Carl Alford

Carl Alford

Born 11 February 1972 (Age 24 at debut)

Position: Forward

(Diamonds player #58)

Total appearances 62 – 25 goals

(52 League, 3 FA Cup, 3 FA Trophy, 1 League Cup,

2 Hillier Senior Cup, 1 Conference Shield)

Debut:

30 March 1996 (Home Halesowen Town)

Final game:

31 January 1998 (Away Cheltenham Town)

In 1988 at the age of 16, Carl made his debut as a substitute for Rochdale but failed to impress and was later released. After periods at both Burnley and Stockport County (plus a loan period at Morecambe), he made the decision to drop down to non-league football, joining Witton Albion where his knack for goal-scoring flourished. In the summer of 1993, he joined Macclesfield Town of the Conference for a fee of £1,700, and then later joined Kettering Town for £25,000 the following summer.

After scoring 54 goals for Kettering in 18 months, Rushden & Diamonds’ offer of £85,000 (a non-league record) was enough to persuade the Poppies to sell their prize asset and he arrived at Nene Park at the end of March 1996. He made his debut in against promotion rivals Halesowen Town on 30 March 1996, scoring Diamonds goal in the 1-2 defeat, but it was Diamonds that pipped Halesowen to the Southern League title, mainly thanks to Carl’s six goals in the nine remaining games of the season. The following year, Carl was joint top scorer with Darren Collins, but he fell out of favour with manager Roger Ashby and was placed on the transfer list on 25 November 1996. With no offers, he returned to the side the following month. Brian Talbot took over in March 1997, and he continued to make the side, but he was dropped after just five games at the start of the 1997/98 season and was loaned to Dover Athletic in February 1998. He was recalled and sold to Stevenage Borough on a free transfer in April.

He scored more than a goal a game at Stevenage, and was snapped up by Doncaster Rovers in May 2000 for £50,000. The goals dried up again however, and after a period on loan back at Kettering Town in January 2001, he joined Yeovil Town in the summer helping them to lift the FA Trophy in 2002. The following season, he was on loan at Nuneaton Borough and was released by the Glovers in May 2003. He went on to play for Gainsborough Trinity, Woodley Sports, Leigh RMI and Nuneaton Borough (again) and was last noted plying for North West Counties League side New Mills AFC in the 2006/07 season, although he is no longer on their books. He is now looking at pursuing a coaching role.

Appearances

1995/1996

1996/1997

1997/1998

Steve Holden

Steve Holden

Born 4 September 1972 (Age 23 at debut)

Position: Defender

(Diamonds player #56)

Total appearances 30 – 1 goal

(23 League, 3 FA Cup, 1 FA Trophy, 2 League Cup, 1 Hillier Senior Cup)

Debut:

3 February 1996 (Home Worcester City)

Final game:

18 January 1997 (Home Farnborough Town)

Steve was a central defender who had begun his career as a trainee with Leicester City. He made just one appearance for the Foxes, against Derby County in 1992, before being released and joining Carlisle United in the summer of 1992. After two season, he joined Kettering Town, and it was from the Poppies that Steve arrived at Nene Park in late January 1996. He helped Diamonds wrap up the Beazer Homes Premier title before making a number of appearances in the Conference before injury problems meant he was unable to break back into the side. He was released in May 1997 and joined Stevenage Borough. After a single season, he moved on to Cambridge City where he spent several years before a brief spell with Histon. In August 2003, he joined Cambridge County FA Kershaw Premier side Great Shelford. He left to join Mildenhall Town in July 2007, but returned before the start of the season after being offered the post of Great Shelford assistant manager. He became player/manager at the start of the following season and was making the occasional appearance in 2011/2012 season, but then concentrated on managerial duties for the 2012/13 season. No further record of his involvement with the game has been found through to 2018.

Appearances

1995/1996

1996/1997

Steve Taylor

Steve Taylor

Born 7 January 1970 (Age 26 at debut)

Position: Forward

(Diamonds player #57)

Total appearances 4

(4 League)

Debut:

24 February 1996 (Away Newport)

Final game:

23 March 1996 (Away Ilkeston Town)

The former Bromsgrove Rovers forward had made a big money move to Crystal Palace in June 1995, but failed to settle and spent three months on loan at Northampton Town in October. After his return, he arrived at Nene Park on 23 February 1996 for a one month loan, but again failed to hit the target, playing four games during his stay.

