A New Dawn?

"Life is no brief candle to me. It is a sort of splendid torch which I am permitted to hold for the moment, and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations."
--George Bernard Shaw

I found this quote in the offerings for depression! Not that I think I am suffering from physical or mental depression, only I am suffering like many others a depression over Northampton Town's recent form on a football field.

You see, I want them to improve and play better football. I want them to win, and I want them to be successful. I have grown up a Northampton Town fan. It's my own fault. We are what we are in life, and as a football team we are what we are. It goes back to the old saying that we "only reap what we sow."

Better people than I can discuss the history of Northampton Town Football club and I am not going back to find out what happened in the past. We can only assume that whoever was sowing at the time was ultimately trying to do their best for the club and still are. No one that I know gets up in the morning determined to have a crap day and perform badly at work. We are only trying to do our best.

I want things to improve not only for me and thousands of others inside Sixfields, but I would love it to improve for my son. It's his first season following the club closely and I don't want him to lose interest due to club failings on or off the pitch. The strange thing is that he seems to be hooked into "The way it is." That doesn't mean we are complacent about the current situation but we can accept that this is reality for the time being. I want it to "Burn brightly for future generations", so that he may sit with his children and say, "It weren't much better when I was your age!!"

Talking of improving for the future. My son was 18 in the week before the Gillingham game so it was decided that the day of the match would bring his first, (legally first), pre match pint! I will say at this moment that it was also his first visit to the "Carlsberg Tavern." Oh dear.

There is already a discussion on the boards about the state of the place, and Saturday may have been a one off. But no draught lager. Slow pouring taps that were working. Limited supply of bottled beverages, (not cold either), and all the atmosphere of a vacuum! (1 bottle of Magners, 1 bottle of Bud - over £7.00, disgusting rip off), I'd rather buy a couple of cans out the back of someones car in the car park!!

Since our last home appearance in the debacle that was Hereford, the Cobblers have visited Oxford, (lost 3-1), Ipswich, (Carling Cup,lost 3-1). Oh dear!!!

We were desperate for a win against a team that has not won away from home for the best part of 18 months, and one that boasts the ex Cobblers striker that didn't stay in the summer, Adebayo Akinfenwa.

If ever a script was written - then there you have it!

Not a great start for the Cobblers, we are 1-0 down in 7 minutes to a well worked free kick that totally out foxed the Cobblers defence sending the wall and defenders one way whilst the ball ended up going the other. (I have seen the TV replays since and I think this was one of the best worked free kicks I have witnessed for a long time). My son tells me that it's from FIFA 11 !!!! (Coaches take note - get your dead ball plans from the game platforms!)

Despite the early set back the Cobblers continued to press forward in wave after wave of attacking effort. Not much pretty stuff today, we played a more direct route than of late but it seemed to be working.

Patience was rewarded with a Dean Beckwith header and the relief flowed around the crowd like a Mexican wave!

Once again we were blessed with a trainee ref who was only spotting fifty per cent of anything untoward and I am convinced that it was the linesman who eventually informed him that a defender is not allowed to hold his arms around a player, wrestle him to the ground, whilst defending a corner. Well done Lino! Leon McKenzie slots home the resulting penalty. Cobblers lead 2-1 at the break.

The second half resembled the Alamo! Gillingham pressed forward, Northampton dug in for the bombardment! We dug in deeper and deeper and deeper and with a bit of luck and a lot of effort, they did not pass!!

It wasn't pretty to watch in the second half, and it wasn't without it's nerve racking moments but as John Wayne is often credited with saying, "A man's gotta do, what a man's gotta do," and we held on by hook or by crook. (By the way, and I've checked out the John Wayne quote, (Sad old git!), The quote was actually said by Fred MacMurray in "The Rains Of Ranchipur" in 1955.

(My mum will now say to my dad, "I don't remember that," to which he will utter the standard response, "I knew that, you remember, it's the one where the spoilt and stubborn Lady Edwina Esketh, (Lana Turner), comes to a small town with her husband, (Michael Rennie). She falls in love with an indian doctor, Dr. Safti, (Richard Burton). She also meets an old friend of hers, the alcoholic Tom Ransome, (Fred MacMurray). An awful earthquake is followed by days of rain."

Right, I'm off to Blockbusters to book my copy for next weekend, sounds like a good Saturday night in!!!

My youngest son, (non football loving), spent the best part of half term in the recording studio with his band "The Incidents," and followed up with a support gig on Saturday night at Cottingham.

They absolutely blew the main act away and received rave reviews from the audience on both their performance and their blossoming talent. (They write their own songs and can be checked out on their facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Incidents/119780191414528

Give them a quick click and a like, and spread the word to all your mates. I believe they show a real talent with some catchy tunes that would not be disgraced on a radio show.

I have become hooked on the glories of "Twitter." I know it's a late discovery but I can't believe people "Tweet" the most inane things - Fascinating!!! (I'm @oldbloke42 if you want a "Tweet").

Come On Cobblers, Come On!!!!

Defeat From The Jaws Of Victory

For the first time in living memory I find myself sitting at a keyboard, not knowing how to start this thing off. It's not normally an issue, I usually just type and the rest flows out behind it until I get bored. This time...nothing. Maybe it's a type of writer's block that you hear about, all the creative thoughts, crammed inside, unable to force an exit to the outside world. But I'm no writer so it can't be that. I'll put it down to my total disbelief of the events that unfolded before me on Saturday 16th October at Sixfields Stadium, between 3.00pm and 4.50pm. I am officially in shock!

Now that's not a long time in any one's life, but it felt like a bloody lifetime, in particular the minutes between 4.14 and 4.33. Yes that's just 19 minutes of either the most amazing comeback in a football match ever witnessed, (there's probably others, but it really don't matter), or one of the most unfortunate disintegration's of a football team imaginable. I side with the latter.

It's hard to come to terms with, and I have read plenty of comments on the outcome, on the Northampton Town Forums, views expressed with a passion and a feeling that was sadly lacking on the pitch for 30 minutes on Saturday. (There was plenty of frustration in evidence from the players, arguments amongst themselves, signs of petulance and plenty of gesticulation to the officials). (This is also true of the manager, who sadly lost it completely in a manner that would have been fitting of John Cleese at his finest). This didn't set a great example to the players on the park, and hopefully this will be a lesson quickly learned.

So, for what it's worth, how did I see it?

Despite the fact that we went into the interval 3 goals to the good, and how we celebrated Leon's first half hat-trick with him, I personally felt, and shared my thoughts with my son that;

a) I thought Hereford had more of the ball in the first half
b) Despite the lead, we weren't looking dominant in possession and were still giving the ball away cheaply
c) (Wish I hadn't have said the following to my son as we kicked off the second half - "Surely we won't let this one slip").

The half time tea tasted like nectar, (they've got to do something to speed up the serving process, it seems vastly understaffed in the West Stand, with queues merging into the distance), with the cushion of a 3-0 advantage. Life was rosy. On the back of three straight defeats all our troubles seemed distant memories. What happened next beggars belief.

For ten minutes of the second half we continued our positive step forward looking for another goal, however, it didn't come. Players seemed to be losing their discipline in going all out attack. They all wanted to get on the score sheet when passes would have created better chances. Chances were missed, how we would rue those misses come full-time.

Hereford introduced a couple of substitutions which changed the game in their favour.

Cobblers made three substitutions for whatever reason that didn't change the game in our favour.

1) Leon McKenzie off for Steve Guinan - It would have been respectful to Leon to give him a chance to leave the field of play from the centre circle, in order to milk the applause from the fans for his hat trick and not substitute him whilst he is looking to get back on the pitch. (Sammo has given his reasons and without further information on Leon's injury it's not my position to judge. However he looked totally p****d off at the decision. And Guinan, enough said).

