The Hotel End

The Hotel End => Cobblers Corner => Topic started by: WadeyCobbler on March 13, 2020, 22:57:33 pm



Title: Memorable Performances
Post by: WadeyCobbler on March 13, 2020, 22:57:33 pm
There's no football to enjoy/endure for 3 weeks so I'm writing a piece for the next fanzine compiling a Cobblers XI based on one off memorable performances. A player could have played 100's of great games for us but I'm trying to select an XI where I remember a special performance/moment that gets a certain player into the team. So, for instance one of my strikers will be Pat Gavin for his very memorable winning goal off his backside to keep us in the Football League in 1993. I think I want Neal Kitson in goal for a performance where my memory is less clear - I think it was a Friday night game where he saved a penalty and near on everyone in the stadium was singing USA, USA. Does anyone else remember that and can tell me the exact match please?
And of course, give me your other memorable performances that could get a player into the XI.
Just a supplementary question - do people read the fanzine? I've been doing a themed Cobblers XI for a number of months now which has been good fun and challenging for my mind recalling the 34 years I've now been watching the Cobblers.


Title: Re: Memorable Performances
Post by: everbrite on March 14, 2020, 10:30:56 am
So many!
0-3 win at CPalace - Holton 3 ! About 1963
3-1 Loss at Millwall 1961 famous for boxing match Gale v Howarth
0-5 Win at Brighton Large and Kurila tremendous
Win against Arsenal 1958?
Holmes winners against Luton and Stevenage
Marquis goal against Oxford
Richards pen against Oxford
Bunns point blank save v Doncaster
Frains 93rd winner
All Richard Hills goals
Mad Michelle giving it large at Port Vale as was O’Donovans thunderbolt goal
Tony’s goal at Dagenham.  Not there - ill
Harvey saving 2 pens v Southampton
Smiths headed goal v Stevenage
Cobbs fans behind goal at Burton 2019 dancing to music played when Burton scorer!
Many many more and can’t remember the bad old days
Upsetting a waitress at Sheffield 21st Cent



Title: Re: Memorable Performances
Post by: Melbourne Cobbler on March 14, 2020, 11:24:05 am
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. The singularly greatest performance in a Cobblers shirt ever was by Eddie McGoldrick, Cambridge away 86-87. 2-0 down at half time we won 3-2 with some cracking individual performances. Eddie absolutely tormented the full back on the right wing in the second half. Every time he took the bloke on (which happened to be right in front of us) we were singing “Eddie, Eddie”. Honestly, the ability on display for what was a fourth division player at that time was unbelievable. Little wonder he went on to play for Arsenal and the Republic of Ireland. I accept I haven’t seen every performance by every player in a Cobblers shirt, but as Brian Clough would have said “who cares”. An absolute privilege to be there and without question my greatest moment as a supporter. It still has the capacity to make the hairs stand up on the back of my neck when I think about it even now, over 30 years later. Thank you Eddie, I still love you!


Title: Re: Memorable Performances
Post by: Tabasco Kid on March 14, 2020, 12:32:53 pm
Heggs against Bristol Rovers. Socks down masterclass. "Three one and you fcuked it up"
David Seal against Bristol City, Woody took a goal kick, Seal trapped it, turned and volleyed it from the half way line. Goalie never stood a chance, watching it cannon off of the crossbar and over. Stunned silence from everybody, before applause from both sets of fans.
Marc Richards banging four in away at Macclesfield.
Sammo scuffing the ball in away at Peterboro. Delirium in the away end. And I got soaked on the way home. Didnt do my sheepskin flying jacket any good.
JJ with one turn, bemusing the entire midfield away at Oxford a couple of years ago.

And if you want to extend the perimeters of the subject, Ginolas superb performance for Spurs in the cup, on a very wet tuesday night, and the beer fight in the away bar at MK.


