'Good to be playing' - O'Toole on non-league debut

Northampton Town cult hero John-Joe O'Toole said it "just made a lot of sense" to sign for non-league AFC Rushden & Diamonds.

The 37-year-old has played twice after he signed for the Northamptonshire side a week after following his release by AFC Wimbledon at the end of last season.

O'Toole helped the Cobblers to promotion from League Two in 2016 and spent five seasons at the club.

The midfielder said: "It's just good to get back out there and get playing again."

O'Toole began his career at Watford, where he played in the Championship, before moving on to clubs including Colchester United, Bristol Rovers, Burton Albion and Mansfield Town.

He also played five times for the Republic of Ireland Under-21s and was named in the PFA League Two Team Of The Year in 2014 and 2016.

During his time at Northampton Town he became a cult figure, with fans wearing wigs and headbands to mimic the player.

After being released by AFC Wimbledon, O'Toole said he suffered a calf injury and then when recovered he trained with the Diamonds side, who play in the Northern Premier League Division One Midlands.

"They wanted to sign me which obviously you always want to play for someone that wants to sign you," he told BBC Radio Northampton's Non-League Scene.

He said: "It just made a lot of sense just to get back playing again, location-wise and commitment time."

Although he did not rule out a return to a professional club, or a coaching role, he said: "I just want to get playing now and just do the best I can for Rushden and Diamonds and just see what happens."

Reflecting on his time at Northampton Town he said the "standout will always be the promotion season" of 2015-16, when the club won League Two under manager Chris Wilder and were taken over by Kelvin Thomas.

O'Toole said: "It was just an unbelievable season all around what the club was going through at the time.

"It's still a memory that lives on with a lot of Northampton fans now and I'm sure it will do in years to come. It's just a special time for me really and it's just one you're never going to forget."

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