Mark Peters

Mark Peters

Born 6 July 1972 (Age 27 at debut)

Position: Defender

(Diamonds player #119)

Total appearances 146 – 10 goals

(123 League, 10 FA Cup, 2 FA Trophy, 5 League Cup, 3 League Trophy, 1 Hiller Senior Cup, 1 Maunsell Cup, 1 Conference Shield)

Debut:

31 July 1999 (Home Northampton Town)

Final game:

22 February 2003 (Away Southend United)

Mark began his career as a trainee with Manchester City, but failed to make a first team appearance. After his release, he spent a season with Norwich City, but again was unable to break into the first team. In August 1993, he moved to Peterborough United where he played some 19 games before moving to Mansfield Town the following summer. He played over 100 times for the Stags during a five year stay, before signing for Diamonds on 24 May 1999. He quickly became a popular figure at Nene Park, playing in the central defender role, and helped Diamonds to the Conference title in May 2001.

He progressed with the side into the Football League, played a part in most games until he lost his place in the side in February 2003 after a run of poor results. The arrival of Andy Edwards meant that he played no further part the Championship winning campaign that year. Although he was contracted to the club until the summer of 2004, he was released by mutual consent on 11 September 2003, and joined Leyton Orient.

Although he played throughout his first season at Brisbane Road, he had difficulty making the first team the following season, and went out on loan to Aldershot Town in November 2004. A foot injury meant his enforced return to Orient, and some six months out of football. He was released at the end of the season and joined Cambridge United in August 2005, combining playing and coaching for the U’s. He made almost 100 appearances for Cambridge in three years, before moving to Kings Lynn in July 2008 for the season. In July 2009, he joined Conference South side St.Albans City as player / assistant manager / youth team coach. Following retirement from the playing side, Mark became coach of the newly formed Corby Town Under 19 side, becoming Head of Youth, and assistant to Chris Plummer following his appointment as manager in September 2012. Following Plummer’s departure on 20 August 2013, Mark became interim manager the following day, but reverted back to his role as Head of Youth on 9 September 2012 after the appointments of Andrew Wilson and Tommy Wright as joint Managers. He joined Mansfield Town as Head of Academy Coaching in June 2015.

Appearances

1999/2000

MCF

31.7.99

Northampton Tn(H)

Conf

14.8.99

Morecambe (A)

Conf

17.8.99

Telford Utd (H)

Conf

21.8.99

Kidderminster (H)

1 goal

Conf

28.8.99

Sutton Utd (A)

Conf

30.8.99

Welling Utd (H)

Conf

4.9.99

Northwich Vic (A)

Conf

7.9.99

Hayes (H)

1 goal

Conf

11.9.99

Woking (H)

1 goal

Conf

14.9.99

Kettering Town (A)

Conf

18.9.99

Southport (H)

1 goal

Conf

25.9.99

Hednesford Tn (A)

1 goal

Conf

28.9.99

Hereford Utd (A)

Conf

2.10.99

Altrincham (A)

Conf

9.10.99

Kingstonian (H)

FAC4q

16.10.99

Sutton Utd (H)

Conf

23.10.99

Scarborough (A)

FAC1

29.10.99

Scunthorpe Utd (H)

Conf

2.11.99

Nuneaton Boro (A)

Conf

6.11.99

Dover Athetic (H)

Conf

13.11.99

Yeovil Town (A)

FAC2

20.11.99

Ilkeston Town (A)

Conf

4.12.99

Hayes (A)

as sub

HSC2

25.1.00

Kettering Town (A)

Conf

29.1.00

Northwich Vic (H)

as sub

Conf

12.2.00

Dover Athletic (A)

as sub

Conf

18.3.00

Sutton Utd (H)

1 goal

Conf

25.3.00

Hereford Utd (H)

Conf

28.3.00

Kettering Town (H)

Conf

1.4.00

Nuneaton Boro (H)

Conf

4.4.00

Morecambe (H)

Conf

8.4.00

Kidderminster (A)

Conf

11.4.00

Woking (A)

Conf

15.4.00

Altrincham (H)

Conf

22.4.00

Southport (A)

Conf

1.5.00

Welling (A)

as sub

2000/2001

Conf

30.9.00

Kingstonian (A)

as sub

NWT2

24.10.00

Stevenage Boro(H)

FAC4q

28.10.00

Grantham Town(H)

Conf

31.10.00

Hayes (H)

as sub

Conf

11.11.00

Doncaster Rvrs (A)

FAC1

17.11.00

Luton Town (A)

LDV1

28.11.00

Barnet (A)

Conf

2.12.00

Dover Athletic (A)

Conf

16.12.00

Hednesford Tn (H)

Conf

27.1.01

Stevenage Boro(A)

FAT4

3.2.01

Marine (A)

Conf

10.2.01

Forest Green (A)

Conf

17.2.01

Scarborough (H)

Conf

20.2.01

Northwich Vic (H)

FAT5

24.2.01

Forest Green (A)

Conf

3.3.01

Woking (H)

Conf

10.3.01

Boston Utd (A)

Conf

13.3.01

Kettering Town (A)

Conf

17.3.01

Kingstonian (H)

Conf

25.3.01

Northwich Vic (A)

Conf

31.3.01

Leigh RMI (H)

Conf

7.4.01

Morecambe (H)

Conf

14.4.01

Hereford Utd (A)

Conf

16.4.01

Doncaster Rvrs (H)

Conf

21.4.01

Yeovil Town (A)

Conf

24.4.01

Telford Utd (H)

Conf

28.4.01

Dover Athletic (H)

1 goal

Conf

5.5.01

Chester City (A)

1 goal

2001/2002 – squad number 5

D3

11.8.01

York City (A)

D3

16.8.01

Lincoln City (H)

WC1

21.8.01

Burnley (A)

1 goal

D3

25.8.01

Macclesfield Tn(A)

D3

27.8.01

Plymouth Arg (H)

D3

1.9.01

Oxford Utd (A)

D3

8.9.01

Southend Utd (H)

WC2

11.9.01

Crewe Alex (A)

D3

15.9.01

Leyton Orient (A)

D3

18.9.01

Torquay Utd (H)

D3

22.9.01

Cheltenham Tn (H)

D3

25.9.01

Exeter City (A)

D3

29.9.01

Darlington (A)

D3

5.10.01

Hartlepool Utd (H)

D3

13.10.01

Rochdale (A)

LDV1

16.10.01

Cardiff City (A)

D3

20.10.01

Hull City (H)

D3

23.10.01

Shrewsbury Tn (A)

D3

27.10.01

Mansfield Town (H)

D3

3.11.01

Swansea City (A)

D3

10.11.01

Halifax Town (A)

CS

13.11.01

Chester City (H)

FAC1

17.11.01

Worcester City (A)

D3

20.11.01

Scunthorpe Utd(H)

D3

24.11.01

Kidderminster (A)

FAC2

8.12.01

Brighton &HA (A)

D3

15.12.01

Luton Town (A)

D3

22.12.01

Carlisle Utd (H)

D3

26.12.01

Southend Utd (A)

D3

29.12.01

Plymouth Arg (A)

D3

2.2.02

Darlington (H)

D3

5.2.02

Oxford Utd (H)

D3

9.2.02

Hull City (A)

D3

16.2.02

Rochdale (H)

