rdfc1992

Ryan Leonard

Ryan Leonard

Born 24 May 1992 (Age 18 at debut)

Position: Defender

(Diamonds player #363)

Total appearances 1

(1 Hillier Senior Cup)

Debut & Final game:

12 January 2011 (Home Brackley Town)

Ryan joined Plymouth Argyle as a schoolboy, and progressed through the clubs Centre ofExcellence, before signing a professional contract. He made his debut for Plymouth in March 2010 at the age of 17, but failed to make the first team squad the following season. He went out on loan to Conference South side Weston-super-Mare in December 2010, before coming to Nene Park for a trial. He made his single appearance for Diamonds in the Hillier Senior Cup game against Brackley Town on 12 January 2011, but returned to Home Park after the game. He was released in the summer, and went for a trial at League Two side Southend United before signing a one year deal with the Shrimpers on 27 July 2011. He had a very successful time at Southend, right through to the start of 2018, when he signed for Sheffield United. He signed a loan deal with Millwall which become permanent at the start of 2019. His Wikipedia entry is here.

Appearances

2010/2011 – squad number =

Simon Evans

Simon Evans

Born 28 January 1988 (Age 22 at debut)

Position: Goalkeeper

(Diamonds player #362)

Total appearances 7

(6 League, 1 Hillier Senior Cup)

Debut:

12 January 2011 (Home Brackley Town)

Final game:

30 April 2011 (Away Darlington)

Born in Reading, Simon began his career with Weymouth and graduated from their Youth Scheme. After a brief spell with Andover, he joined Dorchester Town at the start of the 2006/2007 season, making 46 appearances before leaving the Magpies in April 2008. After an injury layoff, he re-joined Weymouth in February 2009, shortly after the Diamonds 9-0 victory at the Wessex Stadium. He moved to Western League Division One side Bridport for the start of the 2009/2010 season, but made the switch back to Dorchester Town in early 2010. After a year with the Magpies, he was allowed to sign non-contract terms at Nene Park on 10 January 2011. After playing in the Hillier Cup game against Brackley Town on 12 January on non contract terms, his signed was completed on 17 January.

He went on to make his Conference debut for the Diamonds on 9 April 2011 in the 2-2 draw with Wrexham at Nene Park following Joe Day’s transfer to Peterborough United. He was released in May 2011, and re-joined his former club Dorchester Town in early July 2011. After being an unused substitute on several occasions, he went on loan to Wessex Premier side Hamworthy United on 16 September 2011, and signed dual registration forms with them the following week. Simon left the Magpies at the end of the season and agreed a deal to return to Weymouth on 21 July 2012, extending his contract for a further year in June 2013. After a serious injury he moved to Dorchester Town as their reserve team manager at the end of 2015.

Appearances

2010/2011 – squad number 32

Ollie Thorne

Ollie Thorne

Born 23 January 1990 (Age 20 at debut)

Position: Defender

(Diamonds player #361)

Total appearances 3

(2 League, 1 Hillier Senior Cup)

Debut:

8 January 2011 (Home Altrincham)

Final game:

18 January 2011 (Away Hayes & Yeading Utd)

Centre-back Ollie was born in Gravesend, starting off with Rushden & Diamonds Centre of Excellence at an early age before joining the MK Dons youth scheme. At the end of his scholarship, he signed for Forest Green Rovers in the summer of 2009. After a season, and 23 appearances for Rovers, he was initially transferred to Newport County in May 2010, but moved on to join Kidderminster Harriers on 31 August 2010. He made just 9 appearances before arriving at Nene Park for a one month loan deal on 6 January 2011. He made his Diamonds debut in the 1-2 defeat at home to Altrincham two days later, but suffered an injury in his final game at Hayes & Yeading United on 18 January. With little chance of recovery before his loan period expired, he returned to Kidderminster Harriers for treatment. On 16 February 2011 however, his contract was cancelled by mutual consent, and he signed for Conference South side Braintree Town, helping them to promotion into the Conference. He left in the summer however, and joined Conference North side Corby Town on 7 June 2011 however, his stay was short lived and he was transferred to NPL Premier side Hednesford Town on 19 July but left after one month, signing for Southern League Premier side Bedford Town on 22 August 2011. After a single season at the Eyrie, he joined newly promoted Southern League Premier side St.Neots Town on 24 August 2012. Ollie left the Saints on 1 February 2013 after his contract was cancelled by mutual consent, and he joined rivals Arlesey Town the same day. On 22 May 2013, Ollie joined Southern Premier side Hemel Hempstead Town. On 23 September 2014, he went on a one month loan to Southern Premier side St.Neots Town, before making a move to Dunstable Town then Kettering Town during the 2015/16 season before returning to Hemel Hempstead. He planned to start the 2018/19 season with Bedford Town, but left due to business commitments.

