Club History

The end of the 2010/11 football season saw the sudden and cruel demise of Rushden & Diamonds football club. After nineteen years of numerous highs and lows, a small group of the club’s supporters decided to take it upon themselves to try and ensure that those memories survived, that the friendships built up during that period could continue and prosper, and that the name Rushden & Diamonds would not be condemned to the footballing annals of yesteryear. The result was the birth of AFC Rushden & Diamonds. A huge amount of work had already begun behind the scenes, but the inauguration of the ‘Phoenix’ club really took place on July 1st 2011 following a meeting of approximately 170 supporters at the Pemberton Centre in Rushden. Those in attendance voted overwhelmingly in favour of creating a new club, and decided upon the name AFC Rushden & Diamonds. The ethos right from the outset was to create a community club controlled by thefans, for the fans, with no one person having a definitive say in how it is run. Hence the slogan “One fan, one vote, one community, one club.” An acting committee was quickly assembled, consisting of a number of willing volunteers, in order to manage the day to day running of the new club. The creation of AFC R&D came too late to feasibly put together a senior side for the 2011/12 season, so it was decided that the club would run only an under 18s side for the first year of its existence. The aim would then be to assemble a senior side for the 2012/13 season with a view to competing in the United Counties League. The club successfully applied to enter the Northants Senior Youth League Western Division for 2011/12. Another open fans’ meeting ensued where it was decided that AFC Rushden & Diamonds would play its home games at Kiln Park, home of Raunds Town FC. The next issue to be voted upon was the playing colours, with the white and blue home kit and yellow and black away kit that had become synonymous with the name Rushden & Diamonds being adopted by the fledgling club. On July 18th, less than three weeks on since the inception of AFC Rushden & Diamonds, the club announced a major coup with the appointment of Mark Starmer as manager for the club’s inaugural season. Starmer brought with him a terrific pedigree in youth football, having just led the Rushden & Diamonds U18s side to a league and cup double. With things taking shape off the field, work began in earnest to put together a competitive team on the pitch. Things kicked off with a 5-4 victory in a training game against Rothwell Corinthians, where more than 30 players were given the opportunity to impress the new manager. 3-0 defeats to Raunds Reserves and Wellingborough Whitworth U18s followed as the club played its first games in public,before the showpiece game of pre-season; the inaugural Dale Roberts Memorial Cup. It was a great desire of everyone involved in the formation of AFC R&D that something be done to honour the memory of Dale Roberts, the popular Rushden & Diamonds goalkeeper who tragically passed away in December 2010. A memorial cup was arranged in his name and will be played every year between AFC R&D U18s and Cleveland Juniors, Dale’s first club. Cleveland Juniors won the first ever game 3-2, but the result was immaterial as around £3000 was raised for the Dale Roberts Memorial Fund. As a further tribute to Dale, the number 1 shirt was retired indefinitely and presented to his parents, George and Isabel Roberts, prior to the game. By the time the new club played their first competitive game on August 25^th 2011, around 40 enthusiastic volunteers were assisting the Acting Committee run the club. The NYSL game against Daventry Town was attended by 470 supporters, a record attendance for the league. As things began to come together on the pitch, the hard work continued behind the scenes. With the help of Supporters’ Direct, a Club constitution was drafted and the club became a Community Benefit Society. A membership scheme was then launched, with members receiving one ordinary share in the club and giving each member one vote in future club decisions. The commercial side of the club was now developing as sponsors were sought and acquired in good numbers. “Playfish” (a leader in the social gaming industry) became the club’s main sponsor. Locally, fundraising events were planned and held, helping the club to engage with the community. Links were formed with other local football clubs and businesses. A Business Partner scheme was thus established in order to give additional benefits to club members whilst providing more custom to local companies. Soon after the first members meeting, plans to hold Board elections were announced. Using online voting as well as the traditional ballot paper, eight Board members were duly elected on March 1^st 2012.  The new Board at the time of writing represents 438 members (including 38 under 16 ‘junior’ members), with plans to grow this number in the coming months. The development as a Community Club was now progressing quicker than expected; the club agreeing to closely cooperate with South Rushden Junior Football Club. This significant step ensures a clear pathway for young players from age 5 through to senior level. On the field our U18 side has entertained and surprised most supporters by their increasing maturity and development. After a slow start the team has ensured a top half league finish remaining unbeaten in competitive games since Christmas. The team’s good form has led the Club to reach the Northants Senior Youth League Knockout Cup Final, against AFC Kempston Rovers at Corby FC to be played on Wednesday April 18^th 2012. The Board and Management are expecting a big turnout of supporters from around the country. For many it will mark the first season as a success from that first meeting back in July 2011.