Rivals Rushden has just over a week to find £250,000
By Nathan Jackson
May 11 2011
Rushden and Diamonds will go out of business if they don't find £250,000 by the end of next week, that's according to Keith Cousins, the former owner of the club. They claim that League Two side Gillingham still owe them money after the Gills sold former Diamonds striker Simeon Jackson to Norwich.
Speaking to the Northamptonshire Evening Telegraph, Cousins revealed that there is a very realistic chance of the club going out of business.
Rushden and Diamonds only formed in 1992 and quickly shot up the leagues due to a "sugar daddy" chairman, earning them the nickname Ru$hd£n amongst lower league fans. A five year spell in the Football League between 2001 and 2006 saw them reach the Division Three (as it was known then) Playoff Final in 2002 and they then won the division the following year. However, the club could easily fold within two weeks.
A lot rests on what happens in the next seven to 10 days," Cousings told the Evening Telegraph. “We are in the most appalling position. But it’s not about pointing fingers. We need to work out what we are going to do to save this club. If we don’t do something together then we will have to accept the dire consequences. I put in a lot of hard work and money over five years so I would hate to see the club disappear. No-one should be under any illusions – this is a very serious situation. I’ve done my bit and I’m not about to put any more money in."
Non-league teams, especially in recent years, have a history of going out of business, with former League sides Halifax and Chester both going bust in the last three years. Although not strictly a local derby for the Imps, the loss of a game against a team that's not too far away would hurt finances at Sincil Bank as well.
It is believed the Diamonds have an overall debt of £750,000 and a proposed merger with Kettering Town has fallen through.
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