THE BLUES
I love those top of the table clashes at Roots Hall. They turn up, we don't, they win 1-0, (or 2-1, you takes your choice), and it means we have to win away, again. Though this is looking a tough one I would expect Tilly to remain loyal to the team that started against Carlisle even though question marks remain next to Black and Gower. Personally I would seriously look to a Maher return, a wide policy is fine but not when your two wide men are putting in mark 6 performances every week.
The trouble is that McCormack/Bailey partnership looks so damn good, though some of that style need to become substance against the stronger sides, they will not lay down and let Leon walk one in. Where are Northampton in that equation, we will find out Saturday. I would take a point but we need three and certainly away from Roots Hall we do find the room that escapes us against the organised defensive plans of the top sides. As for the Richards foot mystery, you lot tell me!
Nice to see Harry and Foran get a couple in the reserves each, as well as Captain Kev getting on the scoresheet, in fact not a bad side that could give a few League One teams a game. MacDonald played some intelligent stuff as well but I can't see past Clarke L. and Hooper to start, young Hoops just needing to find a finish to all that flash stuff around the box.
Still, thankfully, Orient can always cheer us up. Here's Lingy explaining his side's dreadful collapse in the last 15 at Doncaster, (2-4), warning his players that they will only remain in the promotion hunt should they improve their defending. (It was only a matter of time.) "My players need to realise there are two sides to the game," said Ling. "Everyone thinks we want to play pretty football, and it's true that we coach players to pass the ball to try to achieve that. But we also coach them how to defend, although you wouldn't have thought so watching us. The last three goals were down to individual mistakes and defensively we didn't do the job." (Only three Martin?)
THE OPPOSITION
A first away win at Oldham placed Northampton in the top ten only a win away from the Blues. They have in fact won 3 out of their last 4 with only a 1-4 reverse at Luton hinting at a fragile defence. Captain Kirk is once again doing the damage, a forward signed during the big money days of former manager Colin Calderwood, a man vastly overated in my opinion. The Cobblers, after a brief flirtation with John Gorman, are now managed by former Southampton boss Stuart Gray who joined at the start of the year. Fans seem to be happy with the team he is building and I expect nothing less than a hard fought 90 minutes.
The team that finished the 1-0 win v Oldham and a match report from the local Northampton paper. Bunn, Dolman, Hughes, Doig, Crowe, Burnell (Russell 65), Bradley Johnson, Jackman (Jones 65), Gilligan, Kirk, Larkin (Hubertz 46). Subs Not Used: Dunn, Brett Johnson. Booked: Burnell, Gilligan, Hughes. Goals: Russell 66.
Alex Russell scored with his first touch of the game to give the Cobblers their first away win of the season. The on-loan Bristol City midfielder rifled home a left-footed volley from the edge of the box to settle the contest 1-0 in Town's favour. Russell had only just come on as a substitute when he scored what turned out to be the winner on 66 minutes.
Forty-four first-half minutes had elapsed before the game's first shot on target, Mark Bunn blocking Michael Ricketts' powerful header, (well there you go), at a corner with half-time looming. Earlier in a chance-starved first half, former Town triallist Craig Davies should have given Oldham the lead when he beat the offside trap, skipped round Bunn but then dragged his shot wide of the target.
The game opened up in the second half, a 45-minute spell of football that was to prove a lot kinder to the Cobblers than the first one. Russell, after only being on for a matter of seconds after replacing Joe Burnell, hit the first shot on target for the away side - it nearly ripped the net. Davies nearly equalised instantly when he picked up a rare loose pass from Russell but the striker blazed over the top.
Andy Kirk then had a strong downward header saved on the line by Marlon Beresford and in the final stages of the game Davies had a shot blocked at close range, by the ever-influential Russell.
Gray laying down Cobblers task (from Vital Football)
Wins over Cheltenham and Oldham have pushed Gray's side to within a point of the top six and a victory over fifth-placed Southend could see the Cobblers in their highest position since losing the League One play-off final in 1998.
