Full name | Rushden & Diamonds Football Club | ||
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Nickname(s) | The Diamonds | ||
Founded | 1992 | ||
Ground | Nene Park Irthlingborough (Capacity: 6,441 (4,641 seated)) |
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Chairman | Keith Cousins | ||
Manager | Justin Edinburgh | ||
League | Conference National | ||
2009–10 | Conference National, 4th | ||
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Rushden & Diamonds Football Club are a football league football club based in Irthlingborough, Northamptonshire, England. Formed by a merger of Rushden Town and Irthlingborough Diamonds in 1992, the club currently plays in the Conference National following a short spell in the Football League at the start of the 2000s. Nicknamed "The Diamonds", the club plays at Nene Park and can boast its own radio station, Radio Diamonds.
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History
The merger and the early years (1992-1996)
Rushden and Diamonds was formed on 21 April 1992 by a merger of Rushden Town and Irthlingborough Diamonds, the brainchild of Max Griggs. The club's first few seasons were remarkable for the success the team enjoyed, finishing 3rd in the Southern League Midland Division in their inaugural season. The following year they won the division, winning promotion to the Southern League Premier Division, and two years later the Diamonds were again promoted as champions. The team had gained promotion to the Football Conference after just four years as a club.
The Football League
The team then spent five seasons attempting to reach The Football League, finishing 12th in the 1996–97 season, and then 4th, 4th and 2nd in the Football Conference before they finally won promotion to the Football League as champions in 2001. In their first season they reached the Division Three playoff final but lost to Cheltenham Town. In 2003, they won the division, pipping Hartlepool United to the Division Three championship on the last day of the season - their third promotion/league title in eight seasons.
The 2003–04 season was a difficult for Rushden & Diamonds. Despite hopes of another promotion a run of bad results during the winter saw the club slip down the table, and in March 2004 Brian Talbot left the club after seven years as manager. Barry Hunter took over as caretaker player-manager but due to his managerial inexperience, and financial and footballing ineptitude, they were relegated in 22nd place after losing their last game of the season.
Ernie Tippett was confirmed as permanent manager for the start of the 2004–05 season. However, after a dismal run of results which saw the team the media predicted as promotion contenders fall to 22nd place in League Two, he was sacked, and replaced by Barry Hunter, who was later appointed full-time manager. The club staved off relegation. The following season, after a summer in which Max Griggs handed the club over to the Supporters' Trust, the club continued to struggle and on 29 April, Rushden were relegated to the Conference. Hunter's contract was not renewed over the summer.
Back in the Conference
2006-2007 - The club's first season back in the Conference was marked by change on and off the pitch. Helen Thompson became chairperson and Keith Cousins took over the club, and four managers (Paul Hart, Tony Godden, Graham Westley and Garry Hill) took control of the club at different times during the season. The club eventually finished 12th.
2007–08 - The season ended with the club in 16th place. However, while the league campaign was disappointing the Diamonds enjoyed their cup campaigns. They reached the 2nd round of the 2007–08 FA Cup and became runners up of the Conference League Cup, losing out to Aldershot Town after a 3-3 draw resulted in a penalty shoot-out, and also reached the FA Trophy quarter-finals.
2008-2009 - Rushden were pre-season joint favourites to win the league. However by the end of October the club were in 12th place. After losing to Evesham United in the FA Cup, on a day the official site described as "one of the darkest" in their history[1], eight players were transfer-listed [2]. After a 3-0 defeat to Burton Albion and a long winless stretch, Garry Hill resigned on 10 February 2009 with Justin Edinburgh taking over as caretaker manager. A 1-0 win over rivals Kettering brought some consolation to the season. The team eventually finished 11th.
2009-2010 - Justin Edinburgh began the season as the full-time manager. The team made the play-offs with three games to go, having lost just twice between January and the end of the season. Rushden faced Oxford United in the semi-finals, and lost 3-1 on aggregate after drawing the first leg 1-1. The second leg at the Kassam Stadium set a record for the highest ever attendance at a Conference game. They also progressed to the second round of the FA Cup, having beaten Workington and Hinckley United before being knocked out by Brighton & Hove Albion.
