Dunn the hero in shoot out

Wycombe Wanderers 2-2 Northampton Town (Cobblers win 3-0 on penalties)
Johnstone's Paint Trophy, First Round
1st September 2009


Chris Dunn, at fault for a couple of the goals in the weekend defeat to Burton Albion, spectacularly his back on Tuesday night with a double penalty save that gave the Cobblers a route through to Round Two of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy. In terms of match importance and setting this game slipped through the radar of the fixture list, particularly with the early 7pm kick off. But the Cobblers, and particularly Dunn, had a point to prove and came through following an entertaining ninety minutes that ended all square.

Stuart Gray should be credited for keeping faith in Dunn and putting him back into the starting line-up when he could so easily have given young Paul Walker a go. It would be an act of trust that would eventually pay off.

Other changes saw Liverpool loan man Robbie Thelfall come in at left back and Abdul Osman return to midfield with Steve Guinan dropped to the bench and Billy McKay on international duty with Northern Ireland Under 21s. Guinan would be another to make a noticeable return later in the game.

It was Wycombe who started the brighter though and Jean-Paul Pittman had the best chance of the opening exchanges, running onto a through ball to have a clear shot on goal but Dunn was equal to it and managed to save well. It took the Cobblers a while to get going but when they did it was with real reward at the end of it. Ryan Gilligan was the man in the middle of everything with a free kick just over before he put his side into the lead from the spot. Ben Marshall was fouled and Gilligan made it two in two games as he coolly sent the keeper the wrong way to give Gray’s men a half-time lead.

It was a second penalty that would draw Wycombe level as a handball was awarded against Dean Beckwith and Pittman made no mistakes from the spot. The game began to open up a bit after that and both sides could have won it. Cobblers substitutions late in the game saw Guinan on for Mulligan and Joe Benjamin and Alex Dyer also taking to the field for Marshall and Luke Boden.

It was Guinan that had us back into the lead with under five minutes to go. Benjamin shot against a defender and the ball broke well for Guinan to finish well and that, we thought, was that. Of course there’s always another sting in the tale just around the corner and Pittman equalised once again in the 92nd minute from an Ian Westlake cross.

That second leveller could well have taken the wind out of our sails but with no extra time it was straight to penalties and time for Dunn to complete his turn around. Ian Westlake was the first to step up and Dunn saved to give us an early advantage. Gilligan put away his second of the night before Dunn saved once more, this time from Ashley Chambers. Guinan made it 2-0 before Leon Johnson shot wide and it was down to Abdul Osman to seal progression to Round Two. He duly scored and the celebrations began as we took our place in the next stage.

Whether or not you feel this is a worthwhile competition or not, if we can get through a few rounds then the excitement cannot help but build. Chris Dunn will certainly be thinking that the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy is very worthwhile indeed.

JPT signals end of window...but who will be left?

Tuesday night's Johnstone's Paint Trophy First Round tie at Wycombe Wanderers comes just one hour after the transfer window slams shut for four months. So who will be left to take on the Chairboys? Adebayo Akinfenwa has been involved in many a transfer window speculation but it seems late in the day now for the big man to move, particularly with main suitors Swansea making a double signing on Friday night.

There doesn't seem to be a lot more threatening to happen in the players out column with most of the saleable assets already gone. The money received from Danny Jackman gives Stuart Gray some money but more than likely it will mean simply more to splash out on wages rather than a transfer fee, with Luke Boden already brought in for midfield cover and thrown straight into the action at Burton.

We should avoid falling into the trap of last season's loan dealings and Stuart Gray seems to recognise the need for more permanant signings. I can't see an awful lot happening before Tuesday's 6pm deadline with Gary Mulligan returning and Abdul Osman back from injury so don't be surprised if Sixfields is a quiet place in the next couple of days.

Here's hoping that there's no more holes in the starting line-up for the Wycombe game on Tuesday.

Nightmare start hands defeat to Town

Burton Albion 3-2 Northampton Town
Saturday, August 29th 2009
League Two

A tight knit defence, the key to the positive side of the season so far for the Cobblers, was smashed aside in a little over ten minutes this afternoon as the travelling support had a real shock at the Pirelli Stadium, Burton. That defence, who had previously conceded just one goal in the league this season were torn apart by three inside the opening exchanges and despite a late fight back by Stuart Gray’s men the damage had been done and we slipped to defeat number two of this campaign.

Adebayo Akinfenwa was pronounced injured before the game and played no part. If he’s as ‘injured’ as Danny Jackman was a couple of weeks then we should be concerned of a looming move away from Sixfields but the big man is only 50/50 before every game so hopefully we won’t need to read any more into that. Steve Guinan partnered Billy McKay up front for this one with new boy Luke Boden anchoring the midfield and Seb Harris making the squad for the first time.

Ben Marshall almost got us off to the best possible start when he drove wide within the opening minute and how different the game could have been had that flown in. As it was, Burton stunned Town with a three minute goal salvo within ten minutes of kick off.

First, Chris Dunn’s error in delaying a kick out and being closed down by Shaun Harrod led to the Albion forward slotting home the opening goal. Michael Simpson scrambled home the second on just seven minutes and then rifled the ball in off the underside of the cross bar for the third in a disastrous start for Gray’s men.

We couldn’t get into the game after that until five minutes before the break when Steve Guinan could have made it 3-1 when sent clean through on goal but Burton keeper Artur Krysiak kept it out and ensured his side went in three goals to the good at half time.

Gray quickly changed things with Abdul Osman, returning from injury, and Gary Mulligan, making his debut, replacing Paul Rodgers and Craig Hinton. Billy McKay and Guinan went close in the early stages of the second half with Town looking for a similar recovery to last season’s remarkable 4-4 draw at Scunthorpe where we were 4-1 down before salvaging a draw.

But despite having a good go at getting it back for a draw we couldn’t find our way all the way back from the jaws of defeat. Guinan got one back after Boden initial effort had been blocked before a lifeline was handed to the Cobblers with a penalty nine minutes from time after a foul on Mulligan. Ryan Gilligan stepped up in Bayo’s place and made it 3-2 but that was the last of our efforts and Burton took home all the points.

After two wins in the last couple of games it was easy to think that the tide was turned but after a horror show of a first half and the transfer window looming large there is still a lot of unanswered questions as we leave the first month of the season behind. `

Back to the football after hectic week

As we prepare for today’s game at Burton Albion, our first ever visit to the Pirelli Stadium, Cobblers boss Stuart Gray must be anxious to finally play some football after an exhausting week of transfers, rumours and speculation as the deadline day for deals comes ever closer. With Danny Jackman departed, Stuart Gray has a bit to play with, whether it be loan signings or paying out for a transfer fee and he’s already brought in some midfield cover.

Loan number four of the season came in the form of Sheffield Wednesday man Luke Boden on an initial one month deal. Boden has been in and out of the first team for Wednesday in the last few seasons and is described as a “big, strong midfield player” by Gray. This may point to either Abdul Osman or Luke Guttridge’s injuries being worse than first thought and we’ll see how those two both recover. Guttridge is one man we’re still missing at the moment but the flair of Ben Marshall is seeing us through with that extra bit of attacking nouse.

Marshall is the shining star of the season so far and his performance against Bournemouth was typified by a run up the entire length of the pitch before setting up Billy McKay for a chance at goal. If we can keep hold of the Stoke man for the whole season it would represent a tremendous coup for the Town boss.

Bayo has also been in the spotlight with no comments from the club direct about a possible move back to Swansea City. The Swans have made two signings up front this week already including Lee Trundle returning home and that could well mean the Bayo rumour is over with them at least. Hopefully this doesn’t mean he’s wanting away as well!

As for Burton this afternoon it’s going to be a toughie despite our change in form with a whole host of experienced heads in their squad including former Cobblers men Guy Branston and Richard Walker. Despite it being so early in the season still it does represent a big game for the Cobblers with a real chance of claiming an early position in the higher echelons of the league table.

Monday’s transfer window will be as interesting as ever but for now let’s concentrate on three points this afternoon!

