Ex-Cobblers player/manager has been awarded an MBE in the 2021 New Years honours. At Cobblers past we have written a tribute to the former player/manager.

Ron Flowers came to prominence with Doncaster boy’s side. He joined Wath Wanderers at the time, a Wolves Nursery side, signing for Wanderers in 1952.

He made his debut v Blackpool heading in a goal, which started him on his way to over 500 appearances for his club.

In the fourteen years he was there he won three league championship medals and a F.A. Cup winners medal.

He also represented England in 49 internationals that covered two world cups and was in the England squad that won the 1966 world cup.

Ron, noticeable by his shock of blond hair had endless stamina and a fearful shot.

In 1976 Ron had lost his regular first team place and accepted the chance to join Northampton as player coach.

The club had fallen down to division Three and Tony Marchi had taken over as manager. He tried to bring in many new players whilst moving some of the more established out. The club finished 18th, Marchi was sacked and Ron was given his job as player/manager.

At one stage the club had an outside chance of promotion but a disastrous end of season run saw them relegated to division four.

The directors wanted Ron to stay on as a player but he asked to be released and joined Wellington Town, renamed Telford as player coach.

In two seasons he won an F.A. Trophy winner’s medal as manager and a runners up medal as a player

He quit in 1971 to run his sports shop in Wolverhampton.

Ron’s brother and father both played for Doncaster whilst his sister-in-law Maureen was at one time the top female darts player in the country. Grandson Henry signed for Burnley in 2017.

Congratulations to Ron on this award from everyone at Northampton Town.