NTFC v Cheltenham Play Off

THE O F F I C I A L M AT C H D AY M A G A Z I N E O F N O R T H A M P T O N T O W N F. C .

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CHELTENHAM TOWN

PTS ACADEMY STADIUM / 18TH JUNE 2020 KICK-OFF: 7.45PM

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NORTHAMPTON TOWN FOOTBALL CLUB Founded 1897 PTS Academy Stadium, Northampton, NN5 5QA 01604 683700 (switchboard) 01604 683777 (ticket office) 01604 683734 (commercial department) 01604 683726 (NTFC Community Trust) 01604 683763 (club shop) 01604 683763 (matchday experiences) www.ntfcdirect.co.uk www.ntfc.co.uk ntfcstore.com CHAIRMAN: Kelvin Thomas DIRECTORS: David Bower and Mike Wailing ASSOCIATE DIRECTORS: Martin Church, Barry Stonhill, Barry Hancock, David Jackson, Graham Carr

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CHIEF EXECUTIVE: James Whiting CLUB SECRETARY: Nick Ancel MANAGER: Keith Curle ASSISTANT MANAGER: Colin West GOALKEEPING COACH: Dan Watson CHIEF SCOUT: Simon Tracey FITNESS COACH: Pablo Garcia FIRST TEAM PHYSIOTHERAPIST: Ignacio Sacristan

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ACADEMY MANAGER: Ian Sampson KIT MANAGER: Bob French COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR: Caroline Lucy HEAD OF MEDIA: Gareth Willsher TICKET OFFICE MANAGER: Christine Clark PHOTOGRAPHER: Pete Norton HEAD OF COMMUNITY: Phillip Smith STADIUM SAFETY OFFICER: Roger Buckley GROUNDSMAN: Paul Knowles PROGRAMME TEAM: Editor: Gareth Willsher Contributors: Ethan Grande, John Morris, Leigh Edwards, Matthew Derrig, Haydon Spenceley, Jamie Duncan Pictures: Pete Norton Photography Ltd FRONT COVER: Charlie Goode

READ MORE AT ntfc.co.uk

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KEITH CURLE

FOR YOUR SUPPORT Good evening. I hope you are all safe and well and looking forward to watching some football again, albeit from a distance for now.

It’s great to be back and we are straight back down to business with these two play-off semi-final games against Cheltenham Town.

I have been delighted with how the players have responded since we returned to training. Throughout the lockdown they kept themselves in good shape, and that meant we were able to hit the ground running when we were able to return to training and we have made excellent progress since.

We are chomping at the bit for these play-off games, they give us a shot at promotion and we can’t wait to get started. At times the cliché is that football is a marathon and not a sprint. Well, that cliché goes out of the window now, we have prepared for a sprint because whichever team wins promotion through these play-offs they have to come out on top in a maximum of three games and our work over the last few weeks has been tailored to prepare for that.

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One thing I do know is that we are ready for these games, and I don’t just mean physically. The mental side of the game is also very important and I have been impressed with where the players are mentally too. This is a very united group, a group who enjoy each other’s company and who have that excellent balance of demanding from each other, but also encouraging and supporting each other.

working hard to support the community. I think the bond between players and supporters has strengthened as you have seen just how busy the squad and staff have been, supporting the local community through calls, videos and messages.

This club is at the heart of the local community and that has been shown very clearly by what has happened over the last few months.

We realise this is not a normal situation. We know that you, the supporters, would much rather be here cheering us on and we would much rather have you here as well, but we have to do as we are advised and follow the guidelines that are in place. Just because you are not here doesn’t mean you are not with us in spirit, we know all of you at home, watching on TV, listening on the radio or following online will all be right behind us both this evening and in next week’s second leg.

These are my last programme notes of the season so I would like to say a huge thank you for your support.

We are a club on an upward curve and your support has and will continue to play a big part in our progress. We very much hope we will get to see you back here early next season so for now, a huge thank you from us all, stay safe and we hope to see you soon.

Of course, while football is our core business, we know this is far more than just a football club and over the last few months we have been

Thank you to our sponsors tonight, Grange Mortgages and Jackson Grundy. Even though you can’t be here we hope you are enjoying the revised packages the club have put together.

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JAMES WHITING

FOR YOUR SUPPORT I normally begin my programme notes by welcoming everybody to the PTS Academy Stadium. With tonight’s game taking place behind closed doors it is instead a very warm welcome from wherever you are joining us from! I know many of you are here in the form of a Cobbler in the Crowd and a huge thank you to everybody that backed that campaign. Even though we can’t all be physically together for tonight’s game, we know you are all with us!

We are finally back playing football, albeit in very unusual circumstances, after a unprecedented situation. The conditions the country and indeed the whole world have faced these past few months have been and continue to be extremely challenging. Firstly, the health and wellbeing of everybody has and will always be the priority and our thoughts are with those who have sadly fallen victim to the virus and those who have lost loved ones.

As you would expect from a club at the heart of the community, we took a leading role in keeping people in touch and offering support. We emailed or called as many season ticket holders and supporters as we could who were in the vulnerable category and our Community Trust led the way in terms of staying in touch with other groups and individuals. Our education programme continued to provide education to vulnerable students and overall it was a fantastic united effort from everyone at the club and Community Trust. We hope that you and your family all stayed safe and well, and it is great to be able to bring you football, albeit from a distance, in these play-offs. Thank you too to Keith Curle and the players who took the time

to call, send messages to or interact with supporters through recent times.

We know how much people value their connection with the club and when matches are not being played, that can be difficult. However, by using social media and the club’s communication channels, we were able to stay in touch and hopefully bring a little cheer to help people through.

Of course, on a much less important level, the suspended break presented challenges for the football authorities, leagues and clubs. Not knowing how long the suspension would last for was obviously a key issue, and various possible alternatives were considered including suspending the season, playing behind closed doors, freezing things as they were or any combination of those ideas. No one solution is perfect, that wasn’t possible due to the circumstances we found ourselves in, but football has worked together to try and find a way through.

In the case of League 2 and League 1, it was felt that the financial implications of playing the season to a conclusion put too much strain on clubs, but it was agreed that the play-offs would go ahead.

We are of course delighted to be taking part in the Play-offs. While the full 46 games were not played out, after 37 league games, league tables place clubs where they deserve to be and we have earned the right to compete for promotion via the play-offs. But taking part in these play-offs comes at no small cost to the club. Bringing the staff and players back from furlough, the testing, the PPE required and the additional protocols and safeguarding that has had to be put in place all comes at a

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considerable cost. All this at a time when there is no match ticket, season ticket or other income coming in to the club does put a strain on things. But everybody connected to the club has come together fantastically to play their part.

From the early days of the pandemic we have been overwhelmed with the messages we have received from supporters wanting to help. A huge thank you to everyone who has already contacted the club to say they do not wish to claim a refund on a season ticket or a match ticket. Your support is very much appreciated. We also wish to say a big thank you to everyone who has contacted us to ask about season tickets for next season. We do have plans in place but we are waiting to see what next season looks like and for details to become a little clearer before we make an announcement. There is growing confidence that supporters can be back in stadiums soon, we certainly hope that is where things are heading.

The fantastic gesture from the players and staff to forgo their bonuses and fees for reaching the play-offs was one that will not be forgotten. They have helped ease the financial burden on the club considerably and the gesture, which was unanimous, was made in the spirt of how well the club had communicated with and looked after the players and staff during the Coronavirus outbreak.

It demonstrates the togetherness this squad has with the supporters in wanting to stand with them in supporting the club through these challenging times.

Thank you to our sponsors this evening, Grange Mortgages and Jackson Grundy.

We really do appreciate your support.

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ALL THE LATEST NEWS FROM THE PTS ACADEMY STADUIM

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO IS A COBBLER IN THE CROWD! Thank you to everyone who is ‘virtually' inside the PTS Academy Stadium this evening as part of our Cobbler in the Crowd promotion!

We are having to make do without the physical presence of the Shoe Army who, due to the current Covid 19 restrictions, are not allowed in to the stadium in person to watch this evening's game.

We know the Shoe Army are with us tonight in spirit however!

Thank you too to everyone who has sent in a good luck video message to the players. Your support is hugely appreciated.

CHANGES TO PLAYING CONDITIONS For these play-off games, each matchday squad can now consist of 20 players and each team will be permitted to use a maximum of five substitutes.

To reduce disruption to the match, each team will have a maximum of three opportunities to make substitutions during the game; substitutions may also be made at half-time.

In Monday's second leg, should scores be level, an additional substitution is permitted in extra time and teams will each have one additional substitution opportunity; substitutions may also be made before the start of extra time and at half-time in extra time.

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HUMMEL ARE NEW TECHNICAL PARTNER Northampton Town are delighted to announce that hummel will be the club's new Technical Partner from the start of the 2020/21 season.

The Danish sportswear company already work with a number of Premier League and EFL clubs, including Everton, Middlesbrough, Charlton Athletic and Coventry City and the Danish national team.

In addition to the first team kit and training wear, all of the club's Academy, Development Centres and Ladies and girls teams will also wear the same playing and training kit.

Chief Executive James Whiting said: "We are really excited to be working with hummel and to bring a new look to both our kits and our training wear. "hummel are a high quality and hugely respected brand and the number of partners they have in football is growing, so we are delighted to welcome them on board.

"When released, I think the new home and away kits, both designed especially for the club, will prove very popular.

“These kits will hopefully be on sale soon, however an exact date will be decided once we get more information regarding Covid-19 and when next season will begin. We would ask supporters to watch this space as all details will be released on the club’s website.

"We have enjoyed a successful partnership with Nike and Just Sport over the last few years and we thank them for their support and now we look forward to our new partnership with hummel."

"We are pleased to be partnering with Northampton Town Football Club, said Commercial Director of hummel Neil Burke.

"We are extremely proud to have been chosen as the new Technical Partner.

At hummel we pride ourselves in doing things a little differently by adding that extra twist and a bit of character to all that we do. Over the next few years we will endeavour to provide players, staff and most importantly loyal fans with an exceptional range of products both on and off the field.”

The players will continue to wear the 2019/20 Nike kit for these play-off fixtures.

The new online hummel club store is now live at ntfcstore.com

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PLAY-OFF COVERAGE Supporters can watch tonight’s tie, as well as Monday’s second leg at the Jonny Rocks Stadium, live on Sky Sports. Supporters can also listen to coverage on BBC Radio Northampton and online via iFollow.

The winners of this two-legged semi-final will go forward to meet the winners of the other semi-final between Colchester United and Exeter City behind closed doors at Wembley Stadium on Monday June 29th at 7.30pm. The winner of that game will be promoted to Sky Bet League 1 next season.

LEE IS HERE 'VIRTUALLY' TONIGHT Northampton Town have arranged for supporter Lee Geary to be part of the Cobbler in the Crowd initiative at tonight's game.

The club have produced the cut out of Lee, who reached the landmark of attending 1,500 consecutive games shortly before football was suspended, in tribute to his many years of loyal support.

"We wanted to pay our own tribute to Lee and we couldn't possibly not have his image at the game," said Chief Executive James Whiting.

"He has a terrific record of attending more than 1,500 consecutive games and as a club, we wanted to arrange to have Lee's image with us. We know he, and thousands of members of the Shoe Army will be with us in spirit, and with hundreds of Cobbler in the Crowd cut outs ordered by supporters, we know many of their images will be with us too."

In addition, Cobblers Greats Walter Tull, Frank Large and Dave Bowen will have their images here this evening, as will the late Club Historian Frank Grande.

Basketball Legend Shaq O'Neal is also here, proudly displaying his Cobblers scarf!

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ALL THE LATEST NEWS FROM THE PTS ACADEMY STADUIM

SQUAD HAVE OPTED TO FORGO THEIR BONUSES FOR REACHING THE PLAY-OFFS Northampton Town's players and coaching staff have chosen to forgo their appearance fees and bonuses for reaching the play-offs in a show of support for and solidarity with the club and the supporters.

At the start of each season a bonus schedule is agreed at every club that will reward players and staff for on-field success, such as league position, reaching the play-offs or winning promotion. However, despite reaching the play-offs, the players and coaching staff have taken the view that the appearance fees and bonuses were agreed based on expected income coming in, and they recognise that the opportunity for promotion is going to cost the club money rather than generate income.

With that in mind, the players and staff have decided to forgo their appearance fees and bonuses, and manager Keith Curle said it was the right thing to do and in keeping with the integrity of the club.

"The response from supporters and season ticket holders who have been telling the club to keep their ticket money has been very humbling and shows a fantastic understanding of what this club is all about in the community and the values the club has," he said.

"From the owners to the supporters and the people who work at the club, this is a very, very good club to work for.

"The honesty, integrity and clarity that the owners have and have shared with us has been first class and the understanding to make this decision comes from how the Chairman, Directors and staff have acted.

"The supporters can see that, they want to play their part and as players and as coaching staff we want to play our part too. We are all in this together, we all want to do what we can to Lessen the burden.

"It is great news that the play-offs are going ahead, but because of the circumstances, this year that comes with a considerable cost to the club. As a squad and a staff we want to do all we can to lessen that burden and to help however we can. This gesture is very much in keeping with that spirit."

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JOHN MORRIS

Our world may have changed – possibly for ever – but here at the PTS Academy Stadium a wonderful group of people have been working, at safe distances of course, not only to keep things together but to look ahead in a very positive way.

Times of crisis can bring out the best, or worst in people and organisations but for Northampton Town Football Club the former is very much the case with a vibrancy, determination and unity dominating as sport edges out of lockdown.

Starting at the very top with the full backing of Chairman Kelvin Thomas and his fellow Directors, all the many strands that make up a club like ours have either been finding ways to help the wider community or plan for the future, whenever that arrives.

