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 Wigan for the same amount that he had been purchased for in the summer. Aidy Mann, after loan spells at Altrincham and Bath City, also left to link up with Fourth Division strugglers Newport County. 

One familiar face back at the County Ground on November 30th was Richard Hill, the goalscoring darling of the terraces before his 257,500 move to Watford. Hill, who had by now moved on to Oxford United, returned to guest for the Cobblers in the Clive Walker Testimonial match….against Watford!

Fog seriously threatened the game, but thankfully cleared enough for Hilly to celebrate with the winner in a 3-2 victory. Paul Culpin had come on as a second half substitute to cancel out Watford’s 2-0 interval lead with two goals within 13 minutes of the restart.

A delighted Walker beamed: “It was a great night”. A crowd of 1,875 turned up. The previous week Hill had played against the Cobblers for Nuneaton Borough in a testimonial match for Nuneaton’s Richard Dixey.

Ian Johnson, a talented 18year-old central defender, became the latest Cobblers player to have been unearthed from their link with the North East.

He joined the club after winning some rave reviews playing for Gateshead. Later in the month chairman Derek Banks revealed that he had turned down a bid to buy him out of the County Ground by an unnamed London businessman.

He explained: “Why get out when all the hard work has been done.”

November 4: Northampton Town 0 York City 0

It wasn’t only the Cobblers pride that took a battering in this drab draw. Skipper Trevor Morley was taken to hospital with a head injury.

He rose to meet an Eddie McGoldrick cross and was left reeling after a clash unth a York defender, that left a groove in his forehead.

Lowly York, later to become the first side to be relegated in the country, had the better chances before a Paul Culpin bounced off the crossbar in the dying seconds.

November 7 – Fulham 0 Northampton Town 0

Ambitious Carr introduced yet another new man, Martin Singleton, who had cost E55,000 from West Brom. 

And in a useful debut, Singleton was prominent late in the game at both ends of the field. He almost won the game with a near post header, and then probably saved it with a crucial block from John Marshall’s shot.

November 14 – Northampton Town 2 Newport Co 1 (F A Cup first round) (Header Image)

Graham Carr showed beyond doubt that he doesn’t deal in favouritism among his players. 

Having shelled out £55,000 for striker Paul Culpin, a lesser would not have had the courage to pull him off.

But that’s exactly what he did and it proved the turning point. The score then was blank, and considering Culpin is paid to score goals it could have been foolhardy.

Even then the Cobblers fell behind to a Dean Holtham goal but Car’s men roared back through Phil Chard and Trevor Morley.

November 21 Northampton Town 2 Gillingham 1

Master of the unexpected, Graham Carr, delivered a stunning pre-match selection by dropping striker Paul Culpin.

Said Carr: “No-one knew what I was going to do – Paul even put his boots down by the number eight shirt.”

Culpin was carrying the can for a shoddy performance against Newport County, who were later destined to dropout of the League.

Carr went on: “We haven’t been spoken to be referees just lately and I knew if we didn’t start battling we might begin to struggle’

Culpin was axed just six weeks after signing from Covenåy City, but the move paid off as the Cobblers not only won but played a lot of attractive football.

The Cobblers reversed a half time deicit with goals from Trevor Morley and Russ Wilcox.

November 28 – Blackpool 3 Northampton Town 1

After five games without defeat, the Cobblers foundered on rugged Blackpool rock. 

Goals from Cunningham, Waluyn and Morgan dropped the Cobblers back into fourth place.

Longhurst replied just before half time, but the game will be mainly remembered for an unacceptable 50 fouls and seven bookings.