Gray said: "Winning breeds confidence and belief and there's a great feeling of belief in the dressing room because we've had back-to-back wins. We had a good win at Oldham on Saturday and what we can't do now is throw that away by not following it up with something against Southend on Saturday. They're going very well and we know it will be a tough test, but we don't fear anybody and the boys can't wait for the games to come around. They can't come quickly enough for the players at the moment."
THE MATCHES
107 matches in total and it's fairly close; won 39, lost 44, drawn 24. It all started on October 23 1920 at home where we lost 1-2, Whalley scoring. Our biggest and joint biggest win also took place in the twenties also at home. March 15 1924 saw a 5-1 win, Watkins with a hat trick, Goodwin and Johnson the remaining two. Only a year later, September 26 1925, and we went one better and a never bettered 6-1, Watkins only two this time, Shaw, Bissett, Moms and bell the others. Another 5-1 Dec. 8 1962, McKinven (2), Woodley (2) and Beesley got the goals. There was another 4 goal margin on March 22 1947, 4-0 at home, Dudley a hat trick, Thompson the fourth.
We have lost by four clear goals ourselves on 4 occasions, twice in a row away from home in the 80's, including a horrible 2-6 on Feb. 5 '55, too many 5's there, but even this is beaten by the mother of all defeats, a whacking 0-8 at the Cobblers ground on March 22 '24, too many 2's this time. It all happened in the roaring twenties between our clubs! (Though there was a 0-5 on Dec. 19 1953 just to cheer you up).
There have been a few 2-2 draws between the club but nothing as famous, and as exciting, as the 4-4 Friday December 5 1986. I remember it well standing in the West Stand when Cadette grabbed a brilliant hat trick, McDonough the other.
The last league meeting saw us grab a double, in fact a hat-trick of wins in a row 2004/05, both league two meetings produced 2-1 results. Gower and Gray at Roots Hall, October 30, the 2-1 away when Adam scored two late headers direct from Captain Kev corners. (That man Kirk had scored the first for Northampton). In between we had won 2-0 on the way to Cardiff in the LDV 3rd round, Dudfield and Pettifer the scorers that night.
Of course we then remember the two play off semi final meetings that season that ended in glory at Cardiff. The first game away a goalless draw, a great Flavs special save and a Guttridge missed sitter right at the end the highlights up there. While an Eastwood penalty finally saw us through in front of a delirious 9,152 Roots Hall crowd in the second leg.
THE GROUND
The Club moved from their old County Ground to the new stadium in October 1994. This neat all seater stadium is located on the outskirts of Northampton. Sixfields has three small covered single tier stands, and another larger single tier covered West Stand (capacity 4,000), at one side of the pitch. Away supporters are housed at the South Stand end. The club has received awards for the facilities provided for disabled supporters. A large hill overlooks the ground, where small numbers congregate to watch the game free, even though they can only see half the pitch!
Following the Club's successful bid to buy a 150 year lease on Sixfields Stadium, they have announced that the stadium is to be further developed so that the overall capacity will rise to 15,000. This will mean new North, East & South Stands as well as executive boxes being added to the West Stand. Part of the development will also the feature the building of a hotel behind the South Stand of the stadium. The home end at Northampton's old County Ground was called the Hotel End, so it is quite apt that the new stadium will also feature its own Hotel End. It is believed that it will take five years for the plans to be fulfilled.
Away fans are located in the attractively named 'Paul Cox Panel & Paint South Stand' at one end of the pitch, where 850 supporters can be accommodated. If demand requires it, an additional 300 seats can be made available in the Alwyn Hargrave Stand. One slight pain about Sixfields is that you can't pay at the turnstiles. You have to buy your ticket first from a Portakabin and then you have to queue again. Some away fans have got caught out by this when arriving late. However, I have received a number of reports complementing the standard of stewarding, other club officials and the Northampton fans themselves. Outside the West Stand there is a used programme stall stocking a wide range of programmes from different clubs and seasons.
THE CAR
Leave the M1 at Junction 15A and take the A43 towards Northampton and you will come to the ground on your right.
