Jason Edinburgh: 'I did sign a new deal but if there's no club to manage, what can you do?'
Just look at what can happen to clubs that don't pay their bills!
Rushden & Diamonds have been expelled from the Blue Square Bet Premier at the league's annual general meeting.
The decision was taken in light of the club's precarious financial position, which meant they could not guarantee being able to fulfil their fixtures for the 2011/12 season.
On Monday they will face a court hearing after a major creditor issued a winding-up order over unpaid debts.
Rushden, managed by former Shrimper, Spurs and Pompey left back Justin Edinburgh (as well as a game for Billericay!), suffered a five-point deduction last season after being found guilty of submitting incorrect financial information.
Chairman Steve Beasant said: "We've been informed of the decision to expel us from the division. We weren't allowed to attend the AGM as we were suspended from membership so we were not allowed to voice our opinion."
Beasant also added that the club will now apply to take its place in the Zamaretto League.
And he has updated this further with news that the Diamonds plan to appeal: www.thediamondsfc.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10784~2374884,00.html
Edinburgh, who recently penned a new contract, said: "It's very sad news, especially for the fans as they have been so loyal. I really built up a rapport with them. I did sign a new deal but if there's no club to manage, what can you do? I don't know where this leaves me.I hope they survive but then we'll have to see what league they go into.This will all unravel over the next few days but it's just a very sad situation."
The club was formed in 1992 as the result of a merger between Rushden Town and Irthlingborough Diamonds.
At the turn of the Millennium the club enjoyed a four-year spell in the Football League, spending the 2003/04 season in League One.
So it could be 'thank our lucky stars' Southport, who finished fourth from bottom of the Conference, and would be reprieved, however there may be a sting in the tail as a winding-up petition brought against Rushden & Diamonds has been adjourned for 21 days.
Northampton County Court heard on Monday that the Diamonds expect to be able to pay their creditors in the form of finance from Japanese investors!
The petition is headed by catering company Cloverdale, who are owed in the region of £65,000, but the club owes money to a range of creditors, including a debt of around £189,000 to HM Revenue & Customs.
A potential takeover by an investment consortium backing the Glenn Hoddle Academy was ruled out on Friday.
Blimey, it's all happening in the midlands, Steve McCllaren back in English football at Nottingham Forest for gawds sake, but good luck to Justin.
The Shrimpers v R&D: www.southendunited-mad.co.uk/footydb/loadhed.asp?teama=455&teamb=480
Back in Time to 2004: www.southendunited-mad.co.uk
The Edinburgh Files
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| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Justin Charles Edinburgh | ||
| Date of birth | 18 December 1969 | ||
| Place of birth | Basildon, England | ||
| Height | 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) | ||
| Playing position | Defender (retired) | ||
| Club information | |||
| Current club | Rushden & Diamonds (manager) | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 1988–1990 | Southend United | 37 | (0) |
| 1990 | → Tottenham Hotspur (loan) | 0 | (0) |
| 1990–2000 | Tottenham Hotspur | 213 | (1) |
| 2000 | → Portsmouth (loan) | 1 | (0) |
| 2000–2002 | Portsmouth | 34 | (1) |
| 2003–2006 | Billericay Town | 1 | (0) |
| Total | 286 | (2) | |
| Teams managed | |||
| 2003–2006 | Billericay Town (player-manager) | ||
| 2006 | Fisher Athletic | ||
| 2007–2008 | Grays Athletic | ||
| 2009– | Rushden & Diamonds | ||
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 12:55, 16 June 2009 (UTC). † Appearances (Goals). |
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(Manager info supplied by Wikipedia, for the full article go here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justin_Edinburgh)