Jackman departure inevitable but still mystery surrounds the "injury"

And so Danny Jackman has left for higher ground in a move creating mystery, intrigue and an incredible injury recovery. Jackman appeared to have picked up an injury before the season started, strangely directly after a transfer request went in and was rejected a couple of days previous. Two weeks later and the double player of the year has left and the ‘injury’ is apparently healed as he played for Gillingham last night in their 3-1 defeat to Blackburn in the Carling Cup.

More than a few eyebrows have been raised, and rightly so. Jackman, once a fans’ favourite and someone that I wrote very favourably of in this very blog, has now left under a cloud. What grates the most is that he himself said that he’d stick around this season even if we did go down (a statement from before the Leeds game on the final day of 08/09).

It’s fair enough that Jackman wants to play at the higher level but did he not think that before the end of last season? Or was it all just a front, put on to look like the hero? Either way, Jackman is gone for what must be a fairly big sum (the undisclosed fee rears its ugly head again) and we must now move on with players who want to be at the club. A good result on Saturday and we’ll be flying and if the defence can continue to cope without his influence then we should be OK.

With under a week of the transfer window to go, time is running out to find a replacement so it could be a busy few days for Mr Gray.

Cherries picked off by improving Town

Northampton Town 2-0 AFC Bournemouth
League Two
Saturday, August 22nd 2009


Something strange has happened. Northampton Town have won two games in a row in what seems an unprecedented step. The win at Accrington on Tuesday night was good enough to salvage something from a stuttering start to the season but this win over a Bournemouth side who had previously won all three of their opening games was more impressive for the all round team performance that matched the result.

Naming an unchanged side, Stuart Gray knew that the pressure was still on him but the Cobblers boss didn’t have to wait long for the opening that eased the pressure on his side, looking for a home win to lift their spirits even more after Tuesday’s big win in midweek. Ben Marshall collected the ball from Steve Guinan on the right hand side and delivered a good cross that Bayo Akinfenwa had no trouble in converting from close range.

The Cherries were stunned into action, having conceded their first goal in the league this season and Mark Molesley forced a save out of Chris Dunn. The Cobblers were forced into a worrying double change with injuries continuing to mount as John Curtis and Akinfenwa replaced by Alex Dyer and Billy McKay.

Marshall shot over after a bursting run from midfield before Sammy Igoe tested Dunn again at the other end with a curling effort. In an increasingly entertaining first half, Brett Pitman hit the bar for the visitors before Steve Guinan shot wide after good build up play.

Going into the break two goals up gave the Cobblers a good base for the second 45 and Dean Beckwith came close to making it two following a free kick before Billy McKay also went close following yet another long run from Marshall, once again coming into his own on the League Two stage.

With ten minutes to go, McKay thought he had found the breakthrough of the second goal but his effort, a rebound after a Guinan shot, was ruled out for offside. But the Cobblers would get the second and seal an impressive win against a strong Bournemouth side as McKay forced a save out of the visiting keeper only for Marshall to seal a good performance by slotting home the rebound.

As the final whistle went, the Cobblers fans rose to appreciate a performance that was as improved as we could have hoped after the first three games of the season. An all round team effort to take into next week’s game at newly promoted Burton Albion and the fact that no side in League Two has won all four games can give us terrific hope that we can still make a good start to this campaign.

Relief all round for attacking trio

It was relieving not only to win on Tuesday but to have all three fit strikers scoring for the first time this season. With Gary Mulligan chomping at the bit to get back in action and to finally make his Cobblers debut, the pressure was on at Accrington for the other three forwards to break their season ducks.

Steve Guinan got the ball rolling with a superbly taken first, a curling effort into the top corner following neat build up through the middle of the park. Guinan picked his spot wonderfully and could easily have had a second goal later in the first half as he looped a volley onto the Stanley cross bar. Bayo was next to kick off his season’s tally when he was fouled and dusted himself off to slot home the spot kick. The fact that Bayo got a decision his way for once showed that not all referees are so quick to jump on the bandwagon of reprimanding the big man whenever he goes in for a 50/50 challenge. Picking up an injury late on, Bayo was replaced by Billy McKay who sealed the win with a third goal late one, drilling the ball home into the bottom corner of the net and the job was done.

Whether it goes in from a stunning 40 yarder or off your backside I’m sure all strikers will agree that the first goal of the season is the one leaving you with most relief. Here’s to a few more as the months roll on!

Travelling support finally get some reward

The 3-0 win at Accrington Stanley on Tuesday night wasn’t just impressive for the result, a first win of the season for a relieved Stuart Gray, but for the volume of travelling support from the claret faithful. Not since the 3-1 success over Leyton Orient in April have we recorded an away win and for the Cobblers fans it was a just reward for a tough drive north.

Stanley fans themselves were said to impressed by the number of away fans on show on Tuesday night and this sort of commitment despite a less than impressive opening to the season must have provided a massive lift for the players as they ran out of the tunnel.

There could be an argument that many visited the Fraser Eagles Stadium because it was another of “the 92” to tick off their list but still, a Tuesday night in Accrington still doesn’t seem appealing even to the biggest of the stadium explorers. Much more is still to come this season with some tough away ties at equally unglamorous locations and the night at Accrington could be the start of a turn around in attitudes both on and off the pitch.

Stuart Gray won’t have won that many new fans just yet but a 3-0 away success is difficult to moan about, though some will still grumble about us sitting back for long periods at 2-0, but a few more results like this one will go a long way to sealing Gray’s future at the club. There’s a thought that Gray has ten games to get it right so work is still to be done without a doubt.

We just have to hope that we don’t need to send Gray on his way as a tough looking few weeks looms on the horizon.

Breath of life for Gray and Town

Accrington Stanley 0-3 Northampton Town
Tuesday, August 18th 2009

In what has seemed a hell of a long time coming, The Cobblers are finally off the mark in League Two, tonight scoring their first goals and securing a first win of the season that not only lifts the players but gives Stuart Gray a more than timely boost. Accrington Stanley away was surely not the fixture Gray would have wanted with his future becoming more uncertain as the games go on but his strikers finally found form and the fact that both Steve Guinan and Billy McKay both opened their Town accounts would have left the Cobblers boss a happy man.

We still had to work hard defensively for a lot of the game after a terrific start that saw Guinan bag his opening strike as a Town player after just three minutes with a lovely goal from twenty yards, curled into the top corner. After Bayo Akinfenwa had been hauled down on seventeen minutes, the big man picked himself up to slot home the second and we were up and running for the season.

Stanley had their chances and right at the start of the second half, Dean Winnard had their best chance, heading wide when well placed from a free kick. The Cobblers were holding firm though and the defence was only breached on a couple of occasions, once from a free kick that Chris Dunn did very well to tip away and again from another effort from Winnard.

But it was Gray’s men that would have the final say after Stanley had rattled the woodwork and substitute Billy McKay sealed a good night for our strikers by finishing well from twenty yards. There was still time for Steve Guinan to bring down James Ryan for a penalty to Accrington but Ryan got up and shot wide from the resulting kick, meaning that we had kept a clean sheet in difficult circumstances and scored three goals in what should be a morale boosting win.

Gray himself won’t be out of the woods just yet with a massive test at home to Bournemouth on Saturday looming large. The Cherries have stormed through the first three games, taking maximum points along the way and will be a big step up from this game tonight.

So panic buttons are on hold for now anyway...the roller coaster has well and truly begun and we’re only just over a week in. Hold on tight...

Single goal sends Town to defeat at Chesterfield

One goal was enough on Saturday for the Cobblers to fall to a first league defeat of the season as we continue to search for our first goal of the campaign.

A home side that were looking to bounce back from defeat last weekend were always going to be tricky opposition but the Cobblers will still be disappointed with a narrow loss. So many games were lost by the single goal last season and Stuart Gray will not be happy with the first of 2009/10.

