Lewis Hallford

Lewis Hallford

Born 27 November 1991 (Age 16 at debut)

Position: Midfielder

(Diamonds player #303)

Total appearances 3

(3 Hillier Senior Cup)

Debut:

16 September 2008 (Away Rothwell Town)

Final game:

17 November 2009 (Home Kettering Town)

Young right midfielder from Milton Keynes who joined the Centre of Excellence at the start of his Under 14 year. Lewis progressed through the youth set up and had a good season as a first year with his best performance scoring four goals in the Midland Youth Cup Quarter Final against Lincoln City. Lewis represented Scotland at Under-16 level and made his first team debut in the September 2008 against Rothwell in the Hillier Senior Cup.

Lewis went out on work experience to Raunds Town in September 2009, before seeing action with Leighton Town later in the season, but he was released at the end of his scholarship in May 2010. Lewis joined Southern League Premier side Chesham United on 10 August 2010, but after he moved on to Biggleswade Town after a short period, before joining UCL side Newport Pagnell Town in early-October 2010. He then moved to fellow UCL side Olney Town in February 2011, before joining Stewarts & Lloyds Corby on 18 August 2011. He remained with the Foundrymen for less than a month however, joining South Midlands Premier side Aylesbury United on 8 September 2011. In March 2012, he linked up with Elgin City of Scottish League Division 3. Despite being on the bench on a number of occasions, he made just three substitute appearances for the club before leaving in September 2012. Lewis returned to England and was hoping to return to UCL action for the 2013/2014 season, playing a couple of friendlies for AFC Rushden & Diamonds, but joined South Midlands Division One side Winslow United in August 2013. At the end of October 2013, Lewis joined UCL Premier side Cogenhoe United, but quickly moved on to join UCL Division One side Buckingham Town on 20 December 2013.  At the start of the 2014/15 season, he joined fellow UCL Division One side Raunds Town. He moved on to Buckingham Town in early 2015, but has not been seen with another UCL club since the Robins folded.

Appearances

2008/2009 – squad number =

2009/2010 – squad number =

George Cox

George Cox

Born 6 December 1991 (Age 16 at debut)

Position: Midfielder

(Diamonds player #302)

Total appearances 4

(4 Hillier Senior Cup)

Debut:

16 September 2008 (Away Rothwell Town)

Final game:

17 November 2009 (Home Kettering Town)

Young central midfielder George was from Bedford and joined Diamonds youth set up with the Under 14’s. He continued his apprenticeship with Diamonds and quickly made a good impression on and off of the pitch in the early part of the 2008/2009 season. George regularly travelled with the First Team squad and made his debut in September 2008 against Rothwell in the Hillier Senior Cup – all his four appearances were coming off the bench.

Comfortable playing at either right or left back, he was given work experience with UCL side Northampton Spencer during November 2009 in order to gain more experience of men’s football, and also to Spalding United later in the season. He was released at the end of his scholarship in May 2010, and joined Southern League Division One Central side Biggleswade Town in August 2010. He joined Spalding United later in the season before signing for Deeping Rangers in July 2011. On 6 July 2012, it was announced that George had signed for the newly formed AFC Rushden & Diamonds. He left after 9 appearances, and joined Bedfordshire County League side AFC Oakley Sports M&DH in February 2013. The side subsequently became AFC Oakley M&DH the following season. He represented the Bedfordshire FA in the Inter League Cup in 2017.

Appearances

2008/2009 – squad number =

2009/2010 – squad number =

Jamie McGuinness

Jamie McGuinness

Born 4 May 1990 (Age 18 at debut)

Position: Midfielder

(Diamonds player #301)

Total appearances 10

(5 League, 1 League Cup, 4 Hillier Senior Cup)

Debut:

16 September 2008 (Away Rothwell Town)

Final game:

13 October 2009 (Away Daventry United)

Jamie began his career with the Luton Town youth set up, playing mainly as a right sided midfielder. During the final year of his scholarship with the Hatters, he went out on a loan spell with Aldershot Town in March 2008, but was released at the end of the 2007/2008 season. He joined Diamonds on trial in July 2008 and appeared in the second half of the 7-0 pre-season victory over Halstead Town. He was signed by Garry Hill on 14 July to provide more options in midfield.

Following his appearance in several of the pre-season games, he made his debut in the NFA Hillier Senior Cup game against Rothwell Town in September 2008. He then made his Conference debut on 23 January 2009 when appearing as a substitute against Forest Green Rovers, and went on to make five league appearances that term (all as a substitute).

