COBBLERS PAST
Today marks 36 years since the death of former Northampton Town striker David Longhurst, who died on 8 September 1990 while playing for York City. David John Longhurst was born in Northampton on 15 January 1965 and came from a footballing family, with his father having played for Rothwell Town. Longhurst signed for Nottingham Forest […]
As Northampton Town prepare for another League Cup campaign, it’s a good time to look back at the Cobblers’ last six Round One ties in the competition. It’s been a mixed run for Town — with difficult draws, narrow defeats and a couple of standout victories against higher-level opposition. From memorable nights under the Sixfields […]
For Northampton Town, the 2025/26 EFL Trophy campaign provided one of the bright spots of the season. A competition often used for squad rotation quickly became a serious opportunity, as the Cobblers put together an impressive run all the way to the semi-finals. It was Town’s best run in the competition for a number of […]
As the fixtures are out we take a look back at the Cobblers’ last seven traditional league openers to see how Town have fared on day one in recent seasons. 2026/27 – Wigan Athletic 3 Northampton 1 The Cobblers’ latest opening-day test ended in defeat at the hands of Wigan Athletic, with the hosts proving […]
Boxing Day football has always been part of the festive tradition, but in recent years it’s often been a difficult afternoon for Northampton Town. Here’s a look back at some of the Cobblers’ most recent Boxing Day fixtures. 2025/26 – Burton Albion 5 Northampton 1 A miserable Boxing Day afternoon at the Pirelli Stadium saw […]
Northampton Town have confirmed that Marc Richards has left his position on the club’s coaching staff, bringing to an end another chapter of his long association with the Cobblers. Richards is a familiar and popular figure among Northampton supporters, having enjoyed two spells as a player before returning to Sixfields in a coaching capacity following […]
Ex-Northampton Town quartet heading to the 2026 FIFA World Cup When the 2026 FIFA World Cup gets underway across the United States, Canada and Mexico this summer, Northampton Town supporters will have more than a passing interest in the tournament. Four former Cobblers players will be representing their nations on football’s grandest stage, providing yet […]
The Cobblers will make the 152-mile journey north to face York City F.C. next season, it will not only be a trip to another new away ground for many Cobblers supporters — it will also be one of the longest league journeys of the campaign. The route from Sixfields to York takes supporters through the heart of […]
When the Cobblers announced the return of former defender Chris Doig as part of the club’s new coaching setup, many Cobblers supporters were quick to welcome back a player remembered fondly from a promotion-winning era at Sixfields. Speaking in May 2024 about his playing career, Doig reflected warmly on his spell with Northampton — a […]
Former Northampton Town winger Kenji Gorré has been named in Curaçao’s squad for this summer’s FIFA World Cup, as the Caribbean nation prepares to appear on football’s biggest stage for the first time in its history. Gorré spent part of the 2016/17 season at Sixfields, making 18 appearances for the Cobblers during the club’s return […]
As another League One campaign gets underway, we took a look back at The Cobblers last six traditional league openers to see how the Cobblers have fared on day one. From the optimism of early wins to the sting of narrow losses, Sixfields has seen it all in recent years. Season Division Opponent Venue Result Score 2024–25 […]
Sam Hoskins, Northampton Town’s modern-day legend, was honoured in style at Sixfields this afternoon as the Cobblers ran out 3–0 winners against a youthful Birmingham City XI in his richly deserved testimonial match. A total of 2,548 supporters – including 465 travelling Blues fans – turned out to pay tribute to the club stalwart, who […]
