Cobblers Comments
June 2000

Ray at 0:39:27 Saturday July 1 2000
hmmmmm?

Anon at 23:36:29 Friday June 30 2000
Quiet??

hmmmmmm at 23:19:19 Friday June 30 2000
hmmmmmm

Anon at 22:43:30 Friday June 30 2000
I certainly do they really are the green heads of the world

Anon at 22:35:56 Friday June 30 2000
Dont you just hate people who put hmmmmm? As if they know everything.

Anon at 21:35:38 Friday June 30 2000
A man walked into a bar and said to the bartender, "Give me a shot of that green shit you have over there." The bartender said, "I don't know about that, sir, it's pretty strong." The man replied, "Good, give me two shots. I just found out my older son's gay." The bartender understood and gave the man two shots of the green shit. The next night the same man walked into the bar and said, "Give me four shots of that green shit from last night." The bartender said, "Are you sure about that?" The man said, "Yes, I just found out that my younger son is gay." The bartender understood and gave him four shots of the green shit. Then the next night the man went back to the bar and said, "Give me eight shots of that green shit." The bartender said, "I don't think I can do that." The man said, "Please, I had a horrible day." The bartender said, "Doesn't anyone in your family eat pussy?" The man said, "Yeah, my wife."

San Antonio Girl at 21:30:51 Friday June 30 2000
My Sweet Little '66.

Tony at 21:16:12 Friday June 30 2000
I think it was very interesting, the comments I read by Kevin Wilson in the Chronicle and echo, yesterday (or the day before), that Chris Hargreaves signing, happened two weeks ago. It must have been very difficult for all connected with the club to keep quiet for a whole two weeks.

nsb at 21:10:34 Friday June 30 2000
hmmmm like wilkinson all over again.........

Observant of Kingsthorpe at 20:57:54 Friday June 30 2000
Wait till Gabby hsan't scored 5 in the first 3 games Ray he'll be useless and when Forrester hasn't scored a hat trick in the opener on the "glorious 12th" he'll be a 3rd division reject !! These clueless gits have no idea about being supporters they just whinge and moan and have no idea. The only one who has developed this method is our friend MartinW he at least has the nouse to turn around and change his opinion as soon as he is proved wrong!! again and again and again .......

A Fan at 20:56:25 Friday June 30 2000
But Ray, at least if people slag off players on here, there's a chance to reply. Not much chance on the terraces.

nsb at 20:53:6 Friday June 30 2000
i wasnt slagging him off and hes no longer a member o f the team, hence the ex bit

Ray at 20:22:21 Friday June 30 2000
If I didn't believe in Freedom of Speech I'd be deleting all this crap slagging off members of the team.

nsb at 20:21:46 Friday June 30 2000
after the now EX-god carlo

nsb at 20:20:59 Friday June 30 2000
stop complaining about howard he was our 2nd highest goalscorer last year...........

Matt at 19:52:34 Friday June 30 2000
The reason people slag off Steve Howard is because he is nothing more than a workhorse. He may run around a lot but for a man his size he loses too many headers and the ones he does win he doesn't control. As for being peanut brained, it's a good job our brains aren't too heavy as we have to carry them around the country watching every game. I will admit he played quite well towards the end of last year but he will get found out big time this year when the skill factor needs raising.

Anon at 19:2:37 Friday June 30 2000

Danny at 16:39:14 Friday June 30 2000
I see that DEK the Peterborough fan is back. Why do you never have anything good or positive to say about Northampton Town FC?

Crick Cobbler at 15:13:8 Friday June 30 2000
I'm so excited!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bez at 13:6:40 Friday June 30 2000
NSB- What do you call an Italian with a rubber toe? ROBERTO! What is your e-mail address as you didn't leave yours on the one you sent me. I haven't been at work there now for over a month so I am temporarily enjoying the University of Life. Its not as if I have to spend money on anything yet, the season doesn't start for another month or so. Everyone enjoy the feeling of knowing the team for next season, some clubs don't have a manager or have made no signings.

SBJ at 11:54:58 Friday June 30 2000
I hope the friendly against MK is given as much publicity as a friendly can get. I see MK as being an area we can draw big live support from, as long as we show that we're a team worth making the short journey up for. Other local choices for MK people don't look particularly attractive (OK I'm biased). Certainly with the Gabbi etc signings we've shown that the club is now one which can attract quality players and names; the club should milk this for all it's worth and hopefully will pull a few more fans in now, and from new sources too. How about a special signing session with the new lads and some of the others at the new Cobblers shop in CMK before the friendly?

Pog at 11:15:47 Friday June 30 2000
For all those people going to the friendly v milton keynes city, the game is taking place at Wolverton park (on grass), this ground lays just behind Wolverton railway station, Between the railway and canal. are we not playing Raunds town this year?

richie at 10:55:55 Friday June 30 2000
GOOD LUCK northampton town and all your supporters, for the comming season. from your supporters in new zealand.GO THE COBBLERS"""""""" Q: why do they not allow englishmen to own dogs? ans; because they cannot hold a lead,

A Lurking Voice from the past at 10:34:16 Friday June 30 2000
Will don't worry about gOLDIE (doh) he's an old skinhead racist "bigot" from way back. He spewed a load of condemnation when he got his arse kicked away from home last season though....hee hee, twat that he is

Anon at 10:7:17 Friday June 30 2000
Hey - come on guys - this is reasonable, sensible debate!

Will at 9:46:44 Friday June 30 2000
Goldie, I'm not one of Rob's 'sheep', but I know who he is. Loud? yes. But I've never witnessed him cross the line between vociferous criticism and mindless abuse. I'm prepared to believe that he called for Atkins' head (but so did 90% of us). Perhaps you have an axe to grind, because what you posted about him does not ring true. Interesting that you should use the word bigot in relation to him, as I know he has upset a few racist bigots by challenging them. If you are prepared to say on the internet that Rob was so abusive, why didn't you tell the club at the time? It's a cheap shot to throw mud on the web, but if it was really so bad you could have told the club and I'm sure they would have acted. The fact that you didn't would lead me to believe that you are just making it up.

