New landlords are happy to help out

The Walnut Boys confirmed on Friday that they've agreed to share Hillgrounds with the fan-run EVO-STIK Northern Premier League club as their preferred option to stay in Rushden and play at Rushden & Higham United's Hayden Road isn't ready yet to host action in the higher levels of the National League System.

The EVO-STIK League Southern Division One Central club rode to the rescue after Diamonds members voted overwhelmingly in favour of a switch to Hayden Road in February.

In a joint statement from the clubs on Friday, Kempston Rovers chairman Russell Shreeves said they were delighted to help the Diamonds beat the Football Association's annual March 31 deadline to confirm security of tenure on grounds for the following season and host them while Hayden Road is upgraded for the 2018-19 campaign.

Shreeves said: “We’re very pleased to have signed this agreement with AFC Rushden and Diamonds and look forward to welcoming them and their supporters to our ground for the forthcoming season. We’ve developed an outstanding facility at Hillgrounds and are looking forward to continued success both on and off the pitch for our respective clubs.”

AFC Rushden & Diamonds chairman Ralph Burditt thanked their new landlords for offering them the security of a home from August after their current groundshare agreement at Wellingborough's Dog & Duck ground expires at the end of the season.

Burditt said: “Hillgrounds is a great place to watch football and we will be proud to call it home during our time there. Signing this agreement gives our club the stability which it needs to move forwards following a challenging period of time.

"From our first contact with them, Kempston Rovers have been extremely friendly, accommodating and professional and I am thoroughly looking forward to continuing to work with them.”

Images courtesy of pieandmushypeas.blogspot.co.uk

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