Rushden and Diamonds

Rushden sign West Ham youngster
West Ham teenager Lee Hales has joined Rushden and Diamonds in a loan deal running until January. The 18-year old midfielder has come through the youth set up at Upton Park and has played for the Hammers reserves this season. Hales is set to make his debut for the Blue Square Premier side in their County Cup game on Tuesday night. Lee is an England Under-17 international and is the son of Rushden assistant manager Kevin Hales.

Police charge Rushden boss Hill
Rushden boss Garry Hill has been charged with causing actual bodily harm by Wiltshire Police over an incident in the match with Salisbury in September. A touchline flare-up at the final whistle saw Hill head-butt Salisbury assistant manager Tommy Widdrington. Hill has been released on bail to appear at South East Wiltshire Magistrates' Court on 12 December 12. The charge against Hill has been brought by Wiltshire Police and not by Salisbury or Widdrington. Following the incident, Rushden fined Hill the "maximum possible amount allowed by the football authorities." Hill was also suspended from all football for two weeks by the Football Association. In addition he was hit with a 10-match touchline ban, with five games suspended for a year.

Rushden bring in Andersen on loan
Rushden & Diamonds have signed Reading keeper Mikkel Andersen on a seven-day emergency loan after Nottingham Forest recalled Dale Roberts. The Diamonds were forced to make their move for the 19-year-old, with Martyn Margarson and Paul Nicholls struggling with injury and illness. The Dane could make his Diamonds debut on Tuesday against Stafford Rangers. Andersen played three times for Diamonds' Blue Square rivals Torquay in a recent loan spell.

Edinburgh takes up Diamonds role
Rushden & Diamonds have appointed Justin Edinburgh as assistant manager. The former Tottenham and Portsmouth defender previously had spells managing Billericay, Fisher and Grays. Diamonds manager Garry Hill told Radio Northampton: "Justin will benefit the team with his experience as a player and a manager. "I think at times having an extra voice and being able to bounce ideas off somebody else on the touchline will be a big plus for us." Meanwhile Rushden have extended goalkeeper Dale Roberts's loan-spell until January. The Nottingham Forest keeper has been at Nene Park since the start of October. But another loan player, Manny Panther, has returned to Exeter.

Rankine to go back to Diamonds
Bournemouth loan striker Michael Rankine will return to his parent club Rushden & Diamonds next month. Cherries boss Jimmy Quinn had asked to extend the player's loan beyond the initial month, which is due to expire on 8 November. But Quinn told Radio Solent: "Rushden are having a bit of a shake-up there, and they want to take him back." "I'm disappointed because Michael has done well, and has really enjoyed his time with us."

Gulliver and Burton leave Rushden
Transfer-listed Rushden & Diamonds defenders Phil Gulliver and Sagi Burton have left the club. Gulliver, 26, has joined Southern Premier Division side Corby Town after making 132 appearances for the Diamonds over two spells. Thirty-year-old Burton has left the Blue Square Premier side by mutual consent after 11 games following his summer move. The pair were among eight players made available for transfer recently. Meanwhile, manager Garry Hill has called for everybody associated with the club to pull together to get them through their current crisis. Skipper Curtis Woodhouse and playmaker Andy Burgess were among the eight players listed following their shock FA Cup exit to Evesham. The team responded by getting a battling draw at Cambridge on Saturday. "Whether you're a supporter, whether you're a player or a member of staff you've all got to be pulling together," Hill told Radio Northampton.

Fortune seals Rushden loan switch
Darlington defender Clayton Fortune has joined Blue Square Premier side Rushden & Diamonds on a one-month loan deal. Fortune, 26, who began his career with Tottenham Hotspur, is available for Saturday's game with Weymouth. Meanwhile, Dean McDonald has become the third of eight transfer-listed players to leave Nene Park. The 22-year-old former Ipswich, Hartlepool and Gillingham striker has left Rushden by mutual consent after joining from Inverness in July.

Hill resigns as Rushden manager
Rushden & Diamonds boss Garry Hill has resigned as manager of the mid-table Blue Square Premier club. Hill took charge at Nene Park in February 2007 but has stood down after a run of results that has seen the Diamonds go eight games without a win. Chairman Keith Cousins told the club's website: "It is with deep regret that I have accepted Garry's resignation." Justin Edinburgh has been put in caretaker charge for Saturday's game at home to Lewes. Hill's final game as manager was the 3-0 defeat away to league-leaders Burton Albion on Monday. "It is a very sad day at Nene Park," said Cousins. "What's even more disappointing is that this is a victory for the 'boo boy' supporters and a loss to the club." Cousins also called on the Rushden fans to get behind their team for the game with Lewes. "The supporters have a big part to play in Saturday's game," said Cousins. "I am urging as many fans as possible to make the journey to Nene Park to cheer Justin and the lads on."

Dicks wants Rushden manager's job
Former England, Liverpool and West Ham defender Julian Dicks has declared his interest in the vacant Rushden & Diamonds manager's job. The 40-year-old is boss of Ridgeons Premier side Wivenhoe and is eyeing the job at Nene Park following the resignation of Garry Hill. "Rushden's a big club in non-league and I would look forward to a job like that," Dicks told BBC Northampton. "I have seen the facilities at Nene Park and they are magnificent." Rushden currently have former Tottenham defender Justin Edinburgh in caretaker charge. "I've got a lot to offer football and I have enjoyed my time at Wivenhoe," added Dicks. "I've played under a lot of managers and I take a lot from them; people like Graeme Souness, Ron Saunders and Harry (Redknapp). "Rushden would be the next step up for me."

Diamonds sign QPR winger Arthur
Rushden & Diamonds have signed Chris Arthur on loan for one month from Championship side Queens Park Rangers. The 19-year-old winger signed a professional deal with QPR in July 2008 but is yet to play a first-team game. Arthur was on loan for three months at Rushden's Blue Square Premier rivals Kettering Town earlier in the season. He is set to feature against Mansfield on Saturday as the Diamonds aim for their third win in a row under caretaker boss Justin Edinburgh.

Rushden keeper Day goes on loan
Rushden & Diamonds have sent out goalkeeper Joe Day on a month's loan to Ryman League outfit Harrow Borough. The 19-year-old joined Rushden as an Under-17 from Crystal Palace and was awarded a professional contract at Nene Park during the summer. "Joe is at an age where he's only going to develop by playing games," said Diamonds manager Justin Edinburgh. "It's a decent level for Joe and we'll be assessing his progress after the initial month at Harrow." Day is set to go straight into Borough's side for Saturday's trip to Ryman Premier Division pace-setters Dartford. Edinburgh added: "It's a baptism of fire for him, a big game. "But it's a good standard to be playing first-team football at that age and I'm sure he'll do very well." Midfielder Jamie McGuinness has returned to Rushden from his loan deal at Bedford Town.

View Full Version: Rushden and Diamonds