We look back on our last Seven opening-day fixtures in the League. This season will see be our first game of the season. What do you think the result will be. 2023/2024 – Northampton 0 Stevenage 1 Boro’s first ever win at Sixfields came courtesy of Carl Piergianni’s scrappy late goal as Steve Evans’ side […]
Played for Both – Stockport County Mat Sadler (2003–2004) In November 2003, Sadler didn’t get much game time for Birmingham that season, so he came on a two month loan to the Cobblers where he played eight games, seven of which in the third Division. When Sadler joined Watford he went out on loan and […]
We go to Edgeley Park for the first time since 2011 on Saturday, last time we was there we drew 2-2 and here’s what the BBC said about the match on the day; Guillem Bauza put the visitors ahead from close range, before Paul Rodgers knocked a cross into his own net. Shaun Harrad hit […]
CARABAO CUP FIRST ROUND Tuesday August 14th, 7.45pm Adams Park WYCOMBE WANDERERS 1(Randell Williams 50) NORTHAMPTON TOWN 1(Sam Hoskins 82) Attendance: 1,999 (427 away) Wycombe: Yves Ma-Kalambay, Michael Harriman, Sido Jombati (Joe Jacobson 35), Jason McCarthy, Adam El-Abd, Dominic Gape, Curtis Thompson, Matt Bloomfield (Bryn Morris 45), Nick Freeman, Randell Williams (Scott Kaskett 70), Craig […]
We look back on our last Six opening day fixtures in the Leauge. This season will see Colchester be our first game of the season. What do you think the result will be. 2021/2022 – Northampton 1 Port Vale 0 Northampton got their League Two season up and running with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over […]
We take a look at a selection of players who have appeared for both Northampton Town and Colchester United. Scott McGleish Scott McGleish had two spells with the Cobblers, once on loan and once on a permanent deal. He originally arrived from at Sixfields after leaving Colchester United. He stayed at the club for 3 […]
All the ins and outs at the Cobblers and ex-Cobblers. Click on the tweet for more information and the player’s records. (Sign In or create a free account is required) COBBLERS IN – Ben Fox, Ryan Haynes, Lee Burge, Akinwale Odimayo, Sam Sherring Missed an Ex-Cobbler, let me know message me on twitter or Facebook. […]
All the ins and outs at the Cobblers and ex-Cobblers. Click on the tweet for more information and the player’s records. (Sign In or create a free account is required) COBBLERS IN – Chanka Zimba (loan), Tyler Magloire (loan), Idris Kanu (loan), Josh Eppiah (loan), Beryly Lubala (loan), Louis Appere (From Dundee) COBBLERS OUT – […]
We look at a select few that have played for both the Cobblers and Sutton Ricky Korboa (Featured Image) Korboa, who can play out wide or as a central striker, has signed for the Cobblers after a successful pre-season spent with the club. Korboa scored 15 times for Carshalton in 2018/19 and won five of the […]
For our first ever visit to Gander Green Lane, here is a helpful guide for those travelling. Stadium Name: VBS Community Stadium Capacity: 5,032 Year Opened: 1912 Record Attendance: 14,000 (vs Leeds United, FA Cup 1970) Address: Gander Green Lane, Sutton, Surrey, SM1 2EY Officially known as the Borough Sports Ground, the most commonly named Gander Green Lane has been […]
Northampton Town are asking supporters to vote for their choice for the club’s 125th anniversary season home kit. 2022/23 will be the club’s 125th season, and working with the supporters who are members of the 125th anniversary working party group, the club have commissioned kit manufacturer hummel to produce designs offering a modern take on […]
As our FA Cup campaign draws to a start we look at the first time the Cobblers reached the Fifth round in 1934. Down below are listed the five games we played to get there, including some highlights from our fifth-round tie with Preston.
