To keep you entertained during these times I’m going to be taking you down memory lane and having look back at the 1986/87 championship-winning season. FA CUP SPECIAL.   

HOPES of a glittering FA Cup run to lace the glories of the fourth division campaign were· I doomed as much by the weather as by Newcastle United.

It was an emotional moment for Graham Carr, whose family were season ticket holders at St. James's Park for 30 years, when the Cobblers were paired with the mighty Magpies. At the time they still had to dispose of Southend United, after one of the epic matches of the entire domestic season at Roots Hall.

As for the other two Cup competitions, Gillingham quickly put an end to any thoughts of Littlewoods Cup success, and Fulham did the same in the Freight Rover Trophy. The latter, of course, affords clubs like the Cobblers genuine aspirations for reaching Wembley, and it was of some considerable surprise when the Londoners put Carr's men out even-though they play a division higher. The real disappointment, though, was the sudden spell of icy weather that deprived over 5,000 Cobblers fans the chance of having a great day - even weekend - out at Newcastle

In January. Even so when the third-round tie was finally played it was estimated that some 2,000 people had skipped-off work or school to see a heroic 2-1 defeat. But the story started on a damp, dreary November afternoon in front of a packed County Ground against the old foes . . . Peterborough United.

November 16 - Northampton Town 3 - Peterborough Utd O

POSH took a real pummelling from a rampant. Cobblers side, and but for the heroics of goalkeeper Kevin Shoemake the margin of victory would have been much greater. Over 9,000 fans - the biggest since Aston Villa's Cup visit four years earlier - got exactly the game they wanted to brighten up a gloomy Sunday afternoon.

Shoemake had foiled the Cobblers in outstanding fashion before Eddie McGoldrick finished off in sweet style a four man move. Dave Gilbert had been given the responsibility of penalty taker with Phil Chard serving a suspension. And he demonstrated ice cool nerve from the spot after 53 minutes after Jeff Doyle had brought down Trevor Morley. That knocked the fighting spirit – such as there was - out of Posh, and Ian Benjamin applied the finishing touches to the victory with a tap-in goal. Ex-Cobblers striker Steve Phillips pinpointed the penalty as the turning point."It was a harsh decision," said Phillips, who had a love-hate relationship with the County Ground fans. "I didn't mind the stick from the crowd - I used to get a lot more when I was playing here!" 

Next it was on to Roots Hall for a sensational eight-goal thriller on a crazy night of football.

December 4 - Southend Utd 4 Northampton Town 4

OVER 7,400 spectators gorged themselves on eight goals, five bookings and constant goalmouth action on a night when neither side deserved to lose. From a professional viewpoint, many of the goals came from sloppy defending. But the crowd loved every incredible minute. Richard Cadette slammed a hat-trick for Southend, only to end eventually on the losing side.

There was a shock for the Cobblers before the start. Trevor Morley did not travel to the game as an injured ankle had become infected. Phil Chard underlined his usefulness to the squad by being pushed up front. But there was another reshuffle after 15 minutes when Russell Wilcox went off with a head injury that needed five stitches.

There was a minute's silence before the start, following the death from lung cancer of Austin Hayes, who had only been released by the Cobblers just over a season earlier. Neither side led for more than six minutes after Warren Donald had opened the scoring after seven minutes. Within a minute Cadette had fired Southend level. There was relative calm then until just after half time when the goals flowed in this order: Cadette; Richard Hill; Hill; Cadette; Ian Benjamin; Roy McDonough

A tantalising carrot was dangled before both teams in the draw made live on radio on Monday lunchtime. But it was particularly poignant for Graham Carr that the team should be paired with Newcastle United. Young Graham had watched his idols in the Fifties from the terraces Jackie Milburn, Bobby Mitchell, Jimmy Scoular.. men they called Gods on Tyneside.

Now he had the chance to go home a hero. It was almost as if that burden was too much for the Cobblers in the replay on Wednesday. The players very nearly fluffed their lines. On a night of drama substitute referee Mike Penn bravely had to make two critical decisions. He didn't falter ...