2) Abdul Osman off for Nat Wedderburn - I have been very impressed with Wedderburn in the games I have seen him start. Saturday he looked out of place, perhaps it was a case of sending in a boy to do a man's job when we needed a steady head to calm the others. Sadly found wanting for the rest of the game. (Perhaps he's one of these players that cannot act as a sub and pick up the pace of the game when needed).

3) Josh Parker off for Paul Rodgers - Strangest decision of the day in my book. Our loanee from QPR seems to have his own idea on playing for the team and there were times before he went off that he seemed to be doing his own thing. However, he still seemed to be our most dangerous player on the pitch and probably would have benefitted from playing a central attacking role in the second half to use his speed on the break. Again, nothing against Rodgers, he tries his heart out every time he gets on, but wrong player at wrong time.

And so it came to pass, that Hereford totally over ran the Northampton eleven, (they weren't a team at this stage), and scored four times. Yes FOUR times.

Highlight of the day apart from Leon's hat trick was the amazing piece of skill by Guillem Bauza who did his finest impression of Christiano Ronaldo in crossing the ball from the dead ball line whilst running towards goal with the old cross over leg trick. Fantastic. It deserved a goal and they got it.

All credit goes to Hereford. They certainly never gave up. Played with nothing to lose and were a credit to their profession. Their supporters played like a twelfth man. Very Vocal.

So who's fault was it?

God Knows!

First of all it wasn't mine. I went to McDonalds, I bought my programme from the same vendor, I went through the same turnstile, (Second as always behind junior), I wore the same trousers, socks, shoes, shirt, scarf, ate the same half time snack - It wasn't me!!!!

Plenty have blamed the manager, the players, the chairman, and it's probably a combination of all these things but short term fixes very rarely reap long term rewards.

We could sack the manager, as is common place in football, but the world is littered with sacked managers who just move on to get sacked somewhere else.

We have a team to support thanks to the Chairman. There are a lot of good and bad decisions made by a lot of chairman and ours is probably no worse than anybody else's.

We could put all the players on the transfer list but that would leave us with the one's that no one else wants!

I probably wanted all these things as I was walking back to my car on Saturday, but hind sight is a wonderful thing and in the cold light of day there are probably a few things that we could all put right if only this were "Football Manager."

Life is very easy when all you have to do is click a button to make a decision. In fantasy football land, players join you when you ask them, you can change tactics to suit yourself and Chairmen give you money to spend as you need it.

But this ain't no computer game, this is real life and this is Northampton Town so reality check needed.

We are highly unlikely to see another game like that for a long long time. It may bring the squad closer together and it should be a lesson learned for manager and players alike that they must never allow anything like this happen again to our football club.

We are capable of playing a good game of football, we must tighten up our defence and most of all we must find a leader of men to grab hold of the team should we find ourselves under the cosh, and batten down the hatches instead of the gung ho approach.

Where are you? Our team needs you 'cause we haven't got one....yet.

There's still 34 games left this season. We won't go down and we don't need to panic yet.

We need to start winning at home and stop the opposition walking straight through us.

We need to tough it out on and off the pitch and keep the faith.

A couple of other things that frustrate the life out of me;

1) A player removes his shirt knowing he is going to get booked - and they still do it! (This is a ridiculous rule anyway but I can understand the reasons it was introduced. If that's the case book the player for wearing shirts with comments aimed at other causes, and in particular shirts with bad hand written messages on them!)

2) A professional player throwing the ball at another player through sheer petulance knowing that he will get sent off for it. We for one cannot afford to keep losing players for three games. they should have their wages docked for the matches they miss when they are clearly at fault for their offense. Ben Tozer. Sort it Out.

It's Gillingham next for me after a trip to Oxford for the boys. Do your best lads 'cause Bayo's coming back the week after. Surely not.

Come On Cobblers, Come On!

Three In A Row?

There's nothing like three games of football in a week. It's exhausting. I don't know what it's like for the players but after the mental exertions of the Liverpool game, the league victory over Bradford, I was shattered before tonight's outing against Chesterfield.

"It's my fault we lost!!"

I have a confession, and I apologise profusely for the error of my ways. Tonight, I changed our pre-match build up and skipped the fast food delights of KFC or McDonalds. I was convinced that a "proper" dinner as my wife would say, would in the long run, last us the full 90 minutes. None of this Carb High, Saturated Fat Soak and Sugar rush tonight. Proper Chicken, Proper Potatoes and Proper Veg.

Well forget it, that's the last time this season I eat proper food before a match. It's the only thing that changed in the evening and we lost. Yes we lost a game of football that we should have won. Football for seventy five minutes was superb. Crisp, Clean, Competitive and Creative. We played against a side that wanted to play football and we outplayed them at the beautiful game.

For the first forty five minutes we dominated and played them off the park. We missed a few chances and Chesterfield looked dangerous on the ball. We needed a goal before the break and were rewarded in the one minute of added time with a Thornton header following a Jacobs curler, pushed away acrobatically by the Chesterfield keeper. 1-0 half time, we were cruising. Fans were smiling. Drinks and snacks were plenty. Life in Sixfields was good. So what went wrong.

Our referee this evening was Mr Andy D'Urso, notorious, (dubious), reputation as a match spoiler and a man whose middle name could be "Controversy." (There are a string of incidents that back up this statement on Wikipedia if you want to read some of the howlers. There were probably a few more tonight, but it seemed like he didn't want to be over seeing tonight's game and would have preferred a quiet night in. No control. Not enough cards. No vision, nothing. (Un)ably assisted by the linesman tonight's squad of officialdom will probably be condemned to the Conference if they are lucky, (Sunday league would probably do them a favour).

Chesterfield's first goal was our own fault. Poor handling by Dunny allowed the ball through his grasp for a corner. Chesterfield were allowed all the time in the world to play a short corner - no marking and it was 1-1. Before we knew it we were 2-1 down due mainly to the complete ignorance of Lino and Ref. Clearly offside their striker was allowed to continue with the ball and lob the advancing Dunn.

We stopped playing football after that and commenced the huff and puff of long ball up front only to be headed clear by defenders. If we had regained some composure and put our foot back on the ball as we had done in the first half, 15 minutes would have been plenty of time to take the game by the scruff of the neck and win it. But we didn't.

This is the first time I've passed so much commentary on a game. Anyone would think it was a poor game. It wasn't. Two teams who wanted to play. I thought Chesterfield were the best team we have seen at Sixfields so far this season. Anyone would think I was a miserable, grumpy old git taking every opportunity to put the world to rights. They might be right, but as I tell my family, there are certain privileges that are bestowed upon you when you reach 50;

1). You are allowed to moan about anything!
2). You are always right!
3). You are always grumpy!

There's probably a few more but at the moment that seems to be my mantra.

I know these are correct as I sit amongst fellow 50 plussers who continually sling the arrows of reason at anyone who will listen. How about this gem from two anonymous 50 plussers tonight.

"I feel sorry for you Linesman, you're blind and bald." followed swiftly from another row with "And you've got to work with D'Urso!!" Classic comedy timing that is only born out of life itself.

It was interesting to see Sammo standing patiently on the line at the whistle whilst twenty two players disappeared down the tunnel. What was he waiting for?

Sammo had a "discussion" with Mr D'Urso, Tweedle-Dee and Tweedle-Dum. It probably didn't matter as one of them didn't see anything, one didn't hear anything and the other said nothing to anyone all night!!

Save your breath Sammo and lift the boys. We weren't that bad tonight, (well not for 75 minutes anyway).

Thornton rightfully awarded MoM tonight. A very good performance.