Paul S at 8:47:35 Friday June 30 2000
While I'm not saying promotion is inevitable, it's the people on here who are happy to settle for mid table obscurity that lack ambition. We should always strive for promotion, even one season in division 1 will increase our income by at 2.7 million pounds in TV money alone. Since we have had sensible financial management by the board most of this money would be available for playing staff.

Cheerleader at 8:42:24 Friday June 30 2000
The Cobblers crowd has always had its the boo boys. Most clubs do including those clubs hyped up in the press like Newcastle for their "wonderful supporters". Why they watch football who knows and I would like to say who cares. But when they have a go at players like Steve Howard giving their all let them know what you think of their peanut brains. The Cobblers don't want these so called supporters and we don't need them. We are moving forward as a club and better quality players are arriving and more will come if we do well. There are bound to be some departures over time but with the squad we have there is no rush and I hope Steve Howard stays, he was a revelation once he had Forrester to play off him.

Ray at 8:24:50 Friday June 30 2000
As far as I know the Football Trust doesn't exist any more and has been replaced by the Football Foundation - which works differently in the way it deals out the cash.

mistery backer at 1:34:27 Friday June 30 2000
is some builder from the town BIG BUILDING FIRM can't remember his name me dad did tell me. Anyway we're off to watch the diamonds underachieve again, have fun many leagues above us. and yes we know we'll always be non-league and yes we know we'll go nowhere with Talbot. thanks and goodnight :0)

Northampton Gas at 0:20:49 Friday June 30 2000
TCMP. I was under the impression that the Football Trust was shortly to be wound up, with no successor yet mentioned. Can you clarify this, as this not only affects The Cobblers who now want to move forward with developments, but many other smaller clubs. It would be just great if the smaller clubs who now want a "slice of the funds" after the big boys have had their's, only now to be told it is too late.

Anon at 0:8:31 Friday June 30 2000
Has anyone heard the rumour about one of Griggsy's sons being behind the recent cash influx?

AL at 0:4:58 Friday June 30 2000
DEK you do not know what you are talking aboutgranted KW had a bit of a wobble at end of the year and through most of Jan and Feb and even Mar ae regards away games but you could put this down to inexperience and wanting to entertain he has learnt by his mistakes (which is somthing that Atkins was incapable of) and consequently will be a better manager for. Roll on the beginning of the season *****COME ON COBBLERS*****

Anon at 23:56:21 Thursday June 29 2000
Steve Howard is god and he will be our first Ł1m player if we stick with him

gOLDIE at 23:47:12 Thursday June 29 2000
Ray I thought you spoke sense, the West Stand would be emptied and one of the biggest boo boys is the fanzine editor, so get him out first he made me feel sick with all the Atkins vile stuff that came from his mouth!!! He was total bigot and upset many people I remember a night game when someone squared up to him in the West Stand due to his foul outbursts (I know hes got his supporters - the sheep!)

R S Re Peaceman at 23:23:3 Thursday June 29 2000
I couldn't have put it better myself.They are usually spineless gobby pricks who shut up or cry when confronted.

Ray at 23:9:25 Thursday June 29 2000
The Club have already said that they will taken action against persistent "boo boys" - so just tell them the seat numbers involved.

Frank Large at 23:6:15 Thursday June 29 2000
The clock is ticking,and I can't get to a game till reading at home.shit ,I hate the close season.

PeaceMan at 22:53:8 Thursday June 29 2000
Still the moaners moan! Steve Howard played a vital role in getting us promoted. All the 'Alberts' had their bile rammed firmly down their throats by a man who didn't hide but came back stronger and more determined and typified the spirit within the team. The low point of the season for me was at the Withdean Stadium when the 'Alberts' hurled abuse at Steve when he came on as sub and people who should have known better began to join in, I hope they at least will not be swayed in the future. The look of bewilderment on Ian Hendon's face towards the barrackers said it all for me. I tell you something, if you start around me next season don't be surprised to get a belt in the mouth, I mean it! Get off of the guys back or piss off and don't give me the crap about I've paid for me ticket blah, blah. If a whack in the gob doesn't work then I would suggest withdrawing your ticket on the grounds of foul and abuse behaviour likely to cause a disturbance of your teeth.

Stew at 22:38:39 Thursday June 29 2000
Anon 2. You are right that Woody went to Boro on transfer deadline day, but he went back to Brentford 2 weeks later when the first choice keeper got injured. As far as i know he's still there. I personally would not bring him back. Welch is a better option in my eyes and let's see if we can get O'Reily back as he looks a good long term bet

mick at 21:54:19 Thursday June 29 2000
Those of you who took italy at 7-1 at the start can now begin scouring the shelves of Dixons for their reward. Cobblers still advertised at 33-1 for Div 2, and here's a tip to increase those odds. If you want to bet, say Ł50, go to an independent bookie in the morning when the manager is likely to be around, and ask for the odds for Ł25 on The Cobblers. He will reply 33-1. Then suggest, say 40-1 if you up it to Ł50. They always agree. They see it as a sucker bet with plenty of time to lay it off if there's the slightest chance of it paying out. I managed to get 50-1 but it took some persuading.

DEK at 21:32:51 Thursday June 29 2000
For those who say we would have been champions if Atkins had not been there for the first ten games - CRAP, until the last six games of the season we never beat any team in form. Of our first 10 games, most were against either top sides, Rotherham (twice), Shitborough or teams that were relegated with us. Next season is when we judge Wilson against what Atkins achieved. I hope that Wilson can learn and develop his own style because last season he simply did not have a clue. The play-offs are possibly not A good idea, we must settle in the Second and increase the ground capacity. The ground is the key area for future longterm success as money rules.

