10/11/23: AFC Rushden & Diamonds are pleased to announce the signing of 23-year-old midfielder Joe O’Neill from fellow Northern Premier League Division One Midlands side Sutton Coldfield Town. Joe began playing senior football with Evesham United, before multiple spells at Barwell, Rugby Town, Quorn, Chasetown and latterly, Sutton Coldfield Town. During the early part of the 2023/24 season, Joe has also appeared for Midland Football League Premier Division side Romulus on a dual-registration basis.

Joe has been training with the Diamonds this past week and Manager Michael Harriman was pleased to bolster numbers in an area of the pitch that he’d been looking to strengthen: “I don’t think it’s been any secret that both ourselves and Chris before us have been looking for another option in the midfield for a while. I’m pleased to bring Joe to the Club, he’s a good technical player, he’s dynamic and can fit into a number of roles and formations depending on how we choose to play. He’s 23 but both Tom and I believe he’s got the potential to get better and better and hopefully he can realise that potential with us over the coming weeks and months.”

Joe is available for selection for this weekend’s tie in the Northern Premier League Midlands Division against Anstey Nomads.

21/06/24: We are really pleased to confirm that Joe O’Neill will be back with us again in 2024/25. One of Michael Harriman’s first signings, Joe hit the ground running, picking up the Player of the Month award in December 2023. He remained one of the first names on the team-sheet between November-April and starred in the Hillier Senior Cup Final win against Kettering Town at Sixfields.

Joe had this to say: “Having spoken to the gaffer over the summer, it was always going to be a no-brainer for me to stay at the Club. Over the last 6 months we’ve built a tight-knit group and the way we finished last season with our league form and cup success will hopefully give us a good platform to build on this year.”

18/08/24: We can confirm that Joe O’Neill has left the Club.

25/09/24: Joe O’Neill signed for Histon FC.