He returned to his parent club, and was eventually released. He played for Hednesford Town, Telford United before returning to Bromsgrove Rovers at the start of the 1998/99 season. After a short period back at Bromsgrove, he joined Kidderminster Harriers, before joining Evesham United. No further record of his involvement with the game has been found through to 2018.

Appearances

1995/1996

Steve Stott

Steve Stott

Born 3 February 1965 (Age 30 at debut)

Position: Midfielder

(Diamonds player #55)

Total appearances 61 – 3 goals

(54 League, 3 FA Cup, 2 FA Trophy, 1 League Cup, 1 Conference Shield)

Debut:

16 December 1995 (Home Hastings Town)

Final game:

6 September 1997 (Away Cheltenham Town)

Steve had been playing in non league football was with Bromsgrove Rovers during the early-1990’s, before a move to Kettering Town just before the start of the 1995/1995 season. An attacking midfielder, he came to the attention of manager Roger Ashby and signed for Diamonds in December 1995 for a £30,000 transfer fee. After helping Diamonds to the Beazer Home Premier Division title, he also helped them to survive their first season in the Conference, making 37 appearances that season, despite suffering an injury in the FA Cup tie against Bilston Town in October 1996 which kept him sidelined for three months. Diamonds had a poor start to the 1997/1998 season and when Yeovil Town put in an offer of £9.000 in September 1997, it was accepted and he joined the Glovers.

He became Yeovil’s club captain under Gary Johnson, but suffered a knee injury early in the 1999/2000 season resulting in an operation on 20 December 1999. He had little chance of returning to first team action at Huish Park, so left at the end of March 2000 to join Woking. He was released in the summer of 2001, and joined Slough Town, later becoming their assistant manager. In September 2002, Steve moved a step down again, this time with Wessex League side Thatcham Town where he ended his career.

Appearances

1995/1996

1996/1997

1997/1998

Brendan Hackett

Brendan Hackett

Born 2 March 1966 (Age 29 at debut)

Position: Midfielder

(Diamonds player #54)

Total appearances 105 – 12 goals

(89 League, 5 FA Cup, 2 FA Trophy, 4 League Cup, 4 Hillier Senior Cup, 1 Conference Shield)

Debut:

30 September 1995 (Away Cheltenham Town)

Final game:

2 May 1998 (Home Telford United)

Brendan played for a number of non-league clubs during his career. The talented midfielder started out with Bilston Town, Stourbridge, Redditch United and Dudley Town, before joining Worcester City in 1990. He attracted an offer of £25,000 from Gloucester City in April 1991, which included striker Steve Fergusson in the deal. He made some 27 appearances for Gloucester before moving on to Telford United in December 1991. After a brief spell at Bilston Town, he joined Hednesford Town, helping the Pitmen to the Southern League title in 1994/1995. He played against Diamonds in their first ever defeat in September 1992, an FA Cup tie at Hednesford. After an excellent start to Diamonds 1995/1996 season, manager Roger Ashby brought Brendan to Nene Park in September and he made his debut at Cheltenham Town on 30 September 1995, in a hugely important victory that took Diamonds to the top of the Southern Premier table. He quickly became a key player in the side which gained promotion to the Conference, remaining with the club for a further two seasons. Ashby wanted to keep Brendan at Nene Park as they pushed for Football League status, but he did not want to jeopardise his career in the Steel Industry, so elected to move to Burton Albion on 8 May 1999. After a brief spell back with Gloucester City, being released as they reduced their budget, he joined Stourport Swifts in August 2000 for their first season in the Southern League Western Division, as a player/coach. After the departure of manager Rod Brown, he took over briefly as caretaker-manager, but soon joined Brown for a second spell at Redditch United in November 2001. He appears to have finished his career at Redditch at the end of the season.

