I asked Tom when he became a Cobblers fan and can he remember his first game Tom said.

My first season was the glorious 1986/1987 season, when my Dad took me along as a 5-year-old destined to a life as a Cobblers Fan. I don’t actually remember my first game, but my memories of games across that first season were almost one of “how many will we win by this week! I used to stand along the Cricket Side with my Dad, and have many great memories of being so close to the action!

I asked Tom to share his best Cobblers XI and why and here is what he had to say;

Few things here! I could spend hours looking at this! These are just some personal favourites of mine. Not necessarily the best! I also haven’t chosen any of the current players, and also only picked players that I saw play (hence 1986 to present), I am also aware the positions wouldn’t work, but I was asked for my favourite 11!

GK – Mark Bunn

Always look so comfortable and in control

Mark Bunn Joined the Cobblers in 2000 where he played in the youth team for a season. Before signing a professional contract in 2001 where he stayed until 2008 and made over 90 appearances.

Defender – David Buchanan

never say die, commitment and passion.

David joined the Cobblers in 2015 after leaving Preston North End. David was at the cobblers for over 4 years. Making over 160 appearances. He left the Cobblers in 2019 and moved to chesterfield where he is today.

Defender – Ray Warburton

Commitment, Important Goals, Leader

Ray joined the Cobblers in 1994 after leaving York City after making over 90 appearances and scoring 9 goals. While Ray was at the Cobblers he made over 160 appearances scoring 12 goals and even securing the Cobblers 1997 Third Division playoff win.

Defender – Ian Sampson

Loyalty commitment and leadership

Ian was on loan from Sunderland in 1994, the Cobblers then signed Ian and he made over 380 appearances for the Cobblers in 11 years. Ian also helped the Cobblers win the third division play off final in 1997.    

Defender – Zander Diamond

Honest, No nonsense, Committed, Composed

Zander joined the Cobblers om loan in 2014 and made joust under 20 appearances, however impressed the board and they signed him. He made just under 115 appearances and left the Cobblers in w017 after helping the Club win the League Two Title with 99 points in 2016.  

Midfield – Chris Hargreaves

would run through walls for the club

He was a regular in the Argyle side, leaving to join Northampton Town on a free transfer in June 2000. He was Northampton’s player of the year in the 2001–02 season, signing a new two-year contract in July 2002. Hargreaves made over 150 league appearances for Northampton, leaving to join Brentford in June 2004.

Midfield – John Joe O’Toole

Just loved watching him play

O’Toole signed for Northampton Town on a three-year contract on 30 June 2014. He became a cult figure at the club, with fans wearing wigs similar to his long dark hair. O’Toole signed for League One club Burton Albion on 21 May 2019 on a two-year contract after rejecting the offer of a new contract with Northampton.

Midfield – Ricky Holmes

the kind of player who you just know will make something happen.

On 2 January 2015, Holmes joined Northampton 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 deal with the club.

Midfield – Martin Smith

Skill, Style, unbelievable talent

He signed for Northampton Town from Huddersfield Town on 1 July 2003 after being chased for a few months by their then manager Martin Wilkinson. Smith started as a forward; however, in recent seasons he has been used as a midfielder, continuing to regularly find the net for Northampton during their promotion from League Two during the 2005–06 season.

Forward – Trevor Morley

just always seemed to Score!

In the summer of 1985 Morley moved to Northampton Town for £20,000 making his debut of Burnley on 17 August 1985. His move to Northampton arose after manager Graham Carr moved from Nuneaton to Northampton and took Morley and Eddie McGoldrick with him. Morley captained Northampton, as they won the 1986–87 Fourth Division championship by a nine-point margin.

Forward – Bayo Akinfenwa

He is Beastmode!

On 18 January 2008 Akinfenwa signed a deal with Northampton Town until the end of the 2007–08 season. 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 a 1–1 draw against Leeds United.

If you struggle to choose 11 you can have a bench 

How many can I have?

Roy Hunter, Marco Gabiadini, Sean Dyche, Jason Taylor, Richard Hill, Ian Benjamin, Marc Richards

The minute I send this I will think of about 200 other players!