By rob
February 16 2003

Rushden and Diamonds formed in 1992 after the merger of Rushden town (Southern lague midland division) and Irthlingborough Diamonds (United Counties league premier league). Prior to the merger both teams were in financial trouble. Tony Jones, the chairman of Irthlingborough diamonds realised that to save the club he needed to find someone to join the club with financial backing. He hit on the idea of approaching Max Griggs, the owner of Dr Martens footwear, of whom he'd been acquainted with when Tony's footwear company had recently before sold two small factory units to the Griggs group. Max had been involved with Northampton town and was hounded out by a section of fans and a local sports reporter. Max had been badly wounded by his treatment at the cobblers but still loved the game.
At the time Dr Martens headquarters was at Wollaston, Northants, and after a telephone conversation a meeting was set up there. Tony had a plan that Max could take over the club, lock stock and barrel, including an additional 3.5 acres of land belonging to the diamonds but not developed upon. The original idea was for the additional land to be used for a sports and leisure club for the 2000+ employees of the Griggs group, and a secure future for the club. Max's reply was "I'll think about it".
A few weeks later another meeting was set up and Max signalled that he was interested. Max outlined his own thoughts for possible future improvement and what financial input was needed to get things started. £20,000 was suggested and Max agreed. Irthlingborough diamonds were now safe.
A couple of days later Max and two of his directors went to Nene park to see what they had let themselves in for. He was by this time very keen. He had ideas of building a new stand and improving the clubhouse, then Max made one of his many famous statements "I think we could reach the conference in 5 years". Tony was completely in shock at what Max was planning for the club, he was only expecting to see the diamonds survive as a local club. New ideas were being thrown about by Max by the day and then he came up with an idea that hit Tony like a bombshell. He suggested that the diamonds could try and merge with Rushden town, they were in difficulties and they were in a mess and were looking for a new ground. They were also in a higher league. There was a strong rivalry between the two clubs especially when Rushden were in the UCL too. The idea wasn't liked but Tony went along with it, although he knew it would be difficult.
Neil Grant, the chairman of Rushden Town was approached with Max's idea of a possible merger and he immediately saw the advantages from his point of view. If Irthlingborough had succeeded in getting the Griggs group behind them, then it made more sense to join up with them, rather than continuing to find a new ground for Rushden town and run the risk of the Diamonds overtaking them in status by virtue of financial backing. Rushden town's committee had to consider it too. After much discussion it was agreed. The problems to overcome now was who would stay and who would go, as a result of the merger. A new name had to be put forward, and there was the little thing of getting the ok from the F.A., and the southern league to allow the new club to retain Rushden towns old place in the league. Everything went well and the merger was sealed. The start of the 1992/93 season would see this new club take it's place in football. Roger Ashby was to be the manager, and many of the old Rushden town players would become the new team, along with a few new signings.