Big effort keeps Diamonds solvent but club will need to find more

AFC Rushden & Diamonds have generated nearly 20,000 in four weeks but will need to raise another 15,000-20,000 "in the next few weeks"

In his most recent update to fans, Burditt revealed the club have generated just under £20,000 in less than four weeks through a combination of season ticket sales, memberships and other avenues.

However, the Diamonds chairman has now warned the club will need to find a further £15,000-£20,000 “in the next few weeks” to ensure they can have a competitive season next time out after Auto Windscreens chose not to renew their deal as the main shirt sponsors.

Diamonds’ Southern League Premier Central season was officially ended last week after the Football Association Council ratified the initial decision to cancel all leagues from Step 3 and below and to declare them null and void.

AFC Rushden & Diamonds chairman Ralph Burditt

In his latest update, Burditt said: “On the positive side, I am pleased to say that thanks to all of the generous support over the last few weeks, we have managed to overcome our first goal of making sure that the club is solvent in the short term.

“Through a combination of season ticket sales, membership, shop sales and donations combined with donated/advanced academy fees, we have generated just under £20,000 in less than four weeks.

“This is a superb effort and we are all extremely grateful for your support.

“Of course, season ticket and membership revenue is effectively money brought forward from next season, so while it really helps now, we can only spend it once.

“However, the more we sell now the quicker we can start to plan for the new season with confidence.

“With regards to the bad news, you will have seen that Auto Windscreens have not been able to take up their sponsorship option for next season. This is a direct result of their trading being impacted by COVID-19.

“While we understand their decision and thank them for their support over recent seasons, it does leave the club with a huge problem.

“As the main shirt sponsor, their financial injection was key to the annual budget enabling us to compete at Step 3.

“Although we can mitigate some of the shortfall, while searching for a new main sponsor and other commercial revenue, we must find a further £15-20,000 in the next few weeks to be able to plan for a competitive campaign in 2020-21.

“Everyone at AFC Rushden & Diamonds is incredibly grateful to our existing sponsors for their continued support and we continue to talk extensively to existing and potential sponsors to secure further financial support.

“There is an easy way you can help now. If you are aware of anyone, individual or national, East Midlands or local Northamptonshire company, who may be able to help at this difficult time, then please contact John Gregory either by phone on 07788 102430 or by email [email protected]

“In terms of other external funding opportunities, I cannot give you any good news yet.

“Nothing has been received from the footballing world, centrally or locally. Nor has any help been received from any other local or national body.

“However, I want to reassure you that despite our current difficulties, we remain confident that we will come out of this difficult time strongly. We have applied for a Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan and also applied to Sport England for assistance.”

Anyone who would like to make a donation to the club can do so by visiting the website www.afcdiamondsshop.com and they can make a BACS transfer to account number 91508903, Sort Code 40-39-15, Account name AFC Rushden & Diamonds.