Steve Guinan came into the side for Billy McKay and had the first shot on goal within the first minute, curling an effort wide. A couple of goalmouth efforts were blocked by the Spireites before they had a goal disallowed at the other end. Bookings for Abdul Osman, John Curtis and Guinan in quick succession angered the visiting support but worse was to follow as Chesterfield took the lead.

Former Cobblers target Jack Lester crossed the ball for Donal McDermott who finished well past Chris Dunn and it was advantage to our hosts.

Akinfenwa almost levelled a minute before half time and seconds later Ben Marshall shot just over the bar as the Cobblers ended the half well but couldn't get back into things.

The second half began with Town looking despertately to get back on level terms with plenty of possession but little in final quality. Ryan Gilligan came off the bench to replace defender Craig Hinton in an attacking move but Billy McKay didn't see any action until eight minutes to go, replacing Guinan.

By then, Marshall had hit the post with a curling effort and that would be the closest we would come in a frustrating game to signal ou first loss of the league season. Accrington Stanley away on Tuesday now presents the first big moment of the season despite it being just three games old.

Defeat there and we would really be considering this a shocker of a start but a win would start to turn the tide. Staurt Gray may be starting to feel a little uncomfortable again.

Wycombe away in JPT

The Cobblers have been handed a tough trip to newly promoted League One side Wycombe Wanderers in the first round of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy. The trip to Adams Park is set for the week commencing 31st August after the draw was made on Saturday morning.

Last season the Cobblers crashed out in the first round after a 1-0 defeat at Sixfields to Brighton and will be looking to go further this time around...

Saints dump Cobblers out of cup

Last season’s Carling Cup heroics against Bolton and Sunderland couldn’t be repeated this evening as the Cobblers put up a brave battle but lost out to Southampton at St Mary’s. Saints boasted new signing Rickie Lambert and the former Bristol Rovers man opened the scoring in the first half. A real battle after the break saw us come so close but we couldn’t quite break them down and a second goal killed us off.

On a bright evening on the south coast, we started with the same back four as Saturday but Romone Rose was handed a debut at right midfield, coming in for Alex Dyer with Ryan Gilligan pushed inside with Abdul Osman. Bayo was dropped to the bench with Steve Guinan and Billy McKay up front.

Saints began the brighter with a couple of Lambert free kicks flying over the bar. Warning shots they most certainly were and it wouldn’t be long before the inevitable goal came from the former Gas Head. Ben Marshall, impressive again on the left, cut inside to create the first of our chances but he was foiled by the excellent Kelvin Davies.

Andy Holt had a free header on the twenty minute mark but he was made to pay for that miss as the home side took the lead ten minutes later. Lloyd James was given too much space on the right and his good cross was met by Lambert who stooped to header home low into Chris Dunn’s net. Saints came to life with that goal and we did well to hold out till half time with the score still at just 1-0.

A double change near the hour mark so nearly changed the game in our favour with Bayo on for McKay and John Curtis given a debut in the place of Romone Rose. The changes sparked a period of fifteen minutes where we really looked like we would get back into the game. Guinan had a shot deflected over and the atmosphere built in the Northam end where the 700 or so Cobblers fans had gathered.

Marshall shot wide before Bayo had a golden chance to level the scores, pouncing on a defensive error to bring the ball down and fire over the bar. That would be the last chance to get back on terms as Southampton scored the killer goal when Adam Lallana scrambled the ball home and from then on it was all but over.

Alex Dyer came off the bench to give a good account of himself and looked ten times the player Abdul Osman did in the middle of the park in a shocker for the former Gretna midfielder. A third goal for Southampton would have been harsh on us but Rasiak nearly got it before being denied by Dunn late on.

The game faded and the Cobblers crashed out of the Carling Cup at the first round stage. A good battle and this gives me a little more confidence after Saturday’s game against Macclesfield. Next up is a tricky away double at Chesterfield and Accrington Stanley. Welcome to League Two indeed...on this tale of quality and final touch, we have a fair way to go yet.

Now for the real tests...

A six year wait finally over

As the Cobblers prepare for tonight's League Cup First Round game at Southampton, I personally end a six year wait for a game between the sides at St Mary's. Moving to university in Southampton in 2003 there never seemed a chance that we would ever play across the road from my halls of residence with Saints in Europe having finished runners up in the FA Cup final the season before.

A glimmer of hope came in 04/05 when Town drew Southampton in both cups but frustratingly both games were at Sixfields! So this game tonight means a lot, to finally give me a chance to wander over to a game instead of sit on a train/replacement bus service/taxi/boat to get to a game.

It's also a return to the club for Stuart Gray of course and he'll be looking to put one over on a few friends. Injuries are mounting for Gray with Ryan Gilligan the latest doubt so Romone Rose could make his Cobblers debut.

With good ticket prices there should be a fair attendance in place tonight...let's hope I'm not regretting finally meeting Southampton away come 9:30 tonight!

Cobblers held on opening day

2009/10 started with as much distraction as there was ambition on this day one year ago. Back in August 2008, nothing could stop the Cobblers after a terrific ninth place finish in League One the season before. But twelve months and a relegation on, key players have left the club to leave us with an uncertain beginning to this season and Macclesfield Town were very much a “welcome back to League Two” opponent.
The rumours circulating before the first blow of the referee’s whistle in this campaign surrounded Danny Jackman, who this week handed in a transfer request that was rejected by David Cardoza.

The talk before the game were of Jackman’s “injury” that kept him out of the match at the last minute. Some said the double player of the year had signed for Notts County, some said a home return to Gillingham was his path but either way we would have to do without him for this game at the very least.

Elsewhere, Stuart Gray picked a strange line-up with John Curtis also missing and new centre back Craig Hinton started at right back instead whilst actual right back Paul Rodgers sat on the bench. Ryan Gilligan started on the right of a four man midfield with Alex Dyer getting his chance in the middle with Abdul Osman. On the left was Town’s best prospect throughout the match, the newly signed loan man Ben Marshall. Akinfenwa and Billy McKay led the line up front.

Bayo was in the mix from the off, receiving a ridiculous booking for nothing more than standing up a couple of times whilst the Macc defender couldn’t deal with him. Whether the yellow card had any effect on the rest of the game for the big man was debatable and he lashed a shot in from range soon after, signalling his frustration and intent.

A free kick was wasted, ironically in an ideal spot for a Jackman special, by Osman before the same man hoofed over the bar. But the visitors were the side that came closest to a breakthrough when they hit the bar late in the half, firing off a warning to Gray’s men, who responded well and had a header cleared off the line and generally looked a lot brighter after that.

Half time came too soon though and after the break we looked sluggish again, with Bayo coming closest for us with after winding up and powering a right footed shot at goal that the Silkman’s keeper did well to push away for a corner.
At the other end, hesitation between defenders and keeper Chris Dunn so nearly cost us even a point as John Roooney broke through and missed a golden chance when one on one with the Cobblers stopper. It was increasingly becoming more open a game as every one of our attacks left us open to the break away tactic from Macclesfield who so nearly caught us out once again towards the end with a left footed shot from Rooney flashing past Dunn’s near post.

There was no real late flurry despite a last ditch corner for us and we had to settle for a point in the opening game of this season. The Jackman saga took another turn when he made the raffle draw in the bar after the game, with questions being fired from all angles about his next career move. Jackman himself said he was indeed injured so time will tell whether his reassuring words are true.

As for Gray, he has a trip to his old friends at Southampton to prepare for on Tuesday night but certainly we need more organisation going into that one. The starting eleven were a scary shadow of our former selves but now that we’ve been dealt the cards we have it’s time to get everyone playing in their positions even if that does mean leaving out some of the new boys.

Romone Rose remained on the bench today with Paul Rodgers coming on in his place at right midfield at one point with Rose surely the better and more logical replacement. Meanwhile, Alex Dyer still looked raw and Holt didn’t look the most comfortable pushed a bit further back than usual.

So the analysing and critique begins but at least Tuesday night should provide a brief reflection on where we want to be and where we quite simply should still be as we take a trip to St Mary’s. Personally it’s one I’ve been waiting for for six years having lived in the area since moving to uni there in 2003 and it should be a fun night, even if we could struggle!
It’s good to be back, either way!