Atmosphere very good at the ground this evening. Well done to the North Stand and The West "Corner" for their vocals. "Shoe-Army" is to become a classic.

It's back to McDonalds on the 16th for a "proper" dinner as my son's would say. Sorry Luv! I'll start the diet "Next week."

Followed a group of French people out of Car Park tonight. Not sure if they were from Marseilles, expecting Champions League, but it just proves that French Sat Navs are shite!

Come On Cobblers, Come On!

"The Team That Beat Liverpool At Anfield!!"

William S. Burroughs, (American Novelist), once said "There couldn't be a society of people who didn't dream, there'd be dead in two weeks."

How very apt. It's been 14 days since my last blog and the time in between my attendance, like a lot of other supporters is spent dreaming of maybe, just maybe. We hold out in eternal hope that the next match will be better than the last, we will sign that 20 goal a season striker, our players will be selected for internationals, we'll be live on Sky, and we'll achieve global fame for our achievements on the pitch. Yeah right - keep dreaming folks.

So let's round up the last two weeks of dreams in the world of Northampton Town;

Marcus Hall continues to make a good recovery from his hamstring injury - good.

More coaches available for the Liverpool game - good.

We travelled to Shrewsbury for an away game on the back of our first league win of the season, and got firmly put in our place, losing 3-1. Poor Seb Harris was substituted in the first half having been run ragged by the Shrewsbury strike force. This is a real shame for the lad. He had a solid looking pre-season albeit playing in an unfamiliar centre back role, but he looked accomplished and capable. Hopefully he will not let this experience shatter his confidence and the sooner he can get back on the pitch the better. He shows a lot of promise.

"Cobbler's sign Premier Division centre back, Ben Tozer." Ben who? I hear you ask. Ben is the young central defender with who Newcastle paid big money for him from Swindon Town. Ben will make his debut for the Cobbler's at Anfield, against Liverpool, two days after signing!

"Cobbler's beat Liverpool at Anfield in Carling Cup!!"

What?

"Cobbler's beat Liverpool at Anfield in Carling Cup!!" (I may never get the opportunity to write this down ever again, so I've written it twice 'cause it sounds good, it looks good and bloody hell it feels good!!!).

I was unfortunately not able to travel to the Anfield game as my season soccer partner, son and therefore potential pension fund, was travelling back from musical commitments in Northumberland.

Never the less I felt I was in touch with the match through the BBC Northampton radio coverage, The Hotel End Forum's and Sky Sports.

Terry Angus deserves a medal for his sheer commitment to the cause with his input to the BBC Radio commentary team. He lived and breathed every kick of the game, every tackle, every cheer, every ounce of energy - It travelled through the radio airwaves to every listener back home in Northampton - Passion at it's finest. This man is Northampton to the core. Well done Terry Angus.

I feared the worst when Liverpool scored. I dreamed the dream when we equalised. I sat in Northampton Train Station car park for the whole of extra time waiting for the fiddler! (he missed his connection at Rugby). I was texting him a running commentary of the action as it happened. I exploded when Jacobs put us 2-1 up in extra time. I called Ngog everything under the sun when he equalised. (I've never been a fan of Ngog and have never thought him good enough to play in the premiership, let alone wear the famous red shirt of Liverpool. I know he's scored goals. I know some people like him. I just don't OK. I liked him even less at this moment. While I'm at it I can't stand Kalou at Chelsea either. Don't know why, I just don't).

Penalties - I am now totally engrossed in the shoot out. I am shut off from the outside world with fingers poised to text my son updates on the outcome of every kick. Guinan first to go for Cobbler's. Should be OK he's already scored one at Bury - Guinan misses, pratting hell. Ngog for Liverpool - Ngog misses, how I love this man, zero to hero in the space of ten minutes!

It get's to 2-2 when I suffer my first heart attack of the evening! I am rudely disturbed from my penalty world of texting by a bang on the car window. If I'd had a sun roof - I would have been through it. I thought I was about to get mugged, attacked, shot etc. etc and looked round to see what it was. My son's smiling face trying to open the car door!

"Hi Dad, I'm back."

"I'm texting you, it's penalties, get in and shut up."

Jacobs scores 3-2 Cobblers. Traffic lights, Station, Ecclestone hits bar for Liverpool. OMG, OMG we only have to score the next penalty to win. Carlsberg roundabout, Abdul Osman, cool as a cucumber, 4-2 Cobblers. Hysteria. Grown man and teenage son screaming with delight and doing a damn fine impression of that "Wayne's World" moment a la Bohemian Rhapsody.

Suddenly aware of car alongside. Look of bewilderment from driver and passenger as two faces just can't stop beaming at them. If it's been a police patrol we would have been taken back to our institution!!! Life memory moment. Priceless.

So Northampton Town goes global - we are no longer the team that lost 8-2 to Manchester United. After 40 years the tag changes to "The Team That Beat Liverpool." we're all over the papers, we all over the radio, we're all over the TV. Our fifteen minutes of fame feels FANTASTIC!

It was interesting to hear the excuses from Liverpool fans but the one that made me laugh most was on Talk Sport. Mickey Quinn, loyal scouse and famous pie eating centre forward of repute was discussing the match with fellow presenters. "Technically Northampton didn't win at Anfield as it was a penalty shoot out!!!" Yes, he was taken to task by other presenters but you can't doubt his loyalty to the cause. However we're in the fourth round and Liverpool are out!! End of.

So onto our next challenge - Northampton Town v Bradford City.

It's back to reality for the Cobbler's. The bread and butter games of the football league season need to be won and we're pitched against one of the tipped favourites for promotion. Could we recover from our exertions at Anfield? Would we have eleven fit players? Would those that went to Anfield boost the attendance to welcome back our heroes?

Same routine as for Southend, I collect Cameron from music centre and we head off for our pre match preparations. (Last time it was KFC and we struggled to find a good momentum despite winning the match). This time is the Golden Arches eatery at Sixfields - Drive thru and eat in the Car Park.

"If we lose today Dad, it'll be your fault 'cause we've changed our routine!"

I kinda see his point, but we might play better and I'll have to stick to McDonalds till it changes. So the five a day routine has bitten the dust and I am now armed with 100% pure beef, slices of rubbery cheese and doughy tasteless bread! (Why do I put myself through this?). Time to eat healthy - Chunky Kit Kat from Lindley Catering - That's better.

I'm chatting with an Oxford fan before the match. He tells me he couldn't be bothered to go to Crewe so he decided to come and have a look at the Cobbler's game ahead of the forthcoming derby match in a few weeks. He also proceeds to tell me of the activities of drugged up, drunken Oxford fans on their visit to Wycombe, the scraps they have had at their own ground and how they'll be when they come to Sixfields. Who am I chatting with? Time to take my seat and hope he's nowhere near me for the next ninety minutes!!

And so to the match. I don't write match reports as they are provided far more eloquently by professionals on other sites but I will report that Cobbler's played some very good football in the first half. Plenty of possession but nothing to show for it.

I can also report that our drink bottles are still the tidiest in the league - well done Glen Thurgood.

Most interesting thought of the first half was how much better the weather in Bradford must be compared to Northampton. How do I reach that conclusion you ask. The answer my friends is Peter Taylor.

Peter Taylor is the most tanned manager to stand on the touchline at Sixfields this season. Gus Poyet was the title holder, but you'd expect that as he is of Olive skin and Uruguayan!

Peter Taylor is English, mouthy, argumentative and has a view on everything. (You're not on Sky now mate. Sit down and shut up!) Peter Taylor was a successful and entertaining Winger in his playing days, he is now just a W(h)inger. Mind you his Bradford team were not giving him much on the pitch to cheer. Their first half was extremely disappointing for a so called fancied team.

Fuel for the second half - Coffee and a Mars Bar. Sugar rush.