D3

23.2.02

Leyton Orient (H)

D3

26.2.02

Torquay Utd (A)

D3

2.3.02

Cheltenham Tn (A)

D3

5.3.02

Exeter City (H)

D3

9.3.02

Luton Town (H)

D3

16.3.02

Bristol Rvrs (A)

D3

23.3.02

Shrewsbury Tn (H)

D3

30.3.02

Mansfield Town (A)

D3

1.4.02

Swansea City (H)

D3

6.4.02

Scunthorpe Utd(A)

D3

13.4.02

Kidderminster (H)

D3

20.4.02

Halifax Town (A)

D3PO/1

27.4.02

Rochdale (H)

D3PO/2

30.4.02

Rochdale (A)

D3POF

6.5.02

Cheltenham Tn (N)

2002/2003 – squad number 5

D3

26.8.02

Scunthorpe Utd (H)

as sub

D3

7.9.02

Southend Utd (H)

WC1

10.9.02

Millwall (H)

D3

14.9.02

York City (A)

D3

17.9.02

Bournemouth (A)

D3

21.9.02

Wrexham (H)

D3

28.9.02

Hartlepool Utd (A)

1 goal

WC2

2.10.02

Coventry City (A)

D3

5.10.02

Leyton Orient (H)

D3

12.10.02

Exeter City (A)

D3

19.10.02

Bury (H)

LDV1

22.10.02

Cambridge Utd (A)

D3

26.10.02

Hull City (A)

D3

29.10.02

Boston Utd (H)

D3

2.11.02

Rochdale (A)

D3

9.11.02

Darlington (H)

FAC1

16.11.02

Kidderminster (A)

D3

23.11.02

Lincoln City (A)

FAC1r

26.11.02

Kidderminster (H)

D3

30.11.02

Bristol Rvrs (H)

FAC2

7.12.02

Exeter City (A)

D3

14.12.02

Macclesfield Tn (A)

D3

21.12.02

Carlisle Utd (A)

D3

26.12.02

Scunthorpe Utd (A)

D3

28.12.02

Oxford Utd (H)

D3

1.1.03

Shrewsbury Tn (H)

D3

4.1.03

Torquay Utd (A)

D3

11.1.03

Kidderminter (A)

D3

18.1.03

Cambridge Utd (H)

D3

25.1.03

Oxford Utd (A)

D3

1.2.03

Swansea City (H)

D3

8.2.03

Darlington (A)

D3

22.2.03

Southend Utd (A)

as sub

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Billy Turley

Billy Turley

Born 15 July 1972 (Age 27 at debut)

Position: Goalkeeper

(Diamonds player #118)

Total appearances 253

(218 League, 14 FA Cup, 10 FA Trophy, 7 League Cup, 2 League Trophy, 1 Maunsell Cup, 1 Conference Shield)

Debut:

31 July 1999 (Home Northampton Town)

Final game:

18 December 2004 (Home Scunthorpe United)

Diamonds fans will remember Billy as a great, if rather controversial, goalkeeper. He started his career at Evesham United, and played against Diamonds in 1994 as they were pushing for promotion. He joined Northampton Town in July 1995, but in the four years he was with the Cobblers, he made a relatively small number of appearances and went out on loan to Leyton Orient in February 1998. He signed for Diamonds on 14 June 1999 for a £120,000 transfer fee after falling out of favour at Sixfields. Although Billy originally proved an unpopular choice by manager Talbot, the fans soon realised what a good goalkeeper he was. Billy had fantastic agility and had a commanding presence in his own penalty area. In 2001, he helped Rushden achieve league status for the very first time and was named player’s player of the year. He was also part of the side that won the Division 3 title and promotion to Division 2 in 2003.

BILLY

However, his 5-year spell at Rushden and Diamonds ended unceremoniously as he failed a routine drugs test after a match in December 2004. On 22 February 2005, the FA issued him with a 12month suspension, six of which were suspended for two years, plus a £300 fine, and he was subsequently sacked on 25 February 2005. Following the end of his ban he was snapped up by Oxford United. Billy’s time at Diamonds brought as many high points as it did lows. However, despite off field trouble, Billy produced consistent displays in goal for Rushden and made some 253 appearances for the club.

BILLY

Billy remained with Oxford United for five seasons, although after four years as the No.1, he spent most of his final year at the Kassam Stadium on the bench. After over 170 appearances for the U’s, he was released at the end of the 2009/2010 season, joining Southern League Premier side Brackley Town on 29 May 2010. After more than two successful seasons with the Saints, it was announced on 11 October 2012, that the 40 year old keeper had left the club by ‘mutual consent’, but rejoined again ten days later after a truce with the manager. After a further season and a half with the Saints, Billy was released by the club on 4 June 2014 and retired from the game.

Appearances

1999/2000

MCF

31.7.99

Northampton Tn (H)

Conf

14.8.99

Morecambe (A)

Conf

17.8.99

Telford Utd (H)

Conf

21.8.99

Kidderminster (H)

Conf

28.8.99

Sutton Utd (A)

Conf

30.8.99

Welling Utd (H)

Conf

4.9.99

Northwich Vic (A)

Conf

7.9.99

Hayes (H)

Conf

11.9.99

Woking (H)

Conf

14.9.99

Kettering Town (A)

Conf

18.9.99

Southport (H)

Conf

25.9.99

Hednesford Tn (A)

Conf

28.9.99

Hereford Utd (A)

Conf

2.10.99

Altrincham (A)

Conf

9.10.99

Kingstonian (H)

FAC4q

16.10.99

Sutton Utd (H)

Conf

23.10.99

Scarborough (A)

FAC1

29.10.99

Scunthorpe Utd (H)

Conf

2.11.99

Nuneaton Boro (A)

Conf

6.11.99

Dover Athetic (H)

Conf

13.11.99

Yeovil Town (A)

FAC2

20.11.99

Ilkeston Town (A)

NT2

23.11.99

Telford Utd (H)

FAT2

27.11.99

Havant & W (H)

FAC2r

30.11.99

Ilkeston Town (H)

Conf

4.12.99

Hayes (A)

FAC3

12.12.99

Sheffield Utd (A)

Conf

18.12.99

Telford Utd (A)

FAC3r

21.12.99

Sheffield Utd (H)

Conf

27.12.99

Stevenage Boro (H)

Conf

3.1.00

Stevenage Boro (A)

FAT3

15.1.00

Bath City (A)

Conf

22.1.00

Forest Green (A)

Conf

29.1.00

Northwich Vic (H)

FAT4

5.2.00

Billericay Tn (A)

FAT4r

8.2.00

Billericay Tn (H)

Conf

12.2.00

Dover Athletic (A)

Conf

15.2.00

Forest Green (H)

Conf

19.2.00

Doncaster Rvrs (A)

Conf

22.2.00

Hednesford Tn (H)

FAT5

26.2.00

Marine (H)

Conf

4.3.00

Kingstonian (A)

Conf

7.3.00

Yeovil Town (H)

FAT6

11.3.00

Sutton Utd (A)

FAT6r

14.3.00

Sutton Utd (H)

Conf

18.3.00

Sutton Utd (H)

Conf

25.3.00

Hereford Utd (H)

Conf

28.3.00

Kettering Town (H)

Conf

1.4.00

Nuneaton Boro (H)

