2002–03 Rushden & Diamonds F.C. season

During the 2002–03 English football season, Rushden & Diamonds competed in the Third Division.

Season summary

Rushden & Diamonds finished the season as Third Division champions, ensuring their first ever season in the Second Division.

Rushden & Diamonds retained the previous season's kit, which was manufactured by Fila and sponsored by Dr. Martens.^[1]

Squad at end of season^[2]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


No.	Pos.	Nation	Player
1	GK	ENG	Billy Turley
3	DF	ENG	Paul Underwood
4	DF	NIR	Barry Hunter
5	DF	WAL	Mark Peters
6	DF	ENG	Andy Edwards
7	MF	ENG	Stuart Wardley
8	MF	ENG	Ritchie Hanlon
9	FW	ENG	Dean Holdsworth
10	FW	ENG	Duane Darby
11	MF	ENG	Andy Burgess
12	DF	SCO	Stuart Gray^{[notes 1]}
13	GK	ENG	Stuart Naylor
14	DF	ENG	Marcus Bignot


No.	Pos.	Nation	Player
15	MF	ENG	Gary Mills
16	GK	ENG	Adam Sollitt
17	DF	ENG	Gary Setchell
18	MF	ENG	David Bell^{[notes 2]}
19	MF	ENG	Daniel Talbot
20	DF	ENG	Andrew Sambrook
21	FW	WAL	Robert Duffy
22	FW	JAM	Paul Hall^{[notes 3]}
24	DF	ENG	John Dempster
31	FW	JAM	Onandi Lowe
33	DF	IRL	David Bell
36	MF	ENG	Owen Story
40	DF	NGA	Magnus Okuonghae^{[notes 4]}

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


No.	Pos.	Nation	Player
2	DF	ENG	Tarkan Mustafa (on loan to Doncaster Rovers; sold to Dagenham & Redbridge)
6	DF	ENG	Andy Tillson (retired)
9	FW	ENG	Scott Partridge (on loan to Exeter City; sold to Shrewsbury Town)
14	MF	IRL	Michael McElhatton (retired)


No.	Pos.	Nation	Player
16	GK	WAL	Tony Pennock (to Farnborough Town)
23	DF	ENG	Brett Solkhon (on loan to Canvey Island; sold to Kettering Town)
25	FW	ENG	Tony Battersby (released)

^ Gray was born in Harrogate, England, but also qualified to represent Scotland internationally through his father and represented Scotland at U-21 level.
^ Bell was born in Wellingborough, England, but also qualified to represent the Republic of Ireland internationally and represented the Republic of Ireland at U-21 and B level.
^ Hall was born in Manchester, England, but also qualified to represent Jamaica internationally and made his international debut for Jamaica in 1997.
^ Okuonghae was born in Lagos, Nigeria, but also qualified to represent England internationally and represented England at C level.

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