What does the start of the rainy season mean for non-league football? Should we change our perception of what is and isn’t okay to play football on? Let’s discuss!

A message from our Chairman 🟡⚫ Thank You Keith 💛 UP THE BANSTEAD! 🟡⚫

Come with me to watch @FCRusthall take on @HHTFC in the FA Vase as they saw out a 6 goal thriller!

NEW SIGNING ✍️ | BILLY SHARP After 21 years away, AFC Rushden & Diamonds are excited to announce that @billysharp10 becomes a Diamond once again. Billy scored the first of 299 goals for Rushden & Diamonds back in 2005. The man who put the ball in the cobblers net, has 299 career goals spanning over 22 years. Featuring for RDFC, Sheffield United Doncaster Rovers, Southampton, & Scunthorpe to name a few! Billy comes in to help the Club with James Clifton being suspended and we can’t wait to see him pull on the shirt one final time as we go to Burton Albion in the FA Cup 1st Round Proper for the first time ever in AFC Rushden & Diamonds history. Limited tickets for the FA Cup match at Burton are still available: ticketpass.org/event/EPCDST/…

Be interested to hear from Southend fans about their season. Winless in 4 in all comps, conceded late on again today this time to lose the match. Still third so by no means a car crash but… is this good enough?

Goalll! Rusthall have weathered the storm second half and have now made it @FCRusthall 4-2 @HHTFC!

Well well well… @FCRusthall 3-2 @HHTFC. A complete reversal of the first half. Heath right back in this!

Not long started the second half and it’s now @FCRusthall 3-1 @HHTFC.. comeback on?

And just like that it’s @FCRusthall 2-0 @HHTFC! Look at the passion!

Half time here and it remains @FCRusthall 3-0 @HHTFC. The away side grew into things as the half went on but a sensational opening 25 minutes from Rusthall puts them deservedly ahead!

What a performance this has been from the home side! @FCRusthall 3-0 @HHTFC!

GOALL! A beautiful build up followed by a great finish and it’s @FCRusthall 1-0 @HHTFC

On site for @FCRusthall vs @HHTFC in the FA Vase! Love a cup match 🤩

📣New Signing!!! ✍️ We’re super excited to welcome to Romsey Oli page 💙💛🙌 “I’m delighted to bring Oli to the club. He’s been a player that I’ve admired for a while and when the opportunity came about to possibly sign him, it was a no brainer to see if we could get a deal done. He’ll add quality, strength, intelligence and goals to an already exciting front line and will play a huge role in taking us another step forward to where we want to be. I’d also like to thank Manna at Fleetlands for helping play a part in Oli signing for us and I’m confident our supporters will enjoy seeing him play in a Romsey shirt.” -Andy Samuels- Oli says “It’s great to be joining Romsey, since speaking with Andy it’s clear the club have a vision and it’s good to be a part of that, looking forward to getting playing!” #upthetown Photo by @cbradburyphotos @olipage1201 @Andy_Samuels

I’ll be heading over to @FCRusthall today for some FA Vase action. First time visiting the club so very much looking forward to it!

NEW SIGNING | CHARLIE AMES ✍️ We’re delighted to announce the signing of defender Charlie Ames, who joins The Larks from Brislington FC. Welcome to Larkhall, Charlie!

✍️ 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗥𝗟𝗜𝗘 𝗣𝗥𝗜𝗖𝗘 𝗦𝗜𝗚𝗡𝗦! We’re pleased to confirm the signing of experienced goalkeeper Charlie Price. Charlie joins Gornal Athletic with over 200 Stourbridge appearances to his name, as well as spells at Alvechurch and Bromsgrove Sporting. Charlie goes straight into the squad on Saturday as we travel to Ashby Ivanhoe in the FA Vase Second Round Proper! A fantastic addition to the squad, welcome aboard, Charlie! #PeacocksAyWe #CP32

We are delighted to confirm the appointment of Calum McIntyre as our new manager. Calum is no stranger to Haig Avenue having been in the Chester dugout on a few occasions in the past. He was appointed Chester Manager in May 2022, and he lead them to two National League North play offs also  recording the club’s highest points totals in over a decade. They reached the 2024/25 Play-Off Final. He also guided the club to the FA Cup First Round Proper twice and set a club record of 23 away league games unbeaten. He was named National League North Manager of the Year in 2023 and received three Manager of the Month awards in his spell at Chester. Calum left Chester in February 2026 with his contract due to end at the end of the 2025/26 season having spent 14 years at the club starting out as a junior coach back in 2011. He started out in management at Runcorn Linnets at the age of just 26 enjoying a successful time at the club in a two year spell. At just 33 years old Calum will be one of the youngest managers to have stepped into the Haig Avenue hot seat. We all wish him every success in the role as he looks to guide the club up the table. Welcome to Southport Calum.

Thoughts on this? I feel like it's okay to be passionate, even angry, but you need to actually coach at the same time. As manager it's your job to change things, not just to make a scene 🤷‍♂️