Rushden & Diamonds F.C.
Rushden & Diamonds ( officially: Rushden & Diamonds Football Club ) - also known as The Diamonds - was a company based in Irthlingborough, Northamptonshire English football club that played in the Conference National. On 11 June 2011, the club was expelled from the league because of his financial problems, which led to its dissolution.
History
Foundation
Rushden & Diamonds were formed on 21 April 1992 by Max Griggs, owner of the shoe company Dr. Martens. He had bought two clubs ( Rushden Town and Irthlingborough Diamonds) and these merged to form a club. Rushden & Diamonds played their home games at Nene Park in Irthlingborough, Northamptonshire.
The first years
The team began in the Southern League, Division 1 From 1997 to 2001 the club played in the Football Conference. Coach was Brian Talbot. 2001 promotion to the Football League, the lowest English professional league.
Ascension into the professional business
In the first season the club reached the Division 3 playoff final, but where he lost against Cheltenham Town. In 2003, he went on then, as the very last matchday Hartlepool United was defeated. So the third promotion to eight years. In March 2004, Brian Talbot left the club. He took the lead at Oldham Athletic. New coach was Barry Hunter, who had no experience. At the end of the season the club was relegated again. Through a series of defeats in the winter and the necessary sale of some top players, to settle debts, it was that he descended again as 22 in the league. Trainer was at the end of the season Ernie Tippett, and remained so for the 04/ 05 season. Despite a large number of new players and although it was traded as a climbing aspirant, the club quickly found himself at number 22 again, so you Barry Hunter pulled back and not descent. In the summer of 2005 Max Griggs resigned as president of the club. From the fans a group has been established to guide the club itself. At Griggs handed him the club, the stadium and 22 acres of land. In addition, Griggs promised the club £ 500,000 in the season 05/ 06 and £ 250,000 in the 06/07 season to provide. On 3 June 2005, the club was officially handed over. He is the first to be guided only by fans. After the 05/ 06 season Rushden & Diamonds rose again in the Conference National.
Return to the Conference National
The 2006/07 season the club finished in 12th from the Conference National. For the 07/ 08 season Garry Hill was coach. The season started not very successful: after a draw on Matchday 1, there sat three defeats in a row. The club finished the season 2007/ 08 on the 16th place and managed to avoid relegation, in the following season was with the 11th rank of the uptrend confirmed.
Special Players
The scorer of the club was Darren Collins, who scored 152 goals in 286 games.
The first goal in the history of the club shot Ollie Kearns on August 22, 1992 in Bilston Town.
Eight players brought it to more than 200 missions for the team:
- England Garry Butterworth (371 games)
- England Andy Burgess (333 games)
- England Paul Underwood (301 games)
- England Darren Collins (286 games)
- England Billy Turley (253 games)
- England Tim Wooding (247 games)
- England Jim (James) Rodwell (207 games)
- England Andy peaks ( 205 games)