A one year extension to his contract was confirmed by Justin Edinburgh, but he went out on loan to Bedford Town on 17 August 2009, returning at the end of September. In mid-November, he went on loan to Weymouth, initially for one month before being extended until the end of the season. He was released by Diamonds in May 2010. On 13 August 2010, Jamie joined Southern League Premier side Weymouth on a permanent basis, but he didn’t remain there long and was noted playing for the Nike Academy later in the year. In February 2012, he had a trial in Florida, USA with USL/Southern Conference side VSI Tampa Flames and joined them for the forthcoming season in April 2012. In 2015 he joined Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC, but after a year or so he returned to Florida to pursue a Soccer Coaching career.

Appearances

2008/2009 – squad number 20

2009/2010 – squad number 17

Joe Day

Joe Day

Born 13 August 1990 (Age 18 at debut)

Position: Goalkeeper

(Diamonds player #300)

Total appearances 41

(33 League, 2 FA Cup, 2 FA Trophy, 4 Hillier Senior Cup)

Debut:

16 September 2008 (Away Rothwell Town)

Final game:

5 April 2011 (Away Histon)

Living in Brighton, Joe joined Diamonds as an Under 17 player in January 2007 after leaving the Crystal Palace youth set up. His impressive development was rewarded with an appearance for the First Team in their pre season game at Halstead Town prior to the start of the 2008/2009 season, as well as a number of appearances on the Diamonds bench for first-team games later that season, also playing in the Youth Team as a second year scholar as an Under 19, although he was only eligible to play for the Youth Team in the Puma Junior Alliance League and Cup, but not the FA Youth Cup.

On 16 September 2008 he made his first team debut when appearing in the Hillier Senior Cup game against Rothwell Town – a game in which he kept a clean sheet. This also made him the 300th player to appear for Rushden & Diamonds in a first team game, and he was pictured with fellow goalkeeper Kevin Shoemake, who was the first player on the first Rushden & Diamonds teamsheet.

In the Spring of 2009 he went on a work experience loan to Southern League Premier side Brackley Town, and his performances were rewarded when he was offered a pro deal to keep him at Diamonds once his scholarship was complete. This deal was signed shortly before the start of the 2009/2010 season, along with fellow graduates Jack Higgins and Lewis Hilliard. Joe went out on loan to Harrow Borough at the start of October 2009, initially on a one-month basis. He returned to take a regular place on the Diamonds substitutes bench, and then made his league debut for the Diamonds on 17 April 2010 at Wrexham, keeping a clean sheet in the 1-0 win. The club then took up the option to extend his contract into the 2010/2011 season.

Following an injury to No.1 keeper Dale Roberts while on England duty, Joe took over as the first team keeper in September 2010 and his excellent performances kept him as first choice keeper following Dale’s recovery from injury and he went on to make 36 appearances during the season before his transfer to Peterborough United on 6 April 2011 for an undisclosed fee. On 6 October 2011, Joe initially went on a one month loan deal to Conference side Alfreton Town. This was extended until the end of the year, before being further extended until the end of the season in January 2012. Joe was still unable to get into the first team at Peterborough Utd the following season, and went out on a loan deal again, this time to Conference South side Eastbourne Borough on 19 October 2012, until the end of the year, but was recalled back to Peterborough early on 2 November 2012 after just 3 appearances. On 28 August 2014, Joe joined his former manager Justin Edinburgh at League Two side Newport County on a one month loan deal. The loan was made permanent and he remained with the Welsh club until the end of the 2018-19 season. He joined Cardiff City prior to the 2019/20 season, but returned to Newport ahead of the 2021/22 season. His Wikipedia entry can be found here.

Appearances

2008/2009 – squad number 26

2009/2010 – squad number 13

2010/2011 – squad number 13

Justyn Roberts

Justyn Roberts

Born 12 February 1986 (Age 22 at debut)

Position: Defender

(Diamonds player #299)

Total appearances 4

(3 League, 1 Hillier Senior Cup)

Debut:

26 July 2008 (Away Kidderminster Harriers)

Final game:

16 September 2008 (Away Rothwell Town)

Justyn was born in Lewisham and started out as a trainee with Nottm Forest. He was released at the end of his apprenticeship and initially joined Leyton Orient for a trial in April 2006, although never making it beyond the reserves. He went to Dulwich Hamlet at the start of the 2006/2007 season playing regularly for the Isthmian League side. He moved to Weymouth in the summer of 2007 and made over 20 appearances for the Terras as a central defender, but he was released at the end of the season. Justyn had a trial with Rushden & Diamonds, travelling to Portugal on their pre-season tour and he was offered non-contract terms making his debut in the 2-1 defeat at Kiddermister Harriers in August 2008.

After just 4 appearances, he went to Newport County in the Conference South on 25 Spetember 2008, initially on a one month loan, but was released by them on 27 October 2008. His contract with Rushden & Diamonds expired whilst at Newport, and was a free agent prior to joining Tooting and Mitcham United in March 2009, where he linked up with ex-Diamond Dean McDonald. On 11 July 2009, he joined Ryman Premier side Sutton United, but departed in January 2010, to join another Ryman Premier side Carshalton Athletic. Justyn scored 3 goals in 86 appearances before joining fellow Isthmain Premier side Hampton & Richmond Borough at the start of the 2013/2014 season. He moved to Merstham for the following season before leaving the game.

Appearances

2008/2009 – squad number 22

Leon Knight

Leon Knight

Born 16 September 1982 (Age 25 at debut)

Position: Forward

(Diamonds player #298)

Total appearances 13 – 4 goals

(12 League, 1 FA Cup)

Debut:

25 August 2008 (Home Histon)

Final game:

25 October 2008 (Away Evesham United)

Leon signed for on 24th August 2008 following his release by Wycombe Wanderers. He had begun his career at Chelsea where he made just a single appearance in a UEFA Cup match. During his spell with the Blues, he went on loan to QPR, before having an impressive spell at Huddersfield Town. He also went on loan to Sheffield Wednesday and Brighton & Hove Albion, moving to the Seagulls permanently in August 2003 initially on a free transfer, but following Brighton’s promotion in May 2004, a fee of £50,000 was due to Chelsea. After a difference of opinion with the new Brighton manager, he moved to Swansea City in January 2006, but went out on loan to Barnsley at the end of the year, before moving to MK Dons on January 2007. In January 2008, he moved again, this time to Wycombe Wanderers, but his contract was terminated by mutual consent in August 2008.

Leon made his Diamonds debut on 25th August 2008 against Histon at Nene Park, and scored his first goal for the club at Barrow on 2nd September 2008. He left Rushden & Diamonds in December 2008 after making 10 league starts, with two substitute appearances, scoring four goals. He fell out of favour with manager Garry Hill due to his poor discipline and conduct, and was sacked by the club on 12 December 2008.

A contract dispute meant he was unable to sign for any other English FA affiliated club until his contract had expired. He joined Greek side Thrasivoulos Filis in January 2009 for a six month period, before joining Scottish Premier side Hamilton Academicals on 21 August 2009. He made only one start for the Scottish side, before a tunnel brawl eventually led to his release in January 2010. On 15 January 2010, he joined Scottish League Division One side Queen of the South until the end of the season. In September 2010, he was training with Conference side Darlington, but the contract dispute remained and hoping to earn a more permanent contract, but and on 12 October 2010, Leon joined Irish Premier side Coleraine for the remainder of the season. He was expected to rejoin the Northern Irish side for the following pre-season, but failed to report back, first having a trial with Swindon Town on 28 June 2011 (being released after just two days due to insufficient fitness levels), before expressing a desire to join rivals Glentoran. However, Leon resolved his differences and penned a two-year contract with Coleraine on 25 July 2011, but left in January 2012 to join Glentoran. He was suspended by the club however in May 2012 following inappropriate comments on a social media website, and was released on 22 June 2012. Leon returned to football on 21 August 2014, when he signed for NorthWest Counties Division One side Barnton AFC, managed by former team-mate and Diamond Andy Burgess, receiving International clearance a week later. He had a brief period as manager there before leaving the game to focus on Social Media activities.

Appearances

2008/2009 – squad number 7

Rob Wolleaston

Rob Wolleaston

Born 21 December 1979 (Age 28 at debut)

Position: Midfielder

(Diamonds player #297)

Total appearances 64 – 9 goals

(58 League, 4 FA Trophy, 1 League Cup, 1 Hillier Senior Cup)

Debut:

9 August 2008 (Away Eastbourne Borough)

Final game:

24 April 2010 (Home Luton Town)

Rob began his career at Chelsea but made just two first team appearances during his five years wit the club. He had several loan spells whilst with the club including periods at Bristol Rovers, Nottingham Forest, Portsmouth and Northampton Town. He was released from the Premiership club in the summer of 2003 and joined Bradford City, but the club suffered relegation during his stay and he was released at the end of the season. In July 2004, he joined Oxford United but his stay was marred with a number of injuries. He joined Cambridge United in in February 2006 and made over 90 appearances for the U’s, including scoring both the goals in the second leg of the Blue Square Premier play-off semi-final against Burton Albion which took his side to Wembley.