Appearances

2010/2011 – squad number 25

Luke Prosser

Luke Prosser

Born 28 May 1988 (Age 22 at debut)

Position: Defender

(Diamonds player #360)

Total appearances 7 – 1 goal

(6 League, 1 Hillier Senior Cup)

Debut:

8 January 2011 (Home Altrincham)

Final game:

12 February 2011 (Home Gateshead)

Born in London, Luke was a member of the Tottenham Hotspur Youth Academy, before signing for Port Vale as a 16-year old in 2004. He actually played against Diamonds youth team in the FA Youth Cup tie in the 2004/2005 season. He progressed through their youth team, eventually earning a professional contract.He made his debut for Port Vale on 5 April 2008, and played 5 games at the end of that 2007/2008 season. He played 28 games the following season, but found himself out of the first team squad the next season. He went on a two month loan to Conference side Salisbury City in August 2009, before returning to Vale Park, then in March 2010, went to Kidderminster Harriers on loan until the end of the season.

He was released in the summer after 36 appearances for Port Vale, and joined Southend United in August 2010 on a one year deal. The central defender played for Southend in their pre-season friendly at Nene Park and played 13 games for them before he was allowed out on a three month loan deal, arriving at Nene Park on 7 January 2011. He made his debut in the 1-2 defeat at home to Altrincham the following day. He scored a goal for Diamonds at Hayes and Yeading, but also conceded an own goal in what was to be his final game for Diamonds against Gateshead. He was recalled by Southend United on 17 February 2011, due to a number of injuries to their own squad. He stayed with Southend until May 2016, joining Colchester United. In 2020 he joined Stevenage ahead of the 2020/21 season. His Wikipedia entry is here.

Appearances

2010/2011 – squad number 5

Michael Gash

Michael Gash

Born 9 March 1986 (Age 24 at debut)

Position: Forward

(Diamonds player #359)

Total appearances 19 – 6 goals

(18 League, 1 Hillier Senior Cup)

Debut:

1 January 2011 (Away Luton Town)

Final game:

2 April 2011 (Away Mansfield Town)

Michael was born in Germany and started his career with Cambridge City. After a move to Cambridge United in 2006, he returned to City a year later and struck 27 goals in the 2007/2008 season. He then moved to Ebbsfleet United in the summer of 2008, and scored some 13 goals for the Fleet in his one season at Stonebridge Road. His impressive strike rate earned him a £55,000 transfer move to York City at the start of the 2009/2010 season, but fitness and injury problems restricted his appearances during his first season at Bootham Crescent. He won an England C cap whilst with York, and arrived at Nene Park on 1 January 2011 on a loan deal until the end of the season, making his debut the same day at Luton Town. He scored his first goal for Diamonds at Newport County three weeks later.

He scored four goals in the home game against Bath City, but a toe injury against Mansfield Town resulted in him missing the final seven games of the season, and he returned to York, only to be released at the end of the season. On 30 June 2011, Michael signed a one year deal with Cambridge United, which was later extended for another season in May 2012. On 17 August 2012, he went out on loan with fellow Conference side Braintree Town, before returning after one month. On 4 March 2013, Michael joined Kidderminster Harriers, initially on a loan deal until the end of the season, and the move was made permanent on 1 May 2013, when he signed  a two year deal. He left the Harriers at the start of 2015, joining Barnet, but after some success there a serious injury meant he missed much of the 2016-17 season. He joined Kings Lynn Town in July 2017. His Wikipedia entry is here. He moved to Peterborough Sports prior to the start of the 2021/22 season.

Appearances

2010/2011 – squad number 30

Lewis Wilson

Lewis Wilson

Born 19 February 1993 (Age 17 at debut)

Position: Midfielder

(Diamonds player #358)

Total appearances 2

(2 Hillier Senior Cup)

Debut:

12 October 2010 (Home Daventry United)

Final game:

12 January 2011 (Home Brackley Town)

Lewis was a striker from Milton Keynes who was scouted whilst playing for Newport Pagnell Town at the end of the 2008/2009 season, and taken on by Diamonds youth team after a successful trial. He is a natural goalscorer with quick feet, and can play wide midfielder as well as up front. During his time as a first year scholar he was a regular for the Under 18s in the Football Combination Youth Alliance – Midland Division, scoring 16 goals and hee moved into the second year of the scheme for the 2010/2011 season.

