Welcome everyone to today’s fixture against Leiston. The Club’s designated community day is always a fantastic occasion for us. As I’m sure Jim Anker will have mentioned in his programme notes, we’re working really hard to build bridges with our community section and it’s been fantastic to see the various teams in attendance at our recent home games. Long may it continue.
Alongside our Community teams we have some other very special guests today in the form of Rebel Energy who are today’s Match Sponsors. Stepping into the role of Commercial Director back in November, it was clear that the loss of the Club’s main shirt sponsor was having a really significant impact financially. Looking for a main sponsor half-way through a season is a unique scenario and not one we hope to ever repeat, but it wasn’t something I was prepared to admit defeat on. I felt it represented a massive opportunity for a business to step in and help. I’m not usually short of a word or two, but it’s difficult to find the words to do justice to just how much Rebel Energy’s support has helped the Club this season. I think it would be fair to say the agreement with Rebel gave the whole Board a boost as well after a very difficult first few weeks at the helm.
Rebel Energy’s brand and mission – dedicating themselves to ending fuel poverty and restoring the planet – is both very appropriate in the current economic climate, but also something I feel aligns with the values of our community club. Our relationship with Rebel is one I’m looking to maintain beyond this season but regardless what happens moving forward, the Club should remember fondly for years to come the name of the business that stepped up in our hour of need. Thanks to Dan, Mark, Neil and everyone at Rebel Energy for your immense support this season and we hope you have a great day with us today.
We recently welcomed Matt Taylor to the Board to help head-up the Commercial aspect of the Club with me. Matt’s an extremely well-connected and experienced individual but above all else he’s a huge Diamonds fan. We’ve been having some really positive conversations with both local and national businesses regarding next season and have set ourselves some optimistic targets which together, I’m sure we can meet. Driving more commercial revenue for the Club than ever before is going to be key to getting the Club back on the straight and narrow and with that in mind, if you know of anybody that may be interested in supporting AFC Rushden & Diamonds, please contact me on alex.raspin@afc-diamonds.com. I’d be thrilled to hear from you.
Up the Diamonds!
Alex Raspin
Vice-Chairman & Commercial Director