Conf

4.4.00

Morecambe (H)

Conf

8.4.00

Kidderminster (A)

Conf

11.4.00

Woking (A)

Conf

15.4.00

Altrincham (H)

Conf

1.5.00

Welling (A)

Conf

6.5.00

Doncaster Rvrs (H)

2000/2001

Conf

19.8.00

Chester City (H)

Conf

21.8.00

Hednesford Tn (A)

Conf

26.8.00

Dagenham&Red (A)

Conf

28.8.00

Southport (H)

Conf

2.9.00

Telford Utd (A)

Conf

5.9.00

Stevenage Boro (H)

Conf

9.9.00

Forest Green (H)

Conf

12.9.00

Scarborough (A)

Conf

16.9.00

Woking (A)

Conf

23.9.00

Kettering Town (H)

Conf

26.9.00

Dagenham&Red (H)

Conf

30.9.00

Kingstonian (A)

Conf

3.10.00

Leigh RMI (A)

Conf

8.10.00

Boston Utd (H)

Conf

14.10.00

Hereford Utd (A)

Conf

21.10.00

Morecambe (A)

FAC4q

28.10.00

Grantham Town (H)

Conf

31.10.00

Hayes (H)

Conf

4.11.00

Yeovil Town (H)

Conf

11.11.00

Doncaster Rvrs (A)

FAC1

17.11.00

Luton Town (A)

Conf

2.12.00

Dover Athletic (A)

Conf

9.12.00

Hayes (A)

Conf

26.12.00

Nuneaton Boro (A)

Conf

1.1.01

Nuneaton Boro (H)

Conf

6.1.01

Southport (A)

FAT3

13.1.01

Hayes (A)

Conf

27.1.01

Stevenage Boro (A)

FAT4

3.2.01

Marine (A)

Conf

10.2.01

Forest Green (A)

Conf

17.2.01

Scarborough (H)

Conf

20.2.01

Northwich Vic (H)

FAT5

24.2.01

Forest Green (A)

Conf

3.3.01

Woking (H)

Conf

10.3.01

Boston Utd (A)

Conf

13.3.01

Kettering Town (A)

Conf

17.3.01

Kingstonian (H)

Conf

25.3.01

Northwich Vic (A)

Conf

31.3.01

Leigh RMI (H)

Conf

7.4.01

Morecambe (H)

Conf

14.4.01

Hereford Utd (A)

Conf

16.4.01

Doncaster Rvrs (H)

Conf

21.4.01

Yeovil Town (A)

Conf

24.4.01

Telford Utd (H)

Conf

28.4.01

Dover Athletic (H)

Conf

5.5.01

Chester City (A)

2001/2002 – squad number 1

D3

11.8.01

York City (A)

D3

16.8.01

Lincoln City (H)

WC1

21.8.01

Burnley (A)

D3

25.8.01

Macclesfield Tn (A)

D3

27.8.01

Plymouth Arg (H)

D3

1.9.01

Oxford Utd (A)

D3

8.9.01

Southend Utd (H)

WC2

11.9.01

Crewe Alex (A)

D3

15.9.01

Leyton Orient (A)

D3

18.9.01

Torquay Utd (H)

D3

22.9.01

Cheltenham Tn (H)

D3

13.10.01

Rochdale (A)

LDV1

16.10.01

Cardiff City (A)

D3

20.10.01

Hull City (H)

D3

23.10.01

Shrewsbury Tn (A)

D3

27.10.01

Mansfield Town (H)

D3

3.11.01

Swansea City (A)

D3

10.11.01

Halifax Town (A)

CS

13.11.01

Chester City (H)

FAC1

17.11.01

Worcester City (A)

D3

20.11.01

Scunthorpe Utd (H)

D3

24.11.01

Kidderminster (A)

D3

1.12.01

Bristol Rvrs (H)

FAC2

8.12.01

Brighton &HA (A)

D3

15.12.01

Luton Town (A)

D3

22.12.01

Carlisle Utd (H)

D3

26.12.01

Southend Utd (A)

D3

29.12.01

Plymouth Arg (A)

D3

12.1.02

Lincoln City (A)

D3

19.1.02

York City (H)

D3

22.1.02

Carlisle Utd (A)

D3

26.1.02

Hartlepool Utd (A)

D3

29.1.02

Macclesfield Tn (H)

D3

2.2.02

Darlington (H)

D3

5.2.02

Oxford Utd (H)

D3

9.2.02

Hull City (A)

D3

16.2.02

Rochdale (H)

D3

23.2.02

Leyton Orient (H)

D3

26.2.02

Torquay Utd (A)

D3

2.3.02

Cheltenham Tn (A)

D3

5.3.02

Exeter City (H)

D3

9.3.02

Luton Town (H)

D3

16.3.02

Bristol Rvrs (A)

D3

23.3.02

Shrewsbury Tn (H)

D3

30.3.02

Mansfield Town (A)

D3

1.4.02

Swansea City (H)

D3

6.4.02

Scunthorpe Utd (A)

D3

13.4.02

Kidderminster (H)

D3

20.4.02

Halifax Town (A)

D3PO/1

27.4.02

Rochdale (H)

D3PO/2

30.4.02

Rochdale (A)

D3POF

6.5.02

Cheltenham Tn (N)

2002/2003 – squad number 1

D3

10.8.02

Swansea City (A)

D3

13.8.02

Torquay Utd (H)

D3

17.8.02

Kidderminster (H)

D3

24.8.02

Shrewsbury Tn (A)

D3

26.8.02

Scunthorpe Utd (H)

D3

31.8.02

Cambridge Utd (A)

D3

7.9.02

Southend Utd (H)

WC1

10.9.02

Millwall (H)

D3

14.9.02

York City (A)

D3

17.9.02

Bournemouth (A)

D3

21.9.02

Wrexham (H)

D3

28.9.02

Hartlepool Utd (A)

WC2

2.10.02

Coventry City (A)

D3

5.10.02

Leyton Orient (H)

D3

12.10.02

Exeter City (A)

D3

19.10.02

Bury (H)

D3

26.10.02

Hull City (A)

D3

29.10.02

Boston Utd (H)

D3

2.11.02

Rochdale (A)

D3

9.11.02

Darlington (H)

FAC1

16.11.02

Kidderminster (A)

D3

23.11.02

Lincoln City (A)

FAC1r

26.11.02

Kidderminster (H)

D3

30.11.02

Bristol Rvrs (H)

D3

21.12.02

Carlisle Utd (A)

as sub

D3

26.12.02

Scunthorpe Utd (A)

D3

28.12.02

Oxford Utd (H)

D3

1.1.03

Shrewsbury Tn (H)

D3

4.1.03

Torquay Utd (A)

D3

11.1.03

Kidderminter (A)

D3

18.1.03

Cambridge Utd (H)

D3

25.1.03

Oxford Utd (A)

D3

1.2.03

Swansea City (H)

D3

8.2.03

Darlington (A)

D3

22.2.03

Southend Utd (A)

D3

1.3.03

York City (H)

D3

4.3.03

Bournemouth (H)

D3

8.3.03

Wrexham (A)

D3

15.3.03

Hull City (H)

D3

18.3.03

Bury (A)

D3

22.3.03

Boston Utd (A)

D3

24.3.03

Rochdale (H)

D3

29.3.03

Exeter City (H)