Many staff have been furloughed and as the unlock process begins it has had to start with a first team squad eager to try and grab this late chance 12

of promotion through the League 2 play-offs, and already expressing appreciation of the club’s attitude by volunteering to waive their play-off bonuses.

When the players finally came back together manager Keith Curle was delighted by their level of fitness and by the chance to finish a frustrating and interrupted season with a promotion. He is convinced the whole club can rise to the challenge.

To me that is borne out by the way everyone I have spoken to has remained positive and eager to be back at work, tackling the inevitable completely fresh challenges ahead.

Head of Academy Ian Sampson summed it up for me: “For a while it was good to spend time with the family and enjoy the garden. But, there is only so much gardening you can do. Now all I want is to tackle the new situations and help to get us moving again.

“During the lockdown there has been continual work to keep everyone in touch by a number of people, and in particular Julie Delauney, our Academy administrator, and education co-ordinator Pete Stephenson.

“The way social media sites are being used to keep our students involved has been fantastic.”

Two people working tirelessly to keep the club stable first of all and then continually in the public eye have been Chief Executive James Whiting and Head of Media Gareth Willsher.

I have been talking to them both and found them very upbeat.

“We have a great bunch of people at this club,” said James, “From the players to the staff, great efforts have been made to keep in contact with everyone. For example there has been some marvellous work on both the community and education side especially remotely to present virtual classes.

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“For the Under-18s and through younger groups we have been using modern technology successfully and those running it have done a great job.”

down to the Cobbler in the Crowd promotion of cardboard cut outs to have at least some visual support in the stadium this evening.

On the community side a great deal has been done to keep in touch with the disability sections with people from the club – including James himself – helping both the local authority and the Hope Centre in various ways, including delivering leaflets and food parcels.

“The manager, coaches and players have been so very generous of their time through all the weeks,” said Gareth. “They have been calling many supporters and assisting in quite a few of the on-line sessions, keeping the club in touch and helping the education programme.

“The first task now is to keep everyone safe,” stressed James, "As we get back to what will be the norm.

The club faces massive challenges, like all similar clubs, but we are in a stable position at the moment.

“For example several have been taking part in question and answer sessions on a Friday for disability groups.

“I think we are in a better position than many but have to plan things day by day.”

For Gareth the major task has been to keep supporters and general public as fully informed as possible – right FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM officiallyntfc

“All round I have met a feeling of goodwill, a vibrancy that is being backed by supporters keen to be part of it.”

That has been underlined by the many season ticket holders who have decided not to seek refunds.

Wonderful gestures and going forward the pressure on finance will be immense. I understand that the cost of Covid-19 testing and safety precautions just to get the first team back in action already runs to hundreds of thousands of pounds.

From top to bottom the Cobblers’ machine is poised to come back to life, to tackle an inevitably different range of challenges but for now the focus is on the promotion chance.

Keith and his squad have been true to the club through the crisis – good luck lads, you have done us proud.

John, Chairman of the club’s Charitable Foundation, a lifelong Cobblers fan, former journalist and the retired general secretary of the British Boxing Board of Control, takes you behind the scenes at the PTS Academy Stadium.

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A LOOK BACK AT NORTHAMPTON TOWN’S PREVIOIUS PLAY-OFF CAMPAIGNS

2019/20 MARKS THE SIXTH SEASON THE COBBLERS HAVE QUALIFIED FOR THE END OF SEASON PLAY-OFFS. HERE WE TAKE A LOOK BACK AT THE PREVIOUS FIVE OCCASIONS. ntfc.co.uk – AVAILABLE 24:7 ON PC, TABLET AND MOBILE

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1996/97 In the club’s centenary season it was perhaps fitting they made their first foray into the play-offs together with their first Wembley appearance and when John Frain’s re-taken free-kick in the 93rd minute sealed a 1-0 win over Swansea City it sent over 32,000 Cobblers fans - watching their side at the home of English football - in to raptures.

Ian Atkins’ side had finished fourth in what was then known as Division 3, setting up a play-off semi-final against another Welsh side, Cardiff City.

Despite having Mark Cooper sent off the Cobblers won 1-0 in the Principality with a goal from Sean Parrish, certainly one he will never forget, or ever let anyone else forget…

Ian Sampson, Ray Warburton and John Gayle all scored in the second leg as the Cobblers recorded a 4-2 victory on aggregate to set up that memorable afternoon at Wembley.

1997/98 Twelve months later the Cobblers were back at the Twin Towers but this time it was to be Wembley heartbreak for Ian Atkins’ side with Grimsby promoted to what is now the Championship following a 1-0 victory.

The game was a notable one for Andy Woodman who saved a penalty while the attendance of 62,998 was a record at the time for a Division 2 play-off final with over 42,000 of those Cobblers fans.

The 1997/98 season is perhaps however best remembered for an incredible night at Sixfields which saw the Cobblers overturn Bristol Rovers in the play-off semi-final second leg.

3-1 down after the first leg the Cobblers mounted a remarkable fightback and goals from Carl Heggs (34), Ian Clarkson (61) and Ray Warburton (77) secured a 4-3 aggregate victory on a truly incredible night under the Sixfields lights.

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2003/04 With Colin Calderwood in charge the Cobblers suffered penalty shoot-out agony in 2004 despite a second leg turn around against Mansfield.

Having lost the home leg 2-0 the Cobblers were up against it going to Mansfield but Marc Richards (36), Chris Hargreaves (42) and Martin Smith (46) turned the tie on its head.

Tom Curtis, having been lucky not to have been shown a second yellow card by referee Phil Crossley, then levelled things up on aggregate and the tie went to penalties.

Eric Sabin saw his spot kick saved and it was Mansfield, then managed by now Cobblers boss Keith Curle, who booked their place in the final with a 5-4 victory in the shoot-out.

2004/05 A year on from that penalty heartbreak at Field Mill and like in the 90s under Ian Atkins the Cobblers were involved in the play-offs in back-to-back seasons.

Colin Calderwood was looking to go one better than twelve months earlier but it wasn’t to be and it was Southend who edged a tight two-legged semi-final 1-0 on aggregate.

After a goalless first leg at Sixfields, Freddy Eastwood’s second half spot-kick at Roots Hall was enough for Southend to book their place in the final.

Less than twelve months later the Cobblers were celebrating though as Calderwood avoided a third consecutive play-off campaign by achieving automatic promotion. ntfc.co.uk – AVAILABLE 24:7 ON PC, TABLET AND MOBILE

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2012/13 The Cobblers were last in play-off action seven years ago when Aidy Boothroyd, alongside the late Andy King, led the side to Wembley in his first full season in charge.

Boothroyd, now in charge of the England under 21s, recruited wisely with Clarke Carlisle among a number of key acquisitions as a strong second half to the season saw the Cobblers set up a play-off semi-final tie against - ironically this year’s opponents Cheltenham Town.

Now Robins captain Ben Tozer was part of the Cobblers side who won the semi-final 2-0 on aggregate with Roy O’Donovan scoring in a 1-0 win at Sixfields before Luke Guttridge scored the only goal in the reverse leg at Whaddon Road.

It was a cracking volley from Guttridge but the tie could have gone a different way entirely had Lee Nicholls not saved Marlon Pack’s penalty following an infringement by the aforementioned Tozer, although later replays suggested initial contact came outside the area.

Sadly the semi-final success was not backed up at Wembley where Bradford stunned the Cobblers inside half an hour with three quickfire goals. There was no way back for the Cobblers after that and Bradford won 3-0 on an afternoon those with a Cobblers connection would perhaps like to erase from their memory.

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CHRISTIAN MBULU

VIEW MORECAMBE defender Christian Mbulu has tragically died at the age of 23.

The former Motherwell player began his professional career at Millwall and also represented Brentwood, Braintree and Crewe.

MACCLESFIELD have been issued with further misconduct charges by the English Football League, relating to the payment of salaries due in March.

The Silkmen have already been deducted 11 points this season as a result of previous charges, leaving them three points clear of bottom side Stevenage.

The club are set to appeal the latest charges from the EFL but if found guilty they could be at risk of incurring another points deduction which may drop them to the bottom of League Two and leave them at risk of relegation to the National League.

LENNIE LAWRENCE has left his role as management consultant at Newport County to take up a similar position at Stevenage where he will be assisting former Cobblers striker Alex Revell.

Lawrence, 72, first joined the Exiles in March 2017 as part of manager Mike Flynn’s coaching set-up.

STEVENAGE have been acquitted of charges that they did not have enough international call-ups to force their League Two clash with Oldham in November to be postponed. An independent disciplinary commission dismissed the case on 23 April, after 15 minutes of deliberation.

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MARCUS STEWART has left his role as Walsall assistant manager by mutual consent. The ex-Bristol Rovers and Huddersfield striker, 47, joined as assistant to Darrell Clarke in the summer of 2019.

GRIMSBY midfielder Elliott Whitehouse has been banned for six games and fined £2,000 for using abusive language towards an opponent.

The 26-year-old, who admitted the charge, must also undertake an education course run by the Football Association.

LEWIS ALESSANDRA has signed a one-year contract extension at Carlisle keeping him at the club until June 2021. The former Oldham Athletic, Chester, Morecambe, Plymouth Argyle, Rochdale, York City, Hartlepool and Notts County striker joined the Cumbrians on a short-term deal in January.

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND international midfielder Darren Gibson has been released by Salford.

Gibson, a former Premier League winner with Manchester United, joined Salford on a six-month deal in February after spending last season at Wigan.

COLCHESTER UNITED meanwhile, who are taking part in the end of season play-offs, have said they will release four first-team regulars they had wanted to re-sign due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

Frank Nouble, Luke Prosser, Ryan Jackson and Brandon Comley are set to leave the Essex club at the end of June after making a combined 163 appearances for the U’s in 2019-20.

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IAN ATKINS LEADS THE PLAYERS OUT AT WEMBLEY FOR THE 1997 DIVISION 3 PLAY-OFF FINAL

IAN ATKINS ON 1997

IAN ATKINS MANAGED NORTHAMPTON TOWN THROUGH THE SECOND HALF OF THE 1990S. After finishing at the foot of the Football League in 1994 and only staying up because Kidderminster Harriers' ground was not up to standard, the club were playing at Wembley just three years later in front of 32,000 Cobblers fans.

We asked then manager Ian Atkins for his memories of the 1997 Play-Offs, and how he remembered that last minute free kick winner from John Frain.

"The semi-final at Cardiff was a tough game," he said.

"Mark Cooper was harshly sent off but we stuck it out and I swear now the goal came off Sean Parrish's shin FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM officiallyntfc

but it was a great goal and whatever happened, we won the game and it set us up for the second leg.

"Cardiff then had a player sent off in the second leg and we got 3-1 up and although they got one back it seemed perfect to get to Wembley in the club's centenary year. I was so pleased for the Directors and the staff and we had created a team under very difficult circumstances.

"The final was decided by the free kick of course. We had an injury problem where Jason White had a knee issue so we went with Chris Lee and Jason was on the bench. We then

lost David Rennie early through injury and we had to go to a shape we hadn’t played for a long time but we coped with it. It wasn't a great game, there wasn't too much for either keeper to do but then we had that moment at the end of the game. Referee Terry Heilbron ordered a re-take of the free kick and John had moved the ball slightly to give himself a better angle but that showed the nerve and the quality he had and what we had managed to bring to the club. The scenes then were fantastic, to see where we had come from and where we were and we had a great night on it and then the open top bus parade."

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IAN ATKINS SPEAKS TO HIS PLAYERS IN THE FINAL TRAINING SESSION BEFORE THE 1998 PLAY-OFF SEMI-FINAL SECOND LEG

IAN ATKINS ON 1998 The following year the Cobblers, still under the management of Atkins, were back at Wembley as 42,000 Northampton Town supporters were present as the club got to within a game of the second tier.

We asked Atkins for his memories of the 1998 Play-Offs, and how he remembered that fantastic semi-final second leg comeback against Bristol Rovers.

"In that first leg at Bristol Rovers everything went wrong,� he said.

"We kept things as they were until about fifteen minutes to go and then we had a go and Gayley got the goal back but I was fuming with the game and then I remember the PA system at Bristol Rovers boasting about them going to Wembley and that was a real motivation to us. We kept reminding the players of that and that Bristol were beatable. We just had a bad day BUY TICKETS ONLINE AT ntfcdirect.co.uk

in the first leg, we were lucky it was still 3-0 when we got it back to 3-1 but it kept us in the tie.

"We trained the next day and worked hard. The players moaned about it a bit but we worked the back four really hard but afterwards we all went for a drink and after a couple of beers they loosened up and opened up and the banter came back and we started to wind it up a bit and you could feel the belief and the determination lift.

"By the next morning the tension had gone and the players knew we still had an opportunity to get to Wembley.

On the afternoon of the game I went for a meal with Kevin Wilson and Garry Thompson and Thommo said to me 'We are going to win tonight aren't we?' I was very relaxed I knew we would. I had a very good feeling and a lot of trust in that group. We got all the build up right to that second leg

and the players responded superbly.

They were the most charged up team I have seen. The energy was incredible, it was some night and we deserved it.

"The performance and atmosphere fed off each other. We got the first goal and then we knew we needed just one goal because we had the away goal. I really don't know why or how Ian Clarkson was that far up the pitch but it was fitting for him to score as he is such a great lad and a good player. We kept doing the right things and the third goal came along thanks to a great header from Razor. I can't really remember Bristol getting near our goal that night. It was a great game and I think it outshone everything, coming back from 3-0 down with 100 minutes to go in a two-legged play-off game. We were exceptional that night.�

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DURING LOCKDOWN

NORTHAMPTON TOWN FOOTBALL CLUB AND THE NORTHAMPTON TOWN COMMUNITY TRUST WERE WORKING HARD TO SUPPORT THE COMMUNITY OF NORTHAMPTON AND BEYOND DURING THE CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK. Club officials, staff and players have made a number of phone calls and sent videos and messages to supporters to check on their wellbeing, lift spirits or to generally help out. This work is ongoing and we would like to say thank you to everyone who has taken one of our calls so far, it has been great to speak to you!