Title: Re: Memorable Performances
Post by: guest3338 on March 14, 2020, 13:06:46 pm
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. The singularly greatest performance in a Cobblers shirt ever was by Eddie McGoldrick, Cambridge away 86-87. 2-0 down at half time we won 3-2 with some cracking individual performances. Eddie absolutely tormented the full back on the right wing in the second half. Every time he took the bloke on (which happened to be right in front of us) we were singing “Eddie, Eddie”. Honestly, the ability on display for what was a fourth division player at that time was unbelievable. Little wonder he went on to play for Arsenal and the Republic of Ireland. I accept I haven’t seen every performance by every player in a Cobblers shirt, but as Brian Clough would have said “who cares”. An absolute privilege to be there and without question my greatest moment as a supporter. It still has the capacity to make the hairs stand up on the back of my neck when I think about it even now, over 30 years later. Thank you Eddie, I still love you!
Better then John Hodge then?!


Title: Re: Memorable Performances
Post by: BackOfTheNet on March 14, 2020, 13:38:48 pm
The single best individual performance I've ever seen in the flesh was at Sixfields - a Marco Gabbiadini masterclass. Sadly he was playing for Darlo at the time but he was awesome that day.

Team performance has to be the second leg of the Playoff semi against Bristol. Nothing has ever come close to that night for spectacle, excitement or atmosphere. And I'll never know what Clarkson was doing in that position in the first place...


Title: Re: Memorable Performances
Post by: St Edmundsbury Cobbler on March 14, 2020, 14:59:45 pm
Gabbiadini away to Cardiff


Title: Re: Memorable Performances
Post by: Tabasco Kid on March 14, 2020, 16:44:11 pm
The single best individual performance I've ever seen in the flesh was at Sixfields - a Marco Gabbiadini masterclass. Sadly he was playing for Darlo at the time but he was awesome that day.
Theres only two times that I have given a standing ovation for an away player. David Ginola for Spurs, and Marco (fat arse and falls down very easy) for Darlo. They were both superb.




Title: Re: Memorable Performances
Post by: Larry on March 14, 2020, 18:09:09 pm
I remember quite a few people applauding Jermaine Beckford when he was substituted following a hat trick for Leeds against us in the FA Cup. It was well deserved.


Title: Re: Memorable Performances
Post by: southofthecounty on March 14, 2020, 18:15:13 pm
Lee Nicholls' penalty save at Cheltenham. Later found out he had researched their penalties, and was confident he could stop it.


Title: Re: Memorable Performances
Post by: Tabasco Kid on March 14, 2020, 19:17:34 pm
Lee Nicholls' penalty save at Cheltenham. Later found out he had researched their penalties, and was confident he could stop it.
Front row of the upper tier west stand, against the Mancs in the cup. Penalty awarded to the red scum, and Lee Lee Lee harper saves it.
I went over the barrier in front , and crashed on the floor. I never did find my wristwatch.. ;D


Title: Re: Memorable Performances
Post by: Melbourne Cobbler on March 14, 2020, 19:55:08 pm

I went over the barrier in front , and crashed on the floor. I never did find my wristwatch.. ;D
Bet it was a Rolex? Probably able to tell the time simultaneously in New York, Paris and Gstaad? Never see a painter & decorator on a push bike do you Kid? 💰💰💰💰💰


Title: Re: Memorable Performances
Post by: EB Claret on March 14, 2020, 20:38:29 pm
Steve 'Whoosh' Terry not noted for his subtlety scoring with an exquisite chip over the keeper at the Hotel End.
At the same end Ian Benjamin nutmegged a defender right on the byline before scoring.
The first glimpse of Kyle Walker's pace and the sound of jaws dropping all around the ground.
Michael Jacobs twisting and turning against (I think) Bristol Rovers, the newly arrived sub ended up on his arse trying to keep up with Crackers and immediately left the field injured!
Richard Hill and Trevor Morley....enough said :)


Title: Re: Memorable Performances
Post by: 1971cobbler on March 14, 2020, 20:58:54 pm
Ian Benjamin's last ever Cobblers goal, v Chesterfield (including his brother Tristan). An absolute screamer into the top corner.


