At today’s game vs Swindon Town, ex-cobbler Michael Warner will be visiting the PTS Academy stadium again for the first time since he played gassing the Cobblers vs Swindon. Michael will enjoy some of the Cobblers First class hospitality in the 1897 suite.
Michael, spent four years as a professional at Northampton Town from 1995, making around 40 appearances before moving on to Farnborough Town in May 1999 where he came to the attention of Ian Baird. At the ‘Boro he gained Ryman championship experience with co-Hawk Justin Gregory, before moving to Stevenage Borough with Graham Westley in 2003.
He quickly became the first choice right back at the side, featuring heavily in their promotion run in during 2004, where his last ditch injury time shot in the playoff final against Carlisle could have put Stevenage into League Two. During two and a half seasons with the side he made over 100 appearances, 38 of them during 2005/06.
A much-loved figure at the club, Michael left the Hawks in June 2007 to move to Finland with his girlfriend, where he signed for HJK Helsinki.
I asked Michael Warner a few questions about his footballing career he is what he had to say.
What was your favourite memory from your time at Northampton?
My best memory was getting to the Play off finals at Wembley twice. It was however a bitter sweet memory as I didn’t play in either game!
Who was your favourite player to play with and why?
In midfield, Roy Hunter, had a great engine, always gave everything and was decent on the ball as well. He was my flat mate so we had a good understanding on and off the pitch!
As a defender, Billy Turley, was also a big presence on the pitch and made himself heard, he would come for crosses and take everything including his own defenders if you were in the way! He also made me laugh on the pitch with his constant banter.
What was the biggest difference playing in Finland to playing in England?
Well, I was at the end of my career when I went to Finland, but I trained with the top club HJK Helsinki which was very professionally run by a fellow Brit Keith Armstrong and then played in the Second division.
In Finland, they have a summer season and the main difference is the football culture which is not as big as the Ice Hockey, which is their National Sport. The Finns still love their football, but as a small nation, you don’t get that many fans at games and this means there is no real money in the game. Things are changing though, especially as Finland just qualified for their first ever major Championships, Euro 2020.
After my 4 years at Northampton, I had enjoyable spells at Farnborough, Stevenage & Havant and Waterlooville which were my best years in football as I was playing every week and we had some success at those clubs and some memorable FA Cup runs, such as meeting Arsenal in the 3rd round and playing against the Invincibles at Highbury!
What was it like being on a relegated side?
Everyone was gutted. For me it meant the end of my Professional career, I was out of contract, Ian Atkins wanted me to stay on a non contract basis but I decided to drop down to the Conference League and get a proper job!
What advise would you give to any young footballer?
Train as you would play. Full tempo, focus and passion! Play at the highest level you can, but make sure you play, sitting on the bench gets you nowhere!