BOOTHAM Crescent will witness history tomorrow as Rushden and Diamonds make their Football League bow, just nine years after being formed.

Promoted as champions of the Nationwide Conference, the Northamptonshire club were created only in 1992 with the amalgamation of Rushden Town and Irthlingborough Diamonds by Dr Martens' mogul Max Griggs.

Rushden Town had been going since 1894 and Diamonds since 1946 but neither hit the big time until Griggs 'put the boot in', League status being achieved after 153 years of the clubs' collective history.

The businessman built a new 6,500 capacity ground - Nene Park - on the site where the original Diamonds played, next to his shoemaking factory, and success has not been long in coming.

They were promoted to the Conference as Southern League champions in 1996.

They then stayed in non-League's top tier for only five years before moving on up once again into Division Three.

They were led into the Football League by boss Brian Talbot, the former Arsenal, Ipswich Town and England midfielder, finishing six points ahead of Yeovil Town, who were then managed by former Scarborough chief Colin Addison.

Talbot has since stated his willingness to give his Conference players the chance to prove themselves in the League.

Indeed his only two summer signings have come from the Conference, namely Yeovil duo Warren Patmore, a 20-goal striker last term, and goalkeeper Tony Pennock.