A hard nut to crack in the United Counties League Premier Division days, Rushden Town went onto form Rushden & Diamonds in 1992. The Diamonds’ formation was the result of a merger of the Russians and another of our UCL opponents – Irthlingborough Diamonds. In their own right, Town were a team to beat; up there with the best in the division. But we did get the better of them in our fourth and final encounter; a 2-0 win at Broadhall Way.
The reason that we didn’t meet again after the 1982-3 season is because the Russians – runners-up that season for the third time in six years – moved into the Southern League. That’s where they stayed; the new Diamonds club formed in 1992 claiming their spot.