Title: Re: Memorable Performances
Post by: Grove on March 14, 2020, 21:07:03 pm
That Holmes goal at orient, best ive seen live anywhere. Keith Welch, just to see him drop his shoulder and send attackers the wrong way. Rico v Macclesfield that time he scored 4.Sean Parish V Brighton years ago, spent the whole game winding up Warren Aspinall. he scored and ran to the empty end at the Withdean cupping his ear


Title: Re: Memorable Performances
Post by: WadeyCobbler on March 14, 2020, 22:54:50 pm
Some really good memories there. Yeah, Haggs v Bristol Rovers was special. I've got Marc Richards in for his 4 goal haul. I like the Eddie one. Trevor Morley scored a pearler in that Cambridge game too.
There are so many special moments. A few more on the goals front,, Paul Culpin's Marco Van Basten style volley vs Fulham at the CG in 1988, Tony Adcock's chip over the Sunderland keeper away also in 1988. Jamie Forrester vs Brentford opening day I think over the shoulder volley. Martin Aldridge, the first goal at Sixfields. Neil 'Larry' Grayson's 4 minute hatrick in 1997. Kevin Wilkin's first minute screamer vs Chester, first-last game at the CG.


Title: Re: Memorable Performances
Post by: Manwork04 on March 14, 2020, 23:40:27 pm
Steve Berry vs Cov in the FA cup, 8000 in the hotel end.


Title: Re: Memorable Performances
Post by: Tabasco Kid on March 15, 2020, 08:19:11 am
Bet it was a Rolex? Probably able to tell the time simultaneously in New York, Paris and Gstaad? Never see a painter & decorator on a push bike do you Kid? 💰💰💰💰💰
Nah it was just some cheap siht. Just for time keeping purposes, thats all. I am not into this ostentatious lark.
And by the way, I am not a painter, and I phucking hate cyclists.  ;D ;D


Title: Re: Memorable Performances
Post by: Tabasco Kid on March 15, 2020, 08:43:47 am
Bath away. we are getting soaked in the away end, and Steve (Whoosh ) Terry boots it into the gutter of the main stand. Down comes the gutter,and soaks everybody underneath. I have to admit, that I did laugh a lot.


Title: Re: Memorable Performances
Post by: Melbourne Cobbler on March 15, 2020, 09:29:25 am
Nah it was just some cheap siht. Just for time keeping purposes, thats all. I am not into this ostentatious lark.
And by the way, I am not a painter, and I phucking hate cyclists.  ;D ;D
I’m feeling I have completely formed the wrong impression on a number of levels?


Title: Re: Memorable Performances
Post by: Tabasco Kid on March 15, 2020, 10:45:28 am
I’m feeling I have completely formed the wrong impression on a number of levels?
Yep. No hard feelings though. ;D ;D ;D


Title: Re: Memorable Performances
Post by: west stand oap on March 15, 2020, 20:31:46 pm
December 1963 playing in baseball boots on a frozen County Ground and beating Sunderland 5-1 in Division 2. This was the season before we got promoted to the Division 1, we had already won 2-0 at Sunderland and they were promoted that season.
George Hudson scoring against Leeds in Division 1 from a clearance from our 'keeper, Jackie Charlton came to meet the ball and badly misjudged it and it bounced over his head. Hudson who had ran towards the Leeds goal collected the ball and went on to slot it past Gary Sprake.
Our first win in Division 1 which was against West Ham. Everybody says what a great sportsman Bobby Moore was, well he wasn't that day.
Being 2-0 down after 82 minutes against the mighty Northwich Victoria and then scoring 3 times in 4 minutes to win. This also being memorable as it was the day the pub burnt down.


Title: Re: Memorable Performances
Post by: Why? on March 16, 2020, 05:02:59 am
December 1963 playing in baseball boots on a frozen County Ground and beating Sunderland 5-1 in Division 2. This was the season before we got promoted to the Division 1, we had already won 2-0 at Sunderland and they were promoted that season.
George Hudson scoring against Leeds in Division 1 from a clearance from our 'keeper, Jackie Charlton came to meet the ball and badly misjudged it and it bounced over his head. Hudson who had ran towards the Leeds goal collected the ball and went on to slot it past Gary Sprake.
Our first win in Division 1 which was against West Ham. Everybody says what a great sportsman Bobby Moore was, well he wasn't that day.
Being 2-0 down after 82 minutes against the mighty Northwich Victoria and then scoring 3 times in 4 minutes to win. This also being memorable as it was the day the pub burnt down.

