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 England before arriving at the historic city of York, with the trip expected to take close to three hours by road. For generations of football supporters, away days have always been about more than just the ninety minutes on the pitch, and this latest journey adds another new destination to Northampton Town’s ever-growing football map.

Awaiting the Cobblers at the end of that journey will be the modern LNER Community Stadium, York City’s home since 2021. The move marked the end of an era for the Minstermen, who spent almost 90 years at the famous Bootham Crescent.

Bootham Crescent had been York City’s home since 1932 and became one of English football’s classic traditional grounds. Nestled close to York’s city centre and famous walls, it was known for its compact terraces, old-fashioned feel and unique character. Many travelling Cobblers fans who visited over the years remember it as one of those proper football grounds that represented a disappearing era of the game.

York played their final match at Bootham Crescent in May 2021 before officially relocating to the LNER Community Stadium at Monks Cross. The new ground, with a capacity of around 8,500, brought York City into a new chapter with improved facilities, bigger concourses and a modern matchday experience.

The change mirrors Northampton’s own history. When the Cobblers left the County Ground for Sixfields in 1994, it represented a major shift for the club and its supporters. Like York fans today, many Cobblers supporters still hold fond memories of their former home while embracing the future.

While the LNER Community Stadium may lack some of the nostalgic charm of Bootham Crescent, it is already beginning to create its own history. Strong attendances, renewed optimism and York’s rise back through the divisions have helped the stadium quickly become an important part of the club’s modern identity.

And next season, another chapter will be added when Northampton Town F.C. supporters make that long trip north for a first league visit to York City’s new home.