Rushden & Diamonds

Rushden & Diamonds are now managed by the studious ex Tottenham Hotspur stalwart Justin Edinburgh and after a period of austerity are set to rise again.

The merger of  Rushden Town and Irthlingborough Diamonds in 1992 was the  brainchild of Max Griggs – the Doctor Martins king – who ploughed millions into a club team and fabulous stadium having fallen out with Northampton Town.  The success was mercurial with 3 promotions taking them from the Southern League Midland Division to The Conference in 4 years.

Ominously under Brian Talbot, still a legend in these parts it took them 5 years to get out of the conference going into the Football League as champions in 2001. In their first season they reached the Division Three playoff final but lost to Cheltenham Town. Then in 2003, they were Champions again on the division, pipping the monkey hangers aka Hartlepool United - their third promotion in eight seasons. The wheels came off the cart the following season (2004/5) as R & D was relegated and Talbot sacked.

The following year Max Griggs gave club to the Supporters' Trust and a second relegation ensued back to the Conference. The financial uncertainty continued for another 3 seasons with the club languishing in the bottom half of the table. Then Edinburgh took over in Feb 2009 & guided then to 10th. Last season they were fourth losing to eventual playoff winners Oxford 3-1 on aggregate.

With the exception of Lee Tomlin’s transfer to Peterborough for an undisclosed fee they have only got stronger with 10 new signings. Jamie Day came as part of that deal with Peterborough for an undisclosed fee and Shane Huke arrives from Central Coast Mariners.  Also in at no fee Max York from Histon, Matthew Johnson from Lewes, Alan Power from Hartlepool plus dark horses Joe Keehan from Aveley and Justin Miller from Bidvest Wits. He has also taken on three frees, Ryan Charles , Donovan Simmonds and Lewis Spence

Rushden & Diamonds   http://www.thediamondsfc.com Official site

Full name Rushden & Diamonds Football Club   Nickname(s) The Diamonds

Founded 1992  Ground  Nene Park Irthlingborough (Capacity: 6,441 (4,641 seated)) Highest Crowd 4535
Ave Gate 1522

Chairman Keith Cousins    Manager Justin Edinburgh    2009-10 Conference National, 4th

Goalkeepers 
Dale Roberts (1) Joe Day (13)

Defenders 
Justin Miller (2) Kurt Robinson (3) Jamie Stuart (5) Curtis Osano (6) ynsley Mcdonald (21)

Midfielders 
Lewwis Spence Max Porter (4) Jamie Day (11) Alan Power (14) Joe Keehan (15)Michael Corcoran (16) Matt Johnson (18) Shane Huke (20) Max York (23)
       
Forwards
Donovan Simmonds, Aaron O'connor (8) Craig Farrell (9) Neil Cousins (12) Sam Smith (17) Ryan Charles (19) Nabil Shariff (22) 

IN
Donovan Simmonds unattached
Lewis Spence unattached
Shane Huke Central Coast Mariners - Free
Max York Histon - Free
Matthew Johnson Lewes - Undisclosed
Joe Keehan Aveley - Undisclosed
Alan Power Hartlepool - Free
Ryan Charles unattached - Free
Jamie Day - Peterborough - Undisclosed
Justin Miller Bidvest Wits - Free

OUT
Lee Tomlin - Peterborough Undisclosed