Big Jim at 21:28:22 Thursday June 29 2000
Everybody should realise,but not forget that Mr Mcritchie and Theo left along time ago.I think we should all let the past go and move on as we see the board has in signing new and professional blood.A lot of people on this page probably have only heard of that Fat man,but I personally feel we shouldn`t bother with putting the blame totally in his direction but to the administration at that time .The club now is a more professional,astute and glamourous outfit which in time will have a lot of success both on and off of the field.Please don`t think however I condone what McRitchie did because that`s not true.I was (and still am) a fan then,so I saw what can happen when supporters place their trust and money in a hoodwinkers hand.I hope we all agree and stop this boring ,paranoid chatter of THE FATMAN.After all this is what he wants,publicity and attention!!!!!!!SO LONG LIVE THE COBBLERS LONG LIVE king kev

DEK at 21:22:43 Thursday June 29 2000
Still not a Wilson fan, but he does bring in quality players, well done Kevin. He certainly TALKS a good game. How people can say we play attacking football is beyond me. Yes we got promotion, but by Atkins tactics !! 5 defenders, 3 defending midfielders and 2 strikers to hopefully win the game, which they did. He did what he (Wilson) had to do to get promotion, will he now play an expansive game and go back to 4-4-2, which was never suited to a squad last year.

worth a go at 21:18:58 Thursday June 29 2000
If you want total class listening, try The Beta Band or The Animalhouse. Both great and future giants. Oh and don't forget the new King Biscuit (ex Beta member)

nsb at 21:16:37 Thursday June 29 2000
YES, finaly italy are on the winning end of a penalty shoot out.... thats what holland get for putting arsenal people in their team!

Tartan Flask at 21:1:8 Thursday June 29 2000
Would the person who claimed that the Clint Boon album and Shorley Wall EP were class please stand up and take their credit. And also can they tell me what else to buy next, just bought the Inspirals greatest hits (tops)

Derby Cobbler at 20:48:24 Thursday June 29 2000
Anyone know the web address for the second division message board?

Andy at 20:25:56 Thursday June 29 2000
MertinW The words loyalty, belief or trust don't seem to come into it, do they?

MartinW at 20:15:4 Thursday June 29 2000
Still haven't calmed down. Especially when Willo says: "The game’s moving on and there’s no point standing there and letting it go past you. “I’m a positive manager, and I believe that we should go with it and try, and if we fail, we fail. But at least we’re going for it.” Good on him. In my book if Willo keeps us up he will have surpassed Atkins. He already scores highly in getting us AUTOMATIC promotion. And well THOSE signings. What a season to look forward to - a far cry from the close season last season. All you can ask for is the sort of positive attitude that Willo has. I think entertaining times lie ahead. Not think, know.

Anon2 at 20:6:30 Thursday June 29 2000
Andy Woodman won't be playing for Brentford because he went to poo during the transfer deadline

Harry H. Henderson at 19:56:4 Thursday June 29 2000
Howey, Hendon, Hunt, Hunter, Hughs, Howard, Hodge and Hargreaves. What the hell was Wilson thinking of when he signed Forrester and Gabbiadini? He has completely ruined our chances of being the first team in the history of English football to have all the team members with the same surname initial. That is unforgivable! WILSON OUT WILSON OUT!

Cobbler in the West at 19:55:40 Thursday June 29 2000
If supporters turn up at Sixfields, and they will with these new signings, I don't think we need worry about financial problems.

Derby Cobbler at 19:51:14 Thursday June 29 2000
At least the Dutch are worse penalty takers than us English

Derby Cobbler at 19:47:29 Thursday June 29 2000
Great news about the 3 signings. They are all quality players who will no doubt be good signings for us. That apart though i hope the board have the cash to finance these signings. Ł150K for Forrester is a lot of money for us, even though he is one of the best strikers i've seen at sixfields. I've also heard that Gabbiadini is on between 2 and 3 grand a week. Don't get me wrong i'm as excited by these signings as any other cobblers fan, but i don't want to see us get back into the financial state we were in under McRitchie.

Derby Cobbler at 19:36:2 Thursday June 29 2000
Yeah Phil. Those are the numbers the players willwear next season.

Philip Hudson at 18:31:21 Thursday June 29 2000
Even though the squad numbers aren't released just yet are 18 10 and 12 the numbers the new signings will be wearing?

SBJ at 15:18:34 Thursday June 29 2000
Andy C, you're right about the div2 - div3 gap. I think we only dropped last season because of the generally poor quality of the play throughout the season, and the under-achievement / injuries of a couple of key players. Now the squad has been strengthened, not just by this week's signings but also by the other players Kev W brought in from November onwards. I think this will make all the difference to our chances of staying up: what was essentially a decent second division squad has been relegated, then strengthened and re-enthused by new playing style and revitalisation of key figures (e.g. Savage), and is surely now in a good position to put in a good run in div 2 this season. Not promotion I think, but maybe pushing for a play-off spot the whole way. After all, if we hadn't given the other teams in div 3 that multiple-game head start under Atkins last season, the title could have been ours by 10 points plus . . .

Andy C at 14:39:24 Thursday June 29 2000
Just a word of caution for those of you who are talking of winning promotion two years in a row. Last year it was Cardiff and Brentford fans who thought their teams could set the Second Division alight and look where they finished. Recent history shows that there is a gap between the Second and Third Divisions that it's hard to bridge. It looks like Kevin Wilson is going about it the right way and I expect you to survive, but at this stage I'd have my money on Stoke, Reading and Wigan taking the three promotion places, with the Bristol clubs, Wrexham and Walsall close behind, which doesn't leave much room for you! I still reckon you could do with another top quality striker. We'll sell you Christian Lee at a very reasonable price...

Tinker at 14:21:6 Thursday June 29 2000
I should think Woodman would be as welcome as a fart in a spacesuite the way he slagged the board off after he left.

nsb at 13:59:23 Thursday June 29 2000
on the subject of a new keeper, lets buy woody back since nobody else seems to want him any more

nsb at 13:50:17 Thursday June 29 2000
what is it then bez........ not with brantano any more then?

Lancaster Cobbler at 13:42:18 Thursday June 29 2000
I cannot see Hodge going, with the new boys our squad is only 24!

dyl at 13:34:1 Thursday June 29 2000
Forget the S.a.S of Sutton and Shearer. We have F.a.G!

Vince at 13:21:37 Thursday June 29 2000
.....and Wilson has probably some "unloading" to do - any 2 from Hodge, Howard and Hunt?

Anon at 13:20:27 Thursday June 29 2000
Stand him in the middle of goal - nothing would get past.

Carl at 13:19:50 Thursday June 29 2000
Just read the two pages on the Chronicles web site about the signings, goose bumps all round yet again.

Vince at 13:17:39 Thursday June 29 2000
The present board have never lacked ambition but quite rightly did not agree to sign every player that Atkins wanted. Atkins tried to sign Forrester but I guess he had a better offer from Utrecht. Wilson does seems to attract better players and this may be because he plays a more attacking game and allows players to express themselves rather than working to a totally fixed game plan. Can you imagine the likes of Gabbiadini wanting to rush back and defend everytime a corner is conceded?

Be fair at 13:17:27 Thursday June 29 2000
players would have been bought under Atkins, its just they'd all be defenders or defensive midfielders

Carl at 12:49:36 Thursday June 29 2000
Lancaster Cobbler that's a bloody good point. Did they only lack ambition when he was there? I don't think any of the new fellas would have come to us if he was still in charge. Hmmmm.....

Pompey Cobbler at 12:36:19 Thursday June 29 2000
Anon - I can not believe you find it necessary to slate Steve Howard. After seeing him a few times at the start of the season I was sceptical of his ability - but by the end of the season he had matured into an excellent player - his performance at Torquay was absolutely fantastic. Why, in a week when we have made two great and progressive signings, you feel the need to post such a negative and unfounded message is beyond me - I suggest you go and support someone else. Sorry that this is a tired old Steve Howard debate again but some folk really rile me.

Lancaster Cobbler at 12:20:50 Thursday June 29 2000
I remember Atkins saying the board lacked ambition, how wrong

Carl at 12:20:43 Thursday June 29 2000
CIJ so Roy Hunter is out on his ear then? Selection problems are going to be a real issue this season. You never know we might have a Squad Rotation system like Chelsea.

TOP HAT at 12:20:7 Thursday June 29 2000
ANYONE HEARD THE RUMOUR ABOUT IAN WRIGHT COMING AS RESERVE TEAM MANAGER, AND NIGEL SPINK COMING AS SECOND CHOICE KEEPER, HE MUST BE ABOUT 80

CIJ at 12:0:42 Thursday June 29 2000
What is this nominal fee we have had to pay for Marco. I thought he was available on a free???

CIJ at 11:55:32 Thursday June 29 2000
How about this as a starting line up for next season. Welch, Spedding, Howey, Green, Hendon, Frain (In a Paul Ince Role), Hargreaves, Savage (Scholes Role), Hodge, Forrester, Gabbiadini, On the bench; Howard, Sammo, Hope, Hunter, Hunt.

Anon at 11:48:19 Thursday June 29 2000
People sitting near you need a lesson in whats good and whats bad about being a footballer - becuase you all obviously know jack shit!

Anon at 11:25:46 Thursday June 29 2000
Carl of course Howard was happy when the full time whistle blew. He was shagged after 10 minutes. I am as happy as any other that they are up and feel that there is very small room for improvement. But Steve Howard is a joke as half of the people sitting near my SEASON TICKET think too. His goalscoring record speaks for himself and when a club are willing to buy him for the money Carlisle are talking then it's common sense to sell him.

Dyl at 11:23:38 Thursday June 29 2000
Teamtalk is rubbish, I wish people would ignore it. Now that Sibs has pointed out how appalling Teamtalk's journalism is, perhaps we wont have every little rumour repeated on here and the email list.

Sibs at 11:17:16 Thursday June 29 2000
What are Teamtalk on about??? This is from Stoke section....Summer target Craig Liddle has had a Ł1million price tag placed on him by his Second Division chairman. The move comes after reports suggested that Hartlepool were waiting to sign the Northampton defender on a free transfer. Liddle was also linked with moves to Barnsley and Stoke, although a move now seems unlikely due to the asking price. Northampton chairman, George Reynolds said: "Craig still has a year to go on his contract. If Tommy Miller of Hartlepool is valued at Ł700,000, then we want another Ł300,000 for Craig on top of that."

Carl at 11:15:25 Thursday June 29 2000
So now the joy of the last couple of days has diminished we are moving back to slagging off players. Yet again it is the player who won the Player of The Year on this very site, voted for by intelligent normal human beings then along come the dickwads who probably don't go to games and have a go at our Stevie. I hope he stays and I think he will, he could have gone but helped us to promotion and we should be eternally grateful for that. MartinW has changed his opinion on the man, I have had the same opinion about him ever since he has been here, and the look of sheer joy on his face, after the final whistle at Darlington where he scored probably one of the most important goals of the season just proved the mans worth. Don't start with all this nonsense again. As for only being able to head the ball, you really should visit football grounds where NTFC are playing more often.

Anon at 10:49:56 Thursday June 29 2000
truth hurts does it?

Anon at 10:40:17 Thursday June 29 2000
Get lost you twat!

