Rushden & Diamonds - a look ahead

Form (last six): L-W-L-D-W-W

2002/03 Finish: Third Division: Champions

FA Cup: Second Round

League Cup: Second Round

2002/03 Top Scorer: Paul Hall and Onandi Lowe - 16

2002/03 Discipline: 71 yellow, 4 red

Rushden's Nene Park

A dark, dreary Tuesday night in September, so crowds will be low anyway, and then Notts are at home to Rushden & Diamonds – not buzzing with excitement by now? Me neither. Because let’s face it, as it stands the prospects don't look to good this season and with the Magpies as low down the league as we are already [23rd] it doesn’t look as though we have an extremely glamorous season ahead of us. The same however cannot be said for Rushden & Diamonds Football Club.

When Rushden Town [Southern League] and Irthlingborough Diamonds [United Counties League] merged after the 1991/92 campaign they formed Rushden & Diamonds Football Club. It seemed as though both the clubs would simply follow in the success, in their own right, of Rushden Town. However, the newly founded club’s success blew away from anyone’s expectations when in the 1995/96 season the club clinched promotion to the Football Conference – a real milestone from the minnows.

The significant progress made by the club was hugely creditable to the R Griggs group, best known for their part in the Dr. Martins shoe products – hence the clubs sponsorship by the brand. The R Griggs group were instrumental in the growing stature of Rushden & Diamonds as they, along with nearaby businesses, funded the development of Nene Park.

Rodney Jack during his time at Gresty Road

After running out winners of the Division Three championship last season after nipping in to clinch honours following a slip in form from Hartlepool United towards the end of last season the fans of the club have a great deal to look forward to this season as the club will be playing for the highest level in their relatively short history.

Another milestone for Rushden comes not only with greater expectations but also a profile to build on and Brian Talbot has made a massive signing in the form of Rodney Jack.

The St. Vincent International departed Grety Road following a 5-year spell under the guidance of Dario Gradi in which he made 140 appearances scoring 27 goals. The former Alexandra fans favourite had already verbally agreed to sign a contract with Rushden before he finally put pen-to-paper on a two-year-deal with the club.

***STAR PLAYERS*** - Onandi Lowe

Onandi Lowe - daunting prospect for the Notts back four

Lowe entered the English game on a permanent basis following a three-month-loan deal from Major League Soccer side, Kansas City Wizards. Since then he has notched up an impressive 42 goals in just 74 starts for diamonds, including a run of form two seasons back which saw the Jamaican international hit home 9 goals in just 5 games. With an impressive goal tally from last campaign, the Jamaican born striker leaves defences shaking in his wake with a deadly strike rate of [approximately] 6 goals every 10 games.

Last season’s joint top goal-scorer with 16 goals towers over defender’s standing at 6 foot 3 inches and his commanding presence has helped him force his way to 60 international caps for his native Jamaica, Jamaican Player of the Year Award 2002 and 4 goals during Jamaica’s unsuccessful qualification for World Cup 2002 – including a 40-yard free-kick against El Salvador in 2001 – an instance that was described as the greatest moment in Jamaican Football history.

***Odd Checker*** - courtesy of Sky Bet [www.skybet.com]

Notts County – 6/4

Draw – 11/5

Rushden & Diamonds - 6/4