Cobblers Past

History Never Forgotten

Played For Both – Stockport County

Ethan Grande

ByEthan Grande

Jan 13, 2023

Played for Both – Stockport County

Mat Sadler (2003–2004)

In November 2003, Sadler didn’t get much game time for Birmingham that season, so he came on a two month loan to the Cobblers where he played eight games, seven of which in the third Division.

When Sadler joined Watford he went out on loan and joined Stockport for half a season where he made over twenty appearances for the club. 

Matty Warburton (2019 – 2021)

Warburton, who scored 27 goals and was voted Stockport’s player of the season as County won the National League North title. He joined Stockport County in May 2017 after netting 13 goals in 16 appearances for Curzon Ashton after a spell with Salford City. In two seasons, Warburton, who can also play in the number ten role, scored 48 goals for County, including finding the net in the 3-1 Emirates FA Cup win at Yeovil Town in November 2018 which was one of forty goals during the calendar year.

He joined the Cobblers in 2019 where he made over twenty appearances, inAugust 2019, he made his professional debut in a 1–0 defeat against Walsall. In October 2020, Warburton signed for non-league side Yeovil on loan until the end of the 2020–21 season. In May 2021 it was announced that he would leave Northampton when his contract expired at the end of the season.

Arthur Seabrook (1921–1924)

Arthur Seabrook took his time to settle at Northampton. He went straight into the first team but after failing to score in his first seven games he found himself spending the rest of the season in the reserves. The following season Arthur had a run at the start and at the end of the season netting six times but come 1923/24 he failed to hold down a regular place only coming in through injury.

In only his second game of the season he netted a hat trick v Southend and was retained for the next game v Exeter but that was the last game he ever played for Northampton. He then had an impressive four seasons at Halifax twice chasing the one promotion place. A season at Crewe followed where he converted to a right-winger He finished his League days at Stockport as cover to Tompkinson.

Paul Turnbull (2011–2013)

Paul was the youngest player ever to turn out for Stockport when he played v Wrexham on 3oth. April 2005, he was 16 years and 97 days old. Prior to the gamer v Wrexham Paul had played in one youth and two reserve games for Stockport.

In March 2008 Paul was loaned to Altrincham and played in front of a crowd of 911 for a match v Ebbsfleet. In May he was back at Stockport and playing at Wembley in the League two play-off final v Rochdale in front of 35,715! At the tender age of 21, Paul made his 100th. League appearance for Stockport and was made captain.

In May 2011 he was offered a new one-year deal by the clubalthough in June 2011 Stockport agreed a fee with the Cobblers and agreed permission for Turnbull to talk to the club, with a view to agreeing personal termsand on 29 June the club confirmed he had signed for The Cobblers.

On 23 January 2012 he rejoined Stockport County on loan. On 21 September 2012 he rejoined Stockport County again on loan until 22 December. In January 2013, he joined Lincoln City on loan for the remainder of the season.

Andy Preece (1988–1989)

Andy was a great all round sportsman and in his early days he represented Worcester and Hereford under 18’s at both football and cricket. He toured Australia with Worcestershire second eleven-cricket team. Bobby Shinton the  Ex-Wrexham manager gave him the opportunity of first team football at Worcester but Andy went down with Glandular fever and by the time he returned there had been a change of manager.

He was recommended to Northampton and signed on non-contract terms but was to make just three substitute appearances all in different competitions. Loan periods at Weymouth, Aylesbury and Bedworth was followed by a spell with a Sunday side that were managed by the Northampton chairman, Dick Underwood.

He was allowed to return to Worcester from where he started to score goals attracting Wrexham a team he helped off the bottom of the division; so much so that Stockport offered £10,000 for his services He helped them out of the third division before joining Crystal Palace for an amazing £350,000 fee. His stay was short and followed by three seasons at Blackpool where he netted 40 league and cup goals.

On becoming a free agent he joined Bury and had a spell as player manager before being released from both his positions. Andy wound down his league career at Carlisle before becoming manager of Worcester City. By 2009 Andy became manager of Northwich Victoria in January 2012 he switched his alliegence to Welsh club Airbus UK