The book slammed closed on the fairy tale of Rushden & Diamonds after their relegation this weekend. Diamonds' 2-0 home defeat by Port Vale, coupled with Chesterfield's win over Luton sealed their fate.
But how did this happen to a team whose star had been in the ascendance for most of their brief history, guided by one man's vision?
HISTORY OF A MERGED CLUB
In 1991, this club was just a glint in the eye of the local man whose name became indelibly linked with the club - Max Griggs, owner of the Dr Martens footwear empire.
Non-league rivals Rushden Town and Irthlingborough Diamonds merged, with the new club moving to Irthlingborough's Nene Park home.
Griggs was key to the merger, taking over in 1992 and not only investing in ground improvements, but bankrolling a succession of increasingly big-name signings, topped off by ex-Arsenal star Brian Talbot as manager in 1997.
 | RUSHDEN'S RISE AND FALL 22 August 1992: First game for the newly-merged Rushden & Diamonds - a 2-2 draw against Bilston at Nene Park 1994: Promoted to Southern Premier Division after winning the Midland Division 1995: Reached FA Trophy semi-finals 1996: Promoted to Conference 1997: Brian Talbot takes over as manager |
Despite Griggs outlay and their financial advantage over other clubs, promotion from the Conference slipped through their fingers on several occasions.
The "Moneybags Rovers" of the non-League scene did not stop spending when they finally arrived in the League.
Players like Walsall duo Brett Angell and Paul Hall moved down to Division Three on free transfers but were reportedly earning higher wages than most Second Division players.
Success, culminating in last season's Third Division title triumph, naturally brought Talbot to the attention of other clubs.
But with Rushden's unloved reputation, it was no wonder that when Talbot voiced concerns about the small size of their squad and the lack of money for players, they fell on mostly deaf ears outside Nene Park.
SEASON OF STRUGGLE
It all changed on 27 October last year when Griggs announced he was stepping down as chairman and was looking to pass on his shareholding.
Then in March, Talbot resigned, claiming it was the "end of an era" - less than a week after dismissing speculation linking him with several clubs including Oldham, who were to become his new employers.
With the Diamonds already hampered by injuries, defender Barry Hunter was thrust into the spotlight as caretaker-boss.
Alarm bells were soon set off on transfer deadline day, when Rushden held what can only be described as a fire sale.
Four of their best players - winger Hall, top scorer Onandi Lowe, captain Paul Underwood and defender Marcus Bignot - were all allowed to leave in a bid to trim the wage bill.
At the time, Hunter's side had 47 points with eight games left and occupied a respectable mid-table position.
But a 3-0 home defeat by Bournemouth triggered an alarming slide that not even the appointment of Ernie Tippett - on the same day a takeover by a consortium of businessmen had been agreed - could halt.
THE FUTURE?
Rushden will experience the first reality check relegation can bring.
It can take time acclimatise to the lower level, but with four promotion places available, Division Three is not the most difficult league to rise from.
In the last five seasons Wrexham, Luton, Blackpool, Cardiff, Chesterfield and Bournemouth have all bounced back to Division Two at the first attempt.
With Griggs' golden goose no longer dispensing the cash it once did, Tippett will scour the free transfer market, combined with a possible clear-out to usher in a new era of austerity as Nene Park.
Long-term, Rushden could benefit from being forced to cut their cloth accordingly.
Despite an infrastructure envied by many lower division teams their crowds are modest.
A realistic wage bill will help build foundations for a more sedate and sustainable upward progress.
The fairy godfather may have gone but the tale may not yet be over for Rushden & Diamonds.
MMIX
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