Steve Howard at 10:36:55 Thursday June 29 2000
I don't believe it, all I can do is header a ball and even then the players around me are too good now to whack it downfield. So why am I here? Who cares I'm still getting paid and Carlisle want me. I can't loose. I can't llllooossseee!

bod at 10:11:57 Thursday June 29 2000
now you have got a fantastic football team its time to adapt the stadium to a 15 thousand all seater

Bez at 9:37:9 Thursday June 29 2000
NSB - No that isn't my e-mail address, there isn't a server that will let me have that address. Oh, and I become unemployed at 3pm today!!! DANNY - Whenever I see a Diamonds shirt in Wellingborough I just break into song about either Gabbiadini or the classic 'Oh Jamie, Jamie - Jamie, Jamie, Jamie, Jamie FORRESTER. For some reason they either totally ignore me or say 'Your still crap.' Also for some reason Posh fans seem to think Clarke is a good player, although we know from seeing him play 1st hand he isn't AND the you've only got 2 good players now thing. Welch is a 1st Division keeper, Hendon maybe around there, Sampson kept Ian Wright in his pomp quiet (although not Hartson), Frain played there for years, Howard (great to keep tactically as he is another balanced option)is improving, Hargreaves has played there, Spedding has played in the Premiership, and Savage was a Republic of Ireland International ETC. ETC. ETC. I hope Posh fans understand my point. We, for a change, haven't sold our talent whereas Davies and Etherington have been. QUAD ERAT DEMONSTRANDUM!

SBJ at 9:32:42 Thursday June 29 2000
Good point about the space, Carl: div 3 is quite similar to parks footie, with no time given to any player on the ball, and plenty of running and scrapping. Moving up to div 2 is a step towards the more patient, skilful play of the higher divisions. Hopefully we'll be able to benefit from it this time around; not wanting to detract from Atkins' achievement in getting us to the div 2 play-offs, but I do think the passing and penetrating style of play Kev has developed will suit us to long-term div 2 life better than the Atkins style did.

Carl at 8:47:54 Thursday June 29 2000
Not according to all the other teams supporters. We will be lucky to stay in Division 2 let alone anything else, according to them. I think that now this will be one of the best NTFC squads for along time, and I'm not convinced that Division 2 is that much different to 3 and that we do have the players who can cope with it, we are now a team who play decent football most of the time. It seems the higher up you go the more space you get, therefore flair players like Savage should make a bit more of a mark, Hodge could be good too if he gets in the team.

Cobbler in the West at 7:54:49 Thursday June 29 2000
When comparing last season's team with this don't forget Hunter & Howey, both missing for much of last season, should be fit and Hodge surely has a part to play. Add to that Gabbiadini, Hargreaves and Forrester (available for 46 not 10 games) and we have a team that should do well in Div 2. Whilst every player at this level must have his price I cannot see the sense in selling Howard. The Howard - Corrazin partnership was not brilliant since they both lack pace and prefer the target man role but once Forrester began to play off Howard we looked a different tem up front. Add to that the pace and strength of Gabbiadini and we should be a force

Small Face at 7:20:23 Thursday June 29 2000
Ogden's Nut Gone Flake!

Tartan Flask at 2:52:29 Thursday June 29 2000
Would the person who claimed that the Clint Boon album and Shorley Wall EP were class please stand up and take their credit. And also can they tell me what else to buy next, just bought the Inspirals greatest hits (tops)

Ray at 1:6:51 Thursday June 29 2000
If anyone could advise of sites that are breaking the rules then please mail me and I'll do something about it.

Deepcut Cobbler at 0:1:4 Thursday June 29 2000
Ray.. Seems like other sites are not playing the game regarding the video footage rulings. Will have to wait for the Football League Extra TV to see the Cobblers new signings putting balls in back of nets. Great news on the tremendous signings, just sad at being too far away to visit Sixfields next season!!! That will not stop the heavy support from afar. Online live written commentary's will be greatly appreciated. COME ON YOU COBBLERS!!!!!!

MartinW at 23:36:7 Wednesday June 28 2000
Super Jamie Forrester: Trying singing Gabby gabby Hey!

MartinW at 23:32:1 Wednesday June 28 2000
Ray, understand what you're saying, but I think getting rid of Corrazin and replaced him with Gabbiadini, is actually a big deal on paper. Gabbiadini scored many more league goals last season than Corrazin. Most punters, in my view, would pay to see Gabbiadini, not just coz he's an entertainer, but also because he deliver. He scored a hat trick against us over the Christmas period and personally was totally bowled over by his class at that game, as I may well have mentioned a few times before. To think he's signed for us, is well, gobsmacking. Also, don't underestimate Hargreaves. We have seen him at Sixfields with Plymouth and he looked like an outstanding passer and creator. In fact when they played at Sixfields he pulled the strings and we should have been beaten except we got a 1-1 draw, so ha.

Ray at 23:9:18 Wednesday June 28 2000
I agree - see my note earlier. As far as the team make-up from the last 10 games or so of last season, all we have actually done is get rid of Corrazin and replace him with Gabbiadini. I'm not too worried about the defence - it held up well at the end of the season and we were still scoring goals.

MartinW at 23:8:59 Wednesday June 28 2000
How can anyone talk about offloading Steve Howard when we are so short squad wise. Frequent readers of this forum will not how I felt about him. And there is no question he showed what he was made of towards the end of last season, and nobody should forget that. He gives us an aeriel option that we may need when we need to grind out results next season. And I am willing to parade naked around Sixfields with nothing but a SHITBOROUGH shirt to cover my modesty if we don't have to grind out a result next season. Safe bet there, Childs' view.

Martin W at 23:5:28 Wednesday June 28 2000
A Child's View: I know you were more positive than I was over this season BEFORE our signings. But then we had not got Phillipa Forrester and Gabriella Sabatini. And really, betting that we would win the Second and that if we didn't you would parade naked with nothing except a Rushden & Diamonds shirt to cover your modesty is a tad excessive. But I think drink addled your memory of that bet and it was not so extreme. I think you said that if we did not finish above Bristol City you would do that. Which is still bloody daring, if you ask me. Still, there is no doubt, I have not ever been so excited about a new season. EVER.