Stadium
Rushden & Diamonds play their home games at Nene Park. Located on the outskirts of Irthlingborough, Northamptonshire adjacent to the A6,[3] the stadium has a capacity of 6,441 (4,641 seated). The grounds of Nene Park were obtained from the water board in 1969, providing the home for Irthlingborough Diamonds for over 20 years.[4]
Redevelopment
Beginning in February 1992 soon after the merger between Rushden Town and Irthlingborough Diamonds, lasting roughly a decade,[3] the ground was vastly redeveloped for an estimated £30 million.[4] The first stage of the project involved the construction of a new all-seater North Stand. With a capacity of 1,000, the new facility was completed in the summer of 1993 ready for the new season. The club then wasted no time in turning their attentions to a brand new South Stand. The existing structure, including dressing rooms and clubhouse were torn down. In their place was built another all-seated stand, with capacity of just over 1,000, similar in design to the North Stand. The brand new Diamond Centre was erected along with new floodlights and a freshly laid pitch, as the stadium continued to take shape. The new structures were officially opened in April 1995 by HRH Prince of Wales. The focus then turned to the west side of the ground and the construction of the Peter De Banke (home) terrace, capable of holding 1,800. With three sides of the ground complete and the capacity rising to over 4,000, the east side would form the final redevelopment stage.
The east stand was to be the focal point of the ground. Initially without a roof, the new Airwair Stand was completed in December 1996 holding a total of 2,372. In the following summer the roof was finally installed. The original plans also included the addition of a second tier should the club reach the Football League, however this was never added. Although thought to be too big when built, the North Stand underwent some significant improvements. The press box was relocated further east along the stand to make room for brand new corporate boxes at the back of the structure. Behind the stand, new offices and administration facilities were built, as well as a 150 square-metre club souvenir 'Doc Shop'. The new complex was opened on July 16, 1998, by club chairman Max Griggs. Away from the stadium itself, during the 1997/1998 campaign improvements were made to the training ground. New dressing rooms were constructed beside Pitch 2, with two entirely new training pitches (3 and 4) added to the Nene Park portfolio. Some years later shortly before the 2000/2001 season, the Dr. Martens Sports and Exhibition Centre with gymnasium, recreational facilities and offices was opened. An all-weather pitch was developed later on in the season to complete the work.[3]
Rivalries
R&DFC - Kettering Town rivalry
Rushden's main rivals are nearby Kettering Town. The clubs have played fourteen competitive games together, all coming in the Conference National. The first competitive game between the sides was played out in the 1996-1997 season, with Rushden running out 1-0 winners. The clubs remained in the same division for five seasons before, in 2001, Rushden gained promotion to the Football League, while Kettering were relegated that same season from the Conference. After a seven year gap, in 2008–09 the teams again found themselves in the same division, after Rushden suffered two relegations and Kettering gained promotion from the Conference North.
What is perhaps most notable about this rivalry is the one-sided nature the results outline. In the 14 league games, and over 1,000 minutes of league football played between the two sides, Kettering have won just once, while Rushden have won eight times. In the same number of games Rushden have scored 23 goals to the Poppies' six goals.[5] The most recent game occurred on Tuesday 30 March, with the Diamonds again securing local bragging rights. After making the short 12 mile trip to Rockingham Road, Rushden ran out comfortable 3-0 winners against their arch rivals, with goals from Craig Farrell, Mark Byrne and Lee Tomlin securing an emphatic derby victory.[6]
During a friendly match between the teams in 2005 two flares were thrown onto the pitch.[7] In another game between the two sides at Rockingham Road on Shrove Tuesday eggs and flour were thrown over the wall at the Rushden fans. In a game between the two teams at Nene Park a flare was thrown from the pitch from the Rushden section, prompting an investigation. That game also saw nine arrests, the use of 60 police officers, and a police helicopter.[8]
A league table made up of league matches between the two sides.
