The Rushden & Diamonds Youth Team assembled yesterday for their team photo and individual 'pen pics'. The squad will play this season in the Puma Youth Alliance Under 18 - South East Combination alongside teams such as Northampton Town, Colchester United, Gillingham, Luton Town and Queens Park Rangers.

The Youth Team Page in the new look official website feature fixtures and results for the 2007/08 Campaign along with Match Reports and the South East Combination League Table - The Youth Team Page can be found here

The Players

Joe Day - GoalKeeper

2^nd year from Brighton who was with Crystal Palace before joining Rushden in January 2007.

Ben Nunn - Defender

2^nd year right back who has joined us this season from Boston United where he made appearances for their first team at the end of the 2006-7 League Two campaign.

Aynsley McDonald - Defender

Now in his fourth season with the Centre of Excellence and still only an Under 16, he will be a regular Under 18 Squad member this season.Aynsley is also a member of the Welsh Under 16 Squad.

Alex Phillips - Defender

1^St year who has come through our Centre of Excellence system.A versatile defender who can play anywhere in the back four or in midfield.

Sean Calcutt - Defender

1^st year central defender from Northampton who joined the Centre of Excellence at the start of the 2006-7 season after a season in the Elite Centre.

Jack Higgins - Defender

1^st year central defender from Burnley who joined us in July 2007 having previously been with Crewe Alexandra and Boston United.

Lewis Hilliard - Midfielder

1^st year from March nr Peterborough who joined our Centre of Excellence system during the 2005-6 season and can play either wide or centrally.

James Freshwater - Midfielder

1^st year from St Neots who has been with the club since he was 11 and can also play wide or centrally.

Andrew Tidswell - Midfielder

2^nd year central midfielder from Lincolnshire who joined us in early 2006 and can also play as a striker.Andrew is also the squad's captain.

Lee Watts - Midfielder

1^st year from Brackley who plays wide left and has been with the club for four years prior to receiving his scholarship.Attracted interest from Acadamies as an Under 15, notably Southampton, but decided to continue his development with us.

Anthony Weston - Midfielder

2^nd year left midfielder from Northampton who joined us in July 2006 from Northampton Town and can also play left back.

Sam Smith - Striker

2^nd year from Corby who joined us early in 2007 after being spotted playing for Corby Town Under 18s.Had a short spell with us as an Under 16 as well as with Wrexham.

John Wigglesworth - Striker

1^st year from Newport Pagnall who joined us in May 2007 from Luton Town's Development Centres

Jake Beecroft - Midfielder

Jake is in his second year as a scholar with us since joining as an Under 16, having previously been with Fulham and Gillingham. A Central Midfielder, Jake gained a pro contract at the end of last season and is therefore part of the First Team Squad but is still eligible for the Youth Team.

Lewis Hallford - Midfielder

An Under 16 who is in his third season with the Centre of Excellence and can play wide or centrally in midfield or up front.Lewis will be involved with the Youth Team on a regular basis as well as with the Scotland Under 17s Squad.

Nabil Sharif - Striker

Another member of the Under 16 squad who will be predominantly with the Youth Team this season.From Milton Keynes and in his third year with the Centre of Excellence.