D3

5.4.03

Bristol Rvrs (A)

D3

12.4.03

Lincoln City (H)

D3

19.4.03

Carlisle Utd (A)

D3

21.4.03

Macclesfield Tn (H)

D3

26.4.03

Leyton Orient (A)

D3

3.5.03

Hartlepool Utd (H)

2003/2004 – squad number 1

D2

9.8.03

Luton Town (A)

CC1

13.8.03

West Ham Utd (A)

D2

16.8.03

Plymouth Arg (H)

D2

23.8.03

Tranmere Rvrs (A)

D2

25.8.03

QPR (H)

D2

30.8.03

Oldham Athletic (A)

D2

6.9.03

Wycombe Wdrs (H)

D2

13.9.03

Brentford (H)

D2

16.9.03

Notts County (A)

D2

20.9.03

Bournemouth (A)

D2

27.9.03

Stockport Co (H)

D2

30.9.03

Brighton & HA (H)

D2

4.10.03

Barnsley (A)

D2

11.10.03

Chesterfield (H)

D2

18.10.03

Sheff Wed (A)

D2

21.10.03

Blackpool (A)

D2

16.3.04

Notts County (H)

D2

20.3.04

Brentford (A)

D2

27.3.04

Bournemouth (H)

D2

3.4.04

Stockport Co (A)

D2

10.4.04

Barnsley (H)

D2

12.4.04

Brighton & HA (A)

D2

17.4.04

Grimsby Town (A)

D2

24.4.04

Hartlepool Utd (H)

D2

1.5.04

Colchester Utd (A)

D2

8.5.04

Port Vale (H)

2004/2005 – squad number 1

CCL2

7.8.04

Kidderminster (H)

CCL2

10.8.04

Northampton Tn (A)

CCL2

14.8.04

Lincoln City (A)

CCL2

21.8.04

Grimsby Town (H)

CC1

24.8.04

Swindon Town (H)

CCL2

28.8.04

Yeovil Town (A)

CCL2

30.8.04

Bristol Rvrs (H)

CCL2

4.9.04

Southend Utd (H)

CCL2

11.9.04

Oxford Utd (A)

CCL2

18.9.04

Cheltenham Tn (H)

CCL2

25.9.04

Swansea City (A)

LDV1

28.9.04

Walsall (A)

CCL2

2.10.04

Rochdale (H)

CCL2

8.10.04

Shrewsbury Tn (A)

CCL2

16.10.04

Chester City (H)

CCL2

19.10.04

Wycombe Wdrs (A)

CCL2

23.10.04

Bury (A)

CCL2

30.10.04

Notts County (H)

CCL2

6.11.04

Darlington (H)

FAC1

13.11.04

Bradford City (A)

CCL2

20.11.04

Cambridge Utd (A)

CCL2

27.11.04

Macclesfield Tn (H)

FAC2

4.12.04

Colchester Utd (H)

CCL2

8.12.04

Boston Utd (A)

CCL2

11.12.04

Mansfield Town (A)

CCL2

18.12.04

Scunthorpe Utd (H)

Andy Collett

Andy Collett

Born 28 October 1973 (Age 25 at debut)

Position: Goalkeeper

(Diamonds player #117)

Total appearances 6

(4 League, 2 Hillier Senior Cup)

Debut:

10 April 1999 (Home Cogenhoe United)

Final game:

1 May 1999 (Home Kettering Town)

Andy began his goalkeeping career at his home-town club of Middlesbrough. Although making two appearances for the first team, he left in the summer of 1994 to join Bristol Rovers for a transfer fee of £10,000, where he spent some five seasons. He arrived at Nene Park at the end of his time with the Pirates coming in on an end of season loan in March 1999 to cover for the injured Mark Smith.

He made six appearances for Diamonds, before returning back to Rovers, although he was immediately released on his return. In July 1999, he moved back to the North East and joined Darlington. He remained with the Quakers for a further five years, but his career was cut short by a shoulder injury and he was forced to retire in May 2004. He became their goalkeeping coach, remaining with the club for a further five years until financial constraints led to his dismissal. He joined Oldham Athletic as their goalkeeping coach on 26 May 2009, before taking the same role at Hartlepool United on 15 December 2011. On 13 June 2013, Andy joined League Two side York City, again as their goalkeeping coach. He then concentrated on a Football Academy set up with other ex-Darlington players.

Appearances

1998/1999

HSCSFr

10.4.99

Cogenhoe Utd (H)

HSCF

18.4.99

Raunds Town (A)

Conf

20.4.99

Kingstonian (H)

Conf

24.4.99

Hereford Utd (A)

Conf

26.4.99

Forest Green (H)

Conf

1.5.99

Kettering Town(H)

Steve Berry

Steve Berry

Born 4 April 1963 (Age 36 at debut)

Position: Midfielder

(Diamonds player #116)

Total appearances 4

(2 League, 2 Hillier Senior Cup)

Debut:

5 April 1999 (Away Woking)

Final game:

25 January 2000 (Away Kettering Town)

Steve had begun his career with Portsmouth after being spotted playing for Gosport Borough, and made his debut for Pompey in August 1981 at the age of 18, scoring 3 goals in 31 appearances during the season. After a management change however, he only made the odd appearance, going on loan to Aldershot in March 1984, before moving north to Sunderland at the start of the 1984/1985 season. After a season that culminated in a League Cup Final appearance at Wembley, another change of management saw him confined to the bench. In December 1985, he was transferred to Newport County where he spent two seasons. Further moves followed to Swindon Town andAldershot before Northampton Town paid £45,000 for his services. The three year contract saw him make over 100 appearances for the Cobblers. He moved to Germany in 1992, to play for SV Darmstadt, before several seasons with Instant-Dict of Hong Kong. He returned to the UK in the summer of 1995, and joined Stevenage Borough, where he captained the side to the Conference title the following May. After the club were denied promotion into the Football League, he joined Kettering Town in July 1996 where he was also named as club captain. Following the departure of manager Gary Johnson in October, he took over managerial duties and continued in that role for the two seasons until a fall out with Chairman Peter Mallinger in May 1998 saw him return back to Stevenage Borough. He had made some 89 appearances for the Poppies, and some 64 appearances for Stevenage in his two spells at Broadhall Way.

Steve arrived at Nene Park in April 1999 on a one month loan from Stevenage, and he made his league debut in a right back role against Woking on 5 April 1999, the game which followed the defeat by Cheltenham Town that had sealed Diamonds fate that season. He remained with the club in a coaching capacity the following season. Making just one more substitute appearance in the Hillier Senior Cup tie at his former club, Kettering Town.

He left Diamonds in 2000, to take up a similar coaching role at Bedford Town. He finished his playing career at the age of 42 at Cogenhoe United, where his side came close to reaching the 1st Round of the FA Cup in December 2005. He is currently head of recruitment with a market research agency, based in Paris.

