Another Diamond Day For Supporters Club

Again,a lovely lunch was provided for members who listened to an impressive array of guest speakers which started with Joe Elliott. Joe having retired from his motor parts business two and a half years ago spends around seventy hours a week working on behalf of the club and is involved on many fronts. He is still a massive City supporter and remembers his first game in 1955 which was a friendly against Preston.

The Diamond Club were then pleased to welcome new manager Iain Dowie and his assistant Tim Flowers. Both had taken time out of training with Flowers admitting that the players were now stopping late and training for longer on their own free will.

Mr Dowie reported that the players had opened their mind to his ideas and was happy to report that every player had embraced his ways. He went on to say that his early morning routine now involved the first team plus youth players having breakfast together and the whole squad were having training sessions together. Some of the new training methods include swimming and boxing and at a time when others are looking to scrap their Academies,Mr Dowie said that he believed in the system which he hoped would provide many more first team players.

Described by one supporter as "infectious", it was pleasing to hear Iain admit that if he would do the job for nothing such is his love for the game and felt very lucky to be able to do this for a living. He said that his first ten days or so in charge had been a laugh and there is a good spirit amongst the players.

Although he admitted that the squad will need tinkering with,he felt that we have a squad of talented players and players who give everything. He said that as long as every player gives everything we cannot ask for anymore and that everyone will get their chance.

Dowie was quick to praise Tim Flowers and John Harbin describing both as people he would want by his side and admitted that he had absolute trust in them both. He received an excellent ovation before shaking hands with supporters and signing autographs before heading back to the training ground.

Next up was Kirk Stephens and the former defender said that he is involved in Walsgrave Construction and Crystal Vision a company making LCD TV's. He is also involved in the Academy and believed that the future of the club is in schools. This was backed up by Ken Sharp who spoke about schools coming into the club on a match day and instead of going onto the concourses, having a kickabout and something to eat in the Jaguar Exhibition Centre before watching the game.

Micky Gynn was then introduced to those assembled. Now a postman whose round includes Ryton, Micky joked that he gets up at 3.30am every work morning and Iain Dowie was more than welcome to join him on his round! He felt that Mr Dowie and his team would do well at the club and also mentioned about the relaxed time on the night before the FA Cup Final which included a few beers and a game of cards.

Covsupport's Kev Monks spoke about the reserves and getting back into a reserve league next season with Lionel Bird talking about the headstone appeal for Singers FC founding father Willie Starley who lies in an unmarked grave in London Road Cemetery.

A raffle and game of bingo finished what was a highly enjoyable afternoon.

If you would like more information on the Diamond Club please email dentithtom@aol.com