Message #425597

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My first game was in about 1960 when the Cobblers beat Oldham 8-0 and I thought that if football is like this, then it is worth watching.  As the team moved up the divisions my view at games was obstructed by the crowds and I gave up.  I seem to remember watching a game against perhaps Crystal Palace.  The Cobblers got a penalty awarded and I did not see it being taken.  I had to ask somebody what happened.  After that I gave up going.  I would stand in the garden, which was about a mile away, and could hear the groans and cheers.    

Coincidentally I returned to watch the Cobblers when they played Brighton in the league cup and beat them 8-0.  I missed the season in division 1 because I had a part-time job on Saturdays and in the evenings.

As the Cobblers slipped down the divisions there was space again in the Hotel End.  I could see the games and players again.  You could see their faults and their strengths.  

For a short time Dave Bowen looked as though he would get the Cobblers promoted.  Then things hit rock bottom until Bill Dodgin arrived.  Around that time I got a season ticket for a couple of years.   Because of work, I could sit in the stands to watch the reserve games.  Johnny Petts played in one game and tried to jump over the rope on the cricket side to retrieve the ball.  His trailing leg caught the rope and he fell flat on his face.  Getting up, Petts looked at the rope and tried again with the same result.  Most of the first team were in the stands watching and were in hysterics.  I do not remember which game it was, only that Johnny Petts tripped over the rope and the Cobblers' players could not believe what they had just seen.

Dodgin's team was good but then Crerand took over.  Normal service was resumed.  We then got Graham Carr and that was exciting football.  I had moved away from Northamptonshire, but went to home games and away games that were near to me.  

We had the Atkins period again after hitting rock bottom.  

The rest is a bit of a blur now.  Exactly who was in which team etc  and when the Cobblers got promoted, but who cares?

I did not see the First Division season but I saw Johnny Petts trip over the rope on the cricket side.  John Buchanan was outside one of the northern clubs looking at the crowd and muttered that we could do with a few more.  At the old Wigan stadium a Wigan player kicked the ball away with such venom and it hit a Cobblers' player.  I was on the terraces and the Wigan player shouted to me "I think he stopped that!"  

Coming up to date and the Cobblers were struggling again when Ady Boothroyd took over.  Matt Duke dryly said "You need a bit a of tension.  That's what makes the world go round."

I do not expect miracles from the Cobblers.  I know that they will struggle for at least this season.  Covid has not helped.  However, if I lived locally, I would not think about getting a season ticket now.  If the Cobblers were playing away, I would probably watch a non league team like Brackley.  You see players who are good and they can take a bump without needing a lot of treatment.  Che Adams was the last stand out player that I saw when he was at Ilkeston.  

Matt Duke summed it up, you need a bit of tension!