Moaning/Happy Cobbler at 22:56:14 Wednesday June 28 2000
Why is it deemed acceptable for fans to come on this web site and slag off players like Spedding, Savage and Howard yet the board are praised? If Howard is sold next week for say Ł150,000 we will have saved forrester's fee and will have two main strikers whereas we finished last season with three. Will the board still be praised for their ambition then? How many people who have criticised me were calling for the board to go during the Warburton/Heggs and Woodman sagas? I hope the board is ambitious but our loyalty must rest with the players. Slagging off players like Lily who played virtually every game last season is pathetic. Questioning the motives of businessmen is just common sense.

Fred at 22:54:57 Wednesday June 28 2000
Dick Head - why not make yourself known to me and i'll give you the train fare to Carlisle. You and Atkins deserve each other.

MartinW at 22:52:26 Wednesday June 28 2000
What fantastic signings, I'm well over the moon, Des. Great great news. We at last have a forward line which can up the goal factor in the Second Division, no questioon. But can I sound a bell of caution (if that analogy works) about all the talk about us now going on to get promoted. It's a great attitude to have from the players coming in and it is just what Willo should be instiling. But can I say one word - DEFENCE. I know anyone and everyone must be licking their lips about the prospect of next season. And let's not get rid of Steve Howard (shock horror). He may well give us a different option if either Forrester or Gabbiadini go off the boil. We have the strike power, no question. And the entertainment factor is going to be colossal. But anyone who has seen us over a whole season will know that we are not greatly solid in the old back department - see the away defeat at Swansea. And I personally would hate to have to go through a defeat like Cobblers 3 Leyton Orient 4. If it wasn't that, which it probably wasn't, it felt like that. It felt like England getting mugged by Portugal and Romania. No doubt this is in the front of Willo's mind, and with the speculation about us getting Bass from Birmingham kicking about, there may be another signing to toughen up that back division. But, hell, maybe that doesn't matter. All I know, is that I am sure most fans, before those signings, would have settled for us not getting relegated next season. Let's just not get too carried away with hopes of promotion to the First Division just yet. I think that's what I'm trying to say not very well. Och lets.

Esmerelda at 21:48:54 Wednesday June 28 2000
If he has one I'm sure he will, but the season hasn't yet begun therefore you cannot summise that we will be relegated therefore Quasi, grow up and go ring those bells.

Quasimodo (Marco's brother) at 21:37:57 Wednesday June 28 2000
When you get relegated at the end of the forthcoming season will Gabbiadini be invoking his relegation get-out clause?

Anon at 20:46:42 Wednesday June 28 2000
When is the page 'the players' on the official site going to be updated? It still has all the players we started with last season and none of our acquisitions such as Hodge etc. included

Super Jamie Forrester at 19:33:33 Wednesday June 28 2000
Great news about the 3 signings. Looks optimistic for next season but how are we going to sing 'Gabbiadini?'

See what you mean at 19:3:17 Wednesday June 28 2000
About the div2 message board, being a pessamist our first target is survival in div2 not just for this year but from now on.

DICK HEAD at 16:57:20 Wednesday June 28 2000
Bye Bye Howard at 13:5:52 Wednesday June 28 2000 I'll be happy to pay the train fare for Howard up to Carlisle (or anywhere else for that matter) myself. If I was as effective as he at my job I would be out of work very quickly. Hard working he may be, good spirit he might have, but any ability possessed is purely coincidental. He will be found wanting next season. Take the money and run I say.

Babs at 16:48:50 Wednesday June 28 2000
ooooh, Frank! You ARE awful!

Notts County at 16:42:2 Wednesday June 28 2000
The new manager is Jocky Scott - boring I know!!

Danny at 16:8:49 Wednesday June 28 2000
Bez, I already have started taking the pee out of Rushden fans. Started at 9 o'clock this morning when I went up to one at work and said "Duane Darby....... Pah!!!!!"

Cheeky Gits! at 15:47:29 Wednesday June 28 2000
http://uk.sports.yahoo.com/000624/56/abohk.html

Jamie at 15:23:43 Wednesday June 28 2000
Brilliant news on the three signings, pity we can't get Daryl Clare from Grimsby just for added backup and future potential but I suppose thats as far as the funds will stretch. I would like to see Hendon playing in a midfield role rather than defence with the touch and passing delivery he has it might be that little extra we need in midfield to hold the ball up for longer and to feed passes through to Gabbi and Forrester. With Garry Hughes looking more than ready as his replacement in the rightback position after his excellent performances last season it would make interesting viewing. Roll on the new season!!!

Mike at 15:10:42 Wednesday June 28 2000
God it's hard being a Cobblers fan living in Cardiff! But great today with all these signings. Cardiff City fans in the office sick as Parrots, they've spent the whole Summer trying to unload all the dodgy players they bought last year to keep them in the 2nd. I love it!

nsb at 15:5:5 Wednesday June 28 2000
i heard you the first time he he!

richard at 15:3:47 Wednesday June 28 2000
three class players in gabbiadini,forrester and hargreaves well done kevin wilson and the board,remeber the sixtys from the fourth to the first its not impossible to do it again.well done again everyone. positive cobblers supporter.GO YOU COBBLERS.

nsb at 15:2:53 Wednesday June 28 2000
is it too early to start celebrating our second succesive promotion d'you reckon?

nsb at 15:1:26 Wednesday June 28 2000
you can tell ive got bugger all to do now the exams are finished sad old git that i am......

richard at 15:0:22 Wednesday June 28 2000
three class players in gabbiadini,forrester and hargreaves well done kevin wilson and the board,remeber the sixtys from the fourth to the first its not impossible to do it again.well done again everyone. positive cobblers supporter.GO YOU COBBLERS.

nsb at 15:0:9 Wednesday June 28 2000
thers only one gabbiadini!

nsb at 14:57:25 Wednesday June 28 2000
so i take it ally mc coist isnt going to carlisle then he he...... whats the world coming to!

nsb at 14:50:16 Wednesday June 28 2000
after jamies partnership with stevie last season wed be mad to sell him...