Throughout today's match programme, we will take a look back at some of our work.

MORGAN ROBERTS SET A CHALLENGE TO PUPILS FROM BOOTHVILLE PRIMARY SCHOOL

Alan McCormack took part in a Q&A session with players from the Academy.

Scott Wharton sent a video message to Gary and Edward.

THE COMMUNITY TRUST STAFF HELPED DELIVER DONATIONS FROM VOLUNTEERS TO A NUMBER OF LOCATIONS ACROSS THE COUNTY

Keith Curle called key worker Josh.

WE HELPED PUT AN APPEAL OUT ON BEHALF OF THE WESTON FAVELL FOODBANK

Assistant manager Colin West attended a Zoom meeting with coaches from the Northampton Town multi disability club.

26

The Community Trust Coffee Club took place (virtually) on a Friday morning.

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Russell Lewis from the Community Trust was out delivering food parcels alongside the Hope Centre.

Staff delivered leaflets on behalf of Northamptonshire County Council to help members of the community find any help they need.

Morgan Roberts speaking to the academy players, taking their questions and offering his advice on becoming a professional.

WE SUPPORTED THE HOPE CENTRE'S VIRTUAL CYCLING CHALLENGE!

Goalkeeping coach Dan Watson called Academy under 14 goalkeeper Marcus to chat after a difficult few days.

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The Northampton Town Education programme have continued to deliver many hours of education to students from across the club's Academy, Football & Education and inclusion programmes, using a range of technology, while under 18s coach Jon Brady ran a half marathon to raise funds for NHS charities.

27

THE PLAY-OFF HERO ETHAN GRANDE FROM COBBLERS PAST LOOKS BACK ON THE CAREER OF COBBLERS PLAY-OFF HERO JOHN FRAIN AND THAT MEMORABLE DAY AT WEMBLEY IN 1997.

28

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John Frain joined the Cobblers on January 24th 1997 after spending eleven seasons at Birmingham City, making over 320 appearances and scoring over 25 goals. John played alongside then Cobblers boss Ian Atkins at Birmingham for over three seasons before Atkins brought John to Northampton Town where he stayed for just under seven seasons.

Whilst John was at Birmingham he played in three different divisions but, and after an eventful time that saw the club relegated twice, promoted twice and win the Associate Members Cup, he was released on a free transfer. Atkins snapped him up and made him the regular left back and he would eventually take on the captain’s armband when Ray Warburton left. Sadly injury blighted his last few seasons at Sixfields and he retired in the summer of 2003.

John made Northampton Town folklore when he scored the winning goal in the dying seconds of the Division 3 play-off final against Swansea in 1997 and from a twice taken free kick. It was the moment that made John Frain a Cobblers Legend and a moment that nobody there will ever forget.

The match seemed to be heading for a 0-0 draw, but in the second minute of stoppage time, the Cobblers were awarded a free-kick on the edge of Swansea’s box for a foul on Christian Lee. Frain lined up the free kick with 30,000-plus of the Shoe Army supporters crossing their fingers and

toes but, the attempt was blocked by opposition wall. However, referee Mr Terry Heilbron adjudged Swansea City’s Jonathan Coates was closer than 10 yards when Frain struck his shot and a retake was ordered.

This time, Frain had quietly placed the ball in a slightly different position and this gave him a better angle for the shot.

He stepped up and struck the free-kick as the Cobblers fans held their breath.

The ball curled past the wall, evading the Swans’ goalkeeper Freestone’s outstretched despairing dive and it hit the back of the Wembley net.

A few moments later the final whistle blew and the players and the fans were celebrating a historic day!

John left the Cobblers in 2003 after injury. He joined Moor Green as player coach and when the club merged with Solihull to be Solihull Moors, he became assistant manager as well as working as a mortgage underwriter. John then resigned as Moor Green's assistant in August 2008.

In April 2016 John was invited back to Sixfields as guest in the Grosvenor Casino 1897 Suite.

“I really enjoined my time here at Sixfields, it’s a very friendly club," he said.

"I can remember the trip to Wembley like it was yesterday. It wasn’t just the free-kick it was the whole day and the whole two days after as well. It was one of the highlights of my career.”

Written by Ethan Grande. For more facts and figures from the past visit Cobblerspast.com and follow @cobblerspast on social media.

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29

30

OF NORTHAMPTON

UNIVERSITIES WILL BE IN DEMAND – REV COLES AND PROF PETFORD LOOK TO THE FUTURE OF EDUCATION Universities will be in more demand than ever as humanity begins tackling the challenges of a post-pandemic world.

that’s why the universities, with their skills and knowledge, are going to be so important in how we respond to the new way of life.

That’s the message from the University of Northampton’s Chancellor, Reverend Richard Coles, and Vice Chancellor, Professor Nick Petford.

“For example, universities are already playing a major role, in that they are helping to find a vaccine, testing it and will be helping to get it out into the community. Where would we be if we didn’t have academics doing that?”

They are convinced the demand for new skills, technology and expert knowledge will grow, following the pandemic.

“The real challenge for universities is that there is going to be a need for innovation, creativity and imagination following the pandemic, and it will be interesting to see how they mobilise to meet this demand,” said Rev Coles.

“There’s going to be an extraordinary demand for powerful thinking, and

Prof Petford is pleased to see the way the University has already adapted to life in lockdown and is now looking to future ways of working.

He added: “We had universities in the UK for 700 years, so tradition is steeped into their DNA. Then, something like Covid comes along which means things that would have taken us, on a managerial timescale, months or even years to do, are being

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turned around in weeks. This is the new normal for universities, we can be more agile, in particular to meet students’ needs, the needs of the workforce and the greater population, and that’s going to be a good thing.

“We are in a good position to embrace the new world, as we have that fleet-of-footedness that will hopefully stand us in good stead.”

Rev Coles said: “It does seem to me that the University of Northampton is going to be very well-placed to play a really pioneering role in the adaption of a new way of working and using new technology.

“We have a new campus that was built for it, and the University has always been quick to respond to risks and opportunities.”

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WELCOME TO CHELTENHAM TOWN When the football season was halted by the Coronavirus pandemic on Friday 13 March, Cheltenham sat fifth in the Sky Bet League 2 table but with a game in hand on Exeter in fourth.

Ben Tozer is a familiar figure to Cobblers fans and the Robins captain was part of Aidy Boothroyd’s side who defeated Cheltenham in the 2012/13 play-off semi-finals.

With the season curtailed and final standings worked out on a points per game basis, the Robins moved up a place to set up a two-legged play-off semi-final against the Cobblers.

Signed initially on loan by then manager Ian Sampson, Tozer racked

Michael Duff’s side were one of the form teams in the division before the curtailment of the regular season but with no competitive football for either side in over three months there is even more unpredictability about this season’s play-offs.

A goalless draw at home to Port Vale on 7 March brought to an end a five-match winning run for the Robins who enjoyed a fruitful February to raise hopes of a push for automatic promotion.

Cheltenham recorded wins over Colchester United (2-0), the Cobblers (2-1), Mansfield (1-0), Leyton Orient (2-1), Carlisle (1-0) and Morecambe (2-1) with a 1-0 defeat at Scunthorpe the only blot on their copybook in a month which saw the Robins accumulate an impressive 18 points out of a possible 21.

Ryan Broom is their top goalscorer this season on eight with Luke Varney on 7. Both of those players scored against the Cobblers in a 2-1 win in February while the meeting between the sides at the PTS Academy Stadium in late December ended in a 1-1 draw, Jordan Turnbull cancelling out a Conor Thomas early penalty.

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up nearly 200 appearances for the Cobblers between September 2010 and June 2015, making his debut in the historic League Cup win at Anfield.

MEET THE MANAGER

MICHAEL DUFF

MICHAEL DUFF HAS TRANSFORMED CHELTENHAM TOWN FROM A SIDE BATTLING AGAINST RELEGATION TROUBLES IN LEAGUE 2 TO ONE PUSHING NEAR THE TOP END OF THE DIVISION.

Appointed to his first managerial role in September 2018, Duff is making an impact in the early stages of his managerial spell having enjoyed a playing career that saw him work his way up from non-league football to life in the Premier League.

Starting his career in the youth system at Cheltenham, Duff progressed through the ranks at the club, scoring the winning goal to take the club into the Football League for the first time in 1999, before going onto seal a move to Burnley in July 2004.

His time with Burnley brought with it a huge amount of success. He made over 300 appearances for the

Clarets, helping them gain promotion to the Premier League and becoming a fans favourite at the club.

He also made an impact on the international scene with Northern Ireland. Born in Belfast, he earned 24 caps for his country, playing a part in famous wins over Spain and England in his time with the Green and White Army.

When his playing days came to an end he took over as under-18s manager at Burnley. He then stepped up to take on the under-23s role at the club as well as first team coaching responsibilities before he made the return to the Jonny Rocks Stadium.

35

WILL BOYLE: DEFENDER OWEN EVANS: GOALKEEPER Signed on loan from Wigan Athletic in January following an injury to Scott Flinders, Owen Evans made his debut for the Robins in a 3-1 home win over Walsall. A Welsh under-21 international, Evans spent the first half of the season on-loan at Macclesfield where he made his first EFL appearance.

SCOTT FLINDERS: GOALKEEPER

SEAN LONG: DEFENDER

An August 2017 signing, Flinders penned a new two-year contract with Cheltenham last summer and has proven himself to be a reliable and important member of the Robins squad in his time at the Jonny-Rocks Stadium. He began his career at Barnsley and after earning a move to Crystal Palace has enjoyed a career spent playing throughout the Football League and Scotland. He most notably made over 250 League appearances for Hartlepool United.

Irishman Long is a 25-year-old right sided defender who joined Cheltenham in the summer of 2018 after leaving Lincoln City. A product of the youth system at Reading, he spent time on loan at Luton, Braintree Town and Cambridge United ahead of a permanent move to the Imps, helping restore the club’s EFL status.

RHYS LOVETT: GOALKEEPER The longest serving member of the Cheltenham squad, 23-year-old Lovett has been at the Jonny Rocks Stadium since the summer of 2015. A talented shot-stopper, the young goalkeeper has previously been at Rochdale and Walsall and has spent time on loan at Tiverton Town and Shortwood United.

CHRIS HUSSEY: DEFENDER A talented left sided defender who likes to get forward and put crosses into the box, Hussey is in his second season at the Jonny Rocks Stadium after joining the club upon his release

by Sheffield United. He has previously represented Coventry City, Burton Albion, Bury and Swindon Town, having had two spells with AFC Wimbledon.

CHARLIE RAGLAN: DEFENDER Raglan joined Cheltenham on a permanent deal last summer having spent the second half of last season on loan at the club from League 1 side Oxford United.

The talented defender caught the eye in his temporary spell at the Jonny Rocks Stadium. He’s previously spent time at FC United, Chesterfield, Port Vale and Nantwich Town having grown up in Tenerife.

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Former Huddersfield Town central defender Boyle is a 24-year-old with leadership qualities that make him a leading figure in the Robins side. He has had loan spells at York City, Kidderminster, Macclesfield Town and Kilmarnock in the Scottish Premier League in his time at Huddersfield and joined Cheltenham in January 2017.

JOSH DEBAYO: DEFENDER A left back who started his career with Leicester City, Debayo spent much of last season on loan at Dover Athletic in the National League.

JACOB GREAVES: DEFENDER Greaves signed for Cheltenham on loan in August 2019 from Championship side Hull City. The defender is highly rated at parent club Hull and is the son of former Tigers midfielder Mark Greaves. He was named the EFL Young Player of the Month for September 2019.

BEN TOZER: MIDFIELDER Tozer is an experienced EFL campaigner in the Robins ranks and is in his second season with the club.

He has previously represented Newcastle United, Swindon Town, Northampton Town, Yeovil Town and Newport County having started his youth career with Plymouth Argyle.

CONOR THOMAS: MIDFIELDER Thomas is a technically gifted central midfielder who started his career with Coventry City where he represented the Sky Blues over a hundred times. He has also had a campaign with Swindon Town and a spell spent playing in India with Atletico de Kolkata.

CHRIS CLEMENTS: MIDFIELDER Clements is a tidy midfield player who signed for the Robins in August 2018 having ended his time at Grimsby Town. The most notable spell of his career came at Mansfield Town where he made over a hundred appearances and helped the Stags gain promotion back into the EFL. He’s also turned out for Hednesford Town, Forest Green and Barrow having started his career with Crewe Alexandra.

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MAX SHEAF: MIDFIELDER Sheaf joined Cheltenham on loan at the end of July from Championship side Hull City. He has represented Hull in the Championship and is a 20-year-old who started his career at Arsenal where his brother, Ben, is still a part of the Gunners set-up.

JAKE DOYLE-HAYES: MIDFIELDER Republic of Ireland under-21 international Doyle-Hayes is on a season-long loan at Cheltenham from Premier League side Aston Villa.

The talented midfield playmaker spent the second half of last season on loan at Cambridge United.

ROHAN INCE: MIDFIELDER Cheltenham captured the signing of powerful midfielder Ince last summer.

He started his career at Chelsea, who he helped win the FA Youth Cup, and has turned out for Brighton & Hove Albion and Fulham in the Championship. He’s also spent time in League 1 with loan spells at Swindon Town and Bury.

