Paul Underwood

Born 16 August 1973 (Age 24 at debut)

Position: Defender

(Diamonds player #73)

Total appearances 301 - 18 goals

(248 League, 24 FA Cup, 15 FA Trophy, 7 League Cup, 3 League Trophy, 3 Hillier Senior Cup, 1 Maunsell Cup)

Debut:

16 August 1997 (Home Northwich Victoria)

Final game:

20 March 2004 (Away Brentford)

Paul was signed for Diamonds on 1 July 1997 for £50,000 from Enfield, when he cecame one of Brian Talbot's first signings. He had previously played at Carshalton Athletic, Sutton United, Dorking and Molesey before spending a year with Enfield. Initially playing as a left-winger Paul dropped back into the role of Left Back where he excelled, eventually becoming the Club Captain. He helped The Diamonds win the Conference and promotion to Division 3 in 2001, then the playoff place in Division 3 in 2003, and finally the Division 3 Championship and promotion to Division 2 in 2003. He appeared in many memorable games for R&DFC, and also managed to pick up winners medals in the Northants FA Maunsell Cup in 2000 and the Hillier Senior Cup in 1999.

Paul established himself as a Diamonds favourite under Brian Talbot and as well as representing the England Semi-Professional team. He was named as The Diamonds player of the season in 2003. In a 2004 BBC survey, and was voted Rushden & Diamonds all time cult hero ahead of Duane Darby and Gary Butterworth.

After more than 200 appearances for Rushden, Paul was released on a free transfer to Luton in March 2004, when Rushden & Diamonds were facing financial difficulty. Paul was in the promotion winning team at Luton under Mike Newell, but an infection after a routine knee operation kept him out of the side for an extended period. His final game for Luton was in March 2006, and after over two years battling the complications following the injury, he was still unable to gain a place back in the Luton side and decided to leave them by mutual consent on 1 October 2008.

Appearances

1997/1998

Conf	16.8.97	Northwich Vic (H)
Conf	20.8.97	Farnborough Tn(A)
Conf	23.8.97	Leek Town (A)
Conf	30.8.97	Gateshead (H)	as sub
Conf	2.9.97	Slough Town (A)	as sub
Conf	6.9.97	Cheltenham Tn (A)	as sub
Conf	13.9.97	Farnborough Tn(H)	1 goal
Conf	20.9.97	Yeovil Town (A)
Conf	27.9.97	Southport (A)
Conf	4.10.97	Woking (H)
SC1	7.10.97	Hayes (A)
Conf	11.10.97	Hereford Utd (H)
Conf	18.10.97	Kidderminster (A)
FAC4q	25.10.97	Boreham Wood(H)
FAC4qr	28.10.97	Boreham Wood(A)
Conf	1.11.97	Slough Town (H)
Conf	8.11.97	Welling Utd (A)	1 goal
Conf	15.11.97	Kidderminster (H)
HSCQF	18.11.97	Brackley Town (A)
Conf	22.11.97	Morecambe (A)
Conf	25.11.97	Kettering Town (H)
FAT1	10.1.98	Farnborough Tn(H)	as sub
Conf	17.1.98	Southport (H)
Conf	24.1.98	Dover Athletic (A)	1 goal
FAT2	31.1.98	Cheltenham Tn (A)
Conf	7.2.98	Halifax Town (H)	1 goal
Conf	14.2.98	Gateshead (A)
Conf	21.2.98	Kettering Town (A)	1 goal
Conf	28.2.98	Stalybridge Cltc(H)
Conf	7.3.98	Cheltenham Tn (H)
Conf	14.3.98	Woking (A)
Conf	21.3.98	Halifax Town (A)
Conf	23.3.98	Hednesford Tn (A)
Conf	28.3.98	Morecambe (H)	1 goal
Conf	13.4.98	Stalybridge Cltc(A)	as sub

1998/1999

Conf	15.8.98	Forest Green (A)
Conf	18.8.98	Welling Utd (H)
Conf	22.8.98	Barrow (H)	1 goal
Conf	25.8.98	Kingstonian (A)
Conf	29.8.98	Southport (A)
Conf	31.8.98	Hayes (H)
Conf	5.9.98	Yeovil Jct (A)
Conf	8.9.98	Dover Athletic (A)
Conf	12.9.98	Telford Utd (H)
Conf	19.9.98	Doncaster Rvrs (A)
Conf	26.9.98	Hereford Utd (H)
Conf	3.10.98	Northwich Vic (H)
Conf	10.10.98	Farnborough Tn(A)
FAC3q	17.10.98	Forest Green (H)
Conf	24.10.98	Morecambe (H)
Conf	7.11.98	Hednesford Tn (A)
FAC4q	9.11.98	Leatherhead (A)
FAC4qr	11.11.98	Leatherhead (H)
FAC1	14.11.98	Shrewsbury Tn (H)	1 goal
FAT2	21.11.98	Bath City (H)
Conf	28.11.98	Cheltenham Tn (A)
FAC2	5.12.98	Doncaster Rvrs (A)
Conf	12.12.98	Telford Utd (A)
FAC2r	15.12.98	Doncaster Rvrs (H)
Conf	19.12.98	Farnborough Tn(H)
Conf	26.12.98	Stevenage Boro(A)
Conf	28.12.98	Woking (H)
FAC3	2.1.99	Leeds Utd (H)
Conf	9.1.99	Barrow (A)
FAC3r	13.1.99	Leeds Utd (A)
Conf	23.1.99	Doncaster Rvrs (H)
FAT3	25.1.99	Slough Town (A)
Conf	30.1.99	Northwich Vic (A)
Conf	2.2.99	Kidderminster (H)
FAT4	6.2.99	Woking (A)
FAT4r	9.2.99	Woking (H)
Conf	16.2.99	Welling Utd (A)
Conf	20.2.99	Hednesford Tn (H)
Conf	23.2.99	Southport (H)
Conf	6.3.99	Hayes (A)
Conf	13.3.99	Leek Town (H)
Conf	16.3.99	Dover Athletic (H)
Conf	20.3.99	Morecambe (A)
Conf	23.3.99	Leek Town (A)	1 goal
Conf	27.3.99	Kettering Town (A)
Conf	3.4.99	Cheltenham Tn (H)
Conf	5.4.99	Woking (A)
HSCSr	10.4.99	Cogenhoe Utd (H)
Conf	13.4.99	Yeovil Jct (H)
HSCF	18.4.99	Raunds Town (A)
Conf	20.4.99	Kingstonian (H)
Conf	24.4.99	Hereford Utd (A)
Conf	26.4.99	Forest Green (H)
Conf	1.5.99	Kettering Town (H)

1999/2000

MCF	31.7.99	Northampton Tn(H)
Conf	14.8.99	Morecambe (A)
Conf	17.8.99	Telford Utd (H)
Conf	21.8.99	Kidderminster (H)	1 goal
Conf	28.8.99	Sutton Utd (A)
Conf	30.8.99	Welling Utd (H)
Conf	4.9.99	Northwich Vic (A)
Conf	7.9.99	Hayes (H)
Conf	11.9.99	Woking (H)
Conf	14.9.99	Kettering Town (A)
Conf	18.9.99	Southport (H)
Conf	25.9.99	Hednesford Tn (A)
Conf	28.9.99	Hereford Utd (A)
Conf	2.10.99	Altrincham (A)
Conf	9.10.99	Kingstonian (H)
FAC4q	16.10.99	Sutton Utd (H)
Conf	23.10.99	Scarborough (A)
FAC1	29.10.99	Scunthorpe Utd (H)
Conf	2.11.99	Nuneaton Boro (A)
Conf	6.11.99	Dover Athetic (H)	1 goal
Conf	13.11.99	Yeovil Town (A)	1 goal
FAC2	20.11.99	Ilkeston Town (A)
NT2	23.11.99	Telford Utd (A)
FAT2	27.11.99	Havant & W (H)
FAC2r	30.11.99	Ilkeston Town (H)
Conf	4.12.99	Hayes (A)
FAC3	12.12.99	Sheffield Utd (A)
Conf	18.12.99	Telford Utd (A)
FAC3r	21.12.99	Sheffield Utd (H)
Conf	27.12.99	Stevenage Boro(H)
Conf	3.1.00	Stevenage Boro(A)	1 goal
FAT3	15.1.00	Bath City (A)
Conf	22.1.00	Forest Green (A)
FAT4	5.2.00	Billericay Tn (A)
FAT4r	8.2.00	Billericay Tn (H)
Conf	12.2.00	Dover Athletic (A)
Conf	15.2.00	Forest Green (H)
Conf	19.2.00	Doncaster Rvrs (A)
Conf	22.2.00	Hednesford Tn (H)
FAT5	26.2.00	Marine (H)
Conf	4.3.00	Kingstonian (A)
Conf	7.3.00	Yeovil Town (H)
FAT6	11.3.00	Sutton Utd (A)
FAT6r	14.3.00	Sutton Utd (H)
Conf	18.3.00	Sutton Utd (H)
Conf	25.3.00	Hereford Utd (H)
Conf	28.3.00	Kettering Town (H)
Conf	1.4.00	Nuneaton Boro (H)
Conf	4.4.00	Morecambe (H)
Conf	8.4.00	Kidderminster (A)
Conf	11.4.00	Woking (A)
Conf	15.4.00	Altrincham (H)
Conf	22.4.00	Southport (A)
Conf	29.4.00	Scarborough (H)
Conf	1.5.00	Welling (A)
Conf	6.5.00	Doncaster Rvrs (H)

2000/2001

Conf	19.8.00	Chester City (H)
Conf	21.8.00	Hednesford Tn (A)
Conf	26.8.00	Dagenham&Red (A)
Conf	28.8.00	Southport (H)
Conf	2.9.00	Telford Utd (A)
Conf	5.9.00	Stevenage Boro (H)
Conf	9.9.00	Forest Green (H)
Conf	12.9.00	Scarborough (A)
Conf	16.9.00	Woking (A)
Conf	21.10.00	Morecambe (A)	as sub
NWT2	24.10.00	Stevenage Boro (H)
FAC4q	28.10.00	Grantham Town (H)	1 goal
Conf	31.10.00	Hayes (H)
Conf	4.11.00	Yeovil Town (H)
Conf	11.11.00	Doncaster Rvrs (A)	1 goal
FAC1	17.11.00	Luton Town (A)
Conf	2.12.00	Dover Athletic (A)	1 goal
Conf	9.12.00	Hayes (A)	1 goal
Conf	16.12.00	Hednesford Tn (H)
Conf	26.12.00	Nuneaton Boro (A)
Conf	1.1.01	Nuneaton Boro (H)
Conf	6.1.01	Southport (A)
FAT3	13.1.01	Hayes (A)
Conf	27.1.01	Stevenage Boro (A)
FAT4	3.2.01	Marine (A)
Conf	17.2.01	Scarborough (H)
Conf	21.4.01	Yeovil Town (A)	as sub
Conf	24.4.01	Telford Utd (H)
Conf	28.4.01	Dover Athletic (H)
Conf	5.5.01	Chester City (A)

2001/2002 - squad number 3

D3	11.8.01	York City (A)
D3	16.8.01	Lincoln City (H)
WC1	21.8.01	Burnley (A)
D3	25.8.01	Macclesfield Tn (A)
D3	27.8.01	Plymouth Arg (H)
D3	1.9.01	Oxford Utd (A)
D3	8.9.01	Southend Utd (H)
WC2	11.9.01	Crewe Alex (A)
D3	15.9.01	Leyton Orient (A)
D3	22.9.01	Cheltenham Tn (H)
D3	5.10.01	Hartlepool Utd (H)
D3	13.10.01	Rochdale (A)
LDV1	16.10.01	Cardiff City (A)
D3	20.10.01	Hull City (H)
D3	23.10.01	Shrewsbury Tn (A)
D3	27.10.01	Mansfield Town (H)
D3	10.11.01	Halifax Town (A)
FAC1	17.11.01	Worcester City (A)
D3	20.11.01	Scunthorpe Utd (H)
D3	24.11.01	Kidderminster (A)
D3	1.12.01	Bristol Rvrs (H)
FAC2	8.12.01	Brighton &HA (A)
D3	15.12.01	Luton Town (A)
D3	22.12.01	Carlisle Utd (H)
D3	26.12.01	Southend Utd (A)
D3	29.12.01	Plymouth Arg (A)
D3	12.1.02	Lincoln City (A)
D3	19.1.02	York City (H)
D3	29.1.02	Macclesfield Tn (H)
D3	2.2.02	Darlington (H)
D3	5.2.02	Oxford Utd (H)
D3	9.2.02	Hull City (A)
D3	16.2.02	Rochdale (H)
D3	23.2.02	Leyton Orient (H)
D3	26.2.02	Torquay Utd (A)
D3	2.3.02	Cheltenham Tn (A)
D3	5.3.02	Exeter City (H)
D3	9.3.02	Luton Town (H)
D3	16.3.02	Bristol Rvrs (A)
D3	23.3.02	Shrewsbury Tn (H)
D3	30.3.02	Mansfield Town (A)
D3	1.4.02	Swansea City (H)
D3	6.4.02	Scunthorpe Utd (A)
D3	13.4.02	Kidderminster (H)
D3	20.4.02	Halifax Town (A)
D3PO/1	27.4.02	Rochdale (H)
D3PO/2	30.4.02	Rochdale (A)
D3POF	6.5.02	Cheltenham Tn (N)

2002/2003 - squad number 3

D3	10.8.02	Swansea City (A)	1 goal
D3	13.8.02	Torquay Utd (H)
D3	17.8.02	Kidderminster (H)
D3	24.8.02	Shrewsbury Tn (A)
D3	26.8.02	Scunthorpe Utd (H)
D3	31.8.02	Cambridge Utd (A)
D3	7.9.02	Southend Utd (H)
WC1	10.9.02	Millwall (H)
D3	14.9.02	York City (A)
D3	17.9.02	Bournemouth (A)
D3	21.9.02	Wrexham (H)
D3	28.9.02	Hartlepool Utd (A)
D3	12.10.02	Exeter City (A)
D3	19.10.02	Bury (H)
D3	9.11.02	Darlington (H)
FAC1	16.11.02	Kidderminster (A)
D3	23.11.02	Lincoln City (A)
FAC1r	26.11.02	Kidderminster (H)
D3	30.11.02	Bristol Rvrs (H)
FAC2	7.12.02	Exeter City (A)
D3	14.12.02	Macclesfield Tn (A)
D3	21.12.02	Carlisle Utd (A)
D3	26.12.02	Scunthorpe Utd (A)
D3	28.12.02	Oxford Utd (H)
D3	1.1.03	Shrewsbury Tn (H)
D3	4.1.03	Torquay Utd (A)
D3	11.1.03	Kidderminter (A)
D3	18.1.03	Cambridge Utd (H)
D3	25.1.03	Oxford Utd (A)
D3	1.2.03	Swansea City (H)
D3	8.2.03	Darlington (A)
D3	22.2.03	Southend Utd (A)
D3	1.3.03	York City (H)
D3	4.3.03	Bournemouth (H)
D3	15.3.03	Hull City (H)
D3	18.3.03	Bury (A)
D3	24.3.03	Rochdale (H)
D3	29.3.03	Exeter City (H)
D3	5.4.03	Bristol Rvrs (A)
D3	12.4.03	Lincoln City (H)
D3	19.4.03	Carlisle Utd (A)
D3	21.4.03	Macclesfield Tn (H)
D3	26.4.03	Leyton Orient (A)
D3	3.5.03	Hartlepool Utd (H)

2003/2004 - squad number 3

D2	9.8.03	Luton Town (A)
CC1	13.8.03	West Ham Utd (A)
D2	16.8.03	Plymouth Arg (H)
D2	23.8.03	Tranmere Rvrs (A)
D2	25.8.03	QPR (H)
D2	30.8.03	Oldham Athletic (A)
D2	6.9.03	Wycombe Wdrs (H)
D2	13.9.03	Brentford (H)
D2	16.9.03	Notts County (A)
D2	20.9.03	Bournemouth (A)
D2	27.9.03	Stockport Co (H)
D2	30.9.03	Brighton & HA (H)
D2	4.10.03	Barnsley (A)
D2	11.10.03	Chesterfield (H)
LDV1	15.10.03	Oxford Utd (A)
D2	18.10.03	Sheff Wed (A)
D2	21.10.03	Blackpool (A)
D2	25.10.03	Wrexham (H)
D2	1.11.03	Grimsby Town (H)
LDV2	4.11.03	Luton Town (H)
FAC1	8.11.03	Swansea City (A)
D2	15.11.05	Hartlepool Utd (A)
D2	22.11.03	Colchester Utd (H)
D2	29.11.03	Port Vale (A)
D2	13.12.03	Bristol City (H)
D2	20.12.03	Peterborough U (A)
D2	21.2.04	Sheff Wed (H)
D2	24.2.04	Tranmere Rvrs (H)
D2	28.2.04	Wrexham (A)
D2	2.3.04	Blackpool (H)
D2	6.3.04	Peterborough U (H)
D2	12.3.04	Bristol City (A)
D2	16.3.04	Notts County (H)
D2	20.3.04	Brentford (A)