AFC Rushden & Diamonds are delighted to advise supporters that Manager Michael Harriman has agreed to remain in his role as First Team Manager at the Club into the 2024/25 season.
After a very difficult start to the 2023/24 season, Michael took the reigns on a full-time basis at the end of October in what is his first managerial role, a role which he combined with being a key member of our playing squad. In the following months, Michael set about evolving the squad, making substantial changes to personnel around the Club both on the pitch and behind the scenes.
As has been well documented, on 12th January we had 4 points and we were 14 points adrift of safety. Since then, the Diamonds picked up 28 points from the final 17 games, coming within a whisker of remaining at Step 4 on merit. The Club then finished the season with some silverware, winning the Northants Hillier Senior Cup at Sixfields for the first time since 2019. Despite the eventual disappointment on the final day of the regular league season, the transformation around the Club over the last few months has been clear to see and gives all associated with AFC Rushden & Diamonds optimism for the future.
Michael Harriman had this to say after committing to the Club for the new season: “I’m absolutely delighted to be staying on as Manager for next season. On reflection, whilst the end result wasn’t what we had hoped, I have learned so much over the last 6 months and there were a lot of positives for us to take forward. The support I’ve received from the Club as a whole has been fantastic and I thank each and every one of you for that. I’ve loved every single moment so far and I’m looking forward to making more memories with this amazing Club.”
Chairman Rob Usher was keen to ensure that our first piece of summer business was concluded early and was delighted to retain Michael’s services: “The turnaround in results and performances over the second half of the season made it a no-brainer to offer Michael the opportunity to carry on into next season. This was a view unanimously agreed by the Board. Michael brings a huge amount of experience from his professional career and continues to build a culture around the First Team that fosters a winning mentality. I am delighted that Michael will continue to lead the Club into next season and look forward to a more stable and positive campaign in 2024/25.”
