AFC Rushden & Diamonds, the phoenix club formed after the original Rushden & Diamonds folded in 2011, will make their FA Cup first-round debut this weekend. The Northamptonshire side, now in the eighth tier, take on League One Burton Albion at Pirelli Stadium on Saturday.
Chairman Rob Usher said losing their Nene Park stadium was heartbreaking, but the anger fuelled fans declaring they were not gone and not done. Some 2,000 travelling fans will make the trip, with £47,750 for the winners and £15,800 for the losers.
Billy Sharp, the Championship's all-time record goalscorer, has come out of retirement to join the Diamonds. The 40-year-old scored his first nine professional goals on loan from Sheffield United to the original club in 2005, and is targeting a landmark 300th goal while filling in for suspended forward James Clifton.
They reached this stage after a 5-0 win at Kimberley Miners Welfare and victories over Long Eaton United, Desborough Town, Peterborough Sports, Braintree Town and Morecambe.
Source: BBC Sport Football · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing