To Rushden and Diamonds fans, Garry Butterworth is a living legend. His impact on the club was immeasurable at a time when the club needed a natural leader on the pitch. Butterworth signed for Diamonds in the summer of 1994 for £22'000. It soon became apparent why such a fee was paid for Butterworth, who captained Diamonds to the Beazer Homes Premier Division title in 1996.

His energetic displays in the midfield endeared him to the Diamonds fans and his natural fitness, which led to Butterworth making a record 104 consecutive appearances, was a real asset. Butterworth picked up several awards while in the non-league, winning the supporters player of the year in 1995 and 1997 and earning accolades from his fellow players, also in 1997. After winning his second player's player of the season award in 2000, Butterworth was a consistent and integral figure in Diamonds promotion season to the Football League.

Butterworth's last season at Rushden saw him continue to impress in the Football League. Despite the step up, Butterworth never looked out of his depth. His final appearance for Diamonds came at the Millennium Stadium where a narrow 3-1 defeat to Cheltenham failed to dampen the occasion.

In total, Butterworth made 368 appearances for the club. This record has, thus far, never come close to being broken. Such is the appreciation towards Garry Butterworth that his testimonial in 2001 gathered a gate of over 4,000 spectators, a glowing tribute to one of the original Diamonds.