The talented midfielder joined Diamonds on 2 June 2008 on a two-year deal for an undisclosed fee. Rob missed the first few pre-season friendlies and the Maunsell Cup final at the start of the 2008/2009 season as he recovered from injury, but made his debut at Nene Park in a friendly versus Derby County on 29 July 2008. Whilst still gaining match fitness, he went on to make his league debut by appearing as a substitute in the 1-0 opening day victory over Eastbourne Borough on 9 August and scored his first goal for the club in the 1-0 win over Burton Albion on 20 September. With a late flurry of goals in the 2008/2009 season, he finished the season as joint-top league goalscorer with 8 league goals, after appearing in 41 league games.

He missed most of the first half of the following season after picking up an injury in the fourth game, returning in the last game of 2009. In the New Year, he continued to struggle with fitness, despite scoring the winning goal against eventual Conference Champions Stevenage Borough, and was released at the end of the season.

He joined Conference South side Farnborough in August 2010, but left after just 4 appearances and joined Southern League Premier sideWeymouth in September 2010. He remained with the Terras at the start of the following season, but was released by the club in early-September 2011, joining Isthmian League Premier side Harrow Borough later in the month. He was released in 2014 and has left the game.

Appearances

2008/2009 – squad number 17

2009/2010 – squad number 8

Dean McDonald

Dean McDonald

Born 19 February 1986 (Age 22 at debut)

Position: Midfielder

(Diamonds player #296)

Total appearances 5 – 3 goals

(3 League, 1 Hillier Senior Cup, 1 Maunsell Cup)

Debut:

26 July 2008 (Home Peterborough United)

Final game:

16 September 2008 (Away Rothwell Town)

Dean began his career as a trainee at Arsenal but was released in June 2005, joining Ipswich Town on a free transfer. He failed to gain a regular place in the starting eleven, and in mid-November, went out on loan to Hartlepool United on a one month deal, before returning to Ipswich due to an injury crisis. He was released in the summer of 2006 and joined Gillingham for the following season on a two year deal where he scored on his debut. He went on to score six times in 30 appearances, and despite having a year left on his contract, he was released to sign a two year contract with Scottish Premier side Inverness Caledonian Thistle in July 2007. A change of management, meant he was out of favour before the season began, and his six appearances were all as a substitute. Both Gillingham and Toronto showed interest midway through the season, but he elected to stay in Scotland until the end of the season. His two year contract was cancelled by mutual consent. Garry Hill brought the attacking midfielder/winger to Nene Park on 9 July 2008, but after a promising pre-season and opening few games, he lost favour with the manager again and was released on 3 November 2008 as a free agent.

On 20 November 2008, he joined Grays Athletic in the Conference until the end of the season, but moved on from there, joining Tooting and Mitcham United in March 2009 for the remainder of the season. In May 2009 he signed for Farnborough of the Southern League Premier, but left at the end of the season after 10 goals in 34 appearances. He joined Isthmian Premier side Carshalton Athletic on 21 June 2011 where he teamed up with his cousin, another former Diamond Justyn Roberts. On 11 January 2013, Dean joined Conference South side Billericay Town and he appeared on their bench at Truro the following day, but his stay was short lived and he moved to Conference side Macclesfield Town on 25 January 2013. He was released by the Silkmen on 5 April 2013 after 11 appearances. In mid-August 2013, Dean joined Conference South side Sutton United on a non-contract basis. On 20 December 2013, he signed for Isthmian Premier side Margate, but only made four appearances before moving to Conference South side Whitehawk on 11 February 2014. He left at the end of the season, and it was announced on 22 June 2014 that he had joined Isthmian Premier side Dulwich Hamlet. He was released prior to the 2016-17 season and joined Merstham. for the following campaign, but has since been released.

Appearances

2008/2009 – squad number 6

Scott Mitchell

Scott Mitchell

Born 2 September 1985 (Age 22 at debut)

Position: Midfielder

(Diamonds player #295)

Total appearances 1

(1 Maunsell Cup)

Debut & Final game:

26 July 2008 (Home Peterborough United)

Scott signed for Diamonds on a one-year deal on 10 June 2008. Having started his career at Ipswich Townwith their youth set up, he made his debut in 2004 but failed to live up to his potential. In May 2006, he moved north of the border to play for Scottish Division One side Livingston, making over 40 appearances. He moved back to England at the start of 2008, joining Peterborough United on a short term contract and playing 5 times for the Posh. After impressing in several pre-season games, he made his one and only appearance for Diamonds in the 2008 Maunsell Cup Final win over his former club, but after falling out with the management, he signed for Kings Lynn on 1 September – initially on loan, before being released on 23 October, to join them permanently.