Here we go again...

And so we sit on the edge of another season and we’re back to the point where there’s nothing to worry about so let’s make the most of that while it lasts. Because once 3pm on Saturday comes around, nine months of worry, doubts, heartache, perhaps even joy and hope begins.

Since that fateful day at Elland Road in early May there’s been changes aplenty but whatever side starts and finishes this season it’s imperative that we get our ambition back, imperative that we get our Cobblers back.

The most noteable changes to the squad have come at the back, with Mark Hughes, Chris Doig and Jason Crowe all leaving this summer. This must be one major concern, with a defence that hardly knows each other set to start the season. Dean Beckwith and Craig Hinton must gel from the start to give Chris Dunn behind them a little bit of confidence. It’s still worth noting that Dunn is a rookie, thrown in at the deep end last season when Bunny left for Blackburn, and his vulnerability needs to be protected despite a vast improvement over the last few months of last season.

In midfield, Giles Coke decided to play a nasty game in giving his word that he would sign before flying off to Motherwell but this is a terrific chance for the likes of Alex Dyer to break into the side. Abdul Osman must hold the middle of the field together and he could be key in some of the more physical battles this division provides. Ryan Gilligan also gets a chance for now and his hard work could prove vital. Liam Davis’ injury looks to keep him out but Holty can step in if needed – he was one of the players that did actually battle in the run in last season and League Two needs that sort of mettle.

Up top we’ll turn to Bayo for the goals but thankfully we look to have finally found a nifty young whipper snapper in Billy McKay that could be the secret weapon to play off the big man. Last season we had Constantine which says it all, and we at least have goals in us with different types of forward – the hustling Bayo and Guinan, the pacy McKay and the workhorse Mulligan.

So all in all we’re looking pretty strong with the defence the main concern for me. If they can get together quickly and figure out an understanding then their records show that their talents can aid a promotion challenge.

It’s that illusive good start we crave so much and with Macclesfield coming to town we have a good chance of that. I can’t help think that there could be a sting in the tail as there so often is on opening day and I’d much rather be playing Notts County’s new era on day one than the Silkmen, who beat us 1-0 at Moss Rose on opening day 1999 – ten years and a day previous to this season’s big kick off. Hopefully no bad omens there but remember we were promoted that season in third place following a magnificent final day out at Plainmoor, Torquay.

Anything like a season to match that one will be terrific and if we can erase the still lingering heartache of Elland Road within the first couple of months of the 09/10 season then I’ll be delighted. The hurt is still there but the fans, players and staff now have to use that pain to push for a place back in League One.
Up The Cobblers!

Winger Rose joins on months' loan

QPR winger Romone Rose has signed for the Cobblers on a month long loan deal. The youngster impressed in the 3-1 friendly defeat to MK Dons last weekend and Stuart Gray moved quickly to sign him up for the next few weeks.

Rose, 19, started his career with the R's and helped their under 18s to the Youth Alliance title in 2007. A loan spell at AFC Wimbledon followed before he returned to Loftus Road to make his first team debut in May 2008 against West Bromwich Albion, coming off the bench. Rose went on to play for Histon on loan but then made three appearances for his parent club last season.

He will be immediately available for Saturday's League Two opener against Macclesfield Town.

Hearty gesture from Town players

The Cobblers players will donate their match fees for Saturday's game with Macclesfield Town to their eight charities. In a summer when huge transfer fees are being exchanged across Europe, it's refreshing to see a "small" club make what is likely a tiny gesture that will make a lot of difference.

Well done to all at the club!

Jackman transfer request turned down

Danny Jackman has had a transfer request turned down by Cobblers chairman David Cardoza. The Player of the Year for the past two seasons put in his request on Tuesday but Cardoza was quick to reject it but it does put a number of doubts in fans' minds ahead of the big kick off.

Giles Coke, Mark Hughes and now Jackman have all stated desires to leave with Coke and Hughes already gone this summer. Jackman said before the end of last season that should we be relegated, he would stay as he felt partly responsible so this is quite the shock to say the least!

What does this, in turn, say about the state of the dressing room? When you get a player like Jackman wanting out there must be some sort of problem and the worries have been set in motion.

Very much the last thing we need at this stage!

Squad begins to finalise as McCready and Harris sign

The Cobblers have finalised deals to keep Chris McCready and Sebastian Harris at Sixfields after successful trials with the club. McCready,27, joins after leaving Crewe Alexandra at the end of last season and will compete with Craig Hinton and Dean Beckwith for places at the heart of the Town defence.

Meanwhile, Harris, a young forward, has also caught the eye of Stuart Gray over the summer and joins at least until December with pace and energy the traits stated by the Cobblers boss as reasons to take a closer look at him.

With another couple of players expected through the door before Saturday's big opener against Macclesfield Town, Town fans could be looking at a very different side to the one that ended the Leeds game back in May.

Pre-season ends in Dons defeat

So that's all the build up complete as a final pre-season game ends in a defeat at MK Dons. Yesterday, it was Jemal Johnson acting as chief annoyance to The Cobblers' defence and his hat-trick ultimately won it for the Franchise. It was a game that seemed to personify the pre-season so far, a disappointment results wise but with Billy McKay again on the scoresheet, a ray of hope emerging that we could yet bounce back to League One at the first attempt.

Should Bayo and McKay hit it off and we can gel together quickly we should be up there. One sticking point may be a defence that has been rebuild following the departure of it's core in Mark Hughes and Chris Doig. Craig Hinton and Dean Beckwith both won promotion from this league before but they must fit together sooner rather than later.

In this entertaining friendly though, it was our "rivals" that took home the win thanks to Johnson's treble tpo show that Dons should once again be in the front runners in League One next season. As for The Cobblers, we've had a mixed bag of friendlies but were always beaten by the higher opposition.

That's all over now though and the countdown can begin to the 09/10 season...let the real football begin!

Davis out for two months

Injury number one of the new season and we're still a week away from Macclesfield. Liam Davis has suffered a fractured metatarsal (ah the memories of Rooney's world cup injury!) and will miss the first two months of the new season. Andy Holt stepped in on Tuesday when we were beaten by, er, Wednesday, and he should come into contention to hold onto the left midfield role for the opening League Two exchanges.

A Cobblers "sqaud" will travel to Long Buckby tomorrow night for the ultimate in pre-season trophy finals - The Maunsell Cup! Expect a couple of fringe players to get their opportunities for this one ahead of the final pre-season game at MK Dons on Saturday.

Wednesday win at Sixfields

Sheffield Wednesday struck twice early on to take home a friendly win this evening as the Cobblers were well tested in the last home friendly of the summer. Stuart Gray named a first choice eleven for the game but it was the visitors that struck the early blows with Jermaine Johnson and Francis Jeffers grabbing the goals.

An injury to Liam Davis saw the midfielder stretchered off in a worrying incident while Adebayo Akinfenwa came close to reducing the arrears late in the half. But it was Wednesday who should have had the third goal of the game when Jeffers went down under the challenge of Chris Dunn and won a penalty a few minutes into the second half. Dunn picked himself up though and pulled off a terrific save to keep the score down.


Abdul Osman and Billy McKay went close late on but the Cobblers were beaten and now have just two remaining friendlies to go before the big season opener against Macclesfield Town on August 8th!

Experienced Curtis the latest to sign

As the season gets ever nearer, The Cobblers have today completed off the signing of John Curtis, the experienced right back, on a free transfer. Curtis has spent time at the very top with Manchester United where he began his career and went on to play for Blackburn Rovers, Leicester, Portsmouth and Nottingham Forest before spending time at QPR and Wrexham.

Curtis, 30, was a free agent this summer and after impressing Stuart Gray in the friendlies so far, has earned a one year contract with the club.