Anon at 14:23:13 Wednesday June 28 2000
Well - I suppose that is the sort of comment we can expect from someone who obviously knows nothing about football.

Bye Bye Howard at 13:5:52 Wednesday June 28 2000
I'll be happy to pay the train fare for Howard up to Carlisle (or anywhere else for that matter) myself. If I was as effective as he at my job I would be out of work very quickly. Hard working he may be, good spirit he might have, but any ability possessed is purely coincidental. He will be found wanting next season. Take the money and run I say.

Dyl at 13:1:51 Wednesday June 28 2000
I'm fed up with teamtalk. I'm sure most of what they say is made up, and the rest is rehashed from other sources. They make their money from people ringing them, so they have to have new articles all the time. News must be short at Carlisle so they resurrect this old chestnut. Fine, it's believeable, but where is their supporting evidence?

Vince at 12:11:25 Wednesday June 28 2000
I can't see that Howard would want to go to Carlisle as he didn't want to when he had the chance last season. As for him being "down the pecking order" I would have thought that he will compliment Forrester & Gabbiadini and Wilson would not be unhappy having an extra attacking player in the squad. Having said that every player has a price and if the right deal for a player comes along we could see some of the existing squad leaving particularly as the club will need to keep the wage bill under control now that 3 more players have been added to the squad

Ray at 11:59:55 Wednesday June 28 2000
I seriously hope the board don't take the retrograde step of cutting our strike force. They have earned a great deal of goodwill in the last 24 hours by their forwarding looking approach to the new season. I know business is business and all that but lets hope they don't take a step backwards.

Ray at 11:54:22 Wednesday June 28 2000
I say "HANDS OFF ATKO!"

CIJ at 11:49:17 Wednesday June 28 2000
Great news about the sigings but what does everyone think if this (taken from teamtalk.com) is true???? Howard swoop back on United are to make another move for Northampton Town striker Steve Howard who has been pushed down the pecking order by the Cobblers. Northampton yesterday signed Carlisle target Marco Gabbiadini and broke their transfer record to sign former Leeds striker Jamie Forrester for Ł150,000 from Dutch club Utrecht, leaving Howard's position at the club insecure. Carlisle made an unsuccessful Ł100,000 bid for Howard last season, but now Ian Atkins is the boss at Brunton Park - Atkins being the man who took Howard to Northampton from Hartlepool last year for Ł120,000. Howard, 24, scored ten times for the Cobblers last season, under managers Ian Atkins and then Kevin Wilson, and helped them to promotion to Division Two. But it is understood the northern-born striker would be happy to drop back into the Third Division to move closer to his roots and work with his former manager Atkins, who rates him very highly. United have already missed out on striking targets Luke Beckett and Ally McCoist, and a fresh bid for Howard is almost certain to be made within the next week.

Ray at 11:19:11 Wednesday June 28 2000
The squad listings will all be updated when the dust has settled. In general people will be keeping the same shirt numbers as last year.

Miller at 11:18:42 Wednesday June 28 2000
2 of them !

Lancaster Cobbler at 11:16:49 Wednesday June 28 2000
I think for the first time in ages we will have a 20 goal striker!

The Returning Cobbler at 11:7:26 Wednesday June 28 2000
Well pointed out TRB and the other thing that needs saying is that it's another job well done by Ray and the Club in getting the info out and accesible. The fact that the hard of thinking can't get their heads around a couple of very very easy to follow links is testament to the frustrations suffered by most who try to please with little or no financial reward in the name of Northampton Town FC.Why people can do nothing other than bloody whinge and moan at the efforts of others is beyond me particularly when it is for their benefit and costs them nothing other than a bit of patience and a tiny amount of understanding. Keep up the great work Ray :o )

Sibs at 11:0:3 Wednesday June 28 2000
Great news on the signings!! Looking forward to a succesful Div 2. I'm a bit curious about the squad numbers tho... Gabbi 10 sure, Jamie keeps his no. 18 from last year... Hargreaves 12?? ISn't that Hendon's no.?? Does this mean he's switching to no. 2? I thought no's didn't change once you got one till you leave. Still it's of little importance. Just wish i wasn't in bradford and could afford a season ticket... P.S. Ray... time to change the squad listings on this and official site???

TRB Mark at 10:54:48 Wednesday June 28 2000
Below is a transcript what Kev said at yeesterday's press conference. Looks like our Kev reads "Cobblers Comments" because was'nt it someone on here (poss Rod, the maoning Cobbler) who said about the frontline consisiting on "an old git"? KEVIN WILSON (MANAGER) "While people might know about the other 2, Chris Hargreaves is a wide left player who can give us good quality. He is strong and quick and can deliver telling crosses. I expect Steve Howard, Marco and Jamie to get on the end of them. When you bring people of this quality in, it should make people sit up and notice. The game goes on and upwards and I must thank the Board and the fans for their support in making these signings possible. We are ambitious, and with 3,000 buying a season ticket before we could announce any new players is superb. Talks have taken quite a while, but now we’re looking forward to the season. We need people who will score goals and excite the crowd, and I think we have that. We have a backbone of experience with some great youngsters. Lee Howey will be back and I think we can look forward with confidence. The letter I saw last week said that we only had Steve Howard and old git Wilson up front, hopefully the writer will now renew his season ticket! I didn’t want to bound names about until things are sorted and now they have been I’m delighted. These are all good, exciting signings for Northampton Town." J

matt G at 10:48:7 Wednesday June 28 2000
we now have a team to survive div 2. for sure!

Ray at 10:25:14 Wednesday June 28 2000
Excellent point.

WSJ at 10:22:16 Wednesday June 28 2000
Excited? Just a little!! I thought yesterday's news was better than most expected and I cannot recall a day for positive developments off the pitch like it. I think it may be shrewd business not just because these are quality players but with heightened interest this might attract the finance needed to expand the ground to accommodate new fans who are going to follow the Cobblers.