Alex Nicholls suffered a broken leg in scoring as Northampton ended 10-man Port Vale’s seven-game unbeaten run. Nicholls pounced on Rob Taylor’s back pass and rounded keeper Chris Neal to put the Cobblers ahead. But he was caught late as he shot by John McCombe, who was sent off, and the game was held up […]
Jon Brady’s side has won all three of their first games. With that 1-0 opening day win at Sixfields against Port Vale thanks to Benny Ashley Seals goal but an overall team effort. The Shoe Army then took a massive following to the old Rico Area to watch the Cobblers beat Coventry 2-1 in the […]
We take a look back the Cobblers Boxing Day fixtures. 2019/20 – Crawley 4 Northampton 0 After the match got the go-ahead following two pitch inspections, Crawley started on the front foot and eventually took the lead in superb style in the 27th minute when Nathan Ferguson rifled in his fifth goal of the season […]
We look back on our last five opening day fixtures in the Leauge. This season will see Port Vale be our first game of the season. What do you think the result will be. 2020/2021 – Northampton 2 AFC Wimbledon 2 A flying start saw the Dons take the lead after just 20 seconds when […]
Northampton Town have been drawn with Forest Green Rovers and Walsall in Group D of the Southern area draw for the Papa John’s Trophy. Thursday’s draw saw Brighton & Hove u 21’s have been added to the group. Dates are subject to change but games are provisionally scheduled to be played w/c August 30, w/c […]
Sunderland survived a major scare before beating Northampton on penalties to reach the Carling Cup fourth round. Colin Larkin’s low finish put the Cobblers ahead after 20 minutes and Luke Guttridge slid in a second for the League One side with nine minutes left. Sunderland sub Anthony Stokes then forced extra time with two late […]
Steve Terry Steve the son of an England Amateur International, spent nine seasons as a full time professional at Watford helping them into division one and winning an F.A. cup runners up medal in 1984. He joined Hull in 1988 but after just eighteen months he asked for a move south and Graham Carr brought […]
10th April 2004 – Hull City 2 Cobblers 3 On this day in 2004 the Cobblers travelled to the K.C Stadium to face Hull City in front of a 18,017 crowd in Division 3. The Cobblers side saw two changes from the side that beat Oxford 2-1 at Sixfields a week prior as Willmott & […]
Ivan Toney Toney made his way through the Cobblers academy in 2012 making over 50 appearances scoring 11 goals before being sold to Newcastle where he went out on loan to Shrewsbury where he made 19 appearances and scored 6 goals. James Collins Collins joined Shrewsbury in 2015 where he made 66 appearances and screeds […]
2020 – The Cobblers 2 AFC Wimbledon 2 A flying start saw the Dons take the lead after just 20 seconds when Cian Bolger lost possession just outside the penalty box and Luke O’Neill nipped in before setting up Ethan Chislett who fired the ball into the far corner. Cobblers debutant Benny Ashley-Seal volleyed narrowly […]
Adebayo Akinfenwa On 18 January 2008 Akinfenwa signed a deal with the Cobblers until the end of the 2007-2008season. He made his debut against Swindon Town, where he came off the bench to score a late equaliser in a 1–1 draw. He then had the same impact in his home debut, scoring the equaliser in […]
Ahead of Tuesday nights game v Oxford we have a look at a selection of players that have played for both clubs. Ricky Holmes On 2 January 2015, Holmes joined the Cobblers on an initial one-month loan deal. On 27 January 2015, after appearing in four matches and scoring once, he signed a 2½-year permanent […]
12/12/20 – Crewe 2 Cobblers 1 The home faithful saw the Alex get off to the worst possible start as they were caught out by a quick free-kick from which Ricky Holmes edged Keith Curle’s side ahead in the second minute. But Owen Dale equalised for Crewe in the 53rd minute and they piled on […]
Vadaine Oliver Oliver signed for Crewe in June 2013 on a two-year contract for an undisclosed fee from Lincoln City. He made his debut as an 89th minute substitute in a 3–3 draw v Rotherham. Oliver scored his first Crewe goal after sliding in from a Brad Inman cross in a 2-2 Draw v Peterborough. […]
Ahead of Saturday visit to Doncaster we look at our last there meetings. 05/12/20 – The Cobblers 0 Doncaster 2 The Cobblers had a mountain to climb following Shaun McWilliams’ early red card, and goals from Tyreece John-Jules and Joe Wright meant the 1,000 returning home supporters were given little to cheer. Ben Whiteman and […]
Ahead of Saturdays game v Doncaster we look at some of the players who have played for both. Stuart Robertson Stuart joined Doncaster from Nottingham Forest where he signed when he was just 18 years old He spent two seasons with Nottingham. He made his debut for Doncaster in a 1-0 win over Swindon Town […]