Buoyed by the shout of "Shoe-Army, Shoe-Army" (Caused a lot of interest in our section once everyone realised what we were singing), the lads continued to dominate the game. Billy McKay pounced on the ball to put us 1-0 up. Twenty minutes later, Ben Tozer scores on his home debut to seal the game 2-0.

Ben Tozer played extremely well today. How he missed out on the MoM award I cannot tell you. He didn't put a foot wrong, tackled well, passed well and is very vocal and organised. (Dear Chris Hughton...as you are not using Ben as a first team regular, why don't you let us have him for a season and add to his football experience. It is always an experience being at the Cobbler's and one I am sure will stay with him for the rest of his career....you know it makes sense!!)

A great result today, boosted by the quality of the football on the pitch. We're back again on Tuesday for the next home match against Chesterfield.

It's interesting that for most of the pre-season games we played 4-5-1 with great success. We've played 4-4-2 for early league games with limited success. Supporters call for 4-5-1 and they duly deliver. Supporters now calling for 4-4-2 to score more goals. God I love this game!!!

(Oh by the way - We've been drawn to play Ipswich away in the next round of "It's Only The Carling Cup." Please play on the Wednesday as I will be stuck at an evening work function in Birmingham on the Tuesday).

Come On Cobblers, Come On!

Nose To The Grindstone!

Hello folks it's good to be back writing. It's been a bit of a break for me whilst the Cobbler's have embarked on their league campaign. as you know I took in the Carling Cup win at Reading, (That seems an age away now), as there have been a lot of going's on during my absence from Sixfields.

Recap the last few weeks:
Cobbler's drawn to face Liverpool, at Anfield in next round of Carling Cup - Northampton Town to grace the hallowed turf of Anfield. Fantastic money spinner for the club, great night out for supporter's - result would be nice but doesn't seem to matter. The tie means that as a business we continue forward to next season in a healthier position than we were before the Reading game.

Thrashed in Johnstone's Paint Trophy at Hartlepool - get that one out of the way early lads, it can only improve from there.

Slow start in the league - struggling to score in open play, seem to be OK from the penalty spot but that elusive first win still eludes us.

Luck comes in three's, (In this case, bad), Purcell out for Season. This is a real shame as he looked the part at Reading. Gilligan out for three months, (now, carrying injury for "The good of the team", Hall out for a month with hamstring injury. Our squad is only just big enough to cope with these injuries but it's a bare bones approach in key positions.

Transfer deadline came and went with no ripples caused on roads in or out of Sixfields.

Oscar returned to Tottenham - Thanks Harry.

Cobbler's sign new striker in Leon McKenzie, (goal machine at this level for previous clubs, Premiership experience, Struggled with injuries! Hopeful that he can stay injury free, gain match fitness and score some goals. Should be more than capable at this level.

Bought a new hat and scarf at club shop - This is good preparation for a man of my age sitting in the cold during the winter months. I now have a Shirt, Tracky Top, Coat, Hat and Scarf. Should be warm enough by my reckoning - Note to self, (might have to wear long trousers in the winter or knees will knock and legs will chap). What happened to chapped legs and chilblains. I grew up with them as a kid but they seem to have been superseded by today's latest fashion, namely "Hormones".

There was nothing more painful than having to rub Vaseline into your chapped thighs, pain bought about by the lack of long trousers, rain and wind. A combination that stays fesh in my memory. (I was nearly twelve for God's sake). I never really understood how you got chilblains, something to do with having your feet in front of the fire or something. Same with "Cankers". What the hell is Cankers. Supposedly came from putting coins in your mouth - What!! I must have been so gullible as a kid, still am I think! (I was the kid on the streets of Kingsthorpe telling the van with the tunes that we didn't need any sausages today. (I didn't know he sold ice cream!!))

Anyway at least none of the players has got "Cankers", that would surely be a career threatening disease.

So it's match day. Northampton Town vs. Southend United. (Think this is pronounced Saaarf-end).

I'm as excited as hell in anticipation. We need a win. We need a win badly to kick start our league campaign. We've got a new striker. Will he play? Big crowd anticipated, not because of the quality opposition, in fact it's nothing to do with today's match at all really, it just so happens that the club have made the Liverpool tickets available through a scheme that makes people buy a ticket for this game to get one for the Liverpool game. (I'm not going to Liverpool. I wish the lads well, but I bought my season ticket for different reasons and cannot be accused of getting on the glory trail by turning up just because it's Liverpool).

I collect my son from County Youth Orchestra and we head to Sixfields for a pre match meal. (It's important that you have enough protein, carbohydrates and vitamins to last 90 minutes, I've spent the last 50 years honing this temple to the athletic form that it is now, and all this additional Saturday afternoon exercise needs to be fuelled), so we head for KFC!!!

Well it ain't quite Chicken and Pasta, but the chicken bit counts! (Lettuce and Tomato, two of my five-a-day. Healthy eating campaign back on track!)

The place is swarming with Southend, (Saaarf-end), shirts. I feel we have invaded the pre-match team talk for supporters, what shall we sing first? Who shall we shout abuse at? etc, etc. Do Cobbler's supporters eat in KFC on matchday? Should we be in McDonalds?

Meal consumed we take in the Sixfields atmosphere - crowded round the telly watching Everton and Man Utd on the Sky lunchtime fixture - I now realise that watching the Premier games is like watching fantasy football. It seems unreal and is far removed from the Championship, League one and League two. The passion for the game remains at grass roots. I'm glad I've re-discovered it - It's real life and real football watched by real people. (Complete my five-a-day with 2 Blackcurrant and 1 Lime fruit pastilles. Feeling fit and ready for action!)

Kick Off - McKenzie plays!!

It was announced during the gladiatorial entrance of the two teams that our new striker would start. Real celebrations lead by real supporters resulted in three balloons finding their way onto the pitch!! What happened to the ticker tape welcome offered by fans in '78? Sign of the times I suppose. (Even Nena managed 99 red ones - look her up if your lost). Does anyone still chuck toilet rolls?

Glen Thurgood still lining up the drinks bottles - now filled I suspect with the new nutrient mixture supplied by USANA Health Sciences. (KFC do a similar mix it's called Flat Pepsi!!)

I'd like to spend the next few paragraphs rejoicing in the flowing football and silky skills on offer at Sixfields this afternoon, but I can't. There wasn't any. I sent a text at half-time to my brother, Chris, (second mention Bruv, I'm building your part up for your walk on appearance sometime round the New Year, but your not getting any commission!), to report that I was suffering from neck ache having spent most of the half watching the ball against the blue skies of Northamptonshire. If we kicked it high, they kicked it higher. No one stood out, nothing happened. I think there was one shot on target and couple of half chances for Mckenzie early on.

It's hardly surprising that the players on the pitch looked confused - the supporters were also passing on sideline instructions - Play Some Football, Keep it on the ground, stick your foot through it, pass it wide, play it long, pass it short, send it early, hold it up, play it back, play it forward - what the hell do they expect!!!

(I have now overdosed on vitamin C, thanks to fruit pastilles and need to increase chocolate intake to counteract. Eat Twix!)

Second half - Things can only get better. No they can't, Southend, (Saaarf-end), take the lead. This is looking grim.

However our young in-experienced team with experienced players seem to have realised that there is a job to be done and are now chasing the game with a new vigour and drive. Add to this the quality and frustration that is Kevin Thornton and suddenly we looked interested.

Osman sweeps the ball into the roof of the net following a piece of control and hassling from McKenzie, 1-1. We cheered with relief.

Thornton is now controlling our midfield. Not so many passes going astray and he looks comfortable changing the pace of the game.