ALEX ADDAI: MIDFIELDER Addai has an eye-catching burst of pace and is now in his second season at the Jonny Rocks Stadium. The 26-year-old moved into the EFL for the first time last season having spent his entire senior career in non-league with the likes of Carshalton Athletic, Whitehawk, Kingstonian, Grays Athletic and Merstham.

REUBEN REID: FORWARD Reid joined the Robins in the summer following an 18-month spell at Forest Green Rovers. The 32-year-old has enjoyed a well-travelled career that has included spells at West Bromwich Albion, Exeter City, Plymouth Argyle, Oldham Athletic, Peterborough United and Brentford among others.

TAHVON CAMPBELL: FORWARD A dangerous forward who likes to run in behind, Campbell joined Cheltenham in the summer after also leaving Forest Green. He ended last season on loan in League 1 at Gillingham and started his career at West Bromwich Albion. He’s also had brief loan spells at Yeovil, Notts County, Solihull Moors and Kidderminster Harriers.

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RYAN BROOM: MIDFIELDER Former Bristol Rovers midfielder Broom penned a new two-year contract at the Jonny Rocks Stadium last summer which will keep him at Cheltenham until the end of the 2020-21 season.

The Welshman is a versatile midfielder with an eye for goal.

He joined from Rovers in the summer of 2018 and has had loan spells at Taunton, Eastleigh and Bath.

JONTE SMITH: FORWARD

GEORGE LLOYD: FORWARD

Bermuda international striker Smith signed for Cheltenham in September having spent time training with the club during pre-season. He ended last season at Oxford United where he had been picked up from non-league Lewes where he was a regular goal scorer for the Sussex club. He’s also had spells playing in Finland and Norway as well as in England with Gloucester City, Crawley Town and Metropolitan Police.

A product of the Cheltenham youth system, Lloyd is a quick 20-year-old forward who had two loan spells at Hereford last season. He is a player with huge potential.

LUKE VARNEY: FORWARD A highly experienced head in the Cheltenham camp, Varney has a vast amount of experience having played in all top four divisions of English football. He represented Blackpool in the Premier League and has also turned out for the likes of Derby County, Leeds United, Charlton Athletic, Portsmouth, Blackburn Rovers and Sheffield Wednesday, having started his career as a prolific goal scorer at Crewe Alexandra.

TOM NICHOLS: FORWARD Tom Nichols became a Cheltenham Town player on transfer deadline day in January 2020, signing on a loan deal until the end of the season from League One side Bristol Rovers.

Born in Somerset, Nichols began his career at Exeter where he progressed through the club's youth system.

Peterborough paid an undisclosed fee to take the forward to London Road in January 2016 but 18-months later he returned to the West Country to join Bristol Rovers for £350,000.

ALFIE MAY: FORWARD Alfie May joined the Robins in January from Doncaster Rovers for an undisclosed fee.

Having made the step up from non-league football in 2017, May spent three years at the Keepmoat where he earned promotion from League 2.

He scored on his debut for Cheltenham and has 6 goals to date in his 12 appearances for the club.

37

LEIGH EDWARDS The Football League promotion play-offs were re-introduced after 90 years in 1986/87. Initially the final was a two-legged affair but between 1990 and 2000 it was staged at Wembley Stadium. For six seasons it switched to the Millennium Stadium but returned to Wembley in 2007. LEIGH EDWARDS summarises the complete record of the League Two play-offs:

1986/87

1991/92

S/F Aldershot v Bolton Wanderers 1-0, 2-2 S/F Colchester United v Wolverhampton Wanderers 0-2, 0-0 F Aldershot v Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-0, 1-0

S/F S/F F

1987/88 S/F Swansea City S/F Torquay United F Swansea City

1-0, 1-1 2-1, 1-1 2-1, 3-3

v Scarborough v Scunthorpe United v Leyton Orient

2-0, 0-1 3-1, 2-0 0-0, 1-2

1993/94

1-1, 2-0 4-0, 2-0 1-0

1994/95

1-1, 1-2 2-0, 0-1 2-2

1995/96

1989/90 S/F Cambridge United v Maidstone United S/F Chesterfield v Stockport County F Cambridge United v Chesterfield

1990/91 S/F S/F F

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Scunthorpe United v Blackpool Torquay United v Burnley Blackpool v Torquay United Torquay won 5-4 on penalties

1-0, 0-2 2-2, 0-2 1-1

1992/93

v Rotherham United v Scunthorpe United v Torquay United

1988/89 S/F Leyton Orient S/F Wrexham F Wrexham

Barnet v Blackpool Crewe Alexandra v Scunthorpe United Blackpool v Scunthorpe United Blackpool won 4-3 on penalties

S/F Bury v York City S/F Crewe Alexandra v Walsall F Crewe Alexandra v York City York won 5-3 on penalties

S/F Carlisle United v Wycombe Wanderers S/F Torquay United v Preston NE F Wycombe Wanderers v Preston NE

S/F Mansfield Town S/F Preston NE F Bury

v Chesterfield v Bury v Chesterfield

S/F Colchester United v Plymouth Argyle S/F Hereford United v Darlington F Darlington v Plymouth Argyle

0-0, 0-1 5-1, 4-2 1-1

0-2, 1-2 2-0, 1-4 4-2

1-1, 2-5 0-1, 0-1 0-2

1-0, 1-3 1-2, 1-2 0-1

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1996/97

2007/08

S/F Cardiff City v Northampton Town S/F Chester City v Swansea City F Northampton Town v Swansea City

0-1, 2-3 0-0, 0-3 1-0

S/F

S/F F

v Colchester United v Torquay United v Colchester United

1-0, 1-3 1-3, 1-4 0-1

2008/09

Leyton Orient v Rotherham United Orient won 4-2 on penalties Swansea City v Scunthorpe United Scunthorpe United v Leyton Orient

0-0, 0-0

1997/98 S/F Barnet S/F Scarborough F Torquay United

1998/99 S/F

S/F F

1-0, 1-3 1-0

1999/00 S/F Barnet v Peterborough United S/F Hartlepool United v Darlington F Peterborough United v Darlington

1-2, 0-3 0-2, 0-1 1-0

2000/01 S/F Blackpool S/F Hull City F Blackpool

v Hartlepool United v Leyton Orient v Leyton Orient

2-0, 3-1 1-0, 0-2 4-2

2001/02 S/F

S/F F

Hartlepool United v Cheltenham Town Cheltenham won 5-4 on penalties Rushden & Diamonds v Rochdale Cheltenham Town v Rushden & Diamonds

2-2, 2-1 3-1

0-0, 1-3 5-3, 1-0 5-2

Lincoln City v Huddersfield Town Northampton Town v Mansfield Town Mansfield won 5-4 on penalties Huddersfield Town v Mansfield Town Huddersfield won 4-1 on penalties

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S/F Torquay United S/F Stevenage F Stevenage

1-0 0-1, 0-2 6-0, 1-2 3-2

v v v

Shrewsbury Town Accrington Stanley Torquay United

2-0, 0-0 2-0, 1-0 1-0

S/F Crewe Alexandra v S/F Cheltenham Town v F Crewe Alexandra v

Southend United Torquay United Cheltenham Town

1-0, 2-2 2-0, 2-1 2-0

Burton Albion

Cheltenham Town Northampton Town

2-3, 3-1 1-0, 1-0 3-0

Southend United Fleetwood Town Fleetwood Town

1-0, 2-2 0-1, 0-0 0-1

2011/12

S/F Bradford City v S/F Northampton Town v F Bradford City v

2013/14 S/F Burton Albion S/F York City F Burton Albion

1-0, 1-1 0-0, 0-1 0-2

0-1, 1-2 1-2, 0-0 0-1

2-1, 5-3 0-0, 2-1 3-1

v v v

2014/15

2015/16

2006/07 S/F Bristol Rovers v Lincoln City S/F Shrewsbury Town v MK Dons F Bristol Rovers v Shrewsbury Town

0-0, 1-2 0-1, 1-0

2010/11

0-0

2005/06 S/F Lincoln City v Grimsby Town S/F Wycombe Wanderers v Cheltenham Town F Grimsby Town v Cheltenham Town

S/F Aldershot Town v Rotherham United S/F Dagenham & Redbridge v Morecambe F Dagenham & Redbridge v Rotherham United

S/F S/F F

2004/05 S/F Lincoln City v Macclesfield Town S/F Northampton Town v Southend United F Lincoln City v Southend United

1-1, 0-1 3-2

2009/10

1-2, 2-2 0-2, 3-1

2003/04 S/F S/F

F

Rochdale v Gillingham Shrewsbury Town v Bury Shrewsbury won 4-3 on penalties Gillingham v Shrewsbury Town

2-1, 1-2

2012/13 1-1, 1-1

2002/03 S/F Bury v AFC Bournemouth S/F Lincoln City v Scunthorpe United F AFC Bournemouth v Lincoln City

S/F S/F

F

Darlington v Rochdale Rochdale won 5-4 on penalties Wycombe Wanderers v Stockport County Stockport County v Rochdale

Plymouth Argyle v Wycombe Wanderers Stevenage v Southend United Southend United v Wycombe Wanderers Southend won 7-6 on penalties

S/F Portsmouth S/F AFC Wimbledon F AFC Wimbledon

2-3, 1-2 1-1, 1-3 1-1

v v v

Plymouth Argyle Accrington Stanley Plymouth Argyle

2-2, 0-1 1-0, 2-2 2-0

v v v

Luton Town Exeter City Exeter City

3-2, 3-3 3-3, 2-3 2-1

v v v

Notts County Exeter City Exeter City

1-1, 4-1 0-0, 1-3 3-1

2016/17 S/F Blackpool S/F Carlisle United F Blackpool

2017/18 S/F Coventry City S/F Lincoln City F Coventry City

2018/19 S/F

S/F F

Newport County v Mansfield Town Newport won 5-3 on penalties Tranmere Rovers v Forest Green Rovers Newport County v Tranmere Rovers

1-1, 0-0 1-0, 1-1 0-1

39

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BOB FRENCH KIT MANAGER

ADAM MORETON ASSISTANT KIT MANAGER

MOULTON MASTERS WALKING FOOTBALL 07842 537854

ALEX LATIMER ANALYST

BRADLEY LASHLEY GOALKEEPER • 12 SEP 2000

Charity Supported SAMARITANS NORTHAMPTON

REECE HALL-JOHNSON DEFENDER • 9 MAY 1995

CHARLIE GOODE DEFENDER • 3 AUG 1995

DAVID CORNELL GOALKEEPER • 28 MAR 1991

STEVE ARNOLD

GOALKEEPER • 22 AUG 1989

Charity Supported NORTHAMPTONSHIRE YOUNG CARERS

Charity Supported CYNTHIA SPENCER

Charity Supported NORTHAMPTONSHIRE YOUNG CARERS

CAMRON McWILLIAMS

JAY WILLIAMS

JORDAN TURNBULL

MIDFIELDER/DEFENDER • 13 JUN 2001

Charity Supported SWAIN BENEVOLENT FUND

RYAN HUGHES DEFENDER • 24 APR 2001

MIDFIELDER/DEFENDER • 4 OCT 2000

Charity Supported BREAST FRIENDS

JOE MARTIN

DEFENDER • 29 NOV 1988

DEFENDER • 30 OCT 1994

Charity Supported SANDS UNITED

SEAN WHALER

MIDFIELDER • 22 JUL 2000

ALAN ARCHER Charity Supported MYAWARE

NICKY ADAMS

MIDFIELDER • 16 OCT 1986

Charity Supported NORTHAMPTON HOPE CENTRE

Charity Supported CYNTHIA SPENCER

SHAUN McWILLIAMS

ALAN McCORMACK

MIDFIELDER • 14 AUG 1998

MIDFIELDER • 10 JAN 1984

Charity Supported SAMARITANS NORTHAMPTON

RYAN WATSON MIDFIELDER • 7 JUL 1993

CHANGE 4 CASH We Buy

Charity Supported SWAIN BENEVOLENT FUND

CHRIS LINES

MIDFIELDER • 30 NOV 1985

Charity Supported BREAST FRIENDS

MATT WARBURTON MIDFIELDER • 24 MAY 1992

Charity Supported SANDS UNITED

JACK NEWELL

MIDFIELDER • 22 JAN 2001

We Sell

We Help!

Charity Supported MYAWARE

MORGAN ROBERTS MIDFIELDER • 20 DEC 2000

PHIL JONES Charity Supported NORTHAMPTON HOPE CENTRE

SCOTT POLLOCK MIDFIELDER • 12 MAR 2001

Charity Supported BREAST FRIENDS

VADAINE OLIVER STRIKER • 21 OCT 1991

Charity Supported CYNTHIA SPENCER

SAM HOSKINS STRIKER • 4 FEB 1993

Charity Supported SANDS UNITED

SCOTT WHARTON DEFENDER • 3 OCT 1997

Charity Supported NORTHAMPTONSHIRE YOUNG CARERS

ANDY WILLIAMS STRIKER • 14 AUG 1986

Charity Supported NORTHAMPTON HOPE CENTRE

MICHAEL HARRIMAN DEFENDER • 23 OCT 1992

THE EL-BAYATI FAMILY Charity Supported SAMARITANS NORTHAMPTON

MARK MARSHALL MIDFIELDER • 5 MAY 1987

Charity Supported

JAMES OLAYINKA MIDFIELDER • 5 OCT 2000

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HARRY SMITH STRIKER • 18 MAY 1995

Charity Supported CYNTHIA SPENCER

PAUL ANDERSON MIDFIELDER • 23 JUL 1988

THE WOODWARD FAMILY Charity Supported

CALLUM MORTON STRIKER • 19 JAN 2000

AVAILABLE Charity Supported

Charity Supported SAMARITANS NORTHAMPTON

Charity Supported

LLOYD JONES DEFENDER • 7 OCT 1995

AVAILABLE Charity Supported

Charity Supported

Charity Supported

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HAYDON SPENCELEY

It’s great to be writing these words to you tonight and to know that with everything that’s gone on recently, we have the opportunity to enjoy football tonight, albeit from a distance.

work out how to respond, what kind of society we want to be and to make together, as well as learning together how to mourn what and who we have lost.