Appearances

1995/1996

1996/1997

1997/1998

Glyn Creaser

Glyn Creaser

Born 1 September 1959 (Age 35 at debut)

Position: Defender

(Diamonds player #53)

Total appearances 13

(9 League, 1 FA Cup, 2 League Cup, 1 Hillier Senior Cup)

Debut:

19 August 1995 (Home Salisbury)

Final game:

23 December 1995 (Home Ilkeston Town)

Glyn was an experienced central defender who joined Diamonds in June 1995 after a successful career with Wycombe Wanderers. He had originally been with Diamonds manager Roger Ashby at Wolverton before playing for Kettering Town and Barnet. He joined the Chairboys in the summer of 1987 and was in their side which did the double in 1993, winning the Conference title, as well as the FA Trophy. He also helped them to promotion the following season.

After some 13 appearances, the arrival of Steve Holden from Kettering Town saw him move down the pecking order and he departed in January 1996 to join Dagenham & Redbridge. He was in their side which lost the FA Trophy Final against Woking the following season. After a spell as Assistant Manager at New Bradwell St Peter he joined Aylesbury United as a coach for the start of the 2010-11 season. He became Aylesbury United Assistant Manager before taking up the Manager role, but left that role at the end of 2017.

Appearances

1995/1996

Steve Lilwall

Steve Lilwall

Born 15 February 1970 (Age 25 at debut)

Position: Defender

(Diamonds player #52)

Total appearances 20

(11 League, 4 FA Cup, 3 League Cup, 1 Hillier Senior Cup, 1 Conference Shield)

Debut:

19 August 1995 (Home Salisbury)

Final game:

2 November 1996 (Away Southport)

Steve started his career with non-league side Moor Green before signing for Kidderminster Harriers in 1987. The left back was a member of the Harriers team which reached to FA Trophy Final at Wembley in 1991, losing to Wycombe Wanderers. He came to the attention of West Bromwich Albion manager Ossie Ardiles and signed for the Baggies just ahead of the 1992/1993 season. He was ever-present in the side that season – winning the Division Two play-off Final against Port Vale at Wembley Stadium. He made a total of 86 appearances before a series of injuries and the arrival of new manager Alan Buckley in 1994 led to his departure at the end of the following season. Steve arrived at Nene Park in June 1995, but was injured in his second game for the club at Chelmsford City. He only played in 12 games that season, plus a further eight games during the next. Whilst at Nene Park, he was studying for a degree in Physical Education and Social Psychology and he left in May 1997 to be closer to Coventry University, rejoining Kidderminster Harriers. Steve ended his career with Moor Green in 2000 largely due to persistent hip injuries, which resulted in a couple of operations. His studies however helped him to a BA/BSc and he also gained UEFA Coaching awards, sports coaching certificates and a Sports Psychology Diploma. He also passed his teacher qualifications in 2005 and is currently a teacher of PE at Ninestiles School in Acocks Green, Birmingham and also runs the Soccer Start Coaching Academy in Solihull.

Appearances

1995/1996

1996/1997

Nick Ashby

Nick Ashby

Born 29 December 1970 (Age 24 at debut)

Position: Defender

(Diamonds player #50)

Total appearances 75 – 4 goals

(60 League, 8 FA Cup, 1 FA Trophy, 3 League Cup, 2 Hillier Senior Cup, 1 Maunsell Cup)

Debut:

31 July 1995 (Away Kettering Town)

Final game:

22 February 1997 (Away Gateshead)

Northampton born Nick was signed from Kettering Town in June 1995 for a £14,000 price tag and was considered one of the best left backs in non-league football. He was also the son of Diamonds manager Roger Ashby and his consistent performances were the backbone of the club’s promotion into the Conference. He had begun his playing career under Brian Clough at Nottingham Forest, with a brief spell at Northampton Town, before following his father to Rushden Town to continue in non-league football and combine a career in HR recruitment. After a move to Aylesbury United in 1991, he joined Kettering Town in 1994, where he won the first of five England ‘C’ caps. He actually made his debut against his former club in the Maunsell Cup Final Replay, and went on to make a total of 75 appearances.

He was released in May 1997 and joined Burton Albion and then moved on to Raunds Town and Stamford of the UCL. While at Stamford, he took up the position of assistant manager, learning the ropes with former Diamonds coach Billy Jeffery. He took over as player-manager at Raunds Town in January 2004, but left that position at the end of the season. He rejoined them midway through the following season, to guide them out of relegation. In May 2006, he took over as player manager at Wellingborough Town, where he remained until November 2007. He finished his playing career at Cogenhoe United during the 2008/09 season officially retiring in the summer of 2010. After a short break, Nick was appointed assistant manager (to Steve Farmer) at Southern League Division One Central side Bedworth United on 5 August 2011. He left after a few months, joining Watford as their non-league scout during early-October 2011.

Appearances

1995/1996

1996/1997

Graham Benstead

Graham Benstead

Born 20 August 1963 (Age 31 at debut)

Position: Goalkeeper

(Diamonds player #49)

Total appearances 58

(45 League, 6 FA Cup, 1 FA Trophy, 1 League Cup, 1 Championship Shield, 3 Hillier Senior Cup, 1 Maunsell Cup)

Debut:

31 July 1995 (Away Kettering Town)

Final game:

8 February 1997 (Home Hednesford Town)

Graham began his career as a goalkeeper with Wimbledon, before signing for QPR in 1982. Although he only made one first team appearance, he also won an England cap at youth level. In March 85, he moved to Norwich City, where he became understudy to Chris Woods and later Bryan Gunn. First team appearances were again limited, although after Woods departure, he went on to play 19 games for the Canaries, mainly at the start of the 1986/87 season, but the arrival of Gunn push him onto the bench again. He had loan spells with Sheffield United and Colchester United, but left in July 1988, and joined Sheffield United on a permanent basis. He played 47 games for the Blades before moving to Brentford in the summer of 1990, making some 110 appearances for the Bees in three seasons. Graham dropped down to the non-league scene, joining Kettering Town, and it was from the Poppies that he signed for Diamonds in June 1995. He made several England C appearances while with Kettering and Diamonds and was a key player in Diamonds push to reach the Conference. After a poor start to life in the Conference the following season however, he made way for Martin Davies and was released in May 1997.

Initially, he joined Kingstonian for the start of the 1997/98 season, but an offer to become player / coach at Brentford saw him return to League action again when he was drafted in to make another two appearances in October 1997 due to an injury to Kevin Dearden. He was released in March 1998, and joined Basingstoke Town, before a loan spell with Chertsey Town in March 1999. The following summer, he became player / coach at Farnborough Town, remaining with the club until early in 2003. When Farnborough manager Graham Westley moved to Stevenage Borough, Graham joined him and in May 2004, took up the position of assistant manager. He was forced to step down in October that year due to personal circumstances. More recently, Graham has taken part in the Masters Football Tournament, playing in goal for Sheffield United. He was most recently seen as goalkeeper coach at Frimley Green FC who he joined prior to the 2017/18 season.

Appearances

1995/1996

1996/1997

Neil Smith

Neil Smith

Born 29 December 1970 (Age 24 at debut)

Position: Midfielder

(Diamonds player #48)

Total appearances 58 – 1 goal

(40 League, 8 FA Cup, 1 FA Trophy, 4 League Cup, 3 Hillier Senior Cup, 2 Maunsell Cup)

Debut:

29 July 1995 (Home Kettering Town)

Final game:

28 December 1996 (Away Stalybridge Celtic)

Neil started his career at Shrewsbury Town, progressing from the youth team, but only made just a single appearance during the 1987/1988 season before moving on to Redditch United. In 1989, he signed for Lincoln City but the young midfielder was unable to gain a regular place in the first team. In July 1992, he joined Cheltenham Town and eventually took up the club captaincy in his third year with the club. Roger Ashby signed Neil in June 1995, for a £14,000 fee, and he captained the side which won promotion to the Conference. He played in all games during that 1995/1996 season until an injury in the Hillier Senior Cup Final against Rothwell Town ruled him out for the remainder of the season. Injuries continued to affect his first team chances as the club played its first season in the Conference, but he returned to action in October 1996. Neil made just 12 appearances the following season and he was eventually released in May 1997, joining Hednesford Town in his native West Midlands.

He moved on from there to Halesowen Town (the team he helped Diamonds to beat to the Southern Premier title) in 1999, and made 48 appearances before joining Stafford Rangers at the end of the season. In November 2000 however, he made a return to Halesowen Town and spent a further three years there. He had another spell with Redditch United in 2006, but is thought to have retired from the game around this time.

Appearances

1995/1996

1996/1997