Corner to the Cobbler's. Andy Holt meets ball almost unchallenged, 2-1 Cobblers. This game is easy!!!

Quality cross from Johnson met by Osman - rebounds off the post-unlucky, could have been game over.

Nervy last ten minutes for players and supporters. Huge sigh of relief when final whistle blown. We have our first win under our belt and it feels good to be a Cobbler's supporter!

Holt was named man of the match - They could have picked anyone as they were all much of a muchness in my opinion - I thought the most impressive player on the pitch was Southend's, (Saaarf-end's), central defender, Bilel Mohsni, (Six Foot Three, 22 year old Tunisian), very promising. He hardly missed a header all afternoon - hardly surprising then that we played everything in the air towards him!

If we can play like this and still get three points then there's hope for us all. I've been around enough football to realise that there are more games like this than good ones and I'll take whatever we can get - but one of these days we are going to give someone a good hiding. We can then all be reminded that there's always another "Southend," ("Saarf-end), game just around the corner! There's no pleasing some folk!

It's rumoured that we are still on the look out for a couple of Loanee's once the Fantasy League teams release their youngsters to the Championship sides. If we can pick up a couple of quality youngsters who knows where it will lead.

See you next time vs. Bradford City - Oh the anticipation!

Come On Cobblers, Come On!!

It's only the Carling Cup - Next Round!!!

So, I've missed the last league home game versus Accrington Stanley as my presence was required elsewhere. The Cobblers have also managed an away draw at Bury and we lie closer to the bottom of the league than the top. Not what we were expecting based on our pre season showing but "It's a marathon, not a sprint," so hope remains eternal.

Tonight's Carling Cup game pitches us against the might of Reading F.C., who only a couple of seasons ago were gracing the echelons of the Premier League and upsetting a few fancy names during their stay. However, "footballs a funny old game Saint," and anything can happen in ninety minutes.

The quirk of tonight's game as I have previously mentioned in my blogs, is the fact that the rest of my family are Reading season ticket holders, (Mum, Dad, Brother, Sis, Cousins etc), and tonight my son and I will be inhabiting seats amongst the Reading faithful to enjoy the family camaraderie, banter, winding-up etc etc.

For the first time this season I am not feeling that confident about tonight's result, we've started slowly and so have Reading, but the last time I attended a Reading match they had also had a slow start to the season and were playing Luton Town in the Carling Cup, (Deja-Vu tells me that they could be due to give someone a right hiding as they did that night, (Won 5-1)). Hope not!

I've promised me mum that I would suffer in silence and not be the lone Cobbler's voice echoing from the Reading West Stand - it don't go down well with the locals to have a foreigner being a bit vocal. The stewards have usually got an opinion as well. Anyway I've collected the folks and we travel to the temple that is known in Reading as the "Mad-Stad." (Madejski Stadium, named after the local millionaire John Madejski who has ploughed his millions, (very successful used car salesman), into Reading FC as chairman).

I'm not tight by any means, but isn't eight quid a bit steep to park your car for a couple of hours!! They obviously don't want you to bring your car to Reading. (If we charged that for parking at Sixfields we could have a new striker in a couple of weeks!!)

Just to be good, and because of our seats I have omitted my Cobblers shirt from tonight's attire. I'll gamble on the "Jackson Grundy" jacket. If I manage to keep my mouth shut all night, (promised me mum), then only the bloke behind me will put two and two together. (Hang on this is Reading, I should be OK!!!!).

We've spread out along the row to try and save eleven seats - Didn't know the Reading bench was this high up in the stand, Novel!

Me brother's gang are leaving it to the last minute to put in an appearance and we're getting pestered by plenty to give up the seats. No chance. He'll be here when his glass is empty!!

It was good to see the Cobbler's training steps lined up along the touchline. It had provoked a lot of interest / amusement from those around me. I can't blow my cover this early, the match ain't started yet.

Good start by the team announcer - our centre forward tonight has now been re-named - ladies and gentlemen I give you "Tadge Persil!!!!" (Proper name Tadgh Purcell - pronounced "Tie").

I noticed on the Reading web site that one of the players, Jem Karacan, had said, "They will come here wanting to pit their wits against a big club."

Don't get me wrong, I've already identified Reading as a Championship club, but a "Big club!" - Note to Mr Karacan - you're only as big as the team on the pitch with you. You have no divine right to start in front or to win against a "Small" club, hopefully you'll get what your throw away comment deserves.

It don't take long - 17 minutes, Reading 1-0 B******ks!

It seems like the whole of the stand has swallowed me up in celebration. Music, Dancing and lots of arm waving. Two people remain silent and seated.

20 minutes - Reading 1 Cobblers 1 - Yes!

No music, no dancing, Two people cheering and whooping. 6000 people seated and silent!!

This could be a good night. It's end to end stuff with chances for both teams. Impressed with Reading player Antonio. Very quick, very skillful, bloody nuisance!

Half time is upon us before we know it - good first half for the Cobblers. We've held our own against a "Big" team.

It was noted during the first half that the Camera man obviously got bored as there suddenly appeared a rather artistic shot of the moon on the big screen. He won't need to let everyone know that it's night time as we can now see the moon with our own eyes above the stadium. Stick to the game mate, you might miss something interesting.

My brother Chris, (he wanted to be named as no one has ever mentioned him on the Internet before! There you go bruv, you've now arrived!), has appeared for the second half - (apparently you can order drinks for the interval at Reading like you do at the theatre. Very civilised. No wonder he goes every week), has keenly observe that the Cobblers Fitness Coach (Glen Thurgood), is suffering from OCD!

"How do you work that out?"

"He's lined all the drink bottles up in one corner of the technical area, all facing the same way. We just chuck ours anywhere."

Perhaps it takes someone with OCD to notice another or perhaps it's a good sign that the Cobblers like their house in order and that Reading are a bit of a mish mash arrangement!

62 minutes - Reading 2 Cobblers 1 - Hal Robson-Kanu, (Good Welsh name that one)

Ditto 17 minutes. - Boring, Boring, yawn, yawn.

My brother is now totally confident that his regular 3-1 Reading bet is about to reward the bank balance for the evening. As soon as he announces the forthcoming funds they are absorbed into the household by my sister in law! (I'll leave your name out Jax, just in case you ticked the no publicity box on the form!!)

64 minutes - Reading 2 Cobblers 2 - Kevin Thornton, (God like performance so far tonight).

Ditto 20 minutes (times 3).

Brother's household funds are now swiftly returned to Messrs William Hill or which ever gambling charity he invests in!! Abuse sent in my direction with aplomb - I didn't score the equaliser, honest!

"There's always next week mate," I offer.

Cobbler's are dominating the second half, it's difficult to tell who the "Big" club is. Kevin Thornton denied a wonder goal after waltzing round four defenders. Michael Jacobs causing problems down the left as well as attracting compliments from Reading fans around me.

94th minute - 2 Cobblers fans in West Stand and about 800 behind the goal reach the heights of ecstasy as Steve Guinan scores the winner!

"He's offside, he's offside," cheers my Brother. (Ditto 17 minutes, Word 9). Extra time.

114 minutes - Reading 3 Cobblers 2. We've excelled tonight but surely we can't come back again!

This is not the Cobblers of old, this is not the team that couldn't score against Accrington Stanley, (That's a bigger team than Reading in lettering terms!), this team tonight have belief.

Reading denied a stonewall penalty in dying seconds.

125th minute, yes the ref played until we scored as he felt we were the better team on the night and wanted to see it through to penalties.

125th minute - Shot, Deflection, Whatever - Reading 3 Cobblers 3 - Ecstasy.

Can't shout much more, lost my voice. Ref seems popular with the locals as they are all offering him advise.