One thing is certain, all of us have been through something in these last months. Whether the extent of the impact of Coronavirus on your life is that you’ve had to work from home for three months and barely leave the house, like me, or it’s something much more serious like Coronavirus or another illness causing anxiety, fear, loss in your life or even the death of a loved one, all I can say is that I have been praying for the community of Northampton Town and the area in my role as chaplain. It has been a pleasure and privilege to serve by getting to know some of our supporters better, as well as to support players, coaches and club staff. Just because we are able to enjoy the relative escape of the 180 minutes of football over these semi-finals and the final which the winners of this semi final will be in, does not mean that the impact of all that has happened this year is over, of course. I think this impact will reach deep into the next few years as we

Sadly it is clear that we can’t escape suffering, pain and loss in this life.

I wish it were different but it is not.

When we suffer and are fearful, angry, upset or disoriented, it’s easy for us to just give up, throw in the towel as it were. My faith tells me to keep going.

In Galatians 6:9-10, we’re invited to ‘… not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people,…’. I try and trust God with my life, but just saying that isn’t enough, it needs to be backed up by actions which show love and care for other people. In these last months we’ve seen so much good done in our own town, the work done by charity partners of the club such as the Northampton Hope Centre, as well as Foodbanks like Re:Store and Weston Favell Centre Foodbank and many charities and individuals besides has provided a lifeline for many people, including a huge number of children. It is a marvellous

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gesture on the club’s part to support these charities in the way they do.

Thank you to James Whiting and the Community Trust team for that.

In the midst of the storms of life, let’s keep on doing the good things, taking care of one another and building the kind of world where doing good for someone else comes more naturally than merely looking out for ourselves.

That way, whatever happens on the pitch tonight and on Monday (and in that final whoever is there at the end of the month) we’ll know that we’re well on the way to a victory that really counts.

In what has become the strangest of seasons, it’s been a joy and a privilege to serve you as Club Chaplain this season. I hope that whenever next season starts, I’ll be a League 1 Rev, but more than that I hope that we’ll be able to enjoy whatever comes our way, together.

Up the Cobblers

Haydon Spenceley is the Club Chaplain at Northampton Town FC.

41

NEWS

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS V MANSFIELD TOWN

MATCH SPONSORS MAN OF THE MATCH AWARDS 2019/20 Charlie Goode 6 Jordan Turnbull 3 Nicky Adams 2 Alan McCormack 2 Sam Hoskins 2

Vadaine Oliver Ryan Watson Scott Wharton James Olayinka Mark Marshall

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MATCH SPONSORS: GRANGE MORTGAGES Club partner Grange Mortgages are the main match sponsor for this evening's game.

Grange Mortgages, who are already a club partner through their support of the Grange Mortgages Family Area, are taking advantage of an adjusted match sponsors package with the game being played behind closed doors.

The revised match sponsorship includes some brand new initiatives such as virtual matchday hospitality, with access to some exclusive behind the scenes online content this evening, virtual mascots, the chance to choose the man of the match, an advertising banner on seating in the TV arc and more.

"We were really keen to show our support to the club," said Daniel Mumford, the owner of Grange Mortgages.

"We have followed with admiration the way the club has supported the local community through the Covid 19 outbreak and as a big supporter of the community ourselves, we wanted to show our appreciation of the club's work as soon as we could.

"The partnership between the club and Grange Mortgages is long established and we are proud sponsors of the Grange Mortgages Family Area, so when the opportunity to sponsor the play-off semi-final game came up, albeit in a different way, we were pleased to jump at the opportunity."

Caroline Lucy, Commercial Director at Northampton Town added: "We would like to thank Daniel and his staff for their support. There is a longstanding partnership between the Cobblers and Grange Mortgages and for this, our first play-off game in seven years, we were hoping for a match sponsor who is a loyal supporter of the club, and Grange Mortgages fit the bill perfectly. We hope that Daniel and his virtual guests enjoy their match sponsorship package with a difference and we look forward to seeing them all as soon as the guidelines allow.

"We have been creative in coming up with a range of packages to suit all budgets so fans, sponsors, advertisers and partners can get involved in the play-offs. Although they can't actually attend the games of course, the packages we have designed are unique and innovative with many other EFL clubs following our lead."

For more details about Grange Mortgages and the range of services they offer, please visit grangemortgages.com

MATCHBALL SPONSORS: JACKSON GRUNDY Club partners Jackson Grundy are tonight's matchball sponsors.

As part of their sponsorship, Jackson Grundy, long term partners of the club, also offered 2 people the chance to win virtual hospitality which will see each lucky winner receiving - this evening - an online food voucher, digital programme & team sheet, interviews with club legends and an NTFC player, plus a look behind the scenes pre match with our innovative ZOOM virtual camera.

This isn't all that the kind hearted staff at Jackson Grundy are doing to support the local community. They have also said they will donate £100 to the Northamptonshire Health Charity for every customer who agrees for them to sell their property between now and the end of June. Their goal is to raise £10,000 and the amount raised currently stands at £7,350: 73% of their target.

Even if you are not thinking of moving, you can support their campaign by visiting justgiving.com/fundraising/homesforhealth "We would like to say a big thank you to Jackson Grundy for their support," said Commercial Director Caroline Lucy. "David Jackson and the team have been big supporters of the club and it comes as no surprise to me that they are have chosen to donate the hospitality to others. It is a very kind gesture and it speaks volumes for the community ethos they have as a company.

"In addition, we are pleased to support their Homes for Health campaign. This is another sign of their kind hearted support of the community in Northamptonshire and we are proud to be associated with and supported by our friends at Jackson Grundy.”

If you are looking to sell your home, please visit jackson-grundy.com

PRINCIPAL CLUB PARTNER

STADIUM NAMING RIGHTS PARTNER

BACK OF SHORT SPONSOR

CONTACT THE COMMERCIAL DEPARTMENT ON 01604 683734/5 OR EMAIL COMMERCIAL@NTFC.CO.UK 42

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TONIGHT’S VIRTUAL MASCOTS TRAFFORD SCANLON

Trafford turned 13 earlier this week, so Happy Birthday Trafford! His favourite player is Charlie Goode and Trafford's hobbies are football and his xBox.

SOPHIE KNOWLTON

Sophie is 10 years old and her favourite player is Sam Hoskins. Her hobbies are playing football and video games.

JACK TAYLOR

Jack is 10 years old and his favourite player is David Cornell. His hobbies are playing football and video games.

DOMINIC CLIFFE

Dominic is 8 years old and his favourite player is David Cornell.

Dominic's hobbies are computer games and football.

DYLAN BILLINGHAM

Dylan is 8 years of age and a big Cobblers fan.

KATIE LIMPITLAW

Katie is possibly our furthest ever matchday mascot, she is from Johannesburg in South Africa! Katie is 11 and her favourite player is David Cornell. She loves running and playing football. She also likes Harry Potter, Lego and books! Her favourite character from Harry Potter is Hermione Granger and her favourite book is the Hardy boys.

BEN COTTER

Ben is 9 years old and his favourite player is Scott Pollock. Ben's hobbies are football, playing for Wollaston Victoria and Rollerball.

CALLUM ROLES

Callum is 9 years old and his favourite player is Nicky Adams.

Callum's hobbies are football and basketball.

JESSICA ROLES

Jessica is 8 years old and her hobby is dancing! Her favourite player is Nicky Adams!

MEGAN HANMER

Megan is 9 years old and her favourite player is Jordan Turnbull.

Her hobbies are football and cricket.

OWEN MILLS

Owen is 11 years old and his favourite player is Scott Pollock.

Owen's hobbies are football, cricket and his xBox.

JAKEY KNIGHT

Jakey is 7 years old and his hobby is football. His main favourite player is Callum Morton.

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REUBEN SANDERS

Reuben is 10 years old and his favourite player is Charlie Goode.

Reuben's hobbies are football, tennis and cricket.

LUKE THRELFALL

Luke is 7 years old and his hobbies are all sports, particularly football, cricket and rugby. Luke's favourite player is Nicky Adams

WILLIAM THOMAS

William is 5 years old and his favourite player is Nicky Adams.

William's main hobby is cars!

SOPHIE THOMAS

Sophie is 7 years old and her favourite player is Nicky Adams. Her hobbies are crafts and reading.

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Despite the huge challenges that Coronavirus caused, the club's Academy and Education Lead Pete Stephenson has been helping to ensure that players within both the Academy and Football & Education Programme can continue to develop their skills, both on and off the pitch.

“First and foremost, I work as part of the Education department under Jean Limpitlaw, the Head of Education," he said.

“My remit is mainly around the Academy ages between under 9’s to under 18’s and working on the Football and Education Programme, alongside educational partners Innoved Learning and VLUK. I teach the BTEC courses to the 16-18’s, liaise with the schools of the academy players, deliver life skills sessions as well as work alongside Academy Operations Manager, Safeguarding & Welfare Officer Julie Delauney across the player welfare and safeguarding side.”

With the players and students currently continuing their studies and development from home, part of Pete’s role has been to discover different and engaging ways to help continue their learning from afar. He explains how he’s managed to do that …

“It’s been a massive team effort within the academy. There are several things that we’ve done to help as much as we can from a distance. It’s been challenging for the under 18’s because they’ve still had some education modules to complete, so we’ve been supporting them and ensuring that they’re able to complete what’s required whilst also keeping on top of their skills & fitness work.

“Between Julie and I, we’ve been keeping in touch and checking on the welfare of the players to make sure they’re coping with the current situation, and with the academy boys there’s been a lot of little individual challenges sent out for them to complete. Some have been football/fitness based, whilst we’re also sending out life skill challenges for them to have a go at, which has been published on the club’s social media channels to help others, too.

“We also hold a weekly Zoom session to touch base with everyone and deliver more life skills sessions, and we hosted a couple of Q&A’s with members of the first-team which were really good.

We’re also setting some educational tasks for the under 16’s to help them with their schoolwork as their GCSE’s aren’t taking place any more.”

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FOOTBALL & EDUCATION

WORKING HARD TO SUPPORT STUDENTS DURING THE LOCKDOWN PERIOD Despite schools being closed and the club being out of bounds for FEP students over recent weeks, Pete has been keen to not let standards slip due to the big impact education can have on the players’ lives, both now and in the future.

“Education plays a massive role for every age group. All ages are still going through a lot of development so we’re trying to do as much as we can during this difficult situation to support them and give them plenty of things to do so that they can still develop themselves physically, technically and mentally.

“Everyone has been really receptive so far, which has been brilliant to see.

There’s been a really high level of engagement and it’s been a chance for everyone to take stock and see where they’re at and they’ve really bought into our messages.

“From what we’ve seen there’s been plenty of work going on, both from what we’ve set for everyone but also from within their own time. We’re just trying to keep them busy and help them develop both into better players and better people moving forward. We’ve got a group of kids within our academy system and player pathway that are really tuned in to the club and are embracing the situation.

“The parents have been really positive as well, all of the messages we put out for the under 9’s-16 players are through the parents via various WhatsApp groups and emails. The vast majority are on-board with it and we’ve been grateful for the feedback we’ve had.

To be fair, most of the parents have taken part in the tasks and the challenges as well so we’re helping to develop some older players, too!”

Over the past few seasons, both the academy and the Football & Education Programme have taken huge strides forward, both in terms of the quality of player produced and the player pathway opportunities, which is something the club are incredibly proud of.

“To see where the FEP has come from over recent years compared to where it is now and where it can go in the future, it’s really great to see. The stand-outs have been Scott Pollock and Ethan Johnston working their way through the system and into the first-team squad, and even to see some of the former students go over to the U.S.A to continue their development there. We’re proud of all the boys and girls on our programme and it continues to go from strength the strength. We’ve had high levels of interest in the programme and it’s fantastic to see the direction we’re moving in.”

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NORTHAMPTON TOWN

JOIN OUR VIRTUAL RUNNING CLUB! The Northampton Town FC Community Trust have launched a virtual running club to support our fan base with keeping fit and active during the COVID-19 pandemic and extended periods of lockdown.

Created initially as a 'Virtual Running Club', the club allows fans and people in our local community to join our group on the popular fitness tracking app Strava. (Simply search for "Northampton Town FC Running Club"). It's free to join and you'll be able to track your own progress with others in the group, share tips, celebrate achievements and set each other challenges.

The group will be supported by members of the Community Trust team who deliver our health programmes and the group is open for anyone regardless of prior running experience.

Sports Participation Officer Akshay Mistry is coordinating the group and said: "We hope by setting up the running club that we can help to give people that sense of community and feeling part of something whilst taking part in an individual activity. It's great to see people really getting into the habit of exercise and we hope to encourage even more to do so through this group.

"The long term plan for the club is to organise opportunities to put their hard work to good use and give people the opportunity to take part in races or events to fundraise money to support work that the Community Trust is doing in other parts of the local community. Projects earmarked for initial support include the new befriending service for older adults and vulnerable people and to provide teachers and community members with mental health first aid training to be able to support others in their community."

HOW TO GET INVOLVED If you'd like to get involved in the Northampton Town Running Club then simply download the Strava app on your smartphone via the App Store.