On 12 October 2010, he made his first appearance at first team level when he appeared as a substitute in the Hillier Senior Cup win over Daventry United. He had work experience spells with Northampton Spencer, before playing for Newport Pagnell Town. He also helped Diamonds Youth Team reach the Final of the Midland Youth Cup. At the end of his scholarship, he joined UCL side Newport Pagnell Town on a permanent basis in July 2011. After some 7 goals in 12 games since November 2011, he attracted the attention of League Two side Northampton Town, and joined the Cobblers on 31 January 2012 on a deal until the end of the season.  On 23 November 2012, Lewis joined Southern League Premier side Kettering Town on a loan deal until 2 January 2013 and scored 7 goals in 8 appearances for the Poppies before returning to the Cobblers on 3 January 2013. After being on the bench for several Northampton Town games, Lewis rejoined Kettering Town on 8 February 2013, on loan until 31 March. His loan was however cut short on 18 March, when he was recalled by the Cobblers, and he went out on a further loan the following day to Conference North side Bishops Stortford, until the end of the season. On his return to the Cobblers however, Lewis was released on 21 May 2013. On 13 August 2013, Lewis joined Southern League Division One Central side Kettering Town. After an approach from Conference South side Whitehawk, he joined them during early-October 2013, but he struggled with the travellling to the South Coast side. On 24 October 2013, Lewis joined Southern Premier side St.Neots Town, later dual signing for UCL Division One side St.Neots Town Saints. He left at the end of the season, and joined Conference North side Oxford City on 3 July 2014. Lewis went on a one month loan deal to Southern Division One Central side Kettering Town on 26 September 2014. Since then he has been with St Neots Town and Oxford City before joining Arlesey Town. He joined AFC Rushden & Diamonds in October 2016, and after 13 games for the club during the 2016-17 season he moved to St Neots Town in March 2017. He joined Cambridge City for the start of the 2017-18 season. He started the following season at Stratford Town. After short spells with Macclesfield Town, Kettering Town, Hendon and Banbury United he returned to Stratford in September 2021.

Appearances

2010/2011 – squad number =

Callum Earls

Callum Earls

Born 17 July 1993 (Age 17 at debut)

Position: Defender

(Diamonds player #357)

Total appearances 1

(1 Hillier Senior Cup)

Debut & Final game:

12 October 2010 (Home Daventry United)

Callum is a left-midfielder from Leicestershire who caught the eye of both Paul Driver and on separate occasions playing for the Leicestershire Representative Squad. A strong left back who likes to run at defenders, he was offered a youth contract after his performances for the Diamonds Under 18’s in the Puma Junior Alliance, particularly at Aldershot. During his time as a first year scholar he was a regular for the Under 18s in the Football Combination Youth Alliance – Midland Division, scoring 8 goals, and at the end of the 2009/2010 season, he won the Most Improved Player of the Year award. He moved into the second year of the scheme for the 2010/2011 season, aged 17 at the start of the Football Combination Youth Alliance – Southern Premier Division season.

On 12 October 2010 he made his first appearance at first team level when he appeared as a substitute in the Hillier Senior Cup game against Daventry United. He went out on work experience to Spalding United and then in early 2011, went to Raunds Town as well as helping the Diamonds Youth Team reach the Final of the Midland Youth Cup. After release from Diamonds, Callum signed for UCL Premier side Spalding United on 8 July 2011, but left the club in mid-March 2012. He returning for pre-season training the following season and continued to play for the Tulips, until signing for UCL Division One side Oadby Town on 30 November 2012. He left at the end of the season, following former Oadby manager Lee Harriman to NPL Premier side Barwell for the pre-season, and then signing for them in August 2013. He was unable to gain a regular starting place, and left on 7 October 2013 to join Midland Football Alliance Premier side Quorn. After a short spell with the club, he rejoined Oadby Town on 13 December 2013. Callum left at the end of the season, and joined East Midlands Counties League side St.Andrews in August 2014. He made the short move to Leicester Road FC in 2016.

Appearances

2010/2011 – squad number =

Aaron King

Aaron King

Born 18 December 1992 (Age 17 at debut)

Position: Midfielder

(Diamonds player #356)

Total appearances 4

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

Debut:

12 October 2010 (Home Daventry United)

Final game:

12 January 2011 (Home Brackley Town)

Aaron joined the Diamonds Youth Development at the age of 11, moving into the Centre of Excellence in his Under 13 year where he continued through to Under 16 level. After his excellent progress, he was scouted by Liverpool and after a successful trial with the Reds, he was offered a two-year scholarship at Anfield, signing for them in June 2009. Aaron began his scholarship on 6 July 2009, becoming the third player in the last two seasons to move from Rushden & Diamonds Youth System to a Premiership club. During his time in the North-West however, he struggled with injury and rejoined the Diamonds in October 2010, still aged 17.