Penalties - I'm not going through them one by one. Reading missed two and we didn't. Cobblers win 4-2 on penalties and go into the draw for a "Big" team.

We won't forget our night out at the "Mad Stad" for a long long time. Bragging rights have been graciously accepted and on tonight's performance we look forward to a league visit next season!!

I'm sorry Mum, I broke my promise to keep quiet and not show anyone up. 17 minutes wasn't that bad and I know you had more problems with the behaviour of a couple of local fans. Dad, don't get so involved, it's only a football match!!!

It was a "Nice" drive back up the A43. I suspect that most cars heading back my way were full of jubilant almost bewildered Cobblers fans, still trying to work out how our "Little" team had beat their "Big" team.

I hope Ian Sampson pinned that interview up on the wall before the game. Something must have happened 'cause tonight we owned 'em! (Oh by the way, Sammo smiled. Sammo smiled a lot).

"Come On Cobblers, Come On!"

It's Only The Carling Cup!!!

"He who has never hoped, can never despair" - George Bernard Shaw


Well I wonder who he supported then, because that was obviously intended for football supporters everywhere.


The first game of the league season has passed us by and all hope and optimism shared by supporters nationwide is either blossoming or shattered!!!


We Cobblers went into the first game of the season with every thing to look forward to, and here we are, three days later, with our season in tatters after a drubbing at Torquay!!!


There's been plenty written by more learned fans than me on the whys and wherefores of the performance by the seaside and I am not going to re-visit old ground. I wasn't there, I didn't pick the team, I only suffered in silence like thousands of others. The pain, the pain. The shame, the shame.


I didn't expect this sort of reaction this early into being a supporter, but there you have it. Heartfelt anguish of defeat - what happened boys?


I picked my son up from the train station ahead of the evening Carling Cup match against Brighton.


"Are you looking forward to the game?"


"It's ridiculous, but I'm really excited about it," he replied


This football supporting lark is infectious, cause I can't wait either. I feel like an excited teenager. Get a grip man!!!


(For those of you who have followed previous posts and have previously heard me mention, I apologise, but I was at the Royal Albert Hall last weekend watching the BBC proms, in particular the concert on the Saturday evening by the National Youth Orchestra. I can report that the concert was amazing, conductor extraordinaire and music enchanting! (BBC 2, August 21st 7.30 ish).


Tuesday 10th August - Cobblers v Brighton & Hove Albion (Carling Cup 1st Round).


So it's off to Sixfields once more for the evening match in the first round of the Carling Cup. There has been plenty of opinion shared on the Northampton Town Fan Forums, (try out the "Hotel End" and "Sixfields Boys" a good way to pass a few moments of time keeping up with the gossip). (For legal reasons and I don't want to appear bias towards other Forums that I have not mentioned, other forums are available, local call charges may or not apply and share prices can go up or down, and the opinions expressed within these pages and others on the Internet are only opinions of those expressing them!!)


Some say that the cup result doesn't matter and it's the league we want to concentrate on. As a football fan I want to win every game even though I know that's not possible, I couldn't care what competition is being played, I want my team to perform well and progress as far as possible. It's nice to think we are big enough to concentrate on the league only and bed in the youngsters as seems to be the general trend these days, but we need a cup run for good gate receipts, we play our youngsters 'cause they are good enough to play, and we don't have the luxury of one side for the league and one for the cup. Bring on the Seagulls!!!


I'm nervous before the game. I think it's caused by the fear of losing again. Brighton are a league higher than us and won on Saturday. Having seen a lot of promise pre-season and hearing that the team did not play that well at Torquay, I am nervous 'cause I want them to play with a passion they showed pre-season.


The first ten minutes were not great for the Cobblers. Our on loan goalkeeper had a few issues keeping the ball between the two white lines running either side of the pitch and we were giving the ball away with a consummate ease that had not been obvious in previous matches.


Suddenly, it was all a distant memory - courtesy of a determined run into the box by our own boy wonder, Michael Jacobs. His shot seemed to go through the goalkeeper and Cobblers led 1-0


It's interesting to see what a goal can do for confidence, as a different team patrolled the green pastures of Sixfields from that moment on. Heads held higher, chests expanded with the fresh air of confidence, the Cobblers played like a team.


We only had to wait a few more minutes before an excellent cross by Gilligan, (had a good first 45 minutes up and down the right flank), was expertly dispatched with his head, by Billy McKay, into the corner of the net. Cobblers 2 Brighton 0. Oh, how we cheered!


Brighton were rocked!


Now managed by Gus Poyet, (player -Uruguay, Chelsea, Tottenham, Swindon!! Coach - Swindon, Leeds, Tottenham), you would have expected his new charges to play the game with a bit of panache. (I don't think Swindon have played with much panache since Don Rogers ploughed through the mud at wembley to score two extra time goals against Arsenal in the 1969 League Cup Final, (now the Carling Cup for you young 'uns),that Swindon won 3-1) No chance.


"You can take the man out of Leeds, but you can't take Leeds out of the man."


Couple the "Leeds" factor into a South American temperament and you get tonight's Brighton team.

Yellow cards were shown. Straight red for Matt Sparrow - he got what he deserved - you can't raise your arms into an opponents face these days without facing the walk!

Enraged Uruguayan remonstrating with anyone that would listen - West Stand let him know what they think. Uruguayan sits down.

Brighton player has a go in another on field bout. Uruguayan manager seen rollicking young player and probably pointing out to him that "it's not yet half time, we're already down to ten men and Matt Sparrow won't eat all the oranges before you get there!!!"

Half time - Cobblers 2 Brighton 0

I didn't expect much of a spectacle in the second half. Brighton had lost the plot for this match and they would come out huffing and puffing their way through the second half with aggression thrown in to try and bully their way back.

Thank the Lord our boys didn't get involved. We continued to play some decent football. Michael Jacobs continued to taunt the newly introduced Alan Navarro and it was during one of these "Skinning's" that the unfortunate Navarro was left lying in agony from a quick turn and saw him departing sadly on a stretcher. It's not great to see any footballer leave the field in this manner and we wish him a speedy recovery.

We were unable to trouble the scoreboard during the second half - amazing really as we dominated for most of the second period. Yeh, Brighton rallied for spells but they never really threatened to score.

A lot of positives for the Cobblers' tonight. We showed that we can play football. Jacobs is a great prospect. Billy McKay looked dangerous every time he got the ball.

For me on the evening I was very impressed with Nathaniel Wedderburn. This was his full debut for the Cobblers and has impressed during the pre-season. I believe he will grow into his role on the pitch and he quietly goes around doing an efficient and effective job of sticking his foot in a breaking up the play. There was also some good distribution around the park with a sweet left peg. I look forward to watching him over the season, he's only eighteen and shows maturity beyond his years. Give the lad a chance and help him believe.

Someone behind me encouraged Sammo to give us a smile. Sammo's response was to bellow instructions to one of his players. "That told me then," came the response. No smile.

Gus Poyet still looks as fit as a Butcher's dog! He could probably still do a decent job on the pitch if it wasn't for the knees. It's nice to know that some manager's enjoy the banter with the crowd, as a quick piece of ball control on the sidelines was greeted with cheers from the home supporters. Poyet turned and blew kisses to the crowd in appreciation!! Nice touch well received by the fans.

We're in the next round of the Carling Cup! - Along with at least 2,000 other supporters I left with hope. It's only a matter of time I suppose before despair rears it's ugly head once more. However, I take hope from the fact that on the opening day of the 2009/10 season, Norwich City lost 7-1 at home to Colchester. Norwich picked themselves up and finished champions of Division 1. Now that's hope!

I shall be missing from the next few home games due to holidays. I return, God willing, for the match against Southend on September the 11th - That's a whole month without a fix. I don't think I can last that long!