The Sixfields stadium is well signposted around the area. There is a fair sized car park located at the ground, which costs £2. Make sure though that you arrive early as it has been known for it to get full for the more popular games. There is also a council owned car park situated behind the away stand which costs £3.50. Also parking in the nearby cinema and restaurant car parks is not allowed, and parking there may result in your car being clamped!
THE TRAIN
There are £20.30 day returns from Euston taking around 50 minutes. The 9.46 from Southend Victoria should get you there before 13.00 but the cost is £38 including tube. Probably best to buy a day return to London Liverpool St. including Zone 1 then purchase a day return to Northampton at Euston. Sadly the Circle Line is buggered again so it's the Hammersmith Line and change at Kings Cross to the Northern or Victoria Lines or go for a 10 mte. walk.
Northampton train station is over two miles from the ground, so treat yourself and hire a taxi. However if you feel like braving the 25-30 minute walk then turn right from the station and follow the road past the express lift tower (you can't miss it, a tall tower that was once used for testing lifts), passing the Wickes store on the left. Continue down to the Leisure Centre, turn left down the path beside it and then turn right onto the road. You will see the stadium in the distance in front of you.
From the railway station it is possible to get a bus to take you most of the way to Sixfields stadium. The buses go from the bridge over the railway at the south end of the station. The number 40 and the more frequent 1/1A will get you near to the stadium (around half a mile away).
THE PUB
The ground is built on a leisure complex on the outskirts of Northampton. This consists of a couple of fast food establishments, a cinema and the ground itself. There are two pubs on this site, the Magic Tower (formerly called Chevys), which is for home supporters only and The Sixfields Tavern (no away colours). A couple of other bars have opened recently opened on the Sixfields complex, both of which are better than the Sixfields Tavern and the Magic Tower in terms of service, space, atmosphere etc. Old Orleans is one (a restaurant & bar) and the Sports Bar is the other (bowling alleys, 9-ball tables, big screens for post-match scores round-ups etc, equally popular with home and away fans). There is even a 'T.G.I. Friday's' outlet opposite the Main Stand. Maybe not your stereotypical pre-match watering hole but very convenient for a drink, mine's a Screaming Orgasm.
It may be better, if you have the time and the transport, to look outside the town. If you are coming into Northampton from the M1, via the A45, you will pass the Turnpike Pub, which is okay for away fans.
The Fox and Hounds, in the village of Great Brington close to Northampton, is a delightful old inn dating back to the 16th Century. It retains many of its original features; the characterful bar, attractive garden and courtyard all make a splendid setting in which to enjoy a pint of 'Fire-bellied Toad' and peruse the menu of home cooked food. Leave at J16, join the A4500 then find the A428 on the outskirts of the town. It can then be found on the main street. If you wish Princess Di is buried at nearby Althorp!
Finally, set in the very heart of the village of Roade, is the delightfully named Cock Inn. The first mention of The Cock is on maps of Roade dating back to 1720. Offering a traditional family environment, The Cock, (ok, I'm pushing it now), offers a warm welcome and a relaxed friendly atmosphere. Food is available and it has it's own car park. Situated just south of Northampton on the A508, only 2 miles from the M1, J15. Upon entering Roade village, keep following the A508 until you reach the roundabout, take the exit for the High Street, the pub is situated just past the post office on the right.
THE HISTORY
George Best once scored six goals in a cup tie against them. You want to know more? If you insist………..
The nickname of the club is The Cobblers after the famous shoe industry in Northampton. For the 2007-2008 season, Northampton Town continue to ply their trade in Football League One after promotion in 2005-2006.
The team play their home fixtures at the Sixfields Stadium since moving from the County Ground in October 1994. They usually play in claret and white, and their main local rivals are Peterborough United, a rivalry which has endured since the 1960s. The Cobblers are currently sponsored by local estate agent Jackson Grundy.