The Linnets ended the season with demotion due to ground grading regulations, and he moved to Conference North side Corby Town on 22 June 2009, but ended up being released prior to the start of the season. In August 2009, he joined Lowestoft Town of the Isthmian Division One North, helping them to promotion in his first season at the club. After four years with the Trawler Boys, Scott dropped down a League and joined Isthmian Division One North side AFC Sudbury on 6 August 2013, initially on loan but making the move permanent. He back to moved to Lowestoft Town in June 2015, staying there for the 2015/16 season. He left there to work with the Ipswich Academy, taking a two year break from competitive action before joining Stowmarket Town in the 2017/18 season He made 12 appearances for them before being released to resume his role as Head of Academy Performance Analysis at Ipswich Town, progressing to become the Head of Academy Recruitment soon afterwards.

Appearances

2008/2009 – squad number 12

Daryl Clare

Daryl Clare

Born 1 August 1978 (Age 29 at debut)

Position: Forward

(Diamonds player #294)

Total appearances 17 – 6 goals

(12 League, 1 FA Cup, 1 League Cup, 1 Maunsell Cup, 2 Hillier Senior Cup)

Debut:

26 July 2008 (Home Peterborough United))

Final game:

2 December 2008 (Home Long Buckby)

Born in Jersey, Daryl had started his career at Grimsby Town, with loan spells at Northampton Town and Cheltenham Town, along with Republic of Ireland Under 21 appearances. In the summer of 2001, he signed for Boston United and began his prolific scoring form, gaining the Conference Golden Boot in the 2001/2002 season. After Boston’s promotion to the Football League, he moved to Chester City for two season and once again, won the Golden Boot award in helping Chester achieve Football League status. In November 2004, Daryl returned to Boston United, before a move to Crawley Town the following season for an undisclosed five figure deal, which was reported to be a club record at the time. Financial problems with the Red Devils led to his release in March 2006, and he joined Burton Albion. He impressed during his time at the Brewers, with his goals propelling them towards the Blue Square Premier playoffs at the end of the 2007/2008 season.

Daryl arrived at Nene Park on 15 May 2008, signing a two year deal after rejecting a new offer with the Brewers. He made made his first senior appearance for Diamonds as they beat League 1 Peterborough United to win the NFA Maunsell Cup Final on 26 July 2008. He narrowly missed scoring on his debut when he had a goal ruled out for offside. He had earlier scored for the club in a friendly against Portimonense SC in the Algarve – a goal that will be long remembered by those who witnessed it. In the pre-season friendly against an Arsenal XI however, he suffered a broken jaw which meant he would miss the start of the league season. He was finally able to make his Conference debut on 11 September 2008 at Lewes, and he scored the opening goal in that game. After a brief period of first team football in which he quickly became the Diamonds top scorer, his season was once again disrupted by both injury and off-field issues. After being away from the game for some time, he was loaned out to Mansfield Town on 20 March 2009 for the remainder of the season, before signing permanently on 22 May 2009.

Following just three starts and several substitute appearances however, he went out on a three month loan to fellow Conference side Gateshead on 16 October 2009, before joining them permanently on 8 January 2010. He joined Cambridge United on 30 June 2010 on a two-year deal after an agreed £10,000 transfer fee. On 24 February 2011, he went on a one month loan to Conference North side Alfreton Town, which was later extended until the end of the season. On 10 August 2011, Daryl went on a one month loan deal to Conference North side Gainsborough Trinity, but plans to make a permanent move failed, and he returned to Cambridge United. On 22 September 2011, his contract was cancelled by mutual consent and he spent the time to obtain a Sports Science degree, and a Level 2 coaching badge. On 17 June 2012, Daryl was appointed Player/Manager of NCEL Division One side Louth Town, but after 16 months in charge, and just three wins from their opening 15 fixtures at the start of the 2013/2014 season, Daryl agreed to step down by mutual consent on 29 October 2013. The following month on the 28 November 2013, Daryl joined UCL Premier side Boston Town in a player/coach role. Following the departure of assistant boss Andy Liddell, Daryl was appointed player/assistant manager in June 2014. He stepped down in mid-September 2014, due to personal reasons. He took up a role as a Football Coach at the Grimsby Institute.

Appearances

2008/2009 – squad number 10