Rank | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Points |
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1 | Rushden & Diamonds | 14 | 8 | 5 | 1 | 23 | 6 | +17 | 29 |
2 | Kettering Town | 14 | 1 | 5 | 8 | 6 | 23 | -17 | 8 |
R&DFC - Northampton Town rivalry
The rivalry between the Diamonds and Northampton Town occurred between 2004–2006, when the two clubs played in League Two together for two seasons. Eight games have been played between the sides - four competitive league games and four pre-season cup games. The Diamonds have recorded a sole league victory over Northampton, a 3–2 win.[9] They have also beaten their rivals in two pre-season Maunsell Cup games. Overall Northampton lead Rushden 13-7.[5]
Other local rivals
Rushden also held a rivalry with a number of other teams, including Peterborough United and Luton Town. Some Diamonds fans still see Peterborough as rivals, but Peterborough fans do not see Diamonds as rivals at all. Past rivalries from the club's younger years were enjoyed with Cheltenham Town and Yeovil Town. These rivalries, however, have diminished in intensity since Rushden's relegation from the Football League, and subsequent lack of games between the sides. However, due to Luton Town's relegation from the Football League in the 2008–09 season, the mild rivalry between the two sides may set to be re-introduced. Rushden recorded their first ever win over Luton on 31 October 2009, with a 2-0 success at Kenilworth Road.[10]
Club Badge
Rushden & Diamonds' club crest requires some explanation. The clubs traditional colours are red, white and blue, which are reflected in the club’s badge. The crest uses aspects from both the respective Rushden Town and Irthlingborough Diamonds badges. It is formed by a shield-like shape, with ‘R&DFC’ written in banner form underneath. In the top left corner is the Rampant Lion, representing the Sartoris family, who donated some land on Hayden Road to Rushden Sports Club in 1922.
On the opposite side at the top sit the Crosskeys of St. Peter’s Church in Irthlingborough. Taken from the old Irthlingborough Diamonds crest, there are two keys, one for heaven and one for hell. Below the Lion in the bottom left quarter of the badge are the ‘Blue Diamonds’, taken from the old Irthlingborough Diamonds logo. Similarly, the three ‘Red and White Hoops’ sitting to the right originate from Rushden Town’s badge. An illustration of the local River Nene runs through the centre of the badge, whilst the football located between the Diamonds and Hoops is of course self-explanatory.[11]
Managers
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Players
- As of 11 May 2010.
Current squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Management
- Chairman: Keith Cousins
- Strategic Director: Helen Thompson
- Manager: Justin Edinburgh
- Assistant Manager: Michael Stone
- Goalkeeper Coach: Geoff Warne
- Physio Simon Parsell
Most appearances
Only eight players have made over 200 appearances for the club:
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Most goals
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Other records
- Biggest home victory: Rushden & Diamonds 8–0 Gateshead, 13 March 2010.[12]
- Biggest away victory: Weymouth 0–9 Rushden & Diamonds, 21 February 2009.[13]
- Heaviest defeat: Coventry City 8–0 Rushden & Diamonds, Football League Cup, 2 October 2002.[14]
- Record attendance: 6,431, vs Leeds United, FA Cup Third Round, 4 January 1999.[15]
Honours
League
- Football League Division Three Playoff Finalists (Runners-up) 2001-2002
- Football Conference Champions 2000-2001
- Southern League Premier Division Champions 1995-1996
- Southern League Division One Midlands Champions 1993-1994
Cups
- Conference League Cup Runners up 2008
- NFA Hillier Cup Winners Winners (4): 1994, 1999, 2007, 2008
- NFA Maunsell winners Winners(4): 1995, 2000, 2006, 2008
- Conference Shield Winners Winners(1): 2001
- Southern League Championship Cup Winners(1): 1997
References
- ^ http://www.thediamondsfc.com/page/MatchReport/0,,10784~46611,00.html
- ^ http://www.thediamondsfc.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10784~1436174,00.html
- ^ a b c http://www.rdfcnet.co.uk/pages/nene_park.asp
- ^ a b http://www.thediamondsfc.com/page/NenePark/0,,10784,00.html
- ^ a b http://www.thediamondsfc.com/page/Stats/0,,10784~1646947,00.html
- ^ http://www.thediamondsfc.com/page/MatchReport/0,,10784~50272,00.html
- ^ http://www.thediamondsfc.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10784~688210,00.html
- ^ http://www.thediamondsfc.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10784~1628559,00.html
- ^ http://www.thediamondsfc.com/page/MatchReport/0,,10784~26071,00.html
- ^ http://www.thediamondsfc.com/page/MatchReport/0,,10784~50156,00.html
- ^ http://www.footballcrests.com/clubs/rushden-diamonds-fc
- ^ http://www.thediamondsfc.com/page/MatchReport/0,,10784~49841,00.html
- ^ http://www.thediamondsfc.com/page/MatchReport/0,,10784~46215,00.html
- ^ http://www.thediamondsfc.com/page/MatchReport/0,,10784~21159,00.html
- ^ http://www.thediamondsfc.com/page/ClubHistory/0,,10784,00.html
External links
- Rushden & Diamonds F.C. on BBC Sport: Club News – Recent results – Upcoming fixtures – Club stats
- Rushden & Diamonds official website
- Stats from Rushden & Diamonds Football League days
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