Boss Sandy disappointed by live television snub for Diamonds' FA Cup clash
Boss Elliot Sandy has voiced his disappointment at AFC Rushden & Diamonds' FA Cup first round clash at Burton Albion being overlooked by the TV companies for live coverage.
The eight picks for live coverage on TNT Sports and the BBC were announced on Thursday, and the Hayden Road club's clash against their League One hosts was not on the list.
Included were two all-EFL clashes, including Peterborough United's home date with fellow Sky Bet League One outfit Reading, which will see Posh boss Robbie Savage manage against his son Charlie, who plays for the Royals.
The other all-EFL match sees league two Oldham host league one Sheffield Wednesday, while there is also an all-non League encounter (Plymouth Parkway v Berkhamsted), with the other five seeing non-League teams hosting EFL opposition.
Being a TV pick would have seen Step 4 Diamonds receive a £50,000 fee, and a disappointed Sandy vented his frustration on social media.
"Extremely disappointing for @AFCRD," wrote the Rushden boss on X.
"Having to come through seven matches, beating three higher league opposition in a row to get here for the first time in the club’s history.
"A fan owned club literally run by supporters, I thought the things like this are what the FA Cup is about?"
Diamonds will now play Burton at the Pirelli Stadium on Saturday, November 7, with a 3pm kick-off, but before that they have the small matter of four Pitching-In Northern Premier League Midlands Division matches to play - with the first three of those on the road.
That tough run starts with Saturday's trip to Belper Town, and Sandy admitted he and his players now have to put their FA Cup campaign to the back of their minds.
The Hayden Road outfit, who remain unbeaten in the league, have only played 10 Midlands Division matches this season, and have as many as five games in hand on some of the teams above them.
And after Tuesday's 1-1 draw at Boldmere, Sandy told @AFCRD: "The FA Cup, I am now putting that on the backburner a bit, and I am concentrating on the league.
"We really do need to catch up those games and get as many points on the board as possible and get in and around that play-off mix."
Saturday's game at Belper is followed by a trip to Loughborough Students next Tuesday (Oct 27) and then another away day at Carlton Town next Saturday (Oct 31).
Diamonds are then at home to Sutton Coldfield Town on Tuesday, November 3 before they go to the Pirelli to take on the Brewers.