JoeyShinobi
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I proudly present to you my Rushden and Diamonds story. I've actually been playing this for a while now, but I'm at a point where it's almost like starting again. This opening post will hopefully help you all get up to speed. Let me know if you like it and if you'd like to hear more...
Premier League new boys will hold no fear
by Luke Ingood - 2nd July 2018
As meteoric rises go, there are few that compare with that of Rushden and Diamonds. Their fairytale story began in 2009 with the appointment of former England midfielder Joe Franklin. Despite many believing the club to be incapable of finishing anywhere above mid-table, he and his squad defied the odds to achieve promoton via the play-offs, and the Nene Park faithful took what they believed to be their rightful place in England's professional structure.
Franklin, however, had other ideas; his ruthless culling of players he deemed lacking the sufficient ability to progress the club at first had its critics, but a 9th place finish in their first season back vindicated him. With no transfer budget and fairly meagre wage allowances, Rushden were always reliant on free agents and the goodwill of others; namely Chelsea and Portsmouth, who allowed several young stars to cut their teeth in professional football in Irthlingbrough. The club also forged a footballing partnership with Fulham, and players such as Adam Pepper got to shine in League 2.
Promotion into League 1 was achieved in 2012, winning the League 2 Championship on goal difference from Gillingham. For a side priced at around 200-1 to win the title that year, it was a monumental effort. The side's success was put down to a competitive squad - consistent performances sprinkled with some magic from some young Premier League starlets with points to prove. The formula continued to work, and after a strong debut season in League 1, Rushden achieved the impossible; a second-placed finish in 2015.
The Championship would surely prove too much for Franklin and his happy-go-lucky team, but after establishing themselves as mainstays, Franklin turned his eye to a promotion charge. His young squad was tempered by some experienced heads, such as midfielder Jimmy Smith and full back Yassin Moutaoukil. The stars of the show were keeper Martin Kelly, already being courted by several European clubs, former Chelsea trainee Luc Castaignos and Manchester Utd loanee Omar Daems. 2018 was the fruition of years of hard work and dedication; finally, a ticket to the promised land.
Their task this season isn't easy, to say the least. With by far the smallest ground (only 10,700 capacity), the smallest wage budget (just over £100,000 a week), and by far the youngest squad, Franklin faces a real battle to even register points with a squad that has surely been punching above its weight for a considerable period. It goes without saying the price of failure is high, and a club as small as Rushden could see themselves plummet without trace within a couple of seasons should they be relegated. This hasn't put off Franklin, nor the board that has backed him for so long. A £13 million transfer purse has been made available, and Franklin has vowed to spend every penny of it.
Chances like this don't come along very often for clubs as small as Rushden. With the fans, the board, and most importantly, the players firmly behind him, Franklin promises to lead this club into battle with no fear - all or nothing. Even if they fail, they can look back and say 'we gave it everything'.
So...that's basically how we got to where we are. If there's demand, I might do a few flashbacks and try and put together a few season reviews, but I thought I'd crack on with a bit of future history.
Premier League new boys will hold no fear
by Luke Ingood - 2nd July 2018
As meteoric rises go, there are few that compare with that of Rushden and Diamonds. Their fairytale story began in 2009 with the appointment of former England midfielder Joe Franklin. Despite many believing the club to be incapable of finishing anywhere above mid-table, he and his squad defied the odds to achieve promoton via the play-offs, and the Nene Park faithful took what they believed to be their rightful place in England's professional structure.
Franklin, however, had other ideas; his ruthless culling of players he deemed lacking the sufficient ability to progress the club at first had its critics, but a 9th place finish in their first season back vindicated him. With no transfer budget and fairly meagre wage allowances, Rushden were always reliant on free agents and the goodwill of others; namely Chelsea and Portsmouth, who allowed several young stars to cut their teeth in professional football in Irthlingbrough. The club also forged a footballing partnership with Fulham, and players such as Adam Pepper got to shine in League 2.
Promotion into League 1 was achieved in 2012, winning the League 2 Championship on goal difference from Gillingham. For a side priced at around 200-1 to win the title that year, it was a monumental effort. The side's success was put down to a competitive squad - consistent performances sprinkled with some magic from some young Premier League starlets with points to prove. The formula continued to work, and after a strong debut season in League 1, Rushden achieved the impossible; a second-placed finish in 2015.
The Championship would surely prove too much for Franklin and his happy-go-lucky team, but after establishing themselves as mainstays, Franklin turned his eye to a promotion charge. His young squad was tempered by some experienced heads, such as midfielder Jimmy Smith and full back Yassin Moutaoukil. The stars of the show were keeper Martin Kelly, already being courted by several European clubs, former Chelsea trainee Luc Castaignos and Manchester Utd loanee Omar Daems. 2018 was the fruition of years of hard work and dedication; finally, a ticket to the promised land.
Their task this season isn't easy, to say the least. With by far the smallest ground (only 10,700 capacity), the smallest wage budget (just over £100,000 a week), and by far the youngest squad, Franklin faces a real battle to even register points with a squad that has surely been punching above its weight for a considerable period. It goes without saying the price of failure is high, and a club as small as Rushden could see themselves plummet without trace within a couple of seasons should they be relegated. This hasn't put off Franklin, nor the board that has backed him for so long. A £13 million transfer purse has been made available, and Franklin has vowed to spend every penny of it.
Chances like this don't come along very often for clubs as small as Rushden. With the fans, the board, and most importantly, the players firmly behind him, Franklin promises to lead this club into battle with no fear - all or nothing. Even if they fail, they can look back and say 'we gave it everything'.
Rushden and Diamonds: The Class of 2018
Manager: Joe Franklin
Stadium: Nene Park (10700 all-seater)
Club captain: Martin Kelly
Star players: Martin Kelly (GK), Josh Payne (CM), Luc Castaignos (RLC AM/FC), Peter Devlin (LB/LM)
Last season: PROMOTED from Championship - debut season in Premier League
Media Prediction: 20th
Here goes nothing...
Manager: Joe Franklin
Stadium: Nene Park (10700 all-seater)
Club captain: Martin Kelly
Star players: Martin Kelly (GK), Josh Payne (CM), Luc Castaignos (RLC AM/FC), Peter Devlin (LB/LM)
Last season: PROMOTED from Championship - debut season in Premier League
Media Prediction: 20th
Here goes nothing...