Upgrade forces temporary switch

The EVO-STIK NPL First Division South club's officials confirmed the temporary switch on Friday from their intended base for the 2017-18 campaign at Rushden & Higham United's Hayden Road to Hillgrounds, pictured, ahead of the Football Association's annual March 31 deadline for clubs to confirm security of tenure on their grounds for the following season.

The deal was struck with the EVO-STIK League Southern Division One Central club after Diamonds members voted overwhelmingly in favour of a switch to the Hayden Road in February but the United Counties League Division One club's ground cannot be readied for action in time action in the higher levels of the National League System.

In a statement on Friday announcing the switch for the 2017-18 campaign while the ground is upgraded, delighted Diamonds officials 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.

AFC Rushden & Diamonds chairman Ralph Burditt said: “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. Hillgrounds is a great place to watch football and we will be proud to call it home during our time there.”

Kempston Rovers chairman Russell 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.”

Images courtesy of pieandmushypeas.blogspot.co.uk

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