With Jason Crowe's departure to Leeds, this seems a sensible move from Gray who needed a bit more knowhow in the back line to accompany the signings of Craig Hinton and Dean Beckwith alongside Paul Rodgers, who can only learn from Curtis. All should feature in tonight's friendly at home to Sheffield Wednesday.

Cobblers see off ten man Stamford

The Cobblers are back on the winning trail, albeit against a Unibond league side, Stamford, who were reduced to ten men before half time. Dan Cotton was sent off for Stamford in the first half and soon afterwards Steve Guinan headed home to give the Cobblers the lead.

Trialist Sebastian Harris sealed the win late on with a neat lob and earned a comfortable win in an easier environment than Tuesday night's home defeat to Championship side Coventry.

Whilst not exactly setting the world alight with this win, we still got it and playing two games in three days can only do good for the fitness levels. John Curtis also put in another decent performance at right back and Stuart Gray will look to sort out his trialists' situations before Tuesday night's home game with Sheffield Wednesday.

Gray names Hinton as captain

Stuart Gray has confirmed that new signing Craig Hinton has been named as the new team captain. The departure of ex-skipper Chris Doig at the end of last season meant that a new captain was needed and Gray has chosen Hinton, a summer signing from Bristol Rovers, as the man to lead the side next season.

Elsewhere, Gray has also handed his squad members their numbers for next season, as below:

1. Chris Dunn
3. Danny Jackman
4. Luke Guttridge
5. Craig Hinton
6. Dean Beckwith
8. Abdul Osman
9. Steve Guinan
10. Adebayo Akinfenwa
11. Andy Holt
12. Ryan Gilligan
13. Paul Walker
14. Liam Davis
15. Alex Dyer
16. Gary Mulligan
17. Billy McKay
18. Joe Benjamin

McKay signs Cobblers deal

After an impressive pre-season trial with the Cobblers, Billy McKay has signed a contract with the Cobblers. The former Leicester City striker signs on an initial one year deal after being released by the Foxes at the end of last season. McKay, 20, came through the ranks with City but was deemed surplus to requirements at the Walker Stadium.

He's been the pick of the trialists without a doubt this summer and has featured in all four friendlies so far, including a stunning overhead kick finding the net in the 2-1 defeat to Coventry on Tuesday night. For someone like this to arrive on a free transfer can only be good news and he seems perfect foil for the likes of Bayo and Steve Guinan.

Welcome to Sixfields Billy, now get us out of League Two! (No pressure...)

Sky Blues take Jackson Grundy Cup

The first 'silverware' of the new season was on show at Sixfields this evening but it was Coventry that took home the Jackson Grundy Cup after a late strike sealed a friendly win for the visitors. Billy McKay, a second half substitute, further staked a claim for a Town contract with an overhead kick that looked to have taken the game to penalties late in the day.

But it was City who took home the trophy after Sean Jeffers struck the winner with just three minutes to play. Leon Best had earlier given the Sky Blues the lead with a powerful strike from distance before McKay's goal.

So a tough work out for the Cobblers this evening and a second straight defeat but at least we put up a decent fight against the Championship side who looked strong in taking home their latest in a string of wins this summer. The Cobblers now turn their attention to the trip to Stamford on Thursday afternoon.

Coke in controversial Motherwell move

Giles Coke has stunned staff at Sixfields by signing with Scottish Premier League side Motherwell despite previously agreeing terms with the Cobblers. Coke was on holiday when the deadline for contract offers passed but his agent confirmed via e-mail that he would sign on his return to England.

But the player has now done a complete u-turn by signing with Motherwell instead, turning his back on the Cobblers. The club believes that Coke's agent was trying to work out a move away from Sixfields for his player during pre-season training which Coke was a part of.

I certainly don't wish him well...he was shocking at the end of last season and I wouldn't have minded a jot if he'd have left on a free. But agreeing to sign and then turning around and signing somewhere else stinks and I hope he rots in the reserves.

A true waste of a promising talent and his big headedness has shone through, not just at the end of last season when he didn't care one bit while supposedly in a dog fight and now we all know he was always looking for that move away.

If he shows anything like the form of March-May this year he'll be shifted out to Peterhead in no time. So long Giles...

Back to Sixfields for City test

Tomorrow night sees the first home friendly as the Cobblers meet Coventry City at Sixfields and we'll be looking for a step up in standard as the Championship side comes to town. After a defeat to Corby on Saturday, Ian Sampson stated poor defending as the reason for the early pre-season wobble and the problems certainly need sorting soon.

You can't read too much into results at this stage of course but worries will begin to start in the Town fans' minds should we lose heavily tomorrow evening. City have beaten Nuneaton and Hinckley in their initial preparation and will see this as the next step up challenge wise.

Just under three weeks to go now and the pre-season is really beginning to kick in and expect decisions on trialists very soon.

Cobblers beaten by Corby!

Let the first grumbles of the season begin. It didn't take long for the worries to start in this pre-season campaign and following a couple of passable results, the Cobblers were beaten by Corby Town in game three of the 2009/10 build up. True, there were trialists and youngsters involved but with more than a few first team regulars on show this really should have been a game under the wins column, friendly or not.

The fact that ex Cobblers such as Lawrie Dudfield, Tommy Jaszczun and Jason Lee were in the Corby side made it that bit worse and Lee was the one to open the scoring just eleven minutes in. Chris Willmott's hopes of a contract can't have been helped by the own goal that made it 2-0 but he could be considered unlucky with Dudfield's shot deflecting off Paul Walker and onto Willmott before going in.

The one ray of hope from the game was, once again, Billy McKay, who scored the Cobblers' consolation late on and Stuart Gray is planning to sit down with more trialists from this game along with McKay and Willmott this week, plus former Manchester Unted defender John Curtus who also featured, to discuss their futures.

Whether results matter at this stage is up for debate of course but it's still slightly worrying that we've been beaten for the first time this pre-season. Improvements now certainly needed before Coventry City's visit on Tuesday night in the first home friendly at Sixfields.

Histon peg back Town in latest friendly

Conference side Histon came from a goal behind to draw with the Cobblers in tonight's friendly, Stuart Gray's side playing for the second time in a few days following Saturday's win at Brackley. Trialists, Chris Willmott, Billy McKay and Oscar Lubwama once again took to the field and Gray will make a decision on those players this week.

In what so easily could have been an FA Cup tie last season after the Cobblers lost out to Histon's eventual opponents Leeds in Round One, Town started brightly and McKay shot wide in our best early chance. After Paul Rodgers had hobbled off injured, we had the lead before half time as Gary Mulligan opened his account with a penalty after Luke Guttridge had been fouled.

But the home side would come away with a point with a well taken strike by Josh Simpson levelling the scores mid-way through the second half. More changes were made after the break by Gray, who saw Guttridge have the final effort of the game tipped wide by the Histon keeper late on.

So another good workout and the pre-season schedule now begins to pick up pace with a third away game, this time at Corby Town, on Saturday afternoon.

Trialists bid to impress as an old face returns

As trialists begin to flood in, desperately seeking a place in the Cobblers squad for next season, we get the usual hits, misses and maybes being reported from the first friendly of the summer at Brackley on Saturday afternoon. There was the usual game of spot the newbie at St James Park and it was two of the new faces that caught the attention of the clutch of Town fans in attendance.

Billy McKay was the first to get involved with a number of good runs and chances, forcing the Cobblers’ first three efforts on goal and generally causing problems throughout his appearance. Left sided player Gavin McCallum also impressed, staking his claim to Stuart Gray who may well be looking for one or two more free purchases this summer.

One surprise inclusion was former Cobblers defender Chris Willmott who took his place in the starting line-up as another trialist. Already there have been concerns spread across the message board universe with Willmott released by non-league Oxford at the end of last season and a not too distant memory of a shaky Town career at the back of everyone’s minds. It seems to me a step back to take a gamble on Willmott again, particularly with ambitions as they are.

Can Willmott really be the answer to a back-up defender or should we remain calm and take time in selecting the right man? I certainly think there’s others out there with a better shout than Willmott at helping us to promotion and beyond to the hopeful heights of League One again. Keep looking Stuart!