Respect to you, from me, someone who wasn't able to attend....  but, I read the reports avidly in neighbours' cast-off Chrons & Green-'Uns of the day.

Do you remember that night against Gillingham in the FA Cup, before we played Villa? Frankie Belfon?  And that Frank Rankmore goal v Tranmere in front of a packed Hotel End, before we played Man Utd?


Title: Re: Memorable Performances
Post by: west stand oap on March 16, 2020, 12:55:20 pm
Why, yes recall the Gillingham game but not the goal scorers. It was a replay that we won 3-2 after a 1-1 draw at Gillingham. Mark Walters scored a rather good goal for Aston Villa when they beat us 1-0 in the 3rd round.
It would be amiss not to mention the great Joe Kiernan for many memorable performances in the top divisions.It often appeared that the ball was tied to his boot as he had such control over it. Everton offered £60,000 for him which was a considerable sum in those days.


Title: Re: Memorable Performances
Post by: BackOfTheNet on March 16, 2020, 19:12:32 pm
One of my favourite ever footballing moments was away at Grimsby on the last day of Calderwood's promotion winning season. They needed a win to join us in the autos and were leading for most of the match. Deep into stoppage time there was a bit of a melee in their area, the ball was cleared and the ref blew his whistle. It was mayhem as they celebrated their promotion and a guy at the side of the pitch opened a huge bag full of black and white balloons that began to fill the sky above the stadium.

Then the ref pointed to the corner. The ball sailed in and Ryan Gilligan tucked it away. I don't think I've ever celebrated a goal as madly in my life as the memory came back into my head of the Grimsby fan who saw my Cobblers shirt and said "you might have the support but we have the team" as we passed each other leaving Wembley. I mean, he was right and the truth hurts. It just doesn't hurt as much as a last minute equaliser.  >:D

And if I live to be a hundred, I'll never forget the image of that guy trying to close the bag of balloons before they all escaped...


Title: Re: Memorable Performances
Post by: Manwork04 on March 16, 2020, 21:35:15 pm
One of my favourite ever footballing moments was away at Grimsby on the last day of Calderwood's promotion winning season. They needed a win to join us in the autos and were leading for most of the match. Deep into stoppage time there was a bit of a melee in their area, the ball was cleared and the ref blew his whistle. It was mayhem as they celebrated their promotion and a guy at the side of the pitch opened a huge bag full of black and white balloons that began to fill the sky above the stadium.

Then the ref pointed to the corner. The ball sailed in and Ryan Gilligan tucked it away. I don't think I've ever celebrated a goal as madly in my life as the memory came back into my head of the Grimsby fan who saw my Cobblers shirt and said "you might have the support but we have the team" as we passed each other leaving Wembley. I mean, he was right and the truth hurts. It just doesn't hurt as much as a last minute equaliser.  >:D

And if I live to be a hundred, I'll never forget the image of that guy trying to close the bag of balloons before they all escaped...
I was there that day, it got very tasty outside I seem to remember.


Title: Re: Memorable Performances
Post by: WadeyCobbler on March 16, 2020, 22:18:11 pm
One of my favourite ever footballing moments was away at Grimsby on the last day of Calderwood's promotion winning season. They needed a win to join us in the autos and were leading for most of the match. Deep into stoppage time there was a bit of a melee in their area, the ball was cleared and the ref blew his whistle. It was mayhem as they celebrated their promotion and a guy at the side of the pitch opened a huge bag full of black and white balloons that began to fill the sky above the stadium.

Then the ref pointed to the corner. The ball sailed in and Ryan Gilligan tucked it away. I don't think I've ever celebrated a goal as madly in my life as the memory came back into my head of the Grimsby fan who saw my Cobblers shirt and said "you might have the support but we have the team" as we passed each other leaving Wembley. I mean, he was right and the truth hurts. It just doesn't hurt as much as a last minute equaliser.  >:D

And if I live to be a hundred, I'll never forget the image of that guy trying to close the bag of balloons before they all escaped...

