Shock Departure of Peaks to Tamworth

There was shock news on Tuesday when it was announced that Andy Peaks had swapped his management role at play-off chasing AFC Rushden & Diamonds for a battle against relegation with Pitching In Southern League Premier Division Central rivals Tamworth.

Peaks, 51, joins the Lambs on an 18-month contract with a remit to ensure Premier Division Central status and then attempt a return to the Vanarama National League North in 2022/23.

Peaks joined the Diamonds management team in May 2012 as assistant to Mark Starmer, bringing a wealth of United Counties League experience as well as his notable career history with the original Rushden & Diamonds where he was eighth in their all-time appearance list, having played 205 times between 1992 and 1997.

Peaks took over control of first team affairs in a caretaker role following Starmer’s resignation in March 2014 and was installed on a permanent basis a month later.

In his first full season at the helm, he took the club to a league and cup `double` in the United Counties League.

He has since led to the end of season play-offs twice before winning promotion to Step 3 at the end of the 2017/18 season and they have consistently been in and around the top end of the league, although obviously Covid prevented any further attempts at promotion in the past two seasons.

Tamworth chairman Bob Andrews told his club`s website: “We had some very high calibre applications, but Andy stood out as the person we believe that can take Tamworth forward to the next level. He has an excellent pedigree, and we look forward to working with him”.

Tamworth Web Site