Guinan nets as Cobblers win opening friendly

Steve Guinan scored on his first appearance for the club yesterday as the Cobblers ran out 1-0 winners in the opening friendly of pre-season at Brackley Town. Guinan struck on the hour mark to seal the win but more importantly than the result, most of the squad got a run out along with one or two trialists.

Fellow new signings Craig Hinton, Dean Beckwith and Gary Mulligan made their debuts in the friendly with a clutch of trialists including ex-Cobbler Chris Willmott vying for places in next season’s squad. One other trialist, Billy McKay looked lively early on and forced all three of our early chances in the opening twenty minutes. The home side’s best chance came when they rattled the bar through Tom Winters just before the break.

The expected changes came at half-time and Guinan, one of those to come off the bench, found the net on the hour, finishing well after being found by McKay. Winters went close for the home side after that with Paul Walker denying him well in the Cobblers goal. Gary Mulligan went close to making it 2-0 but the one goal was enough to at least claim a win in the first friendly of the 09/10 campaign.

So we’re up and running and the excitement builds from here after a relatively lively pre-season game to kick things off. Next up is a visit to Conference side Histon on Tuesday night.

Brackley...where it all begins again...

It’s the official start of pre-season tomorrow afternoon as the Cobblers take to the field at Brackley for the first of their friendly games. New signings Steve Guinan, Craig Hinton, Deran Beckwith and Gary Mulligan are likely to make their first appearances with the entire squad getting at least 45 minutes of action.

There’s around four weeks until the big kick off and this is where it all begins…the long slog back from the desperation at Elland Road starts in a small Northamptonshire town. It’s going to be a long and rocky ride but here’s to the start of 09/10!

Mulligan's a Cobbler

Gary Mulligan is the latest to join the Cobblers' ranks for next season as the striker joins following his release from Gllingham at the end of last season. Mulligan, 24, was a former Irish Under 21 international, starting his career at Wolves.

After just one appearance at Molineux, he moved to Sheffield United before going out on loan to Port Vale and the Gills. A permanant move to The Priestfield followed but Mulligan wasn't a part of boss Mark Stimson's plans and moved on at the end of last season.

Not a prolific striker by any means but Stuart Gray descibes him as having a good work rate and "something different" to what we have already in Bayo and Guinan. One more striker is likely to come in before the start of the season but the squad continues to grow.

Hughesy back in League One

Mark Hughes has today made his return to League One as he signs for Walsall following his release from the Cobblers. Hughes failed to respond to a contract offer from Stuart Gray despite an extension being added on to the original contract deadline of June 16th.

Anthony Gerrard's departure from The Bescot Staium earlier this month to Cardiff meant that there was a hole in the Saddlers' defence and Chris Hutchings has swopped in to snap up Hughes and bring him back to the division from which he was relegated from last season.

Back to the Franchise

The Cobblers have arranged another pre-season friendly, this time at MK Dons a week before the season begins. The trip to Stadium:Mk will take place on Saturday, August 1st with a 3pm kick off. Last season saw Town go down 1-0 at the home of the franchise but this time around we visit in just a "friendly" environment instead.

Admission prices will be £6 for adults, £3 concessions and £1 for under 16s.

Anya makes shock Sevilla switch!

Former Cobblers forward Ikechi Anya has signed for Spanish giants Sevilla in a shock move after Stuart Gray;s failed attempts to lure him back to Sixfields over the summer. Anya was on loan with the Cobblers for the last few months of the season and made an impact despite being a part of the side that were relegated from League One.

But after returning to the Glenn Hoddle Academy, also based in Spain, Anya jumped at the chance to join Sevilla and rather than running out at Rochdale, Barnet and Accrington next season, he will be playing in La Liga!

Tough choice? I think not! All the best Ketch!

Cup double on the horizon?

The Cobblers could be on the verge of making a cup double this summer as the game against Coventry has been amended to be named the "Jackson Grundy Cup". Aparantly to "add spice" to proceedings (we could have just got Tony Ansell to whip up a curry), the game on July 21st will now be the first of two cup games during the friendly season.

A youth/reserve team is expected to take to Long Buckby nine days later to compete for the Maunsell Cup...so will that trophy cabinet be bulging at the seams before the season even begins or will we lose the Jackson Gruny Cup and never see it again?!

New look back-line for Cobblers...

It looks like a new defence will be in place by the time the Cobblers take on Macclesfield Town to open the 09/10 season as Mark Hughes was sent on his way yesterday. It all seems a little odd that nothing at all was heard from the player on a contract offer and Hughes will lose a few fans at Sixfields for not even answering our offer.

Stuart Gray gave Hughes a chance in the Football League and if reports are true that we had no answer then it's a real kick in the teeth for the Town boss.

Fair play to Gray for moving quickly and lining up Dean Beckwith, another "experienced" head who at 25 still has time to earn a reputation. Other clubs were after him but Gray got his man and the defence will now almost completely revamped next season. Hughes, along with Chris Doig and Jason Crowe are gone whilst Craig Hinton joins Beckwith at the club.

Paul Rodgers makes his return for pre-season and it's likely that he will battle Liam Dolman for a spot in next season's squad, with Bully also back for pre-season only initially.

So all change at Cobblers HQ and it'll be a case of spot the new guy in defence when we make the trip to Brackley in eleven days.

Beckwith in as Hughes departs

Former Hereford United defender Dean Beckwith has become the Cobblers' thrid summer signing and quickly replaces the departing Mark Hughes. Beckwith is still only 25 and came through the ranks at Gillingham before helping Hereford to promotion to the Football League and then to League Two.

A number of clubs were interested in the centre half but Stuart Gray has got his man and finalised a one year deal with the option of a further twelve months on top of that.

Meanwhile, Paul Rodgers will also join the ranks for pre-season training. Rodgers was with the club on loan towards the end of last season, making eleven appearances and Gray will have another look at the right back over the summer.

Hughes leaves Cobblers

Mark Hughes has left the Cobblers after the club ended talks about a new contract. The defender had his contract offer withdrawn after initially extending the time for Hughes to answer what they had put on the table. But after no reply was heard from the player, we have had to let him go and Stuart Gray said,

"We kept Mark's offer open for a while after the June 16th deadline, which we were not obliged to do. We did not hear back and we could not wait indefinitely for a decision and so we have moved on. Mark does not now have a contract offer on the table from ourselves and he has been officially notified of this in writing."

The Cobblers have now signed Dean Beckwith in his place after the defender signed from Hereford. More on the way...

Back to work!

The Cobblers players will be returning to training on Wednesday as their preparation for their pre-season campaign gets under way at Sixfields. Each player has again been given personal training plans to complete over the summer and will report back for fitness training initially.

The first friendly takes place at Brackley on July 11th and the club hopes to have some more new faces coming through the door by then to add to the signings of Steve Guinan and Craig Hinton.

There's still no news on Mark Hughes, who is yet to make a decision on his future.

New date for Grimsby game...

The Cobblers' visit to Grimsby Town has become the first fixture for the 2009/10 season to be changed. Originally scheduled for Saturda, April 3rd, the trip north will now take place on Good Friday, April 2nd with a 7:45pm kick off time.

Ryan Gilligan's goal dramtically comdemned the mariners to the League Two playoffs in 2006 after we had been promoted the week before and the trip will come at a vital time once again towards the end of the 2009/10 campaign.

More fixtures are expected to be changed as the summer goes on.

The countdown to pre-season!

Pre-season training is now just a couple of weeks away as holidays are finished and the rime for the Cobblers' players and staff to relax is over. Stuart Gray will be returning from his holiday to a barrage of issues including the deal to try and sign Mark Hughes on a new contract and strengthening his current squad.

The Cobblers have just about finalised their pre-seasno plans with a mix of local away games and home games against Championship opposition. The build up gets under way on July 11th with a trip to Brackley and the season begins under a month later.

The Cobblers' pre-season fixtures 2009/10...

July 11th: Brackley (a)
July 14th: Histon (a)
July 18th: Corby (a)
July 21st: Coventry (h)
July 23rd: Stamford (a)
July 28th: Sheffield Wednesday (h)
July 30th: Long Buckby (a) Maunsell Cup Final

Hughes future still in doubt

Mark Hughes is now the only out of contract Cobblers player yet to decide on his future but he is understood to be still thinking about an offer given to him by Stuart Gray back in May. Hughes' offer is thought to have meant that the defender would take a pay cut should he stay at Sixfields but if we were to be promoted, he would return to his previous salery.

With Gray away this week, the situation is unlikely to be resolved until next week.

Macc up first at Sixfields!

The Cobblers will start their 2009/10 campaign with a home game against Macclesfield Town. The fixtures were released this morning and the Silkmen will visit on the opening day of the season on Saturday, August 8th. The midweek that follows will see us travel to St Mary’s to face Southampton in the Carling Cup before our first away game of the season on August 15th at Chesterfield.

An early Tuesday night trip to Accrington Stanley will be sure to welcome us into League Two whilst we see out August by hosting Bournemouth and travelling to league new boys Burton Albion.

We will face a Boxing Day clash with Dagenham and Redbridge at Sixfields while we start 2010 away at Bournemouth. In what could be a crunch end of season, the final away game comes at Valley Parade and a game at Bradford whilst we’re at home for the final day of the season against Bury.

Please see www.ntfc.co.uk for the full fixture list.

Cups, Contracts and a departing Crowe...

After a quiet couple of weeks, it's all happening at Sixfields in a week that brings contract mysteries to an end and the 2009/10 season beginning to take shape fixtures wise. First came the Carling Cup draw and the dream one for me personally with an away game at Southampton looming. Working right next to the stadium and coming through university in the city has made me want this game for years and when we were relegated it looked like we would miss out again, with Saints dropping to our former home of League One.

The squad now begins to take shape with Crowey on his way out but I was a little surprised at the destination, thought to be Brighton, when it was revealed that he will sign for Leeds. With the choice of players at their disposal it seems a strange decision to go for Crowe who is advancing in years but of course they will get the quality we've come to expect in the last few seasons. Inevitable as it was, it's still disappointing to lose a player of real quality.

Giles Coke has a lot to prove but by signing a new deal at least he's signalled that he wants to be here...now show us what you can do Giles and maybe, just maybe we will see the fruits of your potential rather than the labouring style of the back end of last season. It'll be a battle for places in midfield next season with the likes of Coke, Jackman, Osman, Gilligan and Guttridge battling for spots but that shows the quality we have in there.

Tomorrow sees the most exciting day of the summer, a day of planning road trips, getting days off work for trips to Torquay on a Tuesday night (lets face it, we'll get that!) and trying to figure out where the points will come as the league fixtures are announced.

If anyone had forgotten about football, today is the day we got a nice little reminder of what's to come!

Coke staying on at Town...

Giles Coke has committed his seeable future with the Cobblers as his agent today revealed that he will stay at Sixfields. Coke was out of contract at the end of last season but is expected to sign a new contract when he returns from holiday. Coke has struggled with injuries and form since arriving from Mansfield Town but hopefully League Two will provide a platform for him to regain his belief in himself.

The news comes just hours after Jason Crowe revealed that he will be signing for Leeds United from this summer.

Crowe flying off to Leeds

Jason Crowe will be joining Leeds United on a free transfer after he made a final decision on his future. Crowe had until today to answer the Cobblers' offer but had been rumoured to be moving on anyway with Brighton aparantly leading the chase for his signature.

But he's decided to move to Elland Road instead to join fellow ex-Cobblers Bradley Johnson in the ranks. Crowe made over 200 appearances for the club but has decided to move on following relegation last season.

It’s Saints in Carling Cup for Town!

The Cobblers have been paired with Southampton in the first round of the Carling Cup in the first draw of the new season. The game will be played at St Mary’s on week commencing 10th August 2009, a few days after the start of the league season. It’s a draw I’ve been waiting for with my local team facing my beloved Town having lived in and around Southampton since 2003.

It will also mean a return to St Mary’s for Stuart Gray who briefly managed the Saints in the Premier League. The actual date for the game is yet to be announced but it should be a decent night on the south coast in the first week of the 2009/10 season.

So who do you want?

It's the Carling Cup draw tomorrow and the basis that it's a North and South draw and seeded in the first round means that we're limited to 18 possible opponents. Amongst those are The Posh with a trip to London Road a possibility along with a possible meeting with Southampton, something that living and working locally would be a game I've been waiting for for years, so long as it's at St Mary's!

We could also get MK Dons or a number of Championship sides including Ipswich, Crystal Palace, Reading and Watford amongst others. So who will it be? We'll find out tomorrow at 9:30am with the league fixtures out a day later!

Here's our possible opponents in the Carling Cup First Round...

Bristol City
Bristol Rovers
Cardiff City
Charlton Athletic
Colchester United
Crystal Palace
Ipswich Town
Millwall
Milton Keynes Dons
Norwich City
Peterborough United
Plymouth Argyle
Queens Park Rangers
Reading
Southampton
Southend United
Swansea City
Watford

Sammo's reserves in Eastern Division

Ian Sampson's Cobbers reserve team will take on the like of Peterborough United, Norwich City and Watford next season after they wer placed in the Totesport Combination Eastern Division for the 2009/10 campaign. The club used the reserve team to blood Chris Dunn at the start of last season with the goalkeeper stepping up to the first team when Mark Bunn was sold to Blackburn Rovers.

The full line up for the Eastern Division is as follows:

Colchester United, Ipswich Town, Luton Town, Northampton Town, Norwich City, Peterborough United, Southend United, Stevenage Borough, Watford, Wycombe Wanderers

Seven Up!

The Football League have announced that from next season we will join the Premier League in alloing seven substitutes rather than five in league games. Only three will be allowed to join the action of course but expect more youngsters getting a chance on the bench in the coming seasons.

Got to be good news for the squad members that don't usually get that chance and also with more options available to Stuart Gray to change a game with few restrictions. The rules will come in for the start of the coming season with the fixtures for 09/10 set to come out this Wednesday.

2008/09...The Good, The Bad and The Ugly...

So it’s goodbye to League One as the various websites, news channels and newspapers begin to update their leagues with the 2009/10 teams. Unfortunately for that means we’re waiting to finally see the name of Northampton Town drop to League Two level once again but now is the time to look back on the final of three seasons above the basement.

We’ve seen former footballing giants fall at Sixfields, trips to locations far away as Carlisle and as nearby as Peterborough, flirted with the playoffs briefly, brought through some good youngsters and loaned out the entire Championship reserve team database.

So let’s look back on last season one more time and look back on the good, the bad and the ugly from 2008/09 in League One…

Match of the Season: Scunthorpe United 4-4 Northampton Town

Match of the year has to go to the Scunny away game when, at 4-1 down, the Cobblers came back to claim a remarkable 4-4 draw as Danny Jackman’s late corner flew straight in. Has we not hit the bar in stoppage time this would have gone down as the greatest ever fight back for a Cobblers side for sure!

Worst Match of the Season: Yeovil Town 1-0 Northampton Town

Plenty of options for this award…the JPT defeat to Brighton, the 1-0 home defeat to Oldham in November and the 0-0 draw with Bristol Rovers in the final game of 2008 but the Yeovil defeat wins it for me for the sheer desperation of the defeat and the manner in which we went for the draw and inevitably lost late on.

NTFC Player of the Year: Danny Jackman

Had to be Jacko again for Player of the Year this season…one of the only players in Claret that showed a willingness to fight for the cause. Jackman won many votes for the official award by stating that he’ll still be a Cobbler next season whatever league we ended up in. Will be much needed in League Two.

Best Signing: Luke Guttridge

When he was fit, Guttridge was a rock in midfield after joining last summer. Distribution and quality was of the highest standard from the former Cambridge man and another that should flourish in League Two..

