2003–04 Rushden & Diamonds F.C. season

Rushden & Diamonds 2003–04 ENG Brian TalbotNIR Barry Hunter (player-manager)ENG Ernie Tippett ENG Max Griggs Nene Park Second Division 22nd (relegated) FA Cup First round League Cup First round Football League Trophy Second round Onandi Lowe (15) 2002–03 2004–05 During the 2003–04 English football season, Rushden & Diamonds competed in the Second Division. Season summary Despite chairman and owner Max Griggs declaring his intention to sell the club in October, by Christmastime Rushden & Diamonds were two points off the play-off spaces. However, their next 11 games saw a return of only 8 points, leaving the club in relegation peril. This came amidst the background of increasing financial woes, which culminated in four key players leaving on March's transfer deadline day, most notably top scorer Onandi Lowe. Manager Brian Talbot had already departed to take over at Oldham Athletic, leaving Barry Hunter to take over as player-manager. Ernie Tippett took over as permanent manager with 3 games left of the season, but lost all 3, condemning the club to an immediate return to the fourth tier.https://rdfc1992.com/2018/10/13/rushden-diamonds-football-club-history/ Kit Rushden & Diamonds switched kit manufacturers to Errea. Dr. Martens remained kit sponsor.http://www.historicalkits.co.uk/Rushden_and_Diamonds/Rushden_and_Diamonds.htm First-team squad Squad at end of seasonhttps://www.footballsquads.co.uk/eng/2003-2004/d2/rushden.htm FootballSquads - Rushden & Diamonds - 2003/04 1 ENG GK Billy Turley 4 ENG MF Gary Mills 5 ENG DF Andy Edwards 6 NIR DF Barry Hunter 7 ENG MF Stuart Wardley 8 ENG MF Ritchie Hanlon 9 VIN FW Rodney Jack 12 SCO DF Stuart GrayGray was born in Harrogate, England, but also qualified to represent Scotland internationally through his father and represented Scotland at U-21 level. 14 ENG DF John Dempster 15 ENG DF Andrew Sambrook 16 WAL FW Robert Duffy 17 IRL GK Stephen Gahan 18 ENG MF David BellBell was born in Wellingborough, England, but also qualified to represent the Republic of Ireland internationally and represented the Republic of Ireland at U-21 and B level. 19 ENG MF Daniel Talbot 20 ENG FW Paul Kitson 21 ENG MF Owen Story 23 IRL DF David Bell 24 NGA DF Magnus OkuonghaeOkuonghae was born in Lagos, Nigeria, but also qualified to represent England internationally and represented England at C level. 25 DRC FW Eric Manangu 28 ENG MF Marcus Kelly 35 ENG DF Leo Roget Left club during season 2 ENG DF Marcus Bignot to Queens Park Rangers 3 ENG DF Paul Underwood to Luton Town 10 ENG FW Duane Darby to Shrewsbury Town 10 JAM FW Trevor BenjaminBenjamin was born in Kettering, England, and represented England at U-21 level, but also qualified to represent Jamaica internationally and made his international debut for Jamaica in November 2002. on loan from Leicester City 10 IRL DF Barry Quinn on loan from Coventry City 20 WAL DF Mark Peters releasedbbc.co.uk 22 JAM FW Paul HallHall was born in Manchester, England, but also qualified to represent Jamaica internationally and made his international debut for Jamaica in 1997. to Tranmere Rovers 31 JAM FW Onandi Lowe to Coventry City 35 AUS GK Andy Petterson to Southend United 35 RSA GK Paul Evans released 35 ENG FW Adebayo Akinfenwa released 36 ENG GK Jamie Ashdown on loan from Reading References 32em Notes notes Rushden and Diamonds Category:Rushden & Diamonds F.C. seasons