The Main Stand Photo © 2006 Ciderspace

Their progress up the leagues was swift, until they rather stalled in the Conference. They were Champions of the Southern League Midland Divison in 1993-94; and Champions of the Southern League Premier Divison in 1995-96. By the time they arrived in the Conference the few hundreds of fans that Rushden Town and Irthlingborough Diamonds had managed between them had mysteriously grown to around two and a half thousand - though oddly you struggled to find an Annie who didn't claim to have supported the former clubs since the year dot. The bandwagon jumpers immediately endeared themselves to the rest of the Conference with their modest ways, slightly shamefaced admission that they were lucky to have so much money, and low key suggestions that they would have to learn their trade before progressing further. Or not. So much so that everyone else was very very sorry for them when they fell flat on their faces season after season, and didn't p*ss themselves laughing - oh no, not at all. Finally, after Halifax Town, Cheltenham Town and Kidderminster Harriers had all left them behind, even ex-West Bromwich Albion manager Brian Talbot couldn't think of any more excuses as to why two to three times as much money at his disposal than anyone else in the Division wasn't enough, and Rushden & Diamonds achieved promotion at last in 2000-01.

Things went well initially in the Football League. Talbot got rid of most of his £100,000+ purchases (that's individuals, not entire teams that his former rivals would have put together for that sum) from Non-league days quite quickly and brought in loads of new ones. In their first season they finished sixth and got to the Play-off Final, only to find ex-Non-leaguers Cheltenham Town pipping them once again. However in 2002-03 a late run by Rushden married to a complete collapse in the run-in by Hartlepool saw them Champions, and it was on to Division Two. There were warning signs though. Although Champions Rushden's average crowd was lower in this second Football League season than it had been in the first. And chairman Max Griggs was posting signals that the gravy train could not run for ever.

The home terrace. The club have tried to pursuade the home fans into seats but so far they have er, stood firm. Photo © 2006 Ciderspace

At this point the history of Ru$hden & Diamonds ends, and the history of Rushden & Cashless begins. Trouble in the Dr Martens empire meant that the seemingly ever fruitful money tree came crashing down. Timber! And so - surprise, surprise - did the club whose fans had for so long stoutly maintained owed its rise to its own self financing efforts, and nothing to vast subsidies. As the piggy-bank put up a "For Sale" notice buyers wandered up, then ran away screaming when they discovered the club was spending £2.5 million above income year on year on year. The years of largesse had produced a 'money no object' culture. Ventures that should have been making money, like Strikers, were making losses. The programme cost more than twice as much to produce as was being recouped in sales. With Griggs no longer in a position to simply cover all the losses, or even continue his sponsorship, Rushden was heading for the rocks full steam ahead. The club's credit facilities were withdrawn, and by Spring 2004 it was within weeks of administration the Chief Executive later revealed. Desperate times called for desperate measures, and as transfer deadline day loomed the club simply shipped out its highest earning players to anyone who would take them off its hands. Manager Talbot had already seen the writing on the wall, and was gone like a rat down a drainpipe.

Rushden were seemingly fairly comfortable in mid-table at the time, and maybe the calculation was made that they could afford to slash the playing staff and still retain their Division 2 status, though the financial situation was so dire they probably had no other option anyway. If so they got it badly wrong. Only a single point from the last nine games of the season saw all but two clubs overtake them, and they were relegated in 22nd place.

The North Stand.......tends to be where the away support is put these days, but we'll be in the AirWair. Photo © 2006 Ciderspace

Back in Division 3 (by then League 2), and trying to cut a million or two off the wage bill, Ernie Tippett came - and went, Barry Hunter came - and went. In 2004-05, as Yeovil went up as Champions, Rushden survived by the skin of their teeth in 22nd. It was only putting off the inevitable. In 2005-06 they finished 92 in the Football League and were relegated back to the Conference. With crowds haemorrhaging and finances draining away further as you watch they are struggling to hold their own even there. Paul Hart came in over the summer, but he and his whole management team only lasted until October before they were sacked: presumably there are some in charge at Nene deluding themselves they are still a viable concern, not accepting they should count clinging on to national football a bonus.

So at last, after over a decade, what those with eyes to see always thought has come to fruition : Rushden & Diamonds were a manufactured jewel encrusted rich man's toy with a plastic fanbase, who bought success in the short term but had no spine when the going got tough.

We'll be back in the AirWair after Rushden changed their minds......... Photo © 2006 Ciderspace

Prediction corner:From the above one might think we don't have much time for the Annies. And you'd be right. We'll predict a victory, even if it takes a replay at Huish Park. Meanwhile, win or lose in the F.A. Cup, one prediction is easy enough: there won't be many Glovers shedding tears for the current state of Rushden & Diamonds.

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There is a big car park at the stadium, but as virtually everyone has to go the match by private transport it was generally full well before kick-off. In the days when they had some gloryhunters there was plenty of time to take in the car park scenery after the game. Half an hour to forty-five minutes to get out was nothing unusual. And no point leaving early either - you wouldn't beat the locals........ unless it was the whole of the second half that you were prepared to miss. As a result people parked along the verges of the A6, but those areas filled up quickly.