Worst Signing: Leon Constantine
We waited and waited and waited for Leon to come good all season but two goals for the entire campaign says it all. It wouldn’t have been so bad if he put the effort in but that wasn’t there either and the striker was packed off after just a year, most likely to score a hat-trick against us for another League Two side next season.

Loan of the Season: Frank Fielding

For length of time spent here (Kyle Walker would have come close if he’d have stayed longer) and general consistency I had to go for Fielding here…amongst the hoards of loans that passed through Sixfields this season, Fielding was on top form most weeks between the sticks.

Moan of the Season, sponsored by Jeema: Giles Coke

After the season ended well in 07/08, Coke was set to be one of the shining lights of this campaign. But when the going got tough, Coke got lost and wasn’t up for the rough and tumble of a relegation battle. He’s been offered a new deal but was lucky to get that and if he signs will have work to do to get back in the Town fans’ good books.

Best away ground visited: London Road

A surprise winner perhaps with Elland Road still on our League One map but every trip to the Posh is electric and with the Championship now looming for Darren Ferguson’s men, our 1-0 defeat could be the last time we stand in the incredibly atmospheric Moys Terrace. Not the best of grounds by any means but in terms of noise made and atmosphere it’s unbeatable for Cobblers games.

Most annoying opposition player: Andy Robinson

I don’t know why but I still want to slap Robinson every time I see him.

Best opposition player: Jermaine Beckford

The standing ovation at Sixfields by home fans after Beckford had struck four in the 5-2 cup defeat says it all about a player that will surely go on to bigger things next season.

Defining moment of 2008/09: Yeovil Town 1-0 Northampton Town

Another unwanted “award” for this game as the moment it all went wrong and the Cobblers fell into the bottom four following a desperate performance at Huish Park.


So what will 2009/10 bring? Maybe this time next year we’ll be giving hero status to a new young starlet picked up on a free, maybe the only moan of the year will be that we weren’t promoted sooner and maybe pigs might actually start growing those wings and take to the air.

With the bookies’ odds on our side, so to speak, it’s inevitable that we won’t start well as usual. Stuart Gray will be given time but probably won’t see out October should we make our usual stuttering start to the season. The fixtures come out in just over a week, the day when we can start plotting our route around League Two and attempt to predict where the moments of magic will come from in 09/10.

Doigy off to Oz!

Chris Doig has signed for Australian side Central Coast Mariners after his release from the Cobblers at the end of last season. Doig, whose contract was not renewed this summer, joins up with fellow former Town defender Pedj Bojic, who also left for Oz after leaving Sixfields.

Another former Cobbler has found a new home with Greg Taylor joining neighbours Kettering Town.

Season in Review 2008/09...May...

So with one final game to go, the Cobblers were still in control of their own destiny. A single point at Leeds on the last day of the season would guarantee safety with Brighton and Carlisle awaiting any slip up. Brighton played host to Stockport County whilst Carlisle faced Millwall at Brunton Park as the Cobblers headed to Elland Road.

The news wasn’t good from the very start as Carlisle scored after just seven minutes. Nerves in the away end jangled as the news came through and we tried to urge our players for one final effort against one of the toughest sides in the league. Leeds were in no mood to be charitable though and took the lead on the stroke of half time as Luciano Becchio headed home a left wing cross...we were in big trouble. With Brighton drawing, enough for them to leapfrog us, and Carlisle winning against Millwall it was looking bleak.

The second half in our game was a mere formality and after Jermaine Beckford’s goal on the hour mark all ears were out for the other games. Carlisle had already scored a second and were nearly out of sight so it was down to Brighton and when a cheer went up with twenty to play, we thought Stockport had scored. Alas, no, it was Brighton that had taken the lead and with the Seagulls needing just a draw it was all over. A third goal for Leeds through Robert Snodgrass in stoppage time hammered the message home that we were down and well and truly out of League One.

From mid-table in December to relegated in May, the story of our season will be one of the more agonising in years to come. Here’s hoping that next season’s Season in Review will be a lot more positive and words of celebration come from all over the town. What we felt at Elland Road will take a long, long time to get over but what better way than bouncing back at the first attempt?! We know we never do things easily so here’s to more Cobblers drama in 2009/10...

Cobblers now joint favourites!

After the kiss of death news that we were third favourites for the League Two title last week, we've now been installed as JOINT FAVOURITES for the crown following the signings of Craig Hinton and Steve Guinan, moving us above Bradford with the bookies at 8/1 to claim glory.

The signings have certainly shown that we will be one of the more attractive sides to go to for possible signings that might be dropping into League Two next season and good signs of ambition so far this summer after that dreadful afternoon at Leeds a month ago.

Meanwhile, two weeks to go now until the fixtures are released...bring it on!

Season in Review 2008/09...April...

The Cobblers headed into April with a nervy end of the season ahead. At the turn of the year, Stuart Gray was looking at another safe season in League One looking very likely but a downturn in fortunes left us battling against the drop in a dramatic April.

The first game of the month was scheduled to take place at Sixfields against Scunthorpe but with The Iron making it through to the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy Final at Wembley we didn’t play for ten days following the dismal defeat at Yeovil. It was destination Bristol on good Friday and once again the Cobblers fell to a single goal defeat at the Memorial Ground against Bristol Rovers. After a poor game, Jo Kuffour’s goal was the difference and we remained in the bottom four over the Easter weekend.

Southend were the visitors on Easter Monday and they came away from Sixfields with all three points. Jean-Francois Christophe gave the Shrimpers a 38th minute lead before Adebayo Akinfenwa struck back five minutes after half-time. But a quick-fire double from Theo Robinson and former Cobblers loan man Lee Barnard put the visitors three goals to the good and loanee Aleksander Prijovic’s goal ten minutes from time wasn’t enough for Town.

The following week saw a trip to Leyton Orient bring us real hope again. At half-time, Jason Crowe’s own goal along with results elsewhere seemed to be hammering a massive nail in the relegation coffin. But a stirring response in the second half saw Bayo, Prijovic and another loanee, Ikechi Anya all find the net and turn the game dramatically and earn a massive away win.

More was to follow the Tuesday after that with the rearranged game with Scunthorpe United providing another thriller. Crowe scored in the right end to give the Cobblers the lead but Liam Trotter levelled the scores on the stroke of half-time. A penalty from Grant McCann had Scunny in front but Anya scored for the second time in a week to bring it back to 2-2. Matt Sparrow hit a third for his side as the game went from one end to the other with the fate of the Cobblers hanging in the balance. With fifteen minutes to go, Mark Hughes rose to head home a corner and we had salvaged a point, meaning the destiny was back in our hands.

Victory against Hereford the following Saturday, handed to us by goals from Andy Holt and Crowe once again led to a tense final home game of the season against “neighbours” MK Dons. With the Cobblers needing a point to guarantee safety based on a good goal difference, it was a nervy affair but it was settled by Aaron Wilbraham’s first half goal and all that was left was a final day of the season trip to Elland Road as three sides fought it out for League One survival...

Another one through the door as Hinton signs

Signing number two of the summer crept in on Friday afternoon as Craig Hinton joined following release from our old Gas Head friends Bristol Rovers. In a similar style to the signing of experienced Steve Guinan last week, Hinton is another old head that knows all about getting out of League Two, the main aim of course for next season.

Hinton won promotion through the playoffs with Rovers in 2007 and his leadership skills could be vital, especially with Chris Doig not being offered a contract at the end of last season.

Albion in for out of contract Crowe

Brighton and Hove Albion have reportedly offered a contract to Jason Crowe. Crowe, who is one of the three remaining out of contract players still deciding on an offer from the Cobblers, is ‘unlikely’ to sign a new deal with the club and Brighton have moved to offer him new terms.

The defender, one of our better players in recent years, has attracted interest from the likes of Nottingham Forest and Plymouth Argyle in the past but the offer from Brighton is said to be the only one concrete so far this summer.

Crowe has until June 16th to respond to the Cobblers’ offer but is free to discuss terms elsewhere and he could well be tempted by League One football once again.