Once you've set up your own personal account, follow these steps to find us: • Select the "Explore" tab at the bottom of the screen • Next, select "Clubs" at the top of the screen •U se the search bar to find "Northampton Town FC Running Club • Finally, click "Join" and you'll be part of the team!

If you have any questions relating to the club then please email us via akshay.mistry@ntfc.co.uk

SUPPORTING THE NORTHAMPTON HOPE CENTRE Northampton Town Football Club donated unused food and drink to the Northampton Hope Centre.

The food and drink, which hasn't been used because of the suspension of football due to the Covid-19 outbreak, was collected by the Northampton Hope Centre from the PTS Academy Stadium.

"We carried out a stock check and sorted through a number of items that our bars and kiosks won't be using," said Chief Executive James Whiting.

"We wanted to put those items to good use so we have donated them to the Northampton Hope Centre.

"The items included snacks and nutrigrain bars, plus water, fizzy drinks and other soft drinks.

"These are difficult times for everyone and we hope they can help the Hope Centre and their users in some way."

Louise Danielczuk, Fundraising and Marketing Manager for the Northampton Hope Centre said: "The Covid-19 crisis has seen a huge increase in the number of people we as a charity are supporting and donations like these help us ensure that we can continue to support those in need and help end hunger across Northampton.

"Our thanks go to the Cobblers for their continued support of the Northampton Hope Centre.”

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CRIMESTOPPERS COMMITTEE AWARD During volunteers week (1-5th June 2020), the Northampton Town Community Trust and its project partners were celebrating and thanking their various volunteers.

The Northamptonshire CrimeStoppers committee have won an award for Crime Awareness Committee of the year.

Regional CrimeStoppers groups are made up of volunteers from different agencies all working towards raising awareness around anonymously reporting crime, reducing levels of crime and improving the safety of residents.

Our Premier League Kicks co-ordinator Anna Letts is part of the Northamptonshire CrimeStoppers committee.

This anti-crime project is part of the committee's efforts to reduce crime levels by providing positive diversionary sporting activities for young people in key areas of the county. As well as free weekly football sessions based at four different locations, Northampton Town Community Trust staff deliver Fearless and anti-crime workshops in schools, with community groups and their Kicks groups to educate and raise awareness around knife crime, gangs, county lines and anti-social behaviour.

Work undertaken by Northamptonshire's CrimeStoppers committee: The Northamptonshire CrimeStoppers committee has gone from strength to strength over the last 3 years. The committee's membership has grown and the dedication developed ten fold, with new and creative ideas for awareness raising becoming more forefront to their way of thinking and working. In the last 18 months, the committee has worked tirelessly to promote Fearless in and around the hard to reach communities within Northamptonshire. These communities are dealing with

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high levels of drug crime, violence, weapons, gang crime and other issues. The committee, using the Fearless and Crimestoppers message, have worked on new initiatives, facilitated engagement days and delivered campaigns in these areas to enable young people to find a way out of a life of crime, or find the information they need to help make the decisions to report information on crime, or walk away.

In doing so, the committee has: • Delivered theatre productions to over 1,500 students • Cut arson by 50% • Facilitated events attended by over 700 people • Delivered the Fearless message to over 10,000 students, with a further 4,000 due to be delivered to this year • Worked with the Northampton Town FC Premier League Kicks programme to ensure Fearless is a part of their delivered workshops • Funded a schools Knife Crime Rap to deliver the Fearless message to Northamptonshire students about the effects of Knife Crime.

Northampton Town's Premier League Kicks co-ordinator Anna Letts said: "It is fantastic to see that the committee have been recognised for all the work that they do. I am so pleased that PL Kicks is playing a part in this important work to help reduce crime, educate young people and make the county a safer place to be."

For more information please visit: ntfccommunity.co.uk/pl-kicks crimestoppers-uk.org/support-us/volunteer/ volunteer-awards-2020 fearless.org

NTFC COMMUNITY TRUST

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NORTHAMPTON TOWN

LADIES SEASON OVER The Northampton Town Ladies season is over after the FA declared the season void for the female game from levels three to seven following the coronavirus outbreak.

The Cobblers finished in sixth place in the league table, their first season at the higher level of the East Midlands Women’s Football League Premier Division. Their final record was six wins, a draw and three defeats with a positive goal difference of 13.

The final game of the season for the Cobblers was a 3-2 win over Mansfield Town on March 8th and after a mixed start to the season, the Cobblers adjusted well to life in the higher division and ended the season strongly after finishing unbeaten in six games.

Thank you to all of the players, staff, volunteers and supporters for their work through the season.

Circumstances may have led to an unexpected end, but we look forward to seeing everyone back for next season.

AWARD WINNERS The club held a virtual end of season awards ceremony last week and congratulations to all of the winners: Managers' player of the season - Sara Wait and Alex Bartlett Players player of the season - Sara Wait Supporters player of the season - Cesca Partridge Young player of the season - Abbie Reboul Performance of the season - Cesca Partridge Most improved player of the season - Cesca Partridge Signing of the season - Abbie Brewin Goal of the season - Cesca Partridge Moment of the season - Jo Daniel Best trainer of the season - Alex Bartlett

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NORTHAMPTON TOWN

YOUTH TEAM SEASON OVER The EFL has confirmed that the Academy Games Programme for the 2019/20 season has been terminated with immediate effect.

EFL YOUTH ALLIANCE FIXTURES

The EFL administers the programme for Category 3 and 4 Clubs (U9 to U18) whilst the Premier League does so for Category 1 and 2 Clubs (U9 to U23) and the decision, which is independent of any discussions regarding the resumption of the 2019/20 campaign for first team football, has been taken to give Academy staff and their players an element of clarity at this challenging time.

The methodology for determining the final League standings or other outcomes for the season will be decided at a future date. Additionally, it is intended that any fixtures for the 2020/21 Academy season will not commence any earlier than would usually be expected.

In addition, several other games programmes have been affected.

As a reserve team competition for players looking to progress to the first team environment, Central League fixtures for 2019/20 season will not be rescheduled. As above, the methodology for determining any final League standings or other outcomes for the season will be determined at a future date.

READ MORE AT ntfc.co.uk

WELL DONE JON! Congratulations to under 18s coach Jon Brady who has been raising money for NHS charities over the last few weeks.

In a challenge with former defender David Buchanan, the pair of them originally ran a half marathon from their respective homes. Not content with that, Brady took on the challenge of a full marathon a few weeks later. Well done Jon!

Sat Aug 3 Cambridge United H Sat Aug 10 Luton Town H Sat Aug 17 AFC Wimbledon H Sat Aug 24 Milton Keynes Dons H Sat Aug 31 Peterborough United A Sat Sep 7 Southend United H Sat Sep 21 Barnet A Sat Sep 28 Stevenage H Sat Oct 5 Gillingham H Sat Oct 12 Leyton Orient H Sat Oct 19 Milton Keynes Dons A Sat Oct 26 Peterborough United H Sat Nov 2 Southend United A Sat Nov 16 Stevenage A Sat Nov 23 Barnet H Tue Dec 3 Gillingham A Sat Dec 14 Leyton Orient A Fri Dec 20 Cambridge United A Sat Jan 4 Luton Town A Sat Jan 11 AFC Wimbledon A

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NORTHAMPTON TOWN

A BUSY BUT DIFFERENT TIME Academy football has of course been suspended in recent months, but we have been working hard to keep our Academy players engaged.

You can read elsewhere in this programme some of the educational work we have been doing with our young players, and we also set regular challenges for them to help improve their life skills. Could they ‘assist like Nicky?’ How about ‘Boss it like Charlie’ or ‘Sort it like Macca.’

These related to life skills away from football, but skills that are important for them to develop as they mature in to young adults.

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We were also very fortunate to have regular Zoom meetings with some of the first team squad, sharing their experiences, advice, tips and thoughts with the boys. A huge thank you is due to Alan McCormack, Morgan Roberts, Scott Pollock and Matt Warburton. Former players Marc Richards and David Buchanan also joined in to speak to the boys.

We also heard from Keith Curle and we played a big part in Mental Health Awareness Week and held some online quizzes.

By the way, well done to Academy player Tommy Curry who ran a half

marathon late last month in aid of the mental health charity MIND. Well done Tommy!

As these are our last programme notes of what has been a very different season, we would just like to say a huge thank you to all of the players, parents, coaches, staff, volunteers and sponsors for their hard work, commitment and support over the course of the season.

Stay safe everyone and we hope to have you all back together as soon as it safe and possible to do so next season.

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£149 – BRONZE PACKAGE • Choose your own Academy player to sponsor and place your name/ company alongside the player(s) on the Cobblers Academy player’s page in the club’s official matchday programme.

• Your name/company advertised on the club’s official website ntfc.co.uk • One adult Cobblers membership

2019/20 SPONSORSHIP PACKAGES

£249 – SILVER PACKAGE • Choose your own Academy player to sponsor and place your name/ company alongside the player(s) on the Cobblers Academy player’s page in the club’s official matchday programme.

• Your name/company advertised on the club’s official website ntfc.co.uk • One adult Cobblers membership • EITHER £100 towards your new Academy kit or hospitality for 2 people in the Grosvenor Casino 1897 Suite at a Bronze first team home EFL fixture (choice of games at Bronze fixtures only and subject to availability). This will include a 3-course meal, programme, team sheet and seats in the West Stand.

This includes a match day host and you’ll have the opportunity to take part in competitions and view all the post-match presentations.

These games are subject to hospitality terms and conditions.

NORTHAMPTON TOWN’S ACADEMY HAVE A NUMBER OF PLAYER SPONSORSHIP PACKAGES AVAILABLE FOR THE 2019/20 SEASON. ETHAN KILLORAN STONE

JOSEPH INWARDS

www.bodypower.com

inwardsmotors.boschauto.co.uk/

U10’S

WILLIAM RONALD U13’S

THOMAS CURRY U16’S

dsronald.com

JOSH WHALER U16'S

jgalaw.co.uk

MAX DYCHE U18'S

Cottons Chartered Accountants

£349 – GOLD PACKAGE • Choose your own Academy player to sponsor and place your name/ company alongside the player(s) on the Cobblers Academy player’s page in the club’s official matchday programme.

• Your name/company advertised on the club’s official website ntfc.co.uk • Two adult Cobblers memberships.

• Presentation from a player of a 1st team signed shirt (applicable only to hospitality element) • EITHER your full kit package or hospitality for four people in our Grosvenor Casino 1897 Suite at a Bronze first team home league game (choice of games at Bronze fixtures only and subject to availability). This will include a 3-course meal, programme, team sheet and seats in the West Stand.

The Grosvenor Casino 1897 Suite has a match day host and you’ll have the opportunity to take part in competitions and view all the post match presentations. These games are subject to hospitality terms and conditions.

• 10% discount on any additional hospitality booked for the above game (Bronze fixtures only and this does not apply to match day hospitality sponsorship options).

• One editorial (250 words plus a picture) in our match day programme on the Academy Page • Flyers to be provided by your company to given out at one Academy training session during the season.

U11’S

BEN TAYLOR U14'S

fixautobuckingham.co.uk

TOBY SAINSBURY U11’S

block-paving.co.uk

MAX HARBIN U16’S

keepthelearningburning.com

CHARLIE COOKSEY U14'S

julesathome.co.uk

OSCAR HARRIS U13'S

sturdyprint.co.uk

We are happy to tailor make packages to suit your requirements whenever possible so please do not hesitate to contact us with your queries.

Please contact Julie Delauney 01604 683761 or email julie.delauney@ntfc.co.uk to book your sponsorship.

BUY OFFICIAL MERCHANDISE ONLINE AT ntfcstore.com

All prices quoted are net of VAT

53

servicing made simple Northampton

Your local 5 Star Autocentres Towcester Road (next to ALDI), NN1 1BQ

Kettering Road (near Morrisons), NN2 7HJ

Brackmills Business Park (just off A45), Caswell Rd NN4 7PW

MOT • SERVICE BRAKES • TYRES REPAIRS Don’t take our word for it check out our reviews!

EXCLUSIVE COBBLERS DISCOUNTS • £10 off an MOT

• 15% off Servicing

• FREE Vehicle Health Check

• 15% off Repairs

ONLY £29! Use code ‘NTFC’ at checkout.

Book your MOT online www.inoautocentres.co.uk using code ‘NTFC’.

0333 247 9999

Call and quote ‘Cobblers’ to save on servicing & repairs.

CLARENCE FOLLOW CLARENCE ON TWITTER

@OfficialCTD1897 HI EVERYONE It has been a really difficult time, but I hope you are keeping safe and well.

I have kept myself busy, and have been doing as much as I can to help others (while staying safe and following the rules) during the lockdown.

I hope you enjoyed my guessing game – did you manage to guess the club badges I cleverly disguised? Did you also manage to colour in some of my pictures that were on Twitter? If not, there is still time to get involved! Just scroll back down my Twitter feed.

We did some maths work, working out league tables and we also did some English work, writing some match reports from some fantastic Cobblers games.

Thank you everyone, we look forward to seeing you all soon!

able-labels.co.uk

ntfc.co.uk – AVAILABLE 24:7 ON PC, TABLET AND MOBILE

55

MATCHDAY

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO JOINED US FOR A MATCHDAY EXPERIENCE IN 2019/20

WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU ALL NEXT SEASON!

MOT • Service 56

Brakes • Tyres FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @ntfc

JUNIOR

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Happy Birthday to the following Junior Cobblers members who are celebrating their birthdays during May and June!

