Since I’ve began watching the Cobblers back in the dark days of 1993, there’s been many a captain leading the way. But none come too close to this weeks’ featured player from the Wembley heroes. Ray Warburton, in a Cobblers career that stretched over 4 seasons, held together the defence and built an atmosphere of fight and determination within the team that was the backbone of the Wembley success.
Born in Rotherham, Razor was taken on as an apprentice by his home town club but only made three first team appearances for the Millers before switching to York City on a free transfer in time for the 89/90 season. Warburton made over 100 appearances for the Minstermen and impressed the Cobblers enough to make a £35,000 swoop in February 1994.
Razor was an instant hit and his partnership with Ian Sampson was a highlight of the 1997 Wembley team. He could also score his fair share of goals as well and his late runs into the box produced many a towering headed goal from set pieces, a key instrument in Ian Atkins’ tactical box of tricks.
Warburton remains the only Cobblers captain ever to lift a trophy at Wembley stadium and although he was a part of the second successive playoff final team the following season, nothing will compare to the magic of 1997.
One of the bigger transfer shocks of the 1998/99 season came when Warburton left the Cobblers to then millionaires Rushden and Diamonds for an undisclosed fee in October. With a major figure gone, the Cobblers were relegated the following May and Warburton went on for four years at Nene Park, growing a few extra fingers and toes along the way I assume.
After seeing sense and moving away from Rushden, Razor joined Boston United for a single season before ending his career at Aldershot Town, helping them to promotion from the Ryman league and also bringing on promising youth players including Brett Johnson. If Johnson turns out half as good as his teacher, he’ll have a fantastic career ahead of him!
Warburton returned to Sixfields last summer, joining another Wembley hero, Sean Parrish, as a youth team coach.
Born in Rotherham, Razor was taken on as an apprentice by his home town club but only made three first team appearances for the Millers before switching to York City on a free transfer in time for the 89/90 season. Warburton made over 100 appearances for the Minstermen and impressed the Cobblers enough to make a £35,000 swoop in February 1994.
Razor was an instant hit and his partnership with Ian Sampson was a highlight of the 1997 Wembley team. He could also score his fair share of goals as well and his late runs into the box produced many a towering headed goal from set pieces, a key instrument in Ian Atkins’ tactical box of tricks.
Warburton remains the only Cobblers captain ever to lift a trophy at Wembley stadium and although he was a part of the second successive playoff final team the following season, nothing will compare to the magic of 1997.
One of the bigger transfer shocks of the 1998/99 season came when Warburton left the Cobblers to then millionaires Rushden and Diamonds for an undisclosed fee in October. With a major figure gone, the Cobblers were relegated the following May and Warburton went on for four years at Nene Park, growing a few extra fingers and toes along the way I assume.
After seeing sense and moving away from Rushden, Razor joined Boston United for a single season before ending his career at Aldershot Town, helping them to promotion from the Ryman league and also bringing on promising youth players including Brett Johnson. If Johnson turns out half as good as his teacher, he’ll have a fantastic career ahead of him!
Warburton returned to Sixfields last summer, joining another Wembley hero, Sean Parrish, as a youth team coach.
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