It seems that Northampton Town players do not take the route to management as regularly as some players do. Going back to the dark ages few ex-Cobblers went into the ‘hot seat’. The only one who stands out was Herbert Chapman who was a far better manager than player, winning the League three times with […]
Cobblers Soccerline, a new telephone information service for Northampton supporters, was launched on December 1. An updated daily message of news, views and interviews from the County Ground became available by ringing 0898-700-275. Regular competitions are also held on the service, with free tickets for home games offered as the prizes.Northampton fans invaded the pitch from […]
✅✅✅ The Cobblers are looking to get the third win back to back. After 2 back to back wins at the PTS Academy stadium. After a 2-0 win over Plymouth eagle a week ago the Cobblers follows up with a 4-1 win v Portsmouth on Saturday. The Cobblers look to now move that progression in […]
Ahead of Tuesdays game v Charlton we look at some players that have played for Both Charlton and The Cobblers. Mark Marshall (Header Image) In June 2017, Marshall signed a two-year contract with Charlton Athletic after being released form Bradford City. However he missed much of the opening three months of the 2017-18 season after […]
Ahead of Saturdays game we look at the last six meetings between the two clubs. 27/10/20 Portsmouth 4 The Cobblers 0 Ronan Curtis and Marcus Harness were also on target as Kenny Jackett’s men picked up their third win in eight days. The hosts had a big let-off in the 16th minute when Ryan Watson […]
We are delighted that the club have worked with hummel to create a special 125 year anniversary kit. The shirt will have season ticket holders for this season (if applied) woven in to the shirt and the shirt will be worn for a home game in March 2022. We are also honoured to be working […]
Ahead of Saturdays game we look at some of the players that have played for both the Cobblers and Portsmouth. Matt Taylor Matt joined Portsmouth from Luton Town in 2002. Matt made 178 appearances for for Portsmouth scoring 23 goals. He left Portsmouth in 2008. He joined the Cobblers in 2016 where he stayed for […]
A solitary first-half goal from Ricky Holmes earned in-form Northampton a 1-0 victory over his former club Portsmouth. Holmes broke the deadlock in the 25th minute when the former Pompey midfielder beat goalkeeper Paul Jones with a curling shot after being set up by Chris Hackett. Ivan Toney earlier tested Jones from the edge of […]
Lloyd Jones made his 100th career appearance on Tuesday night in the Cobblers 2-0 win over Plymouth Argle. Lloyd has played for 7 clubs in those 100 appearances. He made his first Professional appearance with Cheltenham Town in Leauge Two in a 2-1 win over Oxford at the Kassam Stadium. This game also saw him […]
McWilliams made his 100th Cobblers appearance v Plymouth on Tuesday night. (2nd March 2021) Cobblers Past takes a look back at his time with the Cobblers so far. Shaun has made 82 starts and 18 shubsitue appearances for the Cobblers since 2017. His first ever competitive appearance for the Cobblers was on April 1st 2017 […]
17/10/20 – Plymouth 2 The Cobblers 1 Watts volleyed in George Cooper’s corner from the right at the far post to clinch victory. Powerhouse striker Frank Nouble opened the scoring for Plymouth, powering home a header at the far post after Connor Grant’s superb cross from the right. Northampton levelled on 62 minutes when Sam […]
Ahead of Tuesday nights game v Plymouth, we look at players that have played for both the Cobblers and Plymouth. How many can you remember? Adrian Mark Burrows Adrian joined the Cobblers from Mansfield in June 1982. The young central defender joined Mansfield the season they were relegated to the fourth and spent to further […]
Goals ⚽️ This weekends game is looking like to have many goals in as There is a 53% chance of both teams to score. 45% of Swindon’s last 20 home league games have ended with Both teams scoring. They won 6, drew 2 and lost 1 of those games. 50% of Northampton’s last 20 away league […]
Ahead of Saturday afternoons game v Swindon, we look at some (of the many) players that have played for both the Cobblers and Swindon. Alan Mayes His goal scoring talent came to light when Bill Dodgin signed him for Northampton Town on a loan deal. He netted four goals in his ten games but was […]
20/10/20 – The Cobblers 2 Swindon 1 Christopher Missilou and Danny Rose scored their first goals for the club as the hosts led 2-0 at half-time and they just about clung on despite Swindon dominating the second half. The Cobblers were ahead after seven minutes when Nicky Adams jinked his way into the box and […]
