''Rushden & Diamonds – The FA Cup''

Despite such a short history, Rushden & Diamonds have embarked on a number of cup runs, most notably the 1998-99 season. History was made as Rushden won in the first round proper of the FA Cup for the first time.  Victory over Shrewsbury Town and then Doncaster Rovers in the 2^nd Round with a 4-2 replay win at Nene Park embarked on one of the best moments as a Rushden & Diamonds fan. 3^rd Round draw - Leeds United at home.

A record 6,431 spectators watched a side around 90 league places below their opposition record a memorable 0-0 draw, and therefore a replay at Elland Road. 11 days later, over 39,000 watched Rushden & Diamonds do the unexpected. Score first! Carl Heggs’ 11^th minute goal put the Diamonds in front of the many travelling Rushden fans. The international stars of ‘The Whites’ stepped up a gear, with two goals from Alan Smith and one from Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink sparing the premiership outfit any embarrassment.

The following season, the Nene Park side went on another memorable FA Cup run – again as a Non-League team. A 3-0 victory at home over Ilkeston Town in a 2^nd Round Replay, ensured the Northamptonshire side a 3^rd Round tie against Sheffield United. Following an excellent 1-1 draw at Bramall Lane, Rushden held their own and took the Yorkshire side all the way to penalties – finally succumbing to a 6-5 defeat in the shoot-out.

The FA Cup hasn’t been the best of competitions for Rushden over the past decade, with the 2^nd Round only being reached on a couple of occasions. Since returning to a Non-League club, defeats to Tamworth, Bristol Rovers, Evesham United and Yeovil Town have continued this unwanted spell of bad fortune. Albeit the Yeovil defeat to a disappointing refereeing decision, with the winning goal being allowed to stand, despite one player interfering with play approximately 10 yards offside.

18 Years of Rushden & Diamonds

‘’Rushden and Diamonds – That season’’

In the five years that Rushden and Diamonds endured their first spell as a National Conference club, they finished in the top 4 on four occasions. Two-time FA Cup winner Brian Talbot was now the man in control of this rapidly expanding club, but where to go next. The only way is up.

Talbot made one big push for the 2000-01 season, spending almost £300,000 on a new strike force. Justin Jackson from Morecombe and Duane Darby from Notts County were the two men who were going to be in charge of lifting this team that didn’t even exist 10 years ago, into what was only ever considered a dream – the Football League. 

The season started well. Top of the table by the end of September, it looked as if the Diamonds were well on the way for another top 4 finish. Disastrous form during October and November put a dent in these ambitions. Losing 5 games on the trot, the East Northamptonshire outfit found themselves 7 points being Yeovil Town, who also had 2 games in hand, come Christmas. In a dramatic change of fortune, however, Brian Talbot’s men went on a 17 game unbeaten run. Was this the chance?

The month of April was going to be ‘do or die’. Rushden were set to face championship rivals Yeovil Town at Huish Park. Almost 9,000 people watched what was considered as the game of the season. Talbot’s tactic was to defend; and how this worked. The Diamonds left the West Country with a crucial point. Four games remained, and it was the Diamonds to lose.

The unexpected became reality, as Rushden and Diamonds won their remaining games, in addition to Yeovil losing to a last gasp winner by Hereford in the penultimate game of the season. Max Griggs had bought these two struggling Northamptonshire teams together, and created a masterpiece.

Over 3,000 Rushden and Diamonds fans travelled to Chester City for the final game of the season, knowing the Championship and promotion was already in the bag. A Jon Brady strike in the 92^nd minute made the day even sweeter as Rushden and Diamonds left the Deva Stadium with a 2-1 victory, in addition to the Championship Trophy

Final Day Celebrations

‘’Rushden and Diamonds – What is that?’’

Rushden and Diamonds Football Club were formed at the end of the 1991/1992 season between Rushden Town and Irthlingborough Diamonds, two clubs each with its own proud history and tradition.

Rushden Town Football Club was founded in 1889 and competed in the Midland and Northants Leagues before joining the United Counties Leagues in 1901. Apart from a short period from 1956-61, during which the side competed in the Central Alliance, the ‘Russians’ remained in the UCL until 1983, winning the Championship on 10 occasions. It was a bold decision to step up into the Southern League Midland Division and for a time it appeared that the club had over-reached itself, but seven years later it gained promotion to the Southern League Premier Division. However, after finishing in fourteenth place in its first season, Rushden were demoted to the Midland Division as the outdated Hayden Road ground failed to meet the required standard for the Premier Division.

Irthlingborough Diamonds Football Club was formed in 1946 and began playing competitive youth football the following year. After a lengthy association with the Rushden & District Youth and Senior Leagues, the club moved into the Kettering Amateur League in 1960, before joining the United Counties League 4 years later. In 1967 the ‘Diamonds’ won the Division Two title and were promoted into the top section where they remained until 1992. The Championship was won on four occasions – the last of these being in 1982-83. Other notable achievements  included exciting FA Vase runs, which took the team to the semi-finals in 1980-81 and 1983-84.

In 1991-92 both clubs faced an uncertain future and following lengthy  discussions with local businessman Mr Max Griggs regarding possible sponsorship, a merger was agreed. Rushden & Diamonds F.C. was formed with Max Griggs as chairman and representatives from the two original clubs in senior managerial positions. Roger Ashby was appointed as the club’s manager. Ashby had formerly enjoyed considerable success with Irthlingborough Diamonds and was the manager of Rushden Town prior to the amalgamation.