Another Trio of Newcomers at Diamonds

Busy Chris Nunn, manager of Pitching In Southern League Premier Division Central club AFC Rushden & Diamonds, made three more new signings ahead of Saturday’s game against Rushall Olympic, which was subsequently postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.

Big, powerful defender Sidik Atcha joins Diamonds from Northern Premier League Division One Midlands side Harborough Town.

The 21-year-old had been with the NPL newcomers since October 2022 after joining from league rivals Corby Town.

He had returned to the Steelmen in August 2022 and was also registered with Southern Premier Division Central side Nuneaton Borough the same month.

He had signed for Boro’s league rivals St Ives Town in December 2021 and also dual registered with then-NPL Division One Midlands outfit Soham Town Rangers.

A former Hemel Hempstead Town and Boreham Wood youngster, he moved to the Corby academy in 2018.

Whilst on the Steelmen`s books he had loan spells with Northampton Sileby Rangers, then in the United Counties League, as well as with Daventry Town.

In October 2020, he signed for Southern Division One Central side Kempston Rovers and then in February 2021, he went over to join Lada Pilgoraj to play in Liga 3 in Poland, but due to family reasons, had to return to the UK.

Also moving to Hayden Road is striker Jim Burnside, who joins from Spartan South Midlands League Division One side Real Bedford.

The experienced 30-year-old has been a prolific scorer in the United Counties League and Spartan South Midlands Leagues in recent years.

He started scoring goals at Potton United, but it was at Newport Pagnell Town where he really made his name.

A goal-laden spell averaging close to a-goal-a-game over three seasons made him one of the most sought-after strikers in the local area.

He left Newport Pagnell in the summer - his final appearance coming at Wembley as the Swans lifted the FA Vase, beating Littlehampton Town 3-0 in the final.

Burnside continued scoring goals at Step 6 with Real Bedford in the early months of this season but is keen to make the step up and test himself at a higher level.

Joining Diamonds on dual registration with Vanarama National League North side Peterborough Sports is Aussie defender Luca Doorbar-Baptist.

The 20-year-old, born in Sydney, is a right-back who joined the newly promoted Turbines in the summer of 2022 after being released by Premier League side Nottingham Forest.

He is a product of the Nottingham Forest academy after spending his formative years in his home country.

He spent last month on dual registration with Northern Premier League Division One Midlands outfit Cambridge City to obtain more game time.

AFC Rushden & Diamonds Web Site