MAY

FINN WHITE FREYA KELLY JACK MILNE JESSICA STOCKWELL JOEY HOLMES JOHN-J MCCRUDDEN LUCIE CLEAVER OAKLEY DOWNES OSCAR ASHBY REECE EVANS ZACH JOYCE

JUNE

AVIA NICHOLS CAITLIN BELCHER CALUM WHEELDON CIAN RIDEOUT HENRY LETTS IAN DOGGETT JACK CORLETT RILEY WHEELDON SAMUEL CHISWELL-BRIDGE

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Happy Birthday to Jacob and Charlie who staged their birthday parties at the Mansfield Town game.

Northampton Town offer highly successful matchday birthday party packages for young supporters on a matchday, sponsored by Smyths Toy Superstore.

These packages, which have been highly popular with young supporters in the last few seasons at the PTS Academy Stadium, see the birthday child walk out with the players while their friends wave flags around the pitch! The party can enjoy a penalty shoot out on the pitch with a photo with a player and Clarence in the dugouts while the party bags are supplied by Smyths Toys!

Parties are for a minimum two adults and six under 18s from just £129, while additional adults are £16 and additional children are just £8 each plus food!

Optional extras are available, including FIFA in the GameZone, a shirt (£36 with £13 for printing), and, a new addition to the package, the option of Buddies USA food at just £6 per child (choose from either a burger or a hot dog all served with a drink and some fruit!)

For more information and to book, please email christine.clark@ntfc.co.uk

THANK YOU TO OUR MASCOTS AT THE MANSFIELD TOWN GAME

COMING SOON VIRTUAL BIRTHDAY PARTIES!

Please email commercial@ntfc.co.uk for more details.

ADD US ON SNAPCHAT officiallyntfc

57

For the latest news and to share your match day experiences, follow…

EFL

theEFL

EFL

AN OPEN LETTER TO SEASON TICKET AND MATCH TICKET HOLDERS Thank you very much for your support. We hope you are keeping safe and well and thank you too for your patience. The last few months have clearly been difficult for everyone with so much uncertainty. However, now that the season has been brought to a premature end, we wanted to update supporters on our planned Covid-19 ticketing policies.

Many supporters have already contacted the club to say they do not wish to seek a season ticket or match ticket refund and have instructed the club to keep the money to help the club through these unprecedented times. We are extremely grateful to everyone who has done that already and we greatly appreciate your support and faith you have shown. Thank you.

Your support has not only helped the club top up the staff wages through this period but is also helping the club take on the considerable financial commitment of taking part in the play-offs. We are delighted that we have finished in the play-offs and of course it gives us a great opportunity for promotion, but it comes with an additional financial commitment including taking players and staff off the furloughing scheme, regular Covid-19 testing, training ground and stadium deep cleaning, PPE for support staff and much more, all while not having any ticket income so your help is without doubt timely.

Also, as hopefully you saw on the club website and in the media, the players and coaching staff have already donated their play-off bonuses and any appearances fees to assist the club at this time, which is a wonderful gesture and shows the togetherness of the club and the squad.

While all this support has been fantastic, we understand this is not a gesture that everyone is able to make, so taking this into account and following numerous conversations with many different fans on the subject, we will be offering the following options; 1. You can donate ANY refunds due to the club.

2. You can donate ANY refunds due to the Northampton Town FC Youth and Education Academy.

3. Or you can contact the club for the appropriate refund via the details below.

Ticket refunds to include; Season Tickets – 2019/20 season ticket holders, half season ticket holders or Super6 ticket holders are entitled to a pro rata refund of the price paid. Any money not reclaimed by the reclaim date will be used for Option 2 above and donated to Northampton Town FC Youth and Education Academy automatically.

Match Tickets – Match ticket holders’ home and away who wish, are entitled to a refund on any tickets that were purchased for games that will not be played. Any match ticket income not reclaimed by the reclaim date will be used for Option 2 above and donated to Northampton Town FC Youth and Education Academy automatically.

Celebrity Charity Match – All 2020 celebrity charity match ticket holders are entitled to a full refund on any tickets that were purchased for that game.

Any charity match ticket money not reclaimed by the reclaim date will be split between the Northamptonshire Young Carers Charity and the Northampton Town Community Trust, the charities who were set to benefit from the game.

What to do next; - To indicate Option 1 or 2 please email donationcovid@ntfc.co.uk with your choice, - Or to request a refund please email covidrefundrequest@ntfc.co.uk with all the details of your refund claim. YOU MUST INCLUDE A CONTACT PHONE NUMBER AND THE NAME OF THE PERSON WHO BOOKED THE TICKETS, YOUR BOOKING REFERENCE (IF POSSIBLE) AND IF APPROPRIATE THE FIXTURE(S) YOU BOOKED FOR. - Or you can also not do anything and your refund will be automatically donated to Northampton Town FC Youth and Education Academy or the Northamptonshire Young Carers Charity and the Northampton Town Community Trust as described above.

Please note that the vast majority of club staff are on furlough and the club and ticket offices are also still closed, therefore any refunds will be processed when these offices reopen, and details of those dates will be available on the club website as more information is known. Thank you again for your patience.

Supporters have until 5pm on Friday June 26th to claim any refund via email. Once the email is received by the club you should receive an automated email confirming receipt of your claim. At the end of the claim period, any unclaimed monies will be donated in accordance with the details above. If you decide to not request a refund via email you will receive confirmation with a Thank You video through email.

Thank you also to everyone who has contacted the club to ask about purchasing 2020/21 season tickets. The club will be in a position to announce more details on this in due course with further guidance from the EFL and Government regarding start dates for the season and any social distancing requirements.

Thank you again for your support.

Stay safe.

BUY TICKETS ONLINE AT ntfcdirect.co.uk

59

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT THIS SEASON!

PRINCIPAL CLUB PARTNER

WE HOPE TO SEE YOU SOON!

Home games shown in Bold 1st, 2nd, 3rd Sub Scorer 1 Man of the Match* * Includes own goal # won on penalties ~ lost on penalties Fixtures subject to change. All changes announced on www.ntfc.co.uk Date Kick-Off Sat Aug 3 3.00 Sat Aug 10 3.00 Tue Aug 13 7.45 Sat Aug 17 3.00 Tue Aug 20 7.45 Sat Aug 24 3.00 Tue Aug 27 7.30 Sat Aug 31 3.00 Tue Sep 3 7.30 Sat Sep 7 3.00 Sat Sep 14 3.00 Tue Sep 17 7.45 Sat Sep 21 3.00 Sat Sep 28 3.00 Sat Oct 5 3.00 Tue Oct 8 7.30 Sat Oct 12 3.00 Sat Oct 19 3.00 Tue Oct 22 7.45 Sat Oct 26 3.00 Sat Nov 2 3.00 Sun Nov 10 12.45 Sat Nov 16 3.00 Sat Nov 23 3.00 Sun Dec 1 2.00 Tue Dec 3 7.45 Sat Dec 7 3.00 Sat Dec 14 3.00 Sat Dec 21 3.00 Thu Dec 26 3.00 Sun Dec 29 3.00 Wed Jan 1 3.00 Sun Jan 5 2:01 Sat Jan 11 3.00 Sat Jan 18 3.00 Tue Jan 21 7.45 Fri Jan 24 8.00 Tue Jan 28 7.45 Sat Feb 1 3.00 Tue Feb 4 7.45 Sat Feb 8 3.00 Tue Feb 11 7.45 Sat Feb 15 3.00 Sat Feb 22 3.00 Tue Feb 25 7.45 Sat Feb 29 3.00 Sat Mar 7 3.00

60

Opposition Comp F-A Att Pts/Pos Walsall EFL2 0-1 H 6,260 (1,455) 0/20 Port Vale EFL2 1-1 A 5,931 (500) 1/20 Swansea City CC1 1-3 A 8,058 (487) -/- Macclesfield Town EFL2 1-2 H 4,319 (198) 1/20 Swindon Town EFL2 1-0 A 7,203 (345) 4/19 Colchester United EFL2 0-1 A 3,164 (428) 4/20 Arsenal LT 1-1# H 2,515 (599) -/- Plymouth Argyle EFL2 3-1 H 5,535 (1,291) 7/17 Peterborough United LT 0-2 H 2,234 (553) -/- Bradford City EFL2 1-2 A 13,678 (399) 7/18 Newport County EFL2 2-0 H 4,616 (289) 10/14 Stevenage EFL2 1-0 A 2,877 (460) 13/10 Crawley Town EFL2 2-2 H 5,121 (233) 14/12 Morecambe EFL2 2-2 A 2,245 (318) 15/13 Leyton Orient EFL2 0-1 H 5,419 (960) 15/14 Cambridge United LT 1-0 A 764 (90) -/- Scunthorpe United EFL2 0-3 A 3,377 (375) 15/18 Salford City EFL2 2-0 H 4,886 (151) 18/15 Carlisle United EFL2 2-0 A 3,324 (176) 21/9 Cambridge United EFL2 2-0* H 5,221 (694) 24/8 Oldham Athletic EFL2 2-2 A 3,274 (373) 25/9 Chippenham Town FAC1 3-0 A 2,625 (744) -/- Crewe Alexandra EFL2 4-1 H 5,236 (522) 28/7 Grimsby Town EFL2 2-0 H 5,211 (597) 31/5 Notts County FAC2 3-1 H 4,489 (1,041) -/- Portsmouth LT2 1-2 A 2,413 (96) -/- Exeter City EFL2 2-3 A 3,971 (247) 31/7 Forest Green Rovers EFL2 1-0* H 4,534 (139) 34/7 Mansfield Town EFL2 1-1 A 4,496 (474) 35/7 Crawley Town EFL2 0-4 A 2,190 (430) 35/9 Cheltenham Town EFL2 1-1 H 5,090 (367) 36/9 Stevenage EFL2 1-0 H 4,613 (252) 39/7 Burton Albion FAC3 4-2 A 3,810 (1,527) -/- Salford City EFL2 2-1 A 2,919 (1,066) 42/8 Morecambe EFL2 4-1 H 4,761 (105) 45/6 Leyton Orient EFL2 1-1 A 3,774 (477) 46/6 Derby County FAC4 0-0 H 7,798 (1,439) -/- Scunthorpe United EFL2 3-0 H 4,038 (181) 49/6 Macclesfield Town EFL2 1-0 A 1,712 (475) 52/5 Derby County FAC4R 2-4 A 15,860 (4,442) -/- Port Vale EFL2 0-1 H 5,583 (461) 52/6 Swindon Town EFL2 0-1 H 5,759 (1,319) 52/6 Walsall EFL2 2-3 A 4,541 (867) 52/8 Exeter City EFL2 2-0 H 5,042 (406) 55/7 Cheltenham Town EFL2 1-2 A 2,934 (276) 55/7 Grimsby Town EFL2 3-0 A 4,879 (303) 58/6 Mansfield Town EFL2 1-2 H 5,666 (767) 58/7

Cornell Hall-Johnson Martin McCormack Goode* Wharton Hoskins Lines Smith Warburton Arnold Hall-Johnson Martin Watson 1 Goode Wharton Hoskins Lines Smith Warburton Cornell J Williams Bunney Watson Turnbull Wharton Hoskins McWilliams Williams Warburton 1 Cornell McWilliams Martin Turnbull*1 Goode Wharton Hoskins Watson Smith Warburton Cornell McWilliams Bunney Turnbull Goode Wharton Hoskins Watson Williams 1 Lines Cornell McWilliams Bunney Turnbull Goode Lines Hoskins Watson Williams Oliver Fisher McWilliams Bunney Turnbull Goode Pollock Hoskins 1 Watson Smith Warburton Cornell McWilliams Bunney Turnbull* Goode Lines Hoskins Watson 1p Williams 2 Warburton Fisher McWilliams Martin J Williams Wharton Lines Waters Watson Smith Warburton Cornell Harriman Martin Turnbull Goode 1 Lines Hoskins McWilliams Williams Warburton Cornell Harriman Martin Turnbull Goode* Wharton Hoskins 1 McWilliams Williams 1 Lines Cornell Harriman Martin Turnbull Goode Wharton Hoskins McWilliams Williams Lines Cornell Harriman Martin Turnbull Goode Wharton Hoskins* McWilliams 1 Williams Lines 1p Cornell Harriman Martin Turnbull 2 Goode Wharton Hoskins McWilliams Williams Lines Cornell Harriman Martin Lines Hall-Johnson Wharton* Hoskins McWilliams Smith Williams Fisher Harriman Hall-Johnson Pollock Turnbull Wharton Waters McWilliams Smith 1 Williams Cornell Hall-Johnson Martin Turnbull Goode Wharton Hoskins McWilliams Oliver Warburton Cornell Harriman Turnbull 1* McCormack Goode Wharton Hoskins 1p Lines Williams Waters Cornell Harriman Turnbull Pollock 1 Goode Wharton Hoskins 1 McWilliams Williams Waters Cornell Anderson Turnbull Pollock Goode Wharton Hoskins McWilliams Smith 1 McCormack* Cornell Anderson Turnbull Lines Goode Wharton Hoskins Warburton 1 Smith McCormack Arnold Anderson Turnbull Lines Goode Wharton McCormack Warburton Smith 1 Oliver 2 Cornell Anderson Turnbull Lines Goode Wharton 2 McCormack Hoskins 1p Williams 1 Oliver* Cornell Anderson Turnbull Lines Goode* Wharton 1 McCormack Hoskins Williams Oliver 1 Arnold Anderson Turnbull Lines Goode Wharton 1 McCormack* Hoskins Williams Oliver 1 Arnold Harriman 1 Martin Hall-Johnson Turnbull Wharton Watson Pollock Smith Warburton Cornell Anderson Turnbull Lines Goode 1 Wharton McCormack Hoskins 1 Williams Oliver Cornell Harriman Turnbull Lines Goode Wharton Watson Hoskins* Anderson Oliver Cornell Harriman Turnbull McCormack Goode Wharton Watson Hoskins Anderson Oliver Arnold Martin Turnbull McCormack Goode Wharton Watson Hoskins Lines Smith Cornell Harriman Turnbull 1 Anderson Goode Wharton Watson Hoskins Oliver* Williams Cornell Harriman Turnbull Anderson Goode* Wharton Watson Hoskins Oliver Pollock Cornell Lines Turnbull Anderson Goode 1 Wharton Watson 1 Hoskins 1 Oliver Williams Cornell Lines Turnbull Anderson Goode Wharton Watson Hoskins 1 Oliver Williams 1 Cornell Lines 1 Turnbull Anderson 1 Goode Wharton Watson*1 Hoskins Oliver Williams Cornell Harriman Turnbull Anderson Goode Wharton Watson 1 Lines Oliver Warburton Cornell Harriman Hoskins Anderson Goode* Turnbull Watson Lines Oliver Williams Cornell Harriman Martin Anderson Goode* Hoskins 1p Watson Olayinka* Oliver 2 Williams Cornell Marshall Martin Lines Goode Jones Watson Hoskins Oliver Morton 1 Cornell Harriman Anderson Lines Goode Wharton Watson Hoskins Oliver Williams Cornell Marshall* Anderson Jones Goode Wharton Watson Hoskins Oliver Morton Cornell Marshall Turnbull Jones Goode* Wharton Lines Hoskins Oliver Williams Cornell Anderson Turnbull Jones Goode Wharton Watson Hoskins Morton 2 Williams Cornell Anderson Turnbull Jones Goode Lines Watson Hoskins 1p Morton Oliver 1 Cornell Harriman Turnbull Jones Goode Lines Watson 1 Anderson Morton Hoskins Arnold Marshall Turnbull McCormack Goode 1 Wharton Watson Hoskins Morton 2 Oliver Arnold Marshall Turnbull McCormack Goode Wharton Watson Hoskins Morton Oliver