As part of the response to their fiscal plight a £2.00 car park charge was introduced. As Nene Park is in the middle of nowhere the trade off for saving two quid is likely to be a long walk unless you are lucky. If you are drinking up the hill in Irthlingborough there's a small car park roughly in the middle of the town/village that was free on our last visit. It's about a mile from there to the stadium.

By Road

The ground is outside Irthlingborough, alongside the A6, and just off the A45. There have been road improvements in recent years but it's not exactly the L.A. Freeway round here.

We've tried a number of routes in off the M1 over the years, and to be honest they are all problematic. From the south cutting across to Bedford from Junction 13 on the A421 and going up the the A6 looks like you are finding a major road, but it is slow and tortuous and takes you through the middle of various towns. The A509 from Junction 14 up towards Wellingborough looks nice and direct but is an awful road. The A45 from Junction 15 is much the best road, dual carriageway all the way, but it's a bit of a dog-leg to get up to it, and the first section is pretty much the outer ring road for Northampton and thus very busy.

By Rail

The nearest railway station is Wellingborough, which is six miles away from the ground. Services are from Midland Mainline. There are two buses an hour, run by Stagecoach, from Wellingborough to Irthlingborough - the No.45. If you take a taxi book the return then and there, or at least take a note of the number to phone on your mobile, as you won't find any waiting outside the stadium after the game.
Some Wellingborough taxi numbers :
Jaycabs 01933 229229
Nucabs 01933 226565
Station Taxis 01933 678826

By Foot

If you find anywhere to park in Irthlingborough it's about a 15-20 minute walk. At least it's down hill to get to the game.

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Club Bar :

Exactly as you’d imagine. New, expensive looking and very well appointed. Much money was thrown at Strikers and the attached restaurant and other facilities and, according to their former Chief Executive, much money was being lost by them. It used to be Members only, though the more cheery of the Rushden supporters would sign you in. Several reasonably decent real ales, from the Charles Wells stable if we recall correctly from our visits, as well as the usual keg beers and lagers. With their financial needs to the fore normally anyone can spend their money in it now.
There is provision in the AirWair for away fans. An unpleasant concrete bunker, and even more unpleasant keg beer and lager, but it's more than most clubs provide for their visitors to be fair. The Diamond Burgers always used to be some of the best stadium food on the circuit.

Local Pubs :

Horseshoe Inn: Second pub you will come across walking from Nene Park into the town. As bad inside as it looks outside - peeling paint, dirty, smashed windows. May have improved since 2005 but you have been warned. Still if you are desperate for something to drink this might be better than nothing - just. Horseshoe Inn, High Street, Irthlingborough, Northamptonshire, NN9 5PU. Tel: 01933 650344. Map: Click Here.

Rushden Historical Transport Society: As mentioned above Nene Park isn't anywhere near the town of Rushden, but this has been included as it is a total 'one-off'. You'll either love it, or wouldn't be seen dead in the place. Opening is 12.00 - 3.00 p.m. (Saturdays and Sundays only) and 7.30 p.m. - 11.00 p.m. ( 7.00 p.m. - 10.30 p.m. on Sunday) in the evening. It's run by the local Historical Transport Society and the bar is lit by gas, has an open fire, and is full of transport memorabilia as one might expect. The house beer is Fuller's London Pride, with an ever changing selection of five guests. Around 300 different beers are made available in an average year. There's on-site parking and membership for the day is £1.00. Has Northants skittles - we've no idea how that varies from West Country skittles, if it does? Rushden Historical Transport Society, The Station, Station Approach, Rushden, Northamptonshire, NN10 0AW. Tel: 01933 318988. Email: andy@rhts.co.uk. Website: Click Here. Map: Click Here.

The Bull: First pub you'll come across walking up the hill from the ground into Irthlingborough. As such it is billed as being popular with away fans. Refurbished a few years ago, but closed yet again on our most recent visit with a different excuse posted on the front door. As we recall it has never been open on our visits - coincidence or policy we aren't sure. The Bull, 1, Station Road, Irthlingborough, Northamptonshire, NN7 5UQ. Tel: 01933 650259. Map: Click Here.

The Oliver Twist: The best of the pubs in Irthlingborough and - as is Sod's Law - the one furthest from the stadium. You're up to about twenty minutes or so walk by now. Food is on from 12.00 - 2.00 p.m., but unfortunately no longer on Saturdays. However it's a very friendly place and there was no problem eating what you've bought from the fish and chip shop a few doors along on the tables outside - they'll even supply you sauces and cutlery if you ask nicely. There are a couple of guest real ales. No problem about children during the day. Also does B&B should you want to stay over in Irthlingborough........though God knows why anyone would in all honesty. The Oliver Twist, 96, High Street, Irthlingborough, Northamptonshire, NN9 5PX. Tel: 01933 650353. Map: Click Here.

Likelihood the Natives Will Understand You :

Pretty high although we couldn’t quite get a handle on their accents, a kind of midlands/fenland hybrid. Wave your wad of twenties at them shouting "loadsamoney".......sure they'll appreciate the irony of their change of fortune.

Top-Tip :

Get someone else to drive and check out the country pubs.

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[No responsibilty is taken for any inaccuracies. This page is entirely the product of bias and prejudice.]

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