The appearance of Scott Pollock and Morgan Roberts against Derby County on Friday night means the Cobblers have passed a major milestone of 100 appearances from current or former Academy players under the management of Keith Curle.

Curle has been at the club for just under 18 months, a total of 78 games, and has now selected current or former Academy players and graduates for first team football a total of 100 times.

The appearances have been spread across nine players and the century would no doubt have been reached sooner had injury not deprived Curle of the services of Shaun McWilliams on a number of occasions.

Seven of the nine players are Northampton born, and it gives the club great pride to see so many young and in particular locally born players come through the Academy to play first team football.

It isn’t just the Academy where players are graduating from, as Scott Pollock became the first player to come through the club’s Football & Education Programme to play (and score for) the first team.

Congratulations to Keith Curle, the first team coaching staff, the Academy coaching staff and volunteers and of course the players themselves and their families.

100 first team appearances and counting for a fantastic player pathway!