A solitary strike from Paul Harsley gave Northampton a narrow win over Swindon – their first victory at Sixfields since November. Swindon squandered several first-half chances, with Lee Harper twice denying Matt Hewlett and Chris Hargreaves clearing off the line from former Cobblers striker Sam Parkin. But Harsley produced the decisive goal when he lashed […]
Northampton climbed back into the League Two play-off places with a hard fought 3-1 victory at home to Rochdale on Saturday. Rochdale started well at Sixfields, with Andrew Tutte forcing Lee Nicholls into a decent save. But the Cobblers broke the deadlock in the 32nd minute when Clive Platt headed home a cross from Chris […]
Ahead of Rochdale visit to the PTS Academy stadium, We look at some of the storylines surrounding the game. Time for a win? The Cobbles haven’t come a way with 3 points in the last 10 meetings with Rochdale. 4 draws and 6 drafts for the Cobblers. The last win for the Cobblers over Rochdale […]
Ahead of Tuesday nights game v Rochdale, we look at players that have played for both the Cobblers and Rochdale. How many can you remember? Joe Bunny Joe signed for Rochdale in 2013 from Northwich Victoria he was with Rochdale until 2018, he made 122 appearances in his first spell scoring 16 goals. He joined […]
Jake Robinson’s wonder goal was enough for Northampton to see off MK Dons 1-0 in the first round of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy. The winner arrived in the 11th minute as Robinson grabbed his first goal since arriving at Sixfields last season. Lee Nicholls’ long clearance was headed down by Henoc Mukendi and Robinson hit […]
Ahead of Saturdays visit to Stadium:MK we look at the storylines leading up to the game. First win at Stadium:MK Saturdays Visit will be the Cobblers 10th visit to Stadium:MK. In those 9 visits the Cobblers have never came away with all 3 points. In 5 of those 9 games they have never scored a […]
Ahead of Saturday nights game v MK Dons, we look at players that have played for both the Cobblers and MK Dons. How many can you remember? Nathan Abbey Nathan started his career at Luton Town in 1995 where he made his way to the first team in 1999 where he became Lutons first team […]
Martin Singleton joined the club from West Bromwich Albion, and the £57,500 transfer topped the club record of £55,000 paid for Culpin. Singleton made his debut at Fulham in a 0-0 draw also notable for Keith McPherson becoming the fifth member of the Cobblers ‘ton up’ brigade. The Cobblers recouped £4,000 by selling Senior to […]
Northampton pulled off another cup upset as they knocked out Ipswich at Portman Road. The Championship side took the lead when Jay Emmanuel-Thomas fired in from a tight angle. But Northampton were level when midfielder Ben Tozer slotted home from close range after Arran Lee-Barrett had saved his initial effort. Paul Turnbull grabbed the winner […]
First time in 10 years Tuesday nights game is the first time the Clubs have met since 2011 when the Cobblers beat Ipswich 2-1 at Portman Road in the Carling cup. The Cobblers have made 18 visits to Portman Road with only 3 wins and 5 draws. Each of the last five meetings between Ipswich […]
Ahead of the Tuesday nights meeting between the Cobblers and Ipswich. We look back at some of the players that have played for both the Cobblers and Ipswich. How many do you remember? Jason Dozzell Jason started his footballing career at Ipswich town in 1983 before moving to Tottenham in 1993. Jason made 395 appearances […]
A solitary goal from John Marquis earned relegation-threatened Northampton three precious points in their 1-0 win over Burton. The Cobblers’ first home win in six games leaves them level on goal difference with third-bottom Wycombe ahead of the two sides meeting on Friday. Burton, though, are now six points off the top three and are […]
As we build-up to the weekends game against Burton at the PTS Academy Stadium, we look at the storylines leading up to it… Legends in charge After Tuesday’s defeat to Wigan Athletic Keith Curle was relieved of his duties and Academy manager Jon Brady has been placed in Caretaker charge. With Cobblers Legends Ian Sampson […]
With Keith Curle being released from his duties at Northampton Town on Wednesday, Under 18s coach Jon Brady has been placed in caretaker charge, to be assisted by Ian Sampson and Marc Richards. We take a look back at there carears. Jon Brady Jon Brady played for Hayes, Rushden & Diamonds, Woking, Chester City, Stevenage […]
As we build-up to Tuesday nights game v Wigan at PTS Academy Stadium, we look at some storylines leading up to the game… Six pointer The Cobblers a looking to do the double of Wigan Athletic after earlier this season the Cobblers beat Wigan 3-2 at the DW Stadium. A 2-0 lead at half time […]
