Eighth-tier AFC Rushden & Diamonds face National League North side Morecambe in a blockbuster FA Cup fourth qualifying round tie this weekend

AFC Rushden & Diamonds fans haven't had much to shout about in recent times.

15 years ago, Rushden & Diamonds FC, the original club who were once a staple in the EFL, dissolved after they were expelled from the Conference National and faced a winding-up petition with debts of £750,000.

A new club, named AFC Rushden & Diamonds, was not long set up by supporters and registered to compete in the United Counties League Division One - FIVE tiers below the Conference - for the 2012/13 season.

Diamonds enjoyed a rapid rise through the non-league pyramid, winning three promotions in six years to reach the Southern Premier League Central - the seventh-tier - ahead of the 2018/19 season.

But that is as good as it got for Diamonds, who spent five years at that level, finishing as high as ninth on one occasion, before suffering relegation and dropping down to the Northern Premier League Midlands Division.

At that point, it felt as though the club were in free fall. Diamonds look nailed on for back-to-back relegations after TEN successive defeats at the start of the 2023/24 season, but, despite finishing in the drop zone, they were handed a reprieve following Loughborough Dynamo’s demise.

A period of consolidation followed, though there were still some grievances about the direction of the club following a dour mid-table finish in 2024/25. It prompted a change in management that summer, with former player Elliot Sandy appointed.

He guided them to their most successful season in years, which included their best-ever FA Trophy run, and he has taken that momentum into 2026/27. Indeed, Diamonds have made an impressive start to the campaign and supporters are beginning to be optimistic about the future again.

As well as picking up 17 points from their first nine league matches, Diamonds have enjoyed a stellar run in the FA Cup and are into the fourth qualifying round for just the second time in their history. On Saturday, they go up against National League North side Morecambe in front of a sell-out crowd at Hayden Road.

"I am absolutely buzzing," Diamonds manager Elliot Sandy told The Mirror. "Listening to the draw was quite nervy, it's been a while since I've had that sort of experience. We just wanted a home tie, which we got, and then you hope for a big club that's going to come to town.

"Obviously, they were in the EFL a couple of years ago, so it's going to be a huge occasion for everyone involved in the club, and something we're really looking forward to."

Diamonds started their FA Cup campaign back in August, when they competed in the extra preliminary round. They've since won five matches, beating Kimberley Miners Welfare, Long Eaton United, Desborough Town, Peterborough Sports and Braintree Town to reach the fourth qualifying round.

It's been quite the run for Diamonds, who are one of just five clubs which competed in the extra preliminary round still left in the competition, alongside SE Dons, Tadley Calleva, Atherton Collieries and Stafford Rangers.

Reflecting on their run in the world's oldest cup competition this season, Sandy said: "The FA Cup was our first game of the season. We started in the extra-preliminary round in the first week of August, I think it was. You might want to check the exact date, but right at the start of August, away at Kimberley Miners Welfare, and having to come through, I think it's five games. There was a replay in there as well where we won on penalties.

"So, it's been quite the journey in the FA Cup. But for clubs like ours, from our level, the financial side of things as well is really helpful. And just to be in this position, I've got ex-professionals in there who have been there and done it in the FA Cup as such, but then I've got a lot of young lads who potentially could be the furthest they ever get.

"So, they need to really take these moments in, enjoy them while they're here. And like I said, when it comes to the game, be prepared to give absolutely everything on the pitch."

If Diamonds beat Morecambe, a blockbuster first round tie against 2026 Premier League champions Leicester City could be in the offing, with the Foxes now plying their trade in League One following a drastic recent fall.

When asked about the prospect of a potential huge draw against Russell Martin's side, Sandy replied: "Yeah, everyone talks about Leicester City at the minute, don't they? But yeah, it'd be an incredible achievement, not just for myself and my management team, but the board who have come in, they're a reasonably new board.

"We're a fan-owned club, so there's so many volunteers who put their time and work in every single day to make the club what it is. So without them, there wouldn't be a club. And then just obviously to be this close to the chairman when I first spoke to him about 15 months ago, before I took over, he said it was his dream. He is just a fan himself who is obviously become chairman and he said it was his dream to get the club to the first round proper. And obviously, we're 90 minutes away from achieving that dream already. It would be incredible.

"But we know how tough it's going to be. Morecambe are two leagues above, they've come down from the National League beforehand. But we just beat Step 2 opposition in the last round at home.

"I believe it is going to be a sell-out, which will be great. It should be a record attendance for our club. And why not? The FA Cup, the magic of the cup, you just never know."

Diamonds' opponents Morecambe have made a mixed start to the season. The Shrimpers, who were in the EFL as recently as 2024/25, have been excellent at home, winning their last five matches. But Adam Lakeland's side have been less so impressive on the road, winning just one in six away from home.

And Sandy is confident his Diamonds side can cause another major FA Cup upset, despite Morecambe sitting 40 places above them in the non-league pyramid.

"They've been there, done it," Sandy continued. "They've got some experienced players in there as well. The management team that have gone in are experienced at non-league level. Looking at their form, they're in good form at the minute. I think it's third or fourth in their league.

"But like you said, away from home, it's not really clicked for them. They've not worked so much, and coming to a place like ours, a long journey, I'm guessing they'll probably stay up the night before, and then they turn up and our pitch isn't the best. It’s alright, we work hard to try and have it as good as possible.

"But it's probably not what they're used to. Nice, tight, small ground with I don't know how many they'll bring. But I'm guessing there'll be 1,500 plus, maybe closer to 2,000 Diamond fans in there cheering us on. So we know it's going to be really difficult. Morecambe will be the big favourites. But we've been in this position before and come through it. So we'll do our very best."

Diamonds head into the tie off the back of an impressive 5-3 win at Long Eaton last time out. They are unbeaten in the Northern Premier League Midlands, winning four and drawing five of their nine matches. Sandy's men sit 12th, two points off the play-off places but have at least TWO games in hand on most.

Morecambe, on the other hand, lost 2-1 at Worksop Town last weekend. They did, however, batter Darlington 3-0 before that, sealing their spot in the FA Cup fourth qualifying round.