I would like to think I return to watch the league leaders!

"Come on Cobblers, Come On!"

Time For The Practice To End

I believe it was Harold Wilson who once said that "A week is a long time in politics." He was implying that fortunes can change rapidly - well a week is certainly a long time in the life of a Cobblers supporter. Take this week for example;

The Cobblers have two new full backs now on a permanent contract, (messrs. Johnson and Hall, probably the finest two full backs in league 2 on current evidence), Abdul Osman agrees an extension to his contract, (jury out, haven't seen much of him yet), personalisation of the East Stand with NTFC now emblazoned across it, season tickets now safely in my possession, Northampton now resides in the North East???!!! (Johnstones Paint group - "Howay the lads") and new scarves now on sale in the shop!

I'm exhausted keeping up with it all. Didn't know supporting the Cobblers was quite so frenetic and the season proper hasn't even started yet!!!

To cap it all, my season companion is away with the National Youth Orchestra. We knew it was coming and plans were set to find another convert.

"Do you fancy going out Sunday?" I asked my ever suffering wife.

"That'll be nice. Shopping, lunch, pub, walk, what do you reckon?"

"Cobblers versus Birmingham, Sixfields, 2'ish."

Now, my wife is not a great football fan, she's not a great sports fan and the last time she attended a football match, (Reading vs QPR, cold mid-week, 0-0 draw), she wasn't exactly chomping at the bit to go to another one.

"Yeh, alright as long as I see some goals this time."

"Now it's League two v Premier, surely there's a goal or two in it." I offered.

Date was set, tickets purchased and off to the football we went.

Sunday 1st August - Pre Season Friendly; Cobblers v Birmingham XI
I don't want to keep repeating myself, but once again a fine, warm Northampton afternoon at Sixfields for the last chapter of the Cobblers' pre-season preparation. And so far it has been a damn fine one. Loads of positives, good tidy football, goals, wins, draw and the odd defeat, (still haven't worked out how Coventry beat us).

Birmingham had a good season last year in the Premiership and proved to a lot of people that they would be no easy team to beat. It was however their first season back in the top flight and as others have proved over recent seasons, the second season is often harder than the first, " 'cause they've got your number", by then. Time will tell.

Never quite sure what to expect when a top side brings an "XI", (There hardly likely to field a "X" are they?). Birmingham had a game on the Saturday at Derby and fielded a strong side so the likelihood was for "wannabe's" and "has beens".

Proving that today's game is all about a strong squad, Birmingham had brought all the first teamers and featured players that had not started against Derby. A strong line up including Maik Taylor, Stephen Carr, Liam Ridgewell, Kevin Phillips, Cameron Jerome and James McFadden would prove to be a good test for the Cobblers. (The bench looked impressive as well).

My wife has by this time surveyed the ground, sampled the beverages and observed the abilities of £40k+ a week footballers.

"So all they do is run up and down a bit, have a stretch, walk back for a sit down and get paid 40 grand a week."

"You've got it in one love, it don't take you long to suss this out does it."

"You can also tell they get paid good money, cause they've all got well tanned legs!"

Where did that one come from? (Leave her to it and watch the game).

Both sides started brightly, chances at both ends. McFadden causing problems whenever he's on the ball.

Cobblers have the audacity to score! Billy McKay making the most of defensive confusion and poking the ball past the advancing, (not only in years), Maik Taylor. 1-0

Now one of the things I've noticed over the years is the higher up the leagues you go the players moan and whinge more. There seemed to be a constant barrage of exchanges between Birmingham players and the referee. Kevin Phillips, Lee Bowyer to name but two and just to prove that old habits die hard and following Lee Bowyers' audition for the next Hollywood Blockbuster - I then forecast to my wife that he was likely to go seeking revenge on the Cobblers player who had obviously come close to ending his career. Sure enough within two minutes Mr Bowyer was seen in deep discussion with our man in black who was obviously waiting for the same outcome as I was. Very predictable and a real shame.

Half Time; Cobblers 1 Birmingham XI 0 - YES

Birmingham started the second half the better team, it seemed inevitable that they would get back on terms and they did. A 25 yard screamer from Cameron Jerome on 50 minutes. Good Goal.

McFadden continued to torment, Phillips continued to moan after goal disallowed. Not sure why he moaned. He looked offside and used his arm to bring the ball under control. Apart from that I couldn't see anything wrong with it!!! "Shut up whingeing and get on with the game."

Phillips got on with the game and defied the logic that "Tall defenders win all the headers against small strikers," (he'd probably talked our boys into submission by then), and proceeded to provide a quality header straight into the path of 'Dangerman' himself, James McFadden. Quality finish. 1-2 Birmingham.

Cobbler's young guns, Jacobs and Herbert started to terrorise the flanks with speed and the odd flash of sublime skill. Herbert went close with a shot into the side netting, and it was the combination of Herbert and Jacobs skipping past Stephen Carr that led to a far post cross being bundled into the net from close range by Liam Davis. Cobblers 2 Birmingham XI 2.

The pacey Herbert provided another chance for Davis with only a minute left on the clock. And from 15 yards out it remained Cobblers 2 Birmingham XI 2.

A good game of football. Birmingham will have more concerns over their conceding two goals against lower league opposition, particularly the first caused by a defensive mix up.

My wife enjoyed her afternoon at Sixfields, well I said there'd be goals and there was. We went shopping, (bought a scarf and a hoodie), We had a drink, (diet Coke).

"Fancy a pie love?" God I know how to treat her!!!!! (We walked back to car arm in arm, romance eh, you can't beat it!!!)

And what about the Cobblers?

We've got a lot to look forward to if we can sustain this pre-season form. They'll be highs, they'll be some lows but I reckon we'll be there come end of season.

It's time for the talking to stop now and time for the real work to begin.

Good luck to the boys at Torquay on the opening day of the season. I will be enjoying the delights of The National Youth Orchestra at the Royal Albert Hall on Saturday evening presenting Dukas, Anderson and Berlioz. (Check with their agents Sammo, they might be available on a free!!!)

"Come On Cobblers, Howay The Lads"

New Day; New Hope

It's matchday. It's only been three days since our last home match against Coventry, but I have found myself eagerly awaiting another visit to the Sixfields Stadium, (capacity 7653, all seater!!!!).

I have been a keen follower of all things football and happy to find the positives from a lot of teams I have seen over the last plenty of years, courtesy of Sky.

I do not consider myself to have any particular affinity to a premiership club, and have now only begun to realise my fixation and deep loyalty to Northampton Town. (I don't need tears, it's only football!!).

It's been a long time since I have actively followed a football club - and as I explained in the first posting - I had been exiled in Reading and was happy to follow a team. I was fortunate enough to follow a fairly successful Reading FC of the mid to late seventies, Charlie Hurley's Blue & White army 75/76, promoted to old division 3 in his first season boosted by the silky skills and unpredictability that was Robin Friday, (often labelled "The Greatest Player You Never Saw"). and a talent that could with better guidance have graced the international arena.

Years followed of commitment to local football, moved back to Northampton 1990, marriage, children, fatherhood (no time for football), till now.

However, one pre-season game and I am totally lost in my re-found soul! I can't wait for Saturday afternoon, I am excited, expectant and optimistic.

Unbelievably, my son is already sharing the love for The Cobblers! One game - we lost, has obviously stirred something within him that needs fulfillment. It might just be his love for the game, I hope it's a feeling of "Home is where the heart is," and over the course of a season it will bind him eternally with the club and the town.