Ahead of the Tuesday nights meeting between the Cobblers and Wigan. We look back at some of the players that have played for both the Cobblers and Wigan. How many do you remember? Michael Jacobs Michal joined the Cobblers in 2009 he spent 3 seasons with us making 87 appearances scoring 11 goals he joined […]
Paul Culpin checked in at the County Ground in a £55,000 deal from Coventry City and pledged to score “20 goals by the end of the season”. Culpin, like Richard Hill, Trevor Morley and Eddie McGoldrick, previously played for manager Graham Carr at Nuneaton Borough and the Cobblers boss said of him: “He’s the best […]
By any stretch of the imagination, Syd Russell was never more than a modest and unspectacular lower league footballer. Whatever his limitations, he was nevertheless a versatile and reliable defender, redoubtable and resolute and reputed to have a kick like a mule. In the 1930’s, he was considered one of the better full-backs in the […]
Football returned to a ‘new look’ County Ground in late August several alterations having been made to both improve the facilities to fall in line with the Government’s policy on membership schemes. The Spion Kop became the new members area, a new portable stand at the Kop end became a permanent fixture. The family enclosure […]
On This day in 1995 Ian Atkins joined the club as manager. He managed the Cobblers from (January 1995 – October 1999). Ian holds the record for converting the most penalties at Shrewsbury 21. He also won a third division championship and Welsh cup winner’s medal. Although a central defender he once scored 5 goals […]
OnThisDay Bradley Johnson signs for Leeds for £250,000 and we take a look back at his career and what he’s been upto since he left the Cobblers. Bradley came to Northampton from Cambridge United when they lost their league status and the Cobblers agreed to continue his trainee’s contract. He developed under Calderwood’s management and […]
The biggest match in Northampton Town’s history – they don’t come much bigger than the champions of Europe! Aston Villa’s aristocrats against the Cobblers paupers and Town battled hard against their lofty visitors who won the tie with a dass goal from a youngster called Marie Walters. A star in the making. Match reporter Brian […]
Looking back on our last long campaign in the League Trophy back in the season 2003/2004 Under Colin Calderwood at Sixfields in this campaign the Cobblers beat local rivals Peterborough at Sixfeilds. For the 2000–01 competition, eight Football Conference sides also played in the tournament, resulting in 12 ties in each of the north/south sections in the first […]
Herbert Chapman was born on January 19, 1878 at Kiverton Park in Yorkshire. He was one of seven children. Chapman became the greatest football manager of his age, winning four Division One League Championships and two FA Cups, with Huddersfield and Arsenal. A third Arsenal title arrived months after his premature death, 13 days short […]
Walter was born to a West Indian father and English mother. His mother died of cancer and his father married her cousin but he to passed away not long after. Unable to cope with all the children his stepmother allowed Walter and his youngest brother to join an orphanage. Walter learned the art of printing […]
Bernard was one of four brothers, three who played for the Cobblers, The other brother played Rugby for the Saints! They were sons of the senior master at Wellingborough grammar school. Bernard himself became assistant master at Ashby-de-la-Zouch school (Leicester). As well as curate to St. Barnabus church in Leicester. When he left Northampton to […]
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 […]
Opened in 1993 the Court Place Farm Football Ground is quite an open one. On one side is the Main Stand. This covered all seated stand runs for just over half the length of the pitch. It contains four rows of seating and has windshields to either side. The main disappointment is there a large […]
Of all the Cobblers manager probably the one with the lowest profile was ‘Fred’ Lessons who never managed a club before the Cobblers and never got a chance to afterwards Born in 1883 the centre forward became an efficient two footed player and scored a lot of goals for Nottinghamshire local junior sides Lawrence and […]
Northampton Town’s first-ever manager Herbert Chapman was approached not long after leading the club to the Southern League championship and before the word ‘approach’ was used in football. Second division Leeds City offered him the chance to manage a league team and he asked the Cobblers ‘please do not try to stop me’. It was […]