Appearances

1998/1999

Conf

5.4.99

Woking (A)

HSCF

18.4.99

Raunds Town (A)

Conf

26.4.99

Forest Green (H)

as sub

1999/2000

HSC2

25.1.00

Kettering Town(A)

as sub

Steve Corry

Steve Corry

Born 1 July 1981 (Age 17 at debut)

Position: Goalkeeper

(Diamonds player #115)

Total appearances 1

(1 League)

Debut & Final game:

28 December 1998 (Home Woking)

Steve joined Diamonds youth set up from Peterborough United, and was a promising youth team goalkeeper. He was still an apprentice when he was called into the first team squad in December 1998 following injuries to both Mark Smith and Mark Gayle. Diamonds recruited American keeper Ian Feuer as cover, but a bout of Christmas flu meant that Steve got his chance to start in the home game against Woking on 28 December 1999, keeping a clean sheet in the 2-0 win. Sadly for Steve, Feuer recovered from the virus to start in the FA Cup games against Leeds United, and he had to be content with a place on the bench.

Steve left Diamonds at the end of the season, joining Wisbech Town briefly, before spending two seasons with Stamford where he played in 87 consecutive game – a club record. In the summer of 2002, he joined Kings Lynn briefly before spells with Deeping Rangers and back with Stamford. He was with Wootton Blue Cross in March 2004 when he got a call from former Diamonds manager Brian Talbot to cover an injury crisis at Oldham Athletic. Although he was offered a short contract to remain there the following year, he opted for a two year deal at Kettering Town. After being dropped from first team duties, he left by mutual consent in December 2004, and joined St.Neots for the remainder of the season. In the 2005 / 2006 season, he played for Boreham Wood, Netherton United and Yaxley, before taking some time out of football. In July 2014, Steve signed for UCL Premier side Peterborough Northern Star before retiring from the game.

Appearances

1998/1999

Conf

28.12.98

Woking (H)

Andy Burgess

Andy Burgess

Born 10 August 1981 (Age 17 at debut)

Position: Midfielder

(Diamonds player #114)

Total appearances 333 – 34 goals

(287 League, 16 FA Cup, 30 Others)

First spell

Debut:

22 December 1998 (Away Farnborough)

Final game:

2 January 2006 (Home Bristol Rovers)

Second spell

Debut:

25 August 2007 (Away Torquay United)

Final game:

26 April 2009 (Home Woking)

Andy joined the Youth set-up at Nene Park on 21 July 1997 as a fifteen year old trainee after being released by Luton Town’s youth academy. He impressed during the youth team games and at the age of 17, got his chance to make his debut for the first team in a League Cup tie at Farnborough on 22.December 1998, coming on as a second half substitute, A year later, he had risen through the youth team ranks to becoming an influential first team regular. He proved his versatility during his time at Nene Park, playing in central midfield or on either wing (and did play at left back earlier in his career), adding important flexibility to the squad.

He made his league debut for the Diamonds in the 1999/2000 season, and went on to feature in the Conference winning season in 2000/2001, starting in 37 of the games that season. He then helped the team reach the play-off final in the 2001/2002 season, but missed the trip to the Millennium Stadium due to suspension. He then featured for the team that won the Division Three title in 2003, and started in 42 games in Division Two the following season.

Andy Burgess keeps ahead of George Friend

After more than 200 appearances for the Diamonds, Burgess left on 12 January 2006 and signed for fellow Conference side Oxford United for an undisclosed fee in a deal which also saw John Dempster move to Oxford. After some eighteen months and 50 appearances for the U’s however, he returned to Nene Park on 6 August 2007.

Up until the end of the 2007/2008 season, he had scored 25 league goals for the club and made over 250 appearances, taking him into third place in the overall appearances totals for Rushden & Diamonds. A very successful season in 2007/2008 was marked by a number of awards including the Fans “player of the season” award, plus a number of appearances for the England “C” team. At the start of the 2008/2009 season, he was named as Rushden & Diamonds Club Captain and also assumed the role of team captain following the departure of Curtis Woodhouse. During that season he appeared in 40 league games, with a number of games missed after he sustained a fractured eye socket in an FA Trophy game.

Andy Burgess sets off on another attack

After his two year contract at the club expired, he signed for Luton Town in July 2009 – the club he had supported as a young boy. Andy had made 333 appearances for Diamonds, scoring 34 goals during his tenure at Nene Park. Only Garry Butterworth has played more games, while he also made more appearances in the Football League for the club than any other player.

After just 8 games for the Hatters however, injury problems and a change of management saw him sign for Mansfield Town on 26 November 2009, on an end-of-season loan deal. Although he was expected to sign a permanent deal, financial restraints meant he was released in the summer. On 21 July 2010, he signed for Northern Premier Division One North side Chester, but struggled with part-time football and left the club in late October. Andy was training with Conference side Fleetwood Town during early November in an effort to regain full fitness, and joined Conference North side Corby Town on 18 November 2010. After being released by Corby in order to reduce the wage bill, he joined Conference North side Droylsden on 18 January 2011, but remained there only 6 weeks. On 8 March 2011, Andy joined Conference South side Woking, and helped them into the end of season play-offs. On 26 May 2011, he returned to Conference North side Corby Town, where he took up the role of player/coach before leaving before the end of the season.

On 6 July 2012, he was appointed manager of Leeds United Ladies FC having had previous experience of Women’s Football at Kettering Town, Sheffield Wednesday, Leeds Carnegie, Nottm Forest and Preston North End. After a period away from the playing side, Andy joined NPL Premier side Stamford AFC during mid-July 2013 for their pre-season programme, and secured a deal at the end of the month. He left during November, and joined North West Counties Premier side AFC Liverpool on 24 November 2013. On 1 June 2014, Andy was unveiled as manager of newly promoted North West Counties Division One side Barnton. He left there for a brief while before rejoining as Assistant Manager, but in October 2017 he took up a coaching role with Widnes FC, combining this with working for the Accrington Stanley academy. After a spell as a Recruitment Manager for Mansfield Town in 2019/20 and for South Shields in 2021, he joined Manchester City as an Academy Coach early in 2022. In February 2022 he was appointed as the interim Manager at AFC Rushden & Diamonds.

Appearances

1998/1999

ET2

22.12.98

Farnborough Tn (A)

as sub

1999/2000

NT2

23.11.99

Telford Utd (H)

as sub

FAC2r

30.11.99

Ilkeston Town (H)

FAC3

12.12.99

Sheffield Utd (A)

FAC3r

21.12.99

Sheffield Utd (H)

Conf

27.12.99

Stevenage Boro (H)

as sub

FAT3

15.1.00

Bath City (A)

as sub

Conf

22.1.00

Forest Green (A)

as sub

Conf

29.1.00

Northwich Vic (H)

1 goal

Conf

12.2.00

Dover Athletic (A)

as sub

Conf

15.2.00

Forest Green (H)

as sub

Conf

19.2.00

Doncaster Rvrs (A)

Conf

22.2.00

Hednesford Tn (H)

Conf

4.3.00

Kingstonian (A)

as sub

Conf

7.3.00

Yeovil Town (H)

as sub

1 goal

FAT6r

14.3.00

Sutton Utd (H)

as sub

Conf

18.3.00

Sutton Utd (H)

1 goal

Conf

25.3.00

Hereford Utd (H)

Conf

28.3.00

Kettering Town (H)

Conf

1.4.00

Nuneaton Boro (H)

1 goal

Conf

4.4.00

Morecambe (H)

Conf

8.4.00

Kidderminster (A)

Conf

22.4.00

Southport (A)

as sub

Conf

29.4.00

Scarborough (H)

Conf

1.5.00

Welling (A)

1 goal

Conf

6.5.00

Doncaster Rvrs (H)

