AFC Rushden & Diamonds are pleased to announce six further signings as they put together their squad ready for their inaugural season in the ChromaSport and Trophies United Counties League Division 1.
Jake Gillingwater is a 19 year old utility player who was a prominent member of Mark Starmer’s youth squad at Rushden & Diamonds. Jake is from Wellingborough, and joined the Diamonds Development Centre as a striker for a number of seasons as a young player before joining Luton Town’s equivalent system. He returned to the club at the start of the 2008/2009 season initially playing as a striker before being moved into defence, from where he continued to hit the net on a regular basis. After work experience with Northampton Spencer, and Southern League Division One Central side Soham Town Rangers he returned to Nene Park to help the Youth side to victory in the Midland Youth Cup Final against Chesterfield, scoring one of the goals. After the end of his scholarship, Jake signed for Soham Town Rangers, but after a short spell back at Northampton Spencer he moved to Irchester United, helping them to climb off the bottom of the league before joining Cogenhoe United in February 2012.
Immanuel (Manny) Soetan is a 21-year-old striker who has joined after playing for Blackfield and Langley of the Wessex League Premier Division. He made 24 appearances for the Watersiders last season, scoring 6 goals in the league as well as a number in the FA Cup and FA Vase. Earlier in his career he played for Old Bradwell, Buckingham Town, Olney Town and Aylesbury United before moving to the south coast club, and also played games for AFC Totton before the start of last season.
Nineteen-year-old Sam Brown played for Mark Starmer when Mark was the Centre of Excellence manager at Rushden & Diamonds FC. He joined AFC Kempston Rovers in 2009, aged 16, and helped them to reach the UCL Premier where he played for them in a defensive role last season.
Troy Johnston is a 20-year-old midfield player who has played in the Blue Square North with Corby Town, as well as a spell in the UCL Premier with Spalding United. He started out with the MK Dons academy, moving from there to the Northampton Town youth set-up and then on to Woodford United.
Ben Morgan is a 29-year-old striker / winger known for his pace. He has spent much of his career at Thrapston Town, with two spells at the club sandwiching a spell with Northampton Sileby Rangers. In the 2010-11 season he helped Thrapston gain promotion from UCL Division 1 to the UCL Premier.
Deven Elwood (picture to follow) is a 25-year-old midfield / forward player who has spent much of his career at Wellingborough Whitworth, but has also been with Rothwell Corinthians, Raunds Town and Thrapston Town. He also featured for Kettering Town in pre-season games before the start of last season.
These signings join the players already confirmed to have joined the squad – see here for details of the complete squad.