I asked Tom when he became a Cobblers fan and can he remember his first game Tom said, The Cobblers bug bit me in around 1991. I can’t remember my first game exactly. As kids me and my friends were mad about playing football in the street. Sometimes, if a big game was on the […]
Tommy wanted to join the Navy. It was his father who pointed out that his football would be restricted if he was to serve most of his time on board a ship or even worse in a submarine. So after a rethink he decided on the Army. Signing up was done in Formby in Lancashire, […]
For as long as I can remember, the FA Charity Shield match (now known as the FA Community Shield) has been played in August as a curtain-raiser to the new season. It is usually competed for by the champions of the Premier League and the winners of the FA Cup. However, this was not always […]
Full back Jim had a 13 match loan spell at Sixfields in February 2001. He was on the books of Manchester City and was loaned out to Blackpool, Norwich and Swindon as well as the Cobblers ending his football career with Wrexham. Jim had a Zambian mother, where he was born and an Irish […]
Kevan had trials with Manchester City & Bradford City and was about to sign for Leeds United when Birmingham City offered him apprenticeship terms. His debut for Birmingham was v Norwich in February 1977 and he scored the winner in a 3-2 victory. During the 1979-80 season he played for two promoted clubs. Birmingham were […]
There was always thus … or at least it was for 98 years, the time it took the Cobblers for to move from the County Ground. The argument raged long and loud around council chambers, until the building of Sixfields. Many said the club should have built upon solid foundations during the heady I960s rise. […]
The life of Albert Joseph Darnell, solicitor, coroner and well-respected all-round sportsman, begins the trail of Northampton Town’s chequered and often colourful 100-year history. The story began when ‘Pat’, as Darnell was affectionately known, was invited to travel to Leicester with Northampton boys in October 1896 for a game which acted as a curtain-raiser to […]
An article was written by Dave Bowen for Phil Neals Testimonial Brochure. When the clubs were clamouring to sign Phil neal the schoolboy prospect, I was the man who warned them off on Northampton’s behalf. In those days I was Northampton’s Team Manager,and I had quickly spotted the potential of this strong local lad. We […]
Landmark season in store for Sammo written by Frank Grande for Ian Sampsons Benefit season book. All things being equal early on in the 2001/02 Nationwide League Division Two season,lan Sampson will become only the ninth Northampton Town footballer to havemade 300 league appearances for the club. Sammo has already passed that landmark in terms […]
In my last Cobblers Past article I referred to three Hospital Shield charity matches, played between Northampton Town and Arsenal during the years 1930 to 1932. However, they were the last of a series of such games, which first began in 1910. But what were the Hospital Shield matches and why were they played?I first came across vague references to Hospital Shield matches a few years ago. Such games […]
The introduction of the substitute during the 1965-66 season saw the birth of another record, players who played less than 90 minutes. A case of being substituted on their debut or coming on as a substitute and never getting another game. First player to enter this record book was a player called Willie Johnson who […]
The Walter Tull Story. Walter was born to a West Indian father and an English mother. His mother died of cancer and his father married her cousin but he to passed away not long after. Unable to cope with all the children his stepmother allowed Walter and his youngest brother to join an orphanage. Walter […]
During the 1964-1965 Bryan Harvey saved six penalties and four points for the club during the promotion season. The first came at Ipswich in September. The ‘tractor men’s’ winger Brogan fell in the box on 68 minutes. Referee Norman Burtenshaw awarded a penalty but the Cobbler’s keeper saved Brogan’s spot kick and Leadbetter’s follow up. […]
Jack English Junior was the son of Jack English the Cobbler’s manager of the 1930’s. Players of that era said that Jack junior often attended training sessions with his father and got involved even though he was under the age of ten. During World war Two he joined the air force and stationed at Bristol […]
If I were to claim that Northampton Town and Arsenal had enjoyed a long and rich competitive on-pitch rivalry, I might be laughed out of town … and quite rightly so. Nevertheless, matches between the two clubs goes back further than many might imagine, all cemented by two immense connective personalities. Don’t believe me? Well […]