2000/2001

Conf

19.8.00

Chester City (H)

Conf

21.8.00

Hednesford Tn (A)

1 goal

Conf

26.8.00

Dagenham&Red (A)

1 goal

Conf

28.8.00

Southport (H)

1 goal

Conf

2.9.00

Telford Utd (A)

Conf

5.9.00

Stevenage Boro (H)

1 goal

Conf

9.9.00

Forest Green (H)

Conf

12.9.00

Scarborough (A)

Conf

16.9.00

Woking (A)

Conf

23.9.00

Kettering Town (H)

Conf

26.9.00

Dagenham&Red (H)

1 goal

Conf

30.9.00

Kingstonian (A)

Conf

3.10.00

Leigh RMI (A)

Conf

8.10.00

Boston Utd (H)

Conf

14.10.00

Hereford Utd (A)

Conf

21.10.00

Morecambe (A)

Conf

31.10.00

Hayes (H)

as sub

Conf

4.11.00

Yeovil Town (H)

as sub

Conf

11.11.00

Doncaster Rvrs (A)

as sub

FAC1

17.11.00

Luton Town (A)

LDV1

28.11.00

Barnet (A)

Conf

9.12.00

Hayes (A)

Conf

16.12.00

Hednesford Tn (H)

NWT3

19.12.00

Kingstonian (A)

Conf

26.12.00

Nuneaton Boro (A)

Conf

1.1.01

Nuneaton Boro (H)

Conf

6.1.01

Southport (A)

1 goal

FAT3

13.1.01

Hayes (A)

FAT4

3.2.01

Marine (A)

1 goal

Conf

10.2.01

Forest Green (A)

Conf

17.2.01

Scarborough (H)

1 goal

Conf

20.2.01

Northwich Vic (H)

FAT5

24.2.01

Forest Green (A)

Conf

3.3.01

Woking (H)

Conf

10.3.01

Boston Utd (A)

Conf

13.3.01

Kettering Town (A)

Conf

17.3.01

Kingstonian (H)

Conf

25.3.01

Northwich Vic (A)

Conf

31.3.01

Leigh RMI (H)

Conf

7.4.01

Morecambe (H)

Conf

14.4.01

Hereford Utd (A)

Conf

16.4.01

Doncaster Rvrs (H)

Conf

21.4.01

Yeovil Town (A)

Conf

24.4.01

Telford Utd (H)

Conf

28.4.01

Dover Athletic (H)

Conf

5.5.01

Chester City (A)

2001/2002 – squad number 11

D3

1.9.01

Oxford Utd (A)

as sub

D3

8.9.01

Southend Utd (H)

WC2

11.9.01

Crewe Alex (A)

D3

15.9.01

Leyton Orient (A)

D3

18.9.01

Torquay Utd (H)

D3

22.9.01

Cheltenham Tn (H)

D3

25.9.01

Exeter City (A)

D3

29.9.01

Darlington (A)

D3

5.10.01

Hartlepool Utd (H)

D3

13.10.01

Rochdale (A)

LDV1

16.10.01

Cardiff City (A)

as sub

D3

20.10.01

Hull City (H)

2 goals

D3

27.10.01

Mansfield Town(H)

1 goal

D3

10.11.01

Halifax Town (A)

FAC1

17.11.01

Worcester City (A)

D3

20.11.01

Scunthorpe Utd(H)

FAC2

8.12.01

Brighton &HA (A)

as sub

MCF

12.12.01

Peterborough (H)

D3

15.12.01

Luton Town (A)

D3

22.12.01

Carlisle Utd (H)

D3

26.12.01

Southend Utd (A)

D3

12.1.02

Lincoln City (A)

as sub

D3

19.1.02

York City (H)

as sub

D3

22.1.02

Carlisle Utd (A)

as sub

D3

16.2.02

Rochdale (H)

D3

23.2.02

Leyton Orient (H)

D3

26.2.02

Torquay Utd (A)

D3

2.3.02

Cheltenham Tn (A)

D3

5.3.02

Exeter City (H)

1 goal

D3

9.3.02

Luton Town (H)

D3

16.3.02

Bristol Rvrs (A)

D3

23.3.02

Shrewsbury Tn (H)

D3

30.3.02

Mansfield Town(A)

D3

1.4.02

Swansea City (H)

D3

6.4.02

Scunthorpe Utd(A)

D3

13.4.02

Kidderminster (H)

D3

20.4.02

Halifax Town (A)

D3PO/1

27.4.02

Rochdale (H)

D3PO/2

30.4.02

Rochdale (A)

2002/2003 – squad number 11

D3

17.8.02

Kidderminster (H)

as sub

D3

24.8.02

Shrewsbury Tn (A)

as sub

D3

26.8.02

Scunthorpe Utd (H)

1 goal

D3

31.8.02

Cambridge Utd (A)

WC1

10.9.02

Millwall (H)

as sub

D3

17.9.02

Bournemouth (A)

as sub

D3

26.12.02

Scunthorpe Utd (A)

as sub

D3

28.12.02

Oxford Utd (H)

as sub

D3

1.1.03

Shrewsbury Tn (H)

as sub

D3

4.1.03

Torquay Utd (A)

D3

18.1.03

Cambridge Utd (H)

D3

25.1.03

Oxford Utd (A)

D3

1.2.03

Swansea City (H)

D3

8.2.03

Darlington (A)

as sub

D3

22.2.03

Southend Utd (A)

as sub

D3

1.3.03

York City (H)

D3

4.3.03

Bournemouth (H)

D3

8.3.03

Wrexham (A)

D3

15.3.03

Hull City (H)

D3

22.3.03

Boston Utd (A)

D3

24.3.03

Rochdale (H)

D3

29.3.03

Exeter City (H)

D3

5.4.03

Bristol Rvrs (A)

D3

12.4.03

Lincoln City (H)

D3

19.4.03

Carlisle Utd (A)

D3

21.4.03

Macclesfield Tn (H)

D3

26.4.03

Leyton Orient (A)

D3

3.5.03

Hartlepool Utd (H)

2003/2004 – squad number 11

D2

9.8.03

Luton Town (A)

CC1

13.8.03

West Ham Utd (A)

D2

16.8.03

Plymouth Arg (H)

D2

23.8.03

Tranmere Rvrs (A)

D2

25.8.03

QPR (H)

D2

30.8.03

Oldham Athletic(A)

D2

6.9.03

Wycombe W (H)

D2

13.9.03

Brentford (H)

D2

11.10.03

Chesterfield (H)

LDV1

15.10.03

Oxford Utd (A)

as sub

D2

18.10.03

Sheff Wed (A)

D2

21.10.03

Blackpool (A)

1 goal

D2

25.10.03

Wrexham (H)

D2

1.11.03

Grimsby Town (H)

LDV2

4.11.03

Luton Town (H)

FAC1

8.11.03

Swansea City (A)

D2

15.11.03

Hartlepool Utd (A)

as sub

D2

22.11.03

Colchester Utd (H)

2 goals

D2

29.11.03

Port Vale (A)

D2

13.12.03

Bristol City (H)

D2

20.12.03

Peterborough U(A)

D2

26.12.03

Swindon Town (H)

D2

28.12.03

Wycombe W (A)

D2

3.1.04

QPR (A)

D2

10.1.04

Luton Town (H)