I do remember that. It was one of the funniest things I've seen as a Cobblers fan. The only downside was that we didn't get a chance to see our promotion winning heroes after the game due to the pitch invasion and general ugly feeling. The players had to slope off. Am I right in thinking Grimsby lost in the play offs and then relegated out of the League altogether within a year or two of that?


Title: Re: Memorable Performances
Post by: WadeyCobbler on March 16, 2020, 22:20:04 pm
Stil hoping someone can recall the game I referred to re. Neil Kitson and the penalty save. Thanks


Title: Re: Memorable Performances
Post by: guest3338 on March 16, 2020, 22:56:03 pm
I was there that day, it got very tasty outside I seem to remember.
I took a mate from Germany to that one with me. I've never forgotten the look of horror on his face as we exited the stadium.


Title: Re: Memorable Performances
Post by: EB Claret on March 16, 2020, 23:29:33 pm
One of my favourite ever footballing moments was away at Grimsby on the last day of Calderwood's promotion winning season. They needed a win to join us in the autos and were leading for most of the match. Deep into stoppage time there was a bit of a melee in their area, the ball was cleared and the ref blew his whistle. It was mayhem as they celebrated their promotion and a guy at the side of the pitch opened a huge bag full of black and white balloons that began to fill the sky above the stadium.

Then the ref pointed to the corner. The ball sailed in and Ryan Gilligan tucked it away. I don't think I've ever celebrated a goal as madly in my life as the memory came back into my head of the Grimsby fan who saw my Cobblers shirt and said "you might have the support but we have the team" as we passed each other leaving Wembley. I mean, he was right and the truth hurts. It just doesn't hurt as much as a last minute equaliser.  >:D

And if I live to be a hundred, I'll never forget the image of that guy trying to close the bag of balloons before they all escaped...

May 7th 2006, my 50th birthday. Chauffeured to and back from the game, wife had marquee put in the garden for a party in the evening. Good Day!


Title: Re: Memorable Performances
Post by: CobblerForever on March 17, 2020, 00:14:49 am
There's no football to enjoy/endure for 3 weeks so I'm writing a piece for the next fanzine compiling a Cobblers XI based on one off memorable performances. A player could have played 100's of great games for us but I'm trying to select an XI where I remember a special performance/moment that gets a certain player into the team. So, for instance one of my strikers will be Pat Gavin for his very memorable winning goal off his backside to keep us in the Football League in 1993. I think I want Neal Kitson in goal for a performance where my memory is less clear - I think it was a Friday night game where he saved a penalty and near on everyone in the stadium was singing USA, USA. Does anyone else remember that and can tell me the exact match please?
And of course, give me your other memorable performances that could get a player into the XI.
Just a supplementary question - do people read the fanzine? I've been doing a themed Cobblers XI for a number of months now which has been good fun and challenging for my mind recalling the 34 years I've now been watching the Cobblers.

Neal Kitson - does this help ?

 However, in late January 2012 he exercised an escape clause in his contract and signed with Northampton Town of the English Football League Two on a free transfer.[10]
He made his debut on 31 March against Crewe Alexandra, and with the scores tied at one each, saved a stoppage time penalty to secure a draw.[11] In his second match on 6 April, Kitson again saved a penalty during Northampton's 2–1 win over Oxford United.[12]
He had his contract with the club terminated and returned home for personal family reasons in August 2012.

From Wikipedia


Title: Re: Memorable Performances
Post by: WadeyCobbler on March 17, 2020, 22:24:58 pm
Neal Kitson - does this help ?

 However, in late January 2012 he exercised an escape clause in his contract and signed with Northampton Town of the English Football League Two on a free transfer.[10]
He made his debut on 31 March against Crewe Alexandra, and with the scores tied at one each, saved a stoppage time penalty to secure a draw.[11] In his second match on 6 April, Kitson again saved a penalty during Northampton's 2–1 win over Oxford United.[12]
He had his contract with the club terminated and returned home for personal family reasons in August 2012.

From Wikipedia

Yes, it will have been the Oxford game. Thanks very much.