December 10: Northampton Town 3 Southend Utd 2

NOT surprisingly the Cobblers went through the 10,000 barriers for this mouth-watering re-match. Trevor Morley bravely decided to play with his infected foot, but the key man on the night was Kings Winford linesman Mike Penn.

At half time referee Ray Lewis, from the aptly named Great Bookham, retired with a calf injury and Mr Penn stepped on to the centre stage for a starring role. His decisions to award two penalties upset the Southend officials. Perhaps, slightly controversial; the second was clear cut as Eddie McGoldrick went sprawling.

They came in the second half after the Cobblers had trailed at the break and rarely threatened. Glenn Pennyfather got the first and inevitably, Richard Cadette the second. In between Ian Benjamin’s header kept the Cobblers in the hunt before the final heart-stopping 16 minutes. Mr. Cool, Dave Gilbert, didn't show a flicker of emotion as he played the decisive part in sending the Cobblers to Newcastle. Sadly, he was destined not to go himself; and ironically, Southend were to play a part in that personal tragedy.

Despite the glamour of the Cup, there was a tricky Christmas League programme to get over - successfully as it turned out. But Cup fever soon began to hit the town. Newcastle insisted the Cobblers sell tickets ahead of the tie, and the fans responded magnificently.

It seemed the whole town was going to the North East. .. by car . .. bus . . . luxury coach. . . special train . . . even by air. But as January 10 drew near, the country became gripped in snow and ice. And Newcastle was not overanxious to guard against bad weather. Willie McFaul, the beleaguered boss of the Magpies, had several of his stars on the injured list. The team had also lost its last five League games. Confidence was at rock bottom; almost a feeling that Newcastle, not Northampton, were the underdogs. 

As the game drew nearer it became obvious that the weather was going to win, and that triggered off an off-on saga. The following Saturday, Graham Carr took a gamble on travelling· to sit it out, so we thought. But with no apparent thaw in sight, the squad trooped back on Monday, having had two days in a luxury hotel. It proved to be one of Carr's rare miscalculations. A sudden surge in temperature and the following day referee Colin Seel declared it could go ahead on Wednesday. With most of their key men now back, the odds were firm with Newcastle. But it was a great fight ...

January 21 - Newcastle Utd 2 - Northampton Town 1

THE game was a personal tragedy for skipper Trevor Morley and a personal disaster for loan full-back John Millar. And the Cobblers committed a cardinal footballing sin which probably cost them the tie: they were still congratulating themselves on their goal when Newcastle pinched the winner. Millar blamed himself for the goal in the 69th minute that stunned the 2,000 fans who made the long trek, who were still rejoicing in Richard Hill's equaliser.

Andy Thomas, who had dumped the Cobblers out of the Milk Cup in his days with Oxford Utd, claimed the goal , but Millar admitted it was going wide. " I just couldn'-t get out of the way," said an anguished Millar. "Graham Reed and I were both going to get a tackle in. Graham got there first and the ball ran into my path as I was running back. "Graham said it was going wide but it was going too fast for me to get out of the way." Roared on by their fanatical fans, Newcastle had the perfect start through £450,000

Paul Goddard, who cost almost 10 times the entire Cobblers team, with a goal of four minutes. More misery followed in the 23rd minute as Morley fell awkwardly following a challenge from Peter Jackson. But the sad spectacle of their inspirational skipper being carried off only served to increase the players' determination.

Hill pushed up and Aidy Mann came into the midfield fray. Gradually the Cobblers came more into the picture and on 68 minutes it looked as if their Cup dreams were still very much alive. Phil Chard's spearing cross picked out Eddie McGoldrick, whose head down found the predatory Hill waiting to pounce with his left foot. Then came the moment of truth as fans ID the stand were still leaping about in delight. Kenny Wharton surged through a static defence the ball ran free to Thomas for a shot and the fatal interception.

So the FA Cup ended with heads held high.