Northampton Town was founded in 1897 after meetings between the town's schoolteachers and local solicitor A.J. Darnell. At the time schoolboy football was strong in the county due in part to the enthusiasm of the local teachers. They were however dissatisfied with the current arrangement of arranged friendlies between schools preferring to teach the boys through practical examples and they felt this could be done by forming a town team. At the same time A.J. Darnell traveled to Leicester with the local Rugby team and whilst there witnessed an exhibition football match between Leicester Fosse and Notts County. This gave him the desire to start his own club in Northampton. Mr Darnell and the local schoolteachers came together through their shared aims and on March 6 1897, at the Princess Royal Inn on the Wellingborough Road, Northampton Football Club was formed. Following objections from the town's rugby club the team were forced to adopt the name of Northampton Town to avoid trouble. The club gained permission to play home matches at the county ground, home of Northamptonshire County Cricket Club, providing that no games were scheduled between May and September, and this was to remain their home for the next 97 years.
Northampton Town joined the Northants League and spent two seasons there before moving on to the Midland League. Only two seasons later they joined the Southern League in the 1901-02 season. In the 1908-09 season manager Herbert Chapman helped the Cobblers to be crowned champions of the Southern League, and they later faced Newcastle United in the Charity Shield at The Oval where they lost 2-0. Herbert Chapman left to manage Leeds City in 1912, and went on to win the league championship four times: twice at Huddersfield Town, and twice at Arsenal.
In 1910, Northampton Town bought Walter Tull from Tottenham Hotspur. Tull was the second professional black footballer in English football, and stayed with Northampton Town until the outbreak of the First World War, when he volunteered for the British Army. The road which leads to the modern Sixfields Stadium (where Northampton play) is called "Walter Tull Way", in his honour.
From the 1930s to the 1950s Northampton Town had attempted to rise from the regional Third Division South, but rose only twice and were immediately relegated. The creation of the Fourth Division spurred a brief substantial rise that culminated in the only season (1965-66) of their existence in the top division of English football. In 1970, they lost 8-2 to Manchester United in the FA Cup fifth round. Six of the goals conceded were scored by George Best, who received the match ball (signed by Northampton players) as a reward for his performance.
A financial crisis at the club lead to the foundation of Britain's first Supporters' Trust.
The club finished bottom of the Football League's new Division Three in 1993-94, only avoiding relegation to the Conference because Kidderminster Harriers did not have a satisfactory stadium to join the Football League. Manager John Barnwell was sacked soon afterwards to make way for Ian Atkins, and the club began to move forward. In 1996-97 they won promotion to Division Two, thanks to a playoff final victory at Wembley over Swansea City, and almost made it two successive promotions the following season - but were beaten 1-0 by Grimsby Town in the Division Two playoff final. The club went down a year later and Atkins resigned, but promotion was earned at the first attempt under new manager Kevin Wilson.
Kevin Wilson was sacked in November 2001 to make way for his assistant Kevan Broadhurst, who steered the Cobblers to Division Two survival. But Broadhurst was sacked in January 2003 with Northampton struggling at the foot of the division, and was briefly replaced by Terry Fenwick, who in turn left after just seven weeks to make way for Martin Wilkinson. Wilkinson lasted little longer, being dismissed in October 2003 in favour of former Scotland and Tottenham Hotspur defender Colin Calderwood.
Calderwood led Northampton to the play-offs in his first season, where they were knocked out in the semi-finals by Mansfield Town after a penalty shoot-out. In the 2004-05 season, Northampton finished 7th, again in the play-offs, where they were defeated by Southend United. (Oh yes!) Following this, the manager made substantial changes to the squad, and they enjoyed a successful 2005-06 league season. On April 29, the Cobblers clinched promotion to Football League One for 2006-07, with a 1-0 win at home to Chester City. On May 30 2006, Northampton announced that Calderwood was leaving to join Nottingham Forest as their new manager, and was replaced by John Gorman on June 5.
On December 20, Gorman resigned due to "personal issues" with the side 18th in the table, with Ian Sampson and Jim Barron briefly taking care of first team affairs. He was replaced by former Southampton boss Stuart Gray on January 2, 2007.
Gray is so far enjoying a successful spell at Northampton, making encouraging signings in his first few weeks. The club looks to be going from strength to strength, finishing 14th at the end of the season, 12 points clear from the relegation zone. Gray is currently in the process of building a more youthful squad at Northampton.
(Thanks to the usual suspects in their help in creating this article)
