In the first two of my series, I look back on the Cobblers heroes from May 24th 1997. First up, goalkeeper Andy Woodman...
Andy Woodman was one of my first "favourite players" at the Cobblers. Whenever kids at school went through their lists of their clubs favourite players and spouted such names as Eric Cantona, Ian Wright and Jurgen Klinnsmann, I was more than happy to confuse them by telling them my top players were Neil Grayson and 'Woody'.
Woody was a rare breed of footballers, especially in the modern game that played the game with a real energy and a smile on his face. I guess that's what I loved about Woody and why a lot of the claret army took him to our hearts during the glory years of the late 90's! Starting his career as a fresh faced 18-year-old at Crystal Palace, Woodman stayed with the Eagles for five seasons before moving on to Exeter City, where he endured a nightmare period of two quick red cards that saw the end of his Grecians' career. From Exeter, he moved to the Cobblers with a fresh start in mind and was a massive part of the team that reached two successive playoff finals in 1997 and 1998.Woody spoke fondly of his time at Sixfields in his book, Woody and Nord, (co-written with now Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate) and recalls the magical trips to Wembley with delight.
As the time came near for the 1997 Playoff Final, I even got the chance to meet the great man in a meet and greet at Northampton's WH Smith's store. I remember waiting for what seemed like hours to meet Woody and a couple of the other players and we were right in front of the queue. What you see was certainly what you got with him and the bubbly, happy man you see on the pitch was exactly the man that towered above me (I was only 12!) on that day and as a kid meeting Woody was better than meeting Peter Schmeichal!
Woody's personal Wembley memories will most likely be of the 1998 final after he saved a penalty against Grimsby Town but he was a major part in the winning side the year before. Swansea, and future Cobbler, Carl Heggs sent in a scorching volley early on and Woody was at full stretch to tip the ball over the bar in front of the 32,000 strong Cobblers contingent. Woody will forever be a cult figure at the Cobblers and his departure from the club in 1999 was sad to see, especially as Spilly Turley took over from him!
Woody left Sixfields to join Brentford after an initial loan spell and went on to make 60 appearances for the Bees. In 2001, Woody joined Colchester United before spending two seasons with Oxford United and finished off his career with short spells at Stevenage Borough and Rushden and Diamonds (we forgive you Woody!).
Whenever Woody played against the Cobblers for his various clubs it was apparent how much love he has for the club and the banter was always light hearted whatever the result on the pitch.Nowadays, Woody can be found at West Ham United where he's employed as youth team goalkeeping coach.
To a legion of Cobblers fans, Andy Woodman will forever be remembered as a cult figure and an absolute joy to have as part of the Wembley heroes.
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