DIAMONDS BEGINNING TO SPARKLE ONCE AGAIN
VICTORY over Nuneaton last weekend continued AFC Rushden & Diamond’s perfect start to the campaign and now manager Andy Peaks is determined the club’s fairytale rise will continue.
Three wins from three, with nine goals scored and just one against, had propelled Diamonds into becoming the Southern League Central’s early pace setters before yesterday.
Formed from the ashes of the liquidated Rushden & Diamonds in 2011, the phoenix club have secured three promotions in their eight years of existence with the momentum seemingly propelling them on again this season.
“We made quite a few changes to both the coaching and playing personnel over the summer so for things to have started this well is perhaps a little surprising!” a delighted Peaks told The NLP.
“We finished in ninth position last season and to be honest we have tried to adopt a similar philosophy and build on what we achieved.
“Beating Nuneaton last weekend perhaps felt like a bit of a statement of intent because they have got a team of real pedigree there.
“That being said, we need to keep our feet on the ground and stay realistic. It is still early days and to be honest, until Nuneaton went down to 10 men last weekend, it was an extremely close game which they were maybe edging.”
Diamonds’ superb start to the season has coincided with what is an exciting time for the club, with plans for a brand new stadium beginning to come to fruition.
With positive developments continuing to move forward, both on and off the field, all the signs suggest that the Northamptonshire club are rapidly returning to their former glories.
And with home attendances now regularly numbering over 500, Peaks is perfectly aware of the special nature of AFC Rushden & Diamonds’ continuing rise.
“It is a really remarkable thing to be a part of,” he explained.
“When the club was reformed the fans were just happy to have their team back.
“Week in, week out the following that we get is really remarkable. They are proper football fans and stick by us through thick and thin.
“The club have got a plot of land now so the process towards building the new stadium can begin.
“I coach the under 16’s team here as well and they are national champions. They can now look ahead to the next few years with real excitement because the future seems really bright here.”
He added: “Looking at this season, it is still early days but a win is a win and you would never turn down having points on the board at this stage.”