D2

17.1.04

Plymouth Arg (A)

D2

31.1.04

Oldham Athletic(H)

1 goal

D2

7.2.04

Swindon Town (A)

D2

14.2.04

Chesterfield (A)

D2

2.3.04

Blackpool (H)

as sub

D2

6.3.04

Peterborough U(H)

as sub

D2

12.3.04

Bristol City (A)

as sub

D2

20.3.04

Brentford (A)

as sub

1 goal

D2

27.3.04

Bournemouth (H)

D2

3.4.04

Stockport Co (A)

D2

10.4.04

Barnsley (H)

D2

12.4.04

Brighton & HA (A)

D2

17.4.04

Grimsby Town (A)

D2

24.4.04

Hartlepool Utd (H)

D2

1.5.04

Colchester Utd (A)

D2

8.5.04

Port Vale (H)

2004/2005 – squad number 11

CCL2

7.8.04

Kidderminster (H)

CCL2

10.8.04

Northampton Tn (A)

CCL2

14.8.04

Lincoln City (A)

CCL2

21.8.04

Grimsby Town (H)

CC1

24.8.04

Swindon Town (H)

CCL2

28.8.04

Yeovil Town (A)

CCL2

30.8.04

Bristol Rvrs (H)

CCL2

4.9.04

Southend Utd (H)

1 goal

CCL2

18.9.04

Cheltenham Tn (H)

CCL2

25.9.04

Swansea City (A)

LDV1

28.9.04

Walsall (A)

CCL2

2.10.04

Rochdale (H)

CCL2

8.10.04

Shrewsbury Tn (A)

CCL2

16.10.04

Chester City (H)

CCL2

19.10.04

Wycombe W (A)

CCL2

6.11.04

Darlington (H)

FAC1

13.11.04

Bradford City (A)

CCL2

20.11.04

Cambridge Utd (A)

CCL2

27.11.04

Macclesfield Tn (H)

FAC2

4.12.04

Colchester Utd (H)

CCL2

8.12.04

Boston Utd (A)

CCL2

11.12.04

Mansfield Town (A)

CCL2

18.12.04

Scunthorpe Utd (H)

CCL2

26.12.04

Oxford Utd (H)

CCL2

28.12.04

Leyton Orient (A)

CCL2

1.1.05

Southend Utd (A)

CCL2

3.1.05

Swansea City (H)

CCL2

8.1.05

Shrewsbury Tn (H)

CCL2

15.1.05

Cheltenham Tn (A)

CCL2

22.1.05

Leyton Orient (H)

CCL2

29.1.05

Rochdale (A)

CCL2

5.2.05

Chester City (A)

CCL2

12.2.05

Wycombe W (H)

CCL2

19.2.05

Notts County (A)

CCL2

22.2.05

Bury (H)

CCL2

26.2.05

Mansfield Tn (H)

CCL2

5.3.05

Scunthorpe Utd (A)

CCL2

19.3.05

Kidderminster (A)

CCL2

25.3.05

Lincoln City (H)

CCL2

28.3.05

Grimsby Town (A)

CCL2

2.4.05

Yeovil Town (H)

CCL2

9.4.05

Bristol Rvrs (A)

CCL2

16.4.05

Boston Utd (H)

CCL2

23.4.05

Darlington (A)

CCL2

30.4.05

Cambridge Utd (H)

CCL2

7.5.05

Macclesfield Tn (A)

2005/2006 – squad number 11

CCL2

29.10.05

Barnet (A)

as sub

FAC1

6.11.05

Halifax Town (A)

CCL2

11.11.05

Boston Utd (H)

FAC1r

15.11.05

Halifax Town (H)

LDV2

22.11.05

Swansea City (A)

CCL2

26.11.05

Darlington (A)

FAC2

3.12.05

Leyton Orient (H)

CCL2

6.12.05

Carlisle Utd (H)

CCL2

10.12.05

Mansfiled Town (H)

CCL2

17.12.05

Chester City (A)

as sub

CCL2

28.12.05

Cheltenham Tn (H)

CCL2

31.12.05

Torquay Utd (A)

CCL2

2.1.06

Bristol Rvrs (H)

2007/2008 – squad number 11

Conf

25.8.07

Torquay Utd (A)

as sub

Conf

27.8.07

Kidderminster (H)

as sub

Conf

30.8.07

York City (A)

1 goal

Conf

4.9.07

Crawley Town (H)

Conf

8.9.07

Salisbury City (A)

Conf

15.9.07

Burton Albion (H)

Conf

18.9.07

Weymouth (A)

Conf

25.9.07

Grays Athletic (H)

Conf

29.9.07

Stafford Rgrs (H)

Conf

6.10.07

Altrincham (A)

Conf

9.10.07

Cambridge Utd (A)

as sub

Conf

12.10.07

Forest Green (H)

Conf

20.10.07

Exeter City (A)

FAC4q

27.10.07

Solihull Moors (H)

1 goal

Conf

1.11.07

Oxford Utd (H)

FAC1

10.11.07

Macclesfield Tn(H)

Conf

17.11.07

Aldershot Tn (A)

FAC2

1.12.07

Bristol Rvrs (A)

Conf

4.12.07

Histon (H)

Conf

8.12.07

Droylsden (A)

FAT1

15.12.07

Bamber Bdge (A)

Conf

26.12.07

Stevenage B (H)

Conf

29.12.07

Northwich Vic (H)

Conf

1.1.08

Stevenage B (A)

Conf

5.1.08

Salisbury City (A)

FAT2

12.1.08

Exeter City (H)

1 goal

Conf

19.1.08

Crawley Tn (A)

Conf

26.1.08

Weymouth (H)

Conf

29.1.08

BurtonAlbion (A)

1 goal

FAT3

2.2.08

Halifax Town (A)

Conf

9.2.08

Halifax Town (H)

Conf

16.2.08

Altrincham (H)

FAT4

23.2.08

York City (H)

SS5

26.2.08

Kidderminster (A)

Conf

1.3.08

Woking (H)

Conf

4.3.08

Farsley Celtic (A)

as sub

SSQF

8.3.08

Northwich Vic (A)

Conf

11.3.08

Ebbsfleet Utd (A)

Conf

15.3.08

Histon (A)

Conf

22.3.08

York City (H)

SSSF

27.3.08

Halifax Town (H)

Conf

29.3.08

Droylsden (H)

SSF

3.4.08

Aldershot Tn (A)

2 goals

Conf

8.4.08

Cambridge Utd (H)

Conf

12.4.08

Forest Green (A)

1 goal

Conf

15.4.08

Stafford Rgrs (A)

Conf

17.4.08

Torquay Utd (H)

Conf

19.4.08

Exeter City (H)

Conf

22.4.08

Oxford Utd (A)

Conf

26.4.08

Aldershot Tn (H)

HSCF

29.4.08

Brackley Town (H)

2008/2009 – squad number 11

Conf

9.8.08

Eastbourne B (A)

Conf

12.8.08

Ebbsfleet Utd (H)

Conf

17.8.08

Wrexham (H)

Conf

23.8.08

Kettering Tn (H)

Conf

25.8.08

Histon (H)

Conf

30.8.08

Kidderminster (A)

Conf

2.9.08

Barrow (A)

Conf

6.9.08

Crawley Town (H)

Conf

11.9.08

Lewes (A)

