AFC Rushden & Diamonds
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| Nickname(s) | The Diamonds | ||
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| Founded | 2011 | ||
| Ground | Dog & Duck London Road Wellingborough Northamptonshire NN8 2DP[1] | ||
| Capacity | 2500 | ||
| Chairman | Ralph Burditt | ||
| Manager | Mark Starmer | ||
| League | United Counties League Division One[2] | ||
| Website | Club website | ||
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AFC Rushden & Diamonds is an English football club based in Northamptonshire. They played their opening season at Kiln Park, the home of Raunds Town and are now sharing the Dog & Duck ground with Wellingborough Town for their first senior season. The club was formed in July 2011 by supporters after Rushden & Diamonds were expelled from the Football Conference and subsequently liquidated.[3][4][5] At an open meeting chaired by a supporters group called SaveRDFC, a mandate was agreed upon to create a phoenix club,[4][6] fully owned and controlled by its supporters. A team was created and accepted into the Northants Senior Youth League for the 2011–12 season, while a senior team will play in the United Counties Football League Division One for the 2012–13 season.[2]
History
Background
The original Rushden & Diamonds was formed on 21 April 1992, following the merger of Irthlingborough Diamonds and Rushden Town. The club's early years were marked by success. Within four seasons the club had reached the Conference National, and within nine the club were members of The Football League. However, following their promotion to Division Two the Diamonds' fortunes took a turn for the worse. The club were relegated twice in three years, and suffered instability off the field. Seven different managers took charge of the team between March 2004 and May 2011, while the club itself was controlled by four different parties during the same period. Following a period of sustained financial difficulties during the 2010–11 season, the club were expelled from the Conference at the end of the campaign,[7] and entered administration that July.[8]
Establishment
AFC Rushden & Diamonds was created during the summer of 2011 by Rushden & Diamonds fans as a "phoenix club" after the original Diamonds were expelled from the Conference National, and subsequently went on to fail to secure a place in the Southern League Premier Division.[9] After missing the FA league deadline for registering a senior side, AFC R&D formed a youth team to compete in the Northants Senior Youth League for the club's inaugural 2011–12 season, with the intention of fielding a senior side the following year. Following an open fans meeting, supporters voted to play their games for the 2011–12 season at Kiln Park, Raunds, the home of Raunds Town.[10] On 18 July 2011 the club announced the appointment of former Rushden & Diamonds head of youth development Mark Starmer as their first manager, initially taking control of the U18s side.[11] On 22 July 2011, AFC Rushden & Diamonds U18's were accepted into the Northants Senior Youth League for the 2011–12 season.[12]
2011–12 season
With no senior side registered in time for the 2011–12 season, the club focused solely on its U18s side. AFC R&D played their first official match in a 3–0 loss to Raunds Town in a friendly youth match played on 6 August 2011, attended by 350 supporters.[13] The first ever competitive goal scored at any level for the new club was a penalty from Lewi Williams in the inaugural match of the Dale Roberts Memorial Cup against Cleveland Juniors at Kiln Park on 14 August 2011.[14] The Diamonds played their first competitive game on 25 August 2011, running out comfortable 3–0 winners against Daventry Town in the Northants Senior Youth League, watched by 467 supporters. On 9 October 2011, the club won its first ever competitive cup match, winning 7–0 over Wellingborough Vicarage Farm in the NFA U18's Cup.[15]
Throughout the season much was done to integrate AFC R&D into the local footballing community. Deals were struck with St Neots Town, South Rushden Junior Football Club, Raunds Town and Wellingborough Town. Between them, these local partnerships saw money donated to the club, the establishment of a youth development programme, and the acquirement of a playing field and home ground until the end of the 2012–13 season.[16][17] On 24 March 2012, Mark Starmer was announced as First Team Manager for the 2012–13 season.[18] The club ended the league campaign in a respectable mid-table position, finishing in fifth place with 30 points from their 16 games.[19]
The first season of existence for AFC Rushden & Diamonds also ended in cup success, winning the NSYL Knock-Out Cup at Steel Park, the home of Corby Town. In the final Diamonds beat AFC Kempston Rovers 4–1, securing their first piece of silverware ahead of a crowd of 479.[20] Ex-Rushden & Diamonds player Andy Peaks was appointed as First Team Assistant Manager on 5 May 2012.[21]
2012–13 season
A senior side has been registered to play in the United Counties Football League Division One for the 2012–13 season, playing its home games at the Dog and Duck, home of Wellingborough Town. There will also be a ladies team,[22] and three new academy sides competing in the Junior Premier League.[23]
Friendlies
The senior side's first match was to be played against Wellingborough Town but was cancelled due to a waterlogged pitch. Instead, the senior team's first game was a 3-0 victory in a friendly against Crawley Green, a Spartan South Division One (level 10) team, on July 17 2012. Striker Peter Okechukwu scored the senior team's first goal, and a crowd of approximately 100 watched the match.[24] The following match, a friendly against Southern Football League Premier Division team (Level 7) St Neots Town ended in a 3-3 draw.[25]
League matches
The opening league match will be at home against Thrapston Town on 18 August 2012.[26]
Club badge
The club badge was voted on by the fans from three possible designs and was unveiled on 9 August 2011 at a fans forum at Kiln Park.[27][28] It draws heavily upon the original Rushden and Diamonds, Rushden Town and Irthlingborough Diamonds crests. The "Rampant Lion", Crosskeys of Saint Peter's Church, blue diamonds and red stripes all reflect this inspiration.[29]
Squads
Senior team
Correct as of 23rd July 2012[30][30] Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Retired numbers
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Managers
Club officials
Kit
League history
HonoursYouth
See alsoReferences
External links
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