All Time Diamonds XI: Left Midfield

[wewantourdarbyback]

This week we move to the position of left midfield. This is another position that contains a clear favourite for the position, however we have 4 other suggested nominees for the team for you to chose from. In this case the because of the overwhelming support for all the five main suggestions they have all made it onto the short-list. As usual click on the names for more info:

Andy Burgess is the clubs all time second highest appearance maker. Over two periods with the club he has pulled on the shirt 333 times in anger and scored 34 goals. He came through the youth ranks at Nene Park, making his début in 1998. He was an integral part of the two championship winning sides as well as the team that made it to the Div 3 Play Off Final, although he missed that trip through suspension. In his time at Nene Park he was also involved in the England 'C' team at international level as well as picking up POTS awards for his form in the league. He was a versatile player, happy on either flank or in the middle and was even able to deputise at Left back. He would captain the side during his second spell at the club before leaving to join Luton and subsequently Mansfield where he now plays.

Brendan Hackett joined the club in September 1995 and helped to push the club toward the Southern League championship in his first season. He went on to make 108 appearances for the club and score 12 goals. He stayed for the clubs first couple of seasons in the Conference, helping to establish the club at the higher level before moving on to Burton Albion in 1998.

Marcus Kelly was another player to come through the clubs youth system before making it in the first team. He made his début in March 2004 during the clubs slide toward relegation from Division 2 and would go on to establish himself as a regular during the rest of the season. He would go on to make 192 appearances for the club despite a serious shoulder injury ruling him out for much of the 2006/7 season and scored 15 goals. At the end of the 2008/9 season he left the club for Oxford United and is currently plying his trade at rivals K*ttering Town.

Paul York joined RDFC from Rushden Town after the merger having previously played for Irthlingborough Diamonds under manager Roger Ashby. He played in the diamonds first ever fixture and would go on to make 151 appearances for the club and score 8 goals in the process. He is remembered for his pace and crossing accuracy, which, coupled with his ability to find usable space made him a massive asset to the young team. He left the club in in the summer of 1995 and would go on to play for Ruands Town before retiring.

Lee Tomlin is the youngest person to be nominated to join the team. He too came through the youth ranks and has established himself on the left side of the current diamonds team. He made his début as the clubs youngest ever player in 2005 as a substitute against Wycombe at the age of 16. His goal against Weymouth in October 2006 made him the clubs youngest ever scorer at 17 years old. He has gone on to make himself on of the most desired players outside of the league with a string of performances having matured in the first team over the last three years whilst moving from his original role as a striker into a wing based positon. He picked up the Players POTS award at the end of the 2008/9 season for his efforts. He has made 156 appearances for the club, scoring 26 goals.


Next up: Strikers

[BringBackDuane]

Bearing in mind this is 'all time', it has to be Burge, he did so much for the club, especially in his first spell!

[DiamondsFan]

No competition.. Tomlin is a forward anyway??

[jimbobjaw]

No competition.. Tomlin is a forward anyway??

Yeah his favourite position seems to be upfront, but personally i think it is only fair that he is considered in the position where he has had the most impact from, which has been left of midfield for the majority of the season. I would love to vote from Tommo, as he really has been fantastic, but alas, there is only one winner for me, well done Marcus :oops: ;) Sorry no Burge for me

[Downsie53]

Can i have Kenny Cramman at left back and Unders left midfield please?!?!
Na, Burge for me too.

WWODB - I still want my prize for guessing everyone correct! ;)

[wewantourdarbyback]

WWODB - I still want my prize for guessing everyone correct! ;)

Only if you'll give it back to me, I had the team written down when I started this as a guess :P

[Olly]

Bearing in mind this is 'all time', it has to be Burge, he did so much for the club, especially in his first spell!

Ditto, I've always found it incredible how much he went through with us, from our old conference days to our football league days (most of it anyway) and even came back to us back in the conference for a bit, a club legend in my eyes so for me it has to be him.

[Formic]

Burge is a clear winner for me. Let's not forget he didn't look out of place playing for us in Division 2. The only other contender for me would have been Unders, had we not already voted him in at left-back, given his performances in left midfield early in his Diamonds career.

[TheIncognitoKid]

A good list there. Shows how well Tommo has come on to make the dreamteam list and Brendan Hackett will always be in my memories having scored against Halifax to confirm we stayed up in our first conference season. But likewise, it has to be Burge for me!

[Harry]

A vote for Kelly...someone either blind, mad or a joker.