Conf

20.9.08

Burton Albion (H)

Conf

23.9.08

Wrexham (A)

Conf

29.9.08

Altrincham (H)

Conf

4.10.08

Oxford Utd (A)

as sub

Conf

7.10.08

Grays Ath (H)

Conf

12.10.08

Torquay Utd (H)

Conf

18.10.08

York City (A)

FAC4q

25.10.08

Evesham Utd (A)

Conf

1.11.08

Cambridge Utd (A)

SS3

4.11.08

Stevenage B (H)

Conf

15.11.08

Kidderminster (H)

as sub

Conf

29.11.08

Altrincham (A)

2 goals

Conf

6.12.08

Barrow (H)

Conf

9.12.08

Woking (A)

FAT1

13.12.08

Newport Co (A)

Conf

17.1.09

Ebbsfleet Utd (A)

Conf

23.1.09

Forest Green (H)

Conf

27.1.09

Mansfield Tn (A)

Conf

9.2.09

Burton Albion (A)

Conf

21.2.09

Weymouth (A)

Conf

24.2.09

York City (H)

1 goal

Conf

28.2.09

Mansfield Tn (H)

Conf

7.3.09

Torquay Utd (A)

Conf

10.3.09

Lewes (H)

Conf

14.3.09

Crawley Tn (A)

Conf

21.3.09

Salisbury City (A)

Conf

24.3.09

Oxford Utd (H)

Conf

28.3.09

Northwich Vic (A)

Conf

31.3.09

Grays Ath (A)

Conf

4.4.09

Salisbury City (H)

Conf

11.4.09

Kettering Tn (H)

Conf

13.4.09

Histon (A)

Conf

18.4.09

Forest Green (A)

Conf

26.4.09

Woking (H)

Gary Mills

Gary Mills

Born 20 May 1981 (Age 17 at debut)

Position: Midfielder

(Diamonds player #113)

Total appearances 190 – 3 goals

(161 League, 7 FA Cup, 1 FA Trophy, 8 League Cup, 6 League Trophy, 3 Hillier Senior Cup, 4 Maunsell Cup)

First spell: Debut: 22 December 1998 (Away Farnborough Town). Final game: 11 February 2006 (Home Notts County)

Second spell: Debut: 20 January 2007 (Home Stafford Rangers). Final game: 17 April 2007 (Away Stevenage Borough)

Third spell: Debut:18 January 2011 (Away Hayes & Yeading Utd). Final game: 22 April 2011 (Away Crawley Town)

Midfielder Gary started his career with the Coventry City youth set up but left before his sixteenth birthday. He was spotted playing for Northampton Spencer and joined Diamonds youth set up on 21 July 1997. He came straight into Diamonds youth team, playing in the same side as Andy Burgess and Jon Challinor. He made his debut in the League Cup game at Farnborough Town on 22 December 1998, coming on as a second half substitute. He signed a professional contract the following season, and after several substitute appearances early on, had his first start at Altrincham in October 1999. In the Conference winning season, he played in half of the League games which saw Diamonds progress into the Football League. As Diamonds adjusted to life as a League club, Gary found himself mainly on the bench during the following season, but at the beginning of the 2002/2003 season, established himself in the starting eleven as Diamonds gained another promotion.

millsy

Gary unfortunately suffered a serious ankle injury in the game at Oxford United on 11 September 2004 and it meant he was sidelined for some 14 months by which time Diamonds were struggling to remain in the Football League. He went on to make another 14 appearances, but left the club by mutual consent on 20 April 2006 to join Crawley Town on non-contract terms after some eight years at Nene Park and some 153 games. Although not noted for his shooting prowess, he did score three times, including two League goals.

MILLS

After an unsuccessful trial with Yeovil Town, Gary re-joined Crawley Town on 10 August 2006 on a short term deal and remained with the club until 9 January 2007, when manager Graham Westley brought him back to Nene Park, and he went on to make another 17 appearances. Following another change of manager and the arrival of Garry Hill, he was released again at the end of the season, and signed for Conference North side Tamworth on 25 May 2007.

His stay at Tamworth was not very successful, and after an argument with manager Gary Mills (no relation) after being left out of the team, he was dismissed from the club on 24 October 2007. He joined fellow Conference North side Kettering Town just three days later, helping the Poppies to promotion – and scoring twice, but he was released at the end of the season. Graham Westley brought him to Stevenage Borough on 13 May 2008, and was a regular in the side during the 2008/2009 season, which included an FA Trophy win over York City at Wembley Stadium. He signed for Mansfield Town on 26 May 2009 on a two year deal, but on 18 October 2010, went out on a one month loan with Forest Green Rovers. He was eventually released by the Stags and on 13 January 2011 rejoined Rushden & Diamonds for a third spell with the club.

After becoming a main-stay of the Diamonds midfield for the remainder of that season, his last game for the club was at Crawley Town in April 2011 when the red card he received in that game meant a premature end to his season. He had made a further 20 league appearances for the club, one of them as a substitute. He joined Bath City on a season long deal on 23 May 2011, but made just three appearances before leaving to join Conference North side Nuneaton Town on 15 September 2011, helping them gain promotion to the Conference through the Play-Offs. Gary left at the end of the season however after being offered a 1 year deal with Conference side Lincoln City on 21 May 2012, where he became club captain. He suffered a serious knee injury during December 2012 which kept him out of action for several months and on 4 March 2013, he left the Imps by mutual consent, before signing for Conference North side Brackley Town on 28 March, although his injury was likely to keep him sidelined for the remainder of the season. On 12 May 2013, it was announced that Gary had joined Conference North side Boston United. In order to gain match fitness however, he went on a three month loan to NPL Premier side King’s Lynn Town on 29 August 2013 – the move to King’s Lynn Town being made permanent on 4 January 2014. He left the Linnets on 29 May 2014, to become assistant manager to Kevin Wilkin at Conference side Wrexham. He had a short spell as the Rugby Town manager in 2015, before joining Kings Lynn Town as a player-coach in 2016. He took over as manager at Corby Town for a spell in the 2016-17 season. His Wikipedia entry can be found here.

Appearance

1998/1999

ET2

22.12.98

Farnborough Tn(A)

as sub

HSCSr

10.4.99

Cogenhoe Utd (H)

as sub

1999/2000

MCF

31.7.99

Northampton Tn(H)

as sub

Conf

28.8.99

Sutton Utd (A)

as sub

Conf

30.8.99

Welling Utd (H)

as sub

Conf

11.9.99

Woking (H)

as sub

Conf

2.10.99

Altrincham (A)

FAC4q

16.10.99

Sutton Utd (H)

as sub

Conf

23.10.99

Scarborough (A)

as sub

Conf

13.11.99

Yeovil Town (A)

as sub

Conf

18.12.99

Telford Utd (A)

HSC2

25.1.00

Kettering Town (A)

1 goal

Conf

29.1.00

Northwich Vic (H)

as sub

FAT4r

8.2.00

Billericay Tn (H)

Conf

12.2.00

Dover Athletic (A)

as sub

Conf

18.3.00

Sutton Utd (H)

as sub

Conf

11.4.00

Woking (A)

Conf

15.4.00

Altrincham (H)

Conf

22.4.00

Southport (A)

Conf

29.4.00

Scarborough (H)

Conf

1.5.00