On 12 October 2010, he made his first appearance at first team level when he played in the Hillier Senior Cup win over Daventry United. He was given a place in the First Team squad during November 2010, and made his first appearance in the Conference as a substitute at Luton Town on 1 January 2011.

He went on to make another two appearances. Towards the end of January 2011, he went on work experience with Barton Rovers of the Southern League Midland Division. Aaron spent some time with Southern League Division One Central side Woodford United during the 2011/2012 season, before signing for rival side Daventry Town in June 2012.

In January 2013 he joined UCL Division One side AFC Rushden & Diamonds, playing for his former youth team manager at R&DFC, Mark Starmer. Aaron scored 8 times in 52 appearances for Diamonds, but on 7 March 2014, he signed for Southern League Division One Central side Rugby Town, making his debut the following day. He left at the end of the season, signing for Southern Division One Central side Bedford Town on 10 June 2014. before moving on to Northampton Sileby Rangers and then back to Daventry Town before joining Woodford United prior to the 2015/16 season. He was back with Daventry Town for the 2016/17 season in UCL Division One. He then signed for Winslow United in 2017/18 before signing for Aylesbury FC ahead of the 2018/19 season, although he continued to play for Winslow United at the start of that season. At the start of November 2018 he moved to Kempston Rovers. He returned to Winslow before signing for Newport Pagnell Town in 2020.

Appearances

2010/2011 – squad number 28

Liam Read

Liam Read

Born 29 October 1992 (Age 17 at debut)

Position: Forward

(Diamonds player #355)

Total appearances 2

(2 Hillier Senior Cup)

Debut:

12 October 2010 (Home Daventry United)

Final game:

12 January 2011 (Home Brackley Town)

Liam was a young striker from Leicestershire who was scouted playing for the Leicestershire Representative Squad and offered a contract after good performances for the Under 16s and 18s at the end of the 2008/2009 season. Has a good work ethic and link up play. During his time as a first year scholar he was a regular for the Under 18s in the Football Combination Youth Alliance – Midland Division, scoring 23 goals and moved into the second year of the scheme for the 2010/2011 season.

On 12 October 2010, he made his first appearance at first team level when he played in the Hillier Senior Cup win over Daventry United. He had been on work experience with UCL side St.Ives Town since September 2010 and remained there throughout the season. He also helped Diamonds Youth Team to the Midland Youth Cup Final win over Chesterfield. At the end of the season, Liam joined Northern Premier Division One South side Coalville Town on 9 July 2011, but he left after a short stay. Liam joined East Midlands Counties side Blaby & Whetstone Athletic at the start of the 2012/2013 season. In August 2013, Liam joined Midland Alliance side Quorn in August 2013. After spending several seasons with Shepshed Dynamo he signed for Loughborough Dynamo ahead of the 2018/19 season.

Appearances

2010/2011 – squad number =

Max York

Max York

Born 28 November 1991 (Age 18 at debut)

Position: Midfielder

(Diamonds player #354)

Total appearances 1 – 1 goal

(1 Hillier Senior Cup)

Debut & Final game:

12 October 2010 (Home Daventry United)

Max started his career with Cambridge United and then Histon’s academy, making 6 appearances for the Histon first team after becoming a member of the senior squad at Christmas during the 2009/2010 season. The central midfielder was signed by manager Justin Edinburgh on 1 July 2010, and made his one and only appearamce for Diamonds in the Hillier Senior Cup game against Daventry United, scoring the opening goal.

He was unable to break into the first team squad however, and went out on loan to Southern League Division One Central side Barton Rovers in November 2010 for one month. In January 2011, he joined his former club Histon on loan until the end of the season, before being released in May 2011. He joined Southern League Premier side Bedford Town on 4 August 2011, before signing for Conference side Kettering Town in early-March 2012. After pre-season training with former club Histon, he joined the Conference North side on 14 August 2012, but had left by October that year to join Southern League Division One Central side Biggleswade Town, helping them to promotion via the Play-Offs. He left the club on 23 September 2014, joining Southern Premier side St.Neots Town. He had another spell at Histon before joining Biggleswade Town during the 2015-16, but then joined Histon for the fourth time prior to the 2016-17 season. He had two successful campaigns as Histon played at a lower level, and returned to the club after a short spell with Newmarket Town.

Appearances

2010/2011 – squad number 23