diamonds fans away because we don’t have seats to offer them (Nikki and Alison will be delighted !!). It would enable home fans to have the same excellent facilities offered to away fans presently in the AirWair Stand. Extra revenue coming onto the club by way of beer sales too – perhaps even a retail outlet for people buy merchandise inside the stadium as well – there are lots of pluses to developing the PDB end of the ground. But, and it’s a big BUT – not yet !! It would be financial suicide to do this unless the on-field side of things is buzzing and people are starting to flock to Nene Park. Timescale? I would guess we need to be knocking on the door of the 1st Division for this to happen, but forward planning now could enable the funding to be in place when needed. Aren’t there grants clubs can get to develop their grounds?
Finally (if you’re still here having read this lot) where do I see us being in 1/2/5/10 years time? In business and successful I hope, as I’m sure our new owners do !!
Next year I expect us to gain promotion back to Division 2, that’s if all the rumours and talk I hear prove true. 2 years? Mid-table security in Division 2, flirting with promotion via the play-offs. 5 years? Promotion to Division 1 is a real possibility, if we have managed to put all the pieces of the jigsaw together correctly. If we go up too soon we could get hurt big style!! 10 years – I don’t know, but I’d like to think we’d be up there, 2nd or 1st Division, and holding our own in front of crowds of 10,000 or so. I have always said I think we are destined to be bit of a yoyo club, promotion/relegation always there to be fought for or against – I hope so, its exciting being at either the end of the table !
This little Piggy doesn’t dream about Premiership football and European campaigns – if we got that far up the tree I’d probably find I couldn’t afford to go anyway (unless I sold the wife …….hmmmm hold that thought !!). I dream of following MY club and having a great time doing so, if that’s in the 3rd Div so be it – success isn’t everything, but having a club to follow is !!! I dream of truly belonging to the club, feeling that my views are worth something to those that run the club – that I can be “Rushden till I die” and that it isn’t the club that will die under a pile of debt and decay !!
To the new owners I say this – you are welcome and hope you enjoy the same type of adoration Max has over the past few years. Not many Chairmen have their name chanted by the supporters. You are taking over a great little club with a small but loyal fanbase who want to work with you to secure a great future for the club. Don’t sideline the supporters, listen to them, work with them – the benefits for all could be immense. Above all, please don’t throw money like confetti at the club without thinking about the implications of what you are doing (unless you have more money that Roam Abramovich in which case spend away !!!). What I am saying is, lets have a future built on a firm financial basis that can be sustained. I, and many other supporters I’m sure, would be willing to sacrifice a few years in the dungeon of the Football League if we knew the right plans were being put in place to secure our future for the long term. Finally, and most importantly, can we have some more red on the home shirt and a completely red away shirt next season please (well, it was worth a shot) !!
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