Saturday 24th July 2010 - Pre Season friendly; Cobblers v Watford
It's another fine Northamptonshire day, warm, slightly overcast. The visitors to Sixfields today are Watford. Still best remembered due to their association with Elton John, Graham Taylor, John Barnes, Luther Blisset. However over the last 30 years Watford have enjoyed the highs and lows of football, Premier League, Europe, Cup Finals and now find themselves like a lot of clubs watching the pennies, developing youth and struggling to recapture past glories.

I will admit they looked really impressive in the warm up. They look looked fit, sharp and skillful. Movement was good, ball skills excellent and they looked ready for a game. They spent a good thirty minutes charging around looking impressive. "They'll be knackered at this rate," I commented to my son.

I don't know what was said in the pre match team talk but that must have gone something like;

"Don't go out on the pitch today and play like your a Championship side. Don't stretch them all over the park, don't knock the ball around and make them chase it and most of all don't exert your superior skills and sharpness on a team that are two divisions lower than we are."

All credit goes to the Watford team's loyalty to their manager - they carried out his instructions to the letter - apart from the odd glimpse of obvious talent - they were S**te!!

Half time; Cobblers 3 Watford 1 - YES!
Michael Jacobs 1-0
Michael Jacobs 2-0, this boy is talented. He is exciting to watch on the ball and there is a buzz in the crowd whenever he get's it. He's a product of the youth team. Hope expectations are not too high too soon, but we'll take it as it comes. Class.
Danny Graham 2-1, Defence caught square by a slide rule pass, neat finish.
Tadgh Purcell 3-1, deserved his goal, has worked hard this half and should add quite a few goals this season.

Watford team talk half time;

"Ok lads a jokes a joke. Forget everything I said at the beginning!"

I'm seated within chatting distance of a Watford fan - (looked like an ex player but didn't go there). We started chatting and he informs me that the team on the park will be the Watford starting eleven for most of the coming season, they have nothing else apart from a few kids. They will struggle this year to stay up. He is impressed with The Cobblers today and says we should have a good season. Nice balanced team put together by Sammo. I am thinking he has summed up my thoughts entirely!

Cobblers made a couple of substitutions replacing Purcell with Guinan, McKay with Herbert. New boy John Johnson took the field to replace Paul Rogers. Johnson welcomed back to Sixfields by warm applause and settled into the right back slot as if he owned it.

Substitutions led to change of the game. It seemed to me that Guinan spent most of his time on the pitch moaning and whingeing. He's on the list if there are any takers.

Watford scored direct from a free kick - using the old "Whilst they're setting they're wall up and before the ref blows his whistle", trick. 3-2

Cobblers try the old "Whilst they're setting they're wall up and before the ref blows his whistle", trick - Hit the post with keeper stranded. Unlucky. (Can't believe a side that had been successful previously with their effort were so switched off to someone having the audacity to try it against them.

Mis hit half volley loops over Cobblers keeper 3-3. If he connected with it, coaches in the car park would have been damaged. They all count I suppose.

My Watford mate can't work out how they have scored three goals without having three shots! "It's a funny old game"

Northampton were impressive today.

Jacobs, (Class act), Harris, (impressive at the back, seemed to be on the end of everything), Thornton, (Industrious), Wedderburn, (Distribution impressive, Colossus for his age), caught the eye for most of the game, but the pleasing thing was the teamwork.

Danny Graham (Watford). Their most impressive player and was a constant threat on the ball. Will surely be snapped up by a better team - looks like he deserves it.

I know it's only a friendly and it's all about fitness but most Cobblers supporters came away with high hopes and anticipation for the season. If we play like this against 2nd division sides, someone will get murdered.

My son is off for his last residential of the year with the National Youth Orchestra on Sunday in preparation for three concerts culminating with a performance at the Royal Albert Hall as part of the BBC proms. He informs me that he is taking his Cobblers shirt away with him to wear in rehearsals. I would like to know if this is the first time a Cobblers shirt will be aired at such a gathering. He is wearing it with pride and keen to show his allegiance to the cause. Good lad.

It's rather ironic that the NYO are staying in Birmingham for two weeks and he will unfortunately miss the next friendly against Birmingham City.

Need to find another convert to the course for next week - wonder what my wife's doing Sunday afternoon?

"Come On Cobblers"

It's my son's last year at home before he goes off to university.

"Why don't you do something as a Father / Son for his last year" suggests my wife.

Now, as some of you will identify, relating to a seventeen year old with attitude is never easy. However, we do share an interest in sport in general, football in particular.

"Why don't we spend your last year before Uni, doing something useful together - Let's get season tickets for Northamton Town F.C."

Yes you read it right - Northampton Town F.C. English football league. Division Two. (That's "The Cobblers" for the uninitiated, based on Northampton's heritage gone by as the nations capital for the shoemaking industry).

Now, I'm born and bred in Northampton and have been a lifelong follower. Supported them fairly often with my dad as a child, until I was forced to emigrate to Reading just 'cause my parents moved. (I was only ten at the time so there were no other options!).

Tainted by my parents, my brother, my sister in law, my nephews, nieces and all their mates, my son on the other hand has been following Reading FC. (all above mentioned have been season ticket holders and have bribed him into supporting Reading).

The battle is on. Over the course of the next 46 league games can he be swayed from the dark side to see the light that is Northampton Town.

It's bound to be a journey with it's highs and lows, and like all football supporters across the world, expectations are always high before a ball is kicked in anger, it's only as the season unfolds that you either question your own sanity or suddenly realise that your judgement and assesment of the team before your very eyes is sound, and that football management should have been your chosen career!

So it's time to start the conversion.

21st July - Pre-season friendly; The Cobblers v Coventry City
This is a bonus - a warm summers evening to watch a football match - very pleasant. The visitors this evening to Sixfields, (home ground of the mighty Northamptoin Town FC, capacity 7653 (all seater!!!), are near neighbours from up the M45, Coventry City.

We're only using two sides of the ground tonight - One end filled with Coventry supporters, (probably a quiet night in Coventry on Wednesdays), and the West Stand scattered with Northampton Town die-hards, press-men and men in suits.

The strange thing about football is that quite often you can be on the back foot before the game has started - well in this case Coventry scored an early goal - don't think we'd been in there half!

1-0 down is not great this early, it's uphill from here lads!

Now this is one thing I am going to enjoy for the season - life around the stadium!!

They say that there's "Nowt as queer as folks, " which leads to some interesting observations.

I am only a newbie season ticket holder and am interested in what it takes to voice your support for your team.

After 90 minutes I now know that all you have to say is "Come On Cobblers", "Stay tight", "That's it".

Well that's all the bloke sat near me said all night - over and over and over again. At one point I'm sure the players were fed up hearing him cause all the play was condensed over the far side of the pitch. Doesn't matter though - you just have to shout it louder!! (If he's my regular season ticket neighbour, I will spend one match counting the "Come on Cobblers!!!!"

What else happened - well we had plenty of possesion without looking threatening. We can boast a fairly good mix of youth, with promise, and experience, with experience. (Never sure what of, but they have experience).

Half time refreshments were cold, (very welcome). My son shared his chips, (it's a father son bonding moment), then I realised why he shared them - they were crap and it's the last time I'm forking out £3.00 on chips!

Hot news get me Sky Sports! - "Messi" spotted in crowd at Sixfields. Realised after a few minutes that it wasn't really Lionel Messi but some kid with a Barcelona shirt - ah well we can dream - he must be out of contract sometime!!!

Coventry missed a sitter in front of their own fans - early contender for miss of the season - 4 metres out - open goal - cleared his own supporters and the stand - new ball please!

Things look promising for the season ahead and we will win more than we lose. Football was neat and positive. Bit more work on creating an opening and we should be on our way.

My son is smiling at the end and enthused by what he has seen - looking forward to the next home game (Watford, they lost to Barnet tonight so it should be easy then!!!!!).

"Come On Cobblers"