Vince’s Fish Bar have been serving traditional Fish and Chips in Irthlingborough for over 18 years and has a local reputation for quality.We welcome you to phone ahead for large orders/party bookings.Find us at the end of the main street.
2007/08 Final League Position: 16th Conference
2007/08 Average Home Attendance: 1,586 Highest Attendance 2,405
2006/07 Average Home Attendance: 2,045
Ground Address: Nene Park, Diamond Way, Irthlingborough, Northamptonshire, NN9 5QF
Rushden and Diamonds were formed on the in 1992 by a merger of Rushden Town and Irthlingborough Diamonds. The new club took Rushden Town's place in the Midland Division of the Southern League but played at Irthlingborough's Nene Park Ground as Rushden's Hayden Road site was not up to the required standard for promotion (they had been demoted from the Premier Division the previous season due to the state of their ground).
Rushden and Diamonds had an exciting start to life winning promotion to the Premier Division of the Southern League in 1993 and to the Football Conference in 1996. In the season following promotion to the Conference, ex-Arsenal star Brian Talbot was appointed as the club's new manager. After three near-misses they finally won promotion to the Football League as Conference champions in 2001. In their first season they reached the Division Three playoff final but lost to Cheltenham Town. In 2003 their promotion challenge was successful becoming Division Three champions on the last day of the season.
2003–04 was a difficult season for Rushden and Diamonds, after some early promise Diamonds slipped down the table and in March 2004 Brian Talbot left the club to manage Oldham Athletic.With financial problems the club had to sell or release their best players and they were relegated.
Ernie Tippett was appointed temporary manager of the team for the last three games of the 2003–04 season, and confirmed as permanent manager for the start of the 2004–05 season. Despite bringing in a large number of new players, after a dismal run of results which saw the team the media predicted as promotion contenders fall to 22nd place in League Two, he was sacked. Barry Hunter became caretaker manager and although there were many applicants for the position, he was appointed full-time manager towards the end of the season. The club staved off relegation but released several players at the conclusion of the campaign.
In the summer of 2005, Max Griggs handed over the club and certain assets to a supporters' trust, along with an initial cash pledge.
The 2005–06 season saw another poor campaign on the pitch. The club continued to struggle and in April 2006 Rushden & Diamonds were relegated back to the Conference and non League football.
In July 2006 Helen Thompson became chairman of Rushden and Diamonds FC. In November 2006, the club was taken over by former Peterborough United vice-chairman Keith Cousins. In December 2006, former Farnborough and Stevenage manager Graham Westley was appointed as Rushden & Diamonds manager, with the aim of getting the club out of the relegation battle and build towards promotion back into the Football League. After a seven-game unbeaten run, which featured five wins and two draws, Graham Westley was relieved of his duties in February 2007. Two days later it was announced that former Weymouth manager Garry Hill would be Westley's replacement.
Hill's first match, on Saturday 3rd March, was a 3-0 win over Exeter City. After this game, the club hit an average run of form, eventually finishing 12th in the table.
The club started 07/08 with mixed fortunes. The Diamonds drew 1-1 away at Woking on the first day, won at Farsley Celtic in the second match, however Diamonds lost 1-0 at home to Ebbsfleet United in their third game of the season. Diamonds then hit a poor run of form, with only 2 league wins in their next 13 games.
Diamonds enjoyed early success in their 2007-08 FA Cup campaign. A 5-0 win over Solihull Moors was followed by a 3-1 win over Macclesfield Town. After this feat, the fans and players approached their 2nd round draw against Bristol Rovers as winnable. However, despite an early goal from Marcus Kelly, a 45-yard yard goal that was deemed "goal of the day" by Match of the Day, Diamonds lost the game 5-1, in poor conditions.They also reached the final of the Setenta Shield losing out to Aldershot after a thrilling 3-3 draw resulted in a penalty shoot-out and also got knocked out of the FA Trophy in the Quarter-Finals. Diamonds eventually finished the season in 16th place.
Special thanks to Matthew Banyard for the photographs on this page
Find Rushden & Diamonds memorabilia by following this link
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Rushden and Diamonds were formed on the in 1992 by a merger of Rushden Town and Irthlingborough Diamonds. 
Ernie Tippett was appointed temporary manager of the team for the last three games of the 2003–04 season, and confirmed as permanent manager for the start of the 2004–05 season. Despite bringing in a large number of new players, after a dismal run of results which saw the team the media predicted as promotion contenders fall to 22nd place in League Two, he was sacked. Barry Hunter became caretaker manager and although there were many applicants for the position, he was appointed full-time manager towards the end of the season. The club staved off relegation but released several players at the conclusion of the campaign.
In July 2006 Helen Thompson became chairman of Rushden and Diamonds FC. In November 2006, the club was taken over by former Peterborough United vice-chairman Keith Cousins. In December 2006, former Farnborough and Stevenage manager Graham Westley was appointed as Rushden & Diamonds manager, with the aim of getting the club out of the relegation battle and build towards promotion back into the Football League. After a seven-game unbeaten run, which featured five wins and two draws, Graham Westley was relieved of his duties in February 2007. Two days later it was announced that former Weymouth manager Garry Hill would be Westley's replacement.