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK northamptontownfc

2019/20 TABLE P W D L F A W D L F A -/+ PTS

Adams Turnbull McWilliams Pollock Roberts Williams Watson Arnold Adams Turnbull McWilliams Pollock Bunney Williams Morias Cornell

Waters Smith Oliver Pollock Lines Roberts Morias Lashley Adams Oliver Waters Lines Bunney Williams Morias Lashley Adams Oliver Waters J Williams Smith Warburton Morias Lashley Adams Roberts Waters J Williams Smith Warburton Pollock Fisher Waters Lines Williams Oliver Roberts Adams J Williams Cornell

Adams Wharton Waters Martin Smith Oliver Pollock Fisher

Adams Hoskins Williams Pollock Roberts Hughes Oliver Cornell Adams Wharton Waters Kaja Smith Oliver Pollock Fisher

Adams Warburton Waters Kaja Smith Oliver Pollock Fisher

Adams Warburton Waters Kaja Smith 1 Oliver Pollock Fisher Adams Warburton Waters Kaja J Williams Oliver Pollock Fisher

Adams Warburton Roberts Hall-Johnson Smith Oliver Pollock Fisher Adams Warburton Waters Hughes McCormack Oliver Pollock Fisher Warburton Newell Hoskins Hughes McCormack Oliver Roberts Cornell Adams Lines McCormack Harriman Smith Williams Waters Fisher Adams Pollock Hall-Johnson Anderson Smith Oliver McWilliams Fisher Adams Lines Hall-Johnson Anderson Smith Oliver C McWilliams Fisher Adams Waters Hall-Johnson Harriman Williams Oliver Lines Fisher Adams Waters Hall-Johnson Harriman Williams 1 Oliver Kaja Fisher Adams Waters Hall-Johnson Harriman Williams Hoskins Pollock Cornell Adams Waters Hall-Johnson Harriman Smith Warburton Pollock Arnold Adams Watson Hall-Johnson Harriman Smith Warburton Pollock Arnold Adams Watson Hall-Johnson Harriman Smith 1 Warburton Pollock Cornell McWilliams Kaja Waters Hughes J Williams Ballinger Harding Cornell

Adams Watson Martin Harriman Smith Kaja McWilliams Arnold Adams Hall-Johnson Martin Williams Smith Warburton McWilliams Arnold Adams Hall-Johnson Martin Williams Smith 1 Warburton McWilliams Arnold

Adams Anderson Harriman Williams Oliver Warburton McWilliams Cornell

Adams Hall-Johnson Martin Pollock Waters Warburton Lines Arnold

Adams Hall-Johnson Martin Williams 1 Waters Warburton Lines Arnold Adams 1 Hall-Johnson Martin Harriman Waters Warburton Pollock Arnold Adams Hall-Johnson Martin Harriman Roberts Warburton Pollock Arnold Adams 1 Hall-Johnson Martin Harriman Roberts Warburton Pollock Arnold Adams Hall-Johnson Martin Hoskins Roberts Williams Johnston Arnold Adams Hall-Johnson Martin Pollock Roberts Warburton Johnston Arnold Adams Hall-Johnson Morton Roberts Marshall Warburton Lines Arnold

Adams Hall-Johnson Williams Roberts Pollock Warburton Anderson Arnold Adams Hall-Johnson Martin Roberts Pollock Warburton Chukwuemeka Arnold Adams Harriman Martin Turnbull Lines Warburton Williams Arnold Adams Harriman Martin Watson Morton Warburton Anderson Arnold Adams Harriman Pollock Lines Oliver Warburton Marshall Arnold Adams* Harriman Pollock McCormack Marshall Warburton Roberts Arnold Adams Martin Pollock McCormack Marshall Warburton Wharton Arnold Adams Jones Pollock Lines Harriman Smith Roberts Cornell Adams* Jones Pollock Lines Harriman Smith 1 Anderson Cornell

BUY OFFICIAL MERCHANDISE ONLINE AT ntfcstore.com

1 Crewe 2 Swindon 3 Plymouth 4 Exeter 5 Cheltenham 6 Colchester 7 Northampton 8 Port Vale 9 Bradford 10 Salford 11 Forest Green 12 Crawley 13 Grimsby 14 Walsall 15 Newport Co 16 Cambridge U 17 Leyton Orient 18 Carlisle 19 Oldham 20 Scunthorpe 21 Mansfield 22 Macclesfield 23 Morecambe 24 Stevenage

37 13 3 3 38 17 7 6 5 29 26 24 69 36 13 2 4 34 17 8 4 5 28 22 23 69 37 12 5 2 38 16 8 3 7 23 23 22 68 37 10 7 1 31 15 8 4 7 22 28 10 65 36 11 5 2 35 17 6 8 4 17 10 25 64 37 9 5 4 28 17 6 8 5 24 20 15 58 37 11 2 6 31 14 6 5 7 23 26 14 58 37 9 8 1 28 15 5 7 7 22 29 6 57 37 11 5 2 29 14 3 7 9 15 26 4 54 37 5 6 8 20 24 8 5 5 29 22 3 50 36 5 4 8 16 22 8 6 5 27 18 3 49 37 10 5 4 30 19 1 10 7 21 28 4 48 37 6 5 7 22 27 6 6 7 23 24 -6 47 36 6 5 8 21 26 7 3 7 19 23 -9 47 36 9 7 3 20 13 3 3 11 12 26 -7 46 37 7 3 8 23 27 5 6 8 17 21 -8 45 36 5 8 6 26 30 5 4 8 21 25 -8 42 37 5 7 7 17 26 5 5 8 22 30 -17 42 37 6 7 5 28 21 3 7 9 16 36 -13 41 37 6 6 7 24 25 4 4 10 20 31 -12 40 36 4 5 8 27 29 5 6 8 21 26 -7 38 37 5 9 4 19 17 2 6 11 13 30 -15 32 * 37 4 8 6 20 23 3 3 13 15 37 -25 32 36 2 6 9 10 22 1 7 11 14 28 -26 22

* points deducted

PLAYER STATS 2019/20

2019/20 NTFC CAREER

APPS GLS APPS GLS APPS GLS DAVID CORNELL 37+1 0 107+1 0 158+2 0 REECE HALL-JOHNSON 6+1 0 6+1 0 71+24 6 JOE MARTIN 15+5 0 15+5 0 319+34 16 ALAN MCCORMACK 12+5 0 12+5 0 442+64 28 CHARLIE GOODE 42 4 59 4 129+15 10 JORDAN TURNBULL 37 5 88+1 5 253+1 8 SAM HOSKINS 42+3 11 146+47 31 173+90 35 RYAN WATSON 28+5 6 40+13 7 104+30 10 HARRY SMITH 12+14 7 12+14 7 64+40 25 NICKY ADAMS 43 3 82+6 7 486+105 50 ANDY WILLIAMS 26+13 8 56+27 20 423+178 142 SCOTT POLLOCK 6+12 1 10+13 1 10+13 1 CHRIS LINES 31+8 2 31+8 2 467+72 45 JAY WILLIAMS 2+1 0 12+5 0 12+5 0 SCOTT WHARTON 38+2 4 38+2 4 93+11 11 SHAUN MCWILLIAMS 18+4 1 63+15 1 63+15 1 MICHAEL HARDING 0+1 0 0+1 0 0+1 0 VADAINE OLIVER 24+13 7 24+13 7 206+102 58 MATT WARBURTON 14+14 2 14+14 2 14+14 2 JAMES OLAYINKA 3 1 1 0 7 1 MORGAN ROBERTS 0+5 0 0+10 0 0+10 0 MICHAEL HARRIMAN 19+8 1 19+8 1 247+22 13 RYAN HUGHES 0 0 1 0 1 0 STEVE ARNOLD 7 0 7 0 216+2 0 CAMRON MCWILLIAMS 0 0 0+1 0 0+1 0 JACK NEWELL 0 0 0 0 0 0 BILLY WATERS 8+10 0 28+28 2 140+81 38 ETHAN JOHNSTON 0 0 0 0 0 0 LLOYD JONES 11+4 1 6+1 0 73+14 5 SEAN WHALER 0 0 0+2 0 0+2 0 BRADLEY LASHLEY 0 0 0 0 0 0 CALLUM MORTON 7+2 5 7+2 5 7+2 5 PAUL ANDERSON 22+1 1 52+9 8 291+105 40 MARK MARSHALL 11+19 0 5+2 0 252+107 27 No copyright (or related rights) are asserted in this fixture list in the EU. Outside the EU, copyright (and/or related rights) protect this fixture list in certain territories, in which territories all rights are reserved. Those wishing to reproduce, store in a retrieval system or transmit this fixture list in any way or by any means (including photocopying, recording or storing it in any medium by electronic means) outside the EU should first consult Football DataCo Limited (www.football-dataco.com) and obtain appropriate licence as required.

61

THE SKY BET LEAGUE 2 PLAY-OFF FIXTURES NORTHAMPTON TOWN

CHELTENHAM TOWN

MANAGER: KEITH CURLE

1 David Cornell 2 Reece Hall-Johnson 3 Joe Martin 4 Alan McCormack 5 Charlie Goode 6 Jordan Turnbull 7 Sam Hoskins 8 Ryan Watson 9 Harry Smith 10 Nicky Adams 11 Andy Williams 12 Scott Pollock 14 Chris Lines 15 Jay Williams 16 Scott Wharton 17 Shaun McWilliams 18 Michael Harding 19 Vadaine Oliver 20 Matt Warburton 21 James Olayinka 22 Morgan Roberts 23 Michael Harriman 24 Ryan Hughes 25 Steve Arnold 27 Camron McWilliams 28 Jack Newell 29 Billy Waters 31 Ethan Johnston 33 Lloyd Jones 37 Sean Whaler 38 Bradley Lashley 39 Callum Morton 44 Paul Anderson 45 Mark Marshall

5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5

Thursday 18th June Colchester United v Exeter City 5.15pm Northampton Town v Cheltenham Town 7.45pm

MANAGER: MICHAEL DUFF

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 14 15 16 17 18 19 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 29 30 31 32 33 34

Scott Flinders Sean Long Chris Hussey Ben Tozer Charlie Raglan Dan Bowry Conor Thomas Chris Clements Reuben Reid Tahvon Campbell Ryan Broom Max Sheaf William Boyle Alex Addai Joshua Debayo Archie Brennan George Lloyd Jake Doyle-Hayes Rhys Lovett Rohan Ince Grant Horton Tom Chamberlain Jacob Greaves Jonte Smith Alfie May Callum Ebanks Freddie Lapworth Luke Varney Owen Evans Tom Nichols

5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5

STAY IN TOUCH UNTIL NEXT TIME Official Website: www.ntfc.co.uk Follow us on Twitter: @ntfc Like us on Facebook: northamptontownfc Subscribe to us on YouTube: officiallyntfc Follow us on Instagram: officiallyntfc

WATCH MATCH HIGHLIGHTS ON LATER THIS EVENING 62

All the latest match odds, including first goalscorer, number of goals, results and more available from your phone at www.skybet.com/northampton.

All bets placed via that URL on any sport benefit the Cobblers.

Monday 22nd June Exeter City v Colchester United 5.15pm Cheltenham Town v Northampton Town 8.00pm Final (Wembley Stadium) Monday 29th June 7.30pm

MATCH OFFICIALS Referee: Marc Edwards Mr Edwards is making his first visit to the PTS Academy Stadium for his first Northampton Town game.

This is his first season as an EFL referee. His last game was the draw between AFC Wimbledon and Bolton in League 1 on March 7th.

Yellow and red flag: Carl Fitch-Jackson Yellow flag: Alan Clayton Fourth Official: Darren Drysdale

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT THIS SEASON!

WE HOPE TO SEE YOU SOON! SUBSCRIBE ON YOUTUBE officiallyntfc

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63

25 CELEBRATING

YEARS

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Many thanks to all our customers - past, present and future jacksongrundy.com