Anon at 9:55:8 Wednesday June 28 2000
For goodness sake - cant you people understand bloody English - go to the club site and find the information for yourselves.

Anon at 9:46:9 Wednesday June 28 2000
How long is Forester's contract?

Cobbler in the West at 9:40:59 Wednesday June 28 2000
Brilliant signings. Well done the board, Kevin Wilson and all those who bought season tickets to make this possible. As for the doubters.............

Anon at 9:32:18 Wednesday June 28 2000
Dear God thank you for bringing in such quality players to the club. For the first time in a long time of watching cobblers, I'm content with the team right the way through (Provided they play Frain at left back and not Spedding) but other han that we are really looking like a bloody good team team. One point though why bother having Howard to flick balls on? Surely with the quality behind him the ball can be passed into the net unlike previous years. I suggest sell Howard to Carlisle and bring in a reserve keeper and a centre midfielder. Anyway thanks again god.

Anon at 9:30:26 Wednesday June 28 2000
Dear God thank you for bringing in such quality players to the club. For the first time in a long time of watching cobblers, I'm content with the team right the way through (Provided they play Frain at left back and not Spedding) but other han that we are really looking like a bloody good team team. One point though why bother having Howard to flick balls on? Surely with the quality behind him the ball can be passed into the net unlike previous years. I suggest sell Howard to Carlisle and bring in a reserve keeper an a centre midfielder. Anyway thanks again.

Mystic Meg at 8:48:36 Wednesday June 28 2000
I urge everyone to pay a visit to the second division message board!! Makes for interesting reading!!! "www.insidetheweb.com/mbs.cgi/mb938676"

Lancaster Cobbler at 0:33:25 Wednesday June 28 2000
After agreeing to join Exeter! Any news on Heggsy?

Ray at 23:47:39 Tuesday June 27 2000
David Brightwell has signed on a Bosman with Hull City.

Fed up with crap artists anon!! at 23:33:30 Tuesday June 27 2000
Well well well.... didnt take long for the morons to make an appearance now did it! With the long awaited event of some good news this site has gone from moan and groan to just purile crap! Leave it out children.... go play with your toys!

Anon at 23:26:38 Tuesday June 27 2000
AND YOU THINK YOUR GOOD !! DONT MAKE US LAUGH.WHY DID YOU COME BACK DOWN BEFORE ? COS YOUR CRAP. AND YOU STILL ARE CRAP YOU ALWAYS WILL BE CRAP.POSH ARE MILES BETTER. MMM WHATS YOUR AVERAGE CROWD ?TOWN SCUM WE WILL TAKE YOU OUT AGAIN. YOU WERE LUCKY TO GO UP AND WE NEARLY CAUGHT YOU.NO ITS STRAIGHT BACK DOWN FOR YOU.FINGERS CROSSED.

andythecobbler at 23:20:57 Tuesday June 27 2000
To all the sad darlo fans - maybe if you lot had'nt just relied on one good player last season you might have gone up. New season looks bleak for you now - mid table at best eh? To all the POSH fans - don't worry Fry will take ou straight back down - lets face it you just ain't good enough

Anon at 23:20:54 Tuesday June 27 2000
WOW IVE HEARD YOUVE SIGNED FLABBIADINI !! SEE HOW MANY HE DOES`NT SCORE IN DIV 2 THEN BACK TO DIV 3

Anon at 23:18:43 Tuesday June 27 2000
IVE JUST MOVED TO THE AREA AND IM LOOKING FOR A TEAM TO SUPPORT WHO SHOULD I CHOOSE ?

Baz at 23:16:21 Tuesday June 27 2000
I like this idea of having afternoon press conferences. Perhaps P*sh could follow suit. Get Fat Boy to announce that the club are changing their name from United to Relegated.

TRB Mark at 23:13:45 Tuesday June 27 2000
Hello Dave , AKA known as DJ. You'll remember DJ as the Darlo fan we gave him short thrift after he came on here with his condesending prattle after we took 3 points at Feethams. Well poor old DJ has been crying on the internet ever since to anyone who would listen to him. Imagine though, thinking you are promoted, only to be beaten at home by a bunch of "shandy drinkers," who then go into third spot and are ultimately promoted on the last day of the season. You then have to endure the long lonely trek to Wembley on a wet Friday night, only to be beaten by Peturdboro of all teams , and a dodgy goal at that. Just imagine how bitter you would feel, all that time in a promotion spot and you still have to travel to Plymouth. And to put the tin hat on it, your top striker then goes and joins tha team that has become the object of your hate. Thats our Dave, that our DJ

Anon at 23:13:11 Tuesday June 27 2000
ITS QUITE IRONIC YOUR WEBSITE IS DONATED BY BLUE DIAMOND SOLUTIONS !!!!!

DavCobbler at 23:13:0 Tuesday June 27 2000
Happy as Larry.......best news for the TOWN for eons........... !!!! Come on Cobblers !!!!!!!!!!!

Andy at 23:4:14 Tuesday June 27 2000
Wilson has proved today that he is the future for NTFC, Gabbiadini, Forrester and Hargreaves, and the board have chosen wisely in backing him. Bring on Division 1 here we come

Anon at 23:3:25 Tuesday June 27 2000
UP THE APPLES AND PAIRS ME OLD CHINA

Anon at 23:3:9 Tuesday June 27 2000
Wound up Darlo Supporters, If you wanted to keep Gabbiadini you should have won the last match of the season! Thank god you did not! We have Gabbiadini now & only a short trip to S<*+boro, Not a long haul to your mudbath!

Anon at 23:2:22 Tuesday June 27 2000
CAW BLIMEY PASS ME THE JELLIED EELS GUVNOR!!!!

Baz at 23:1:23 Tuesday June 27 2000
Gabbiadini AND Forrester!!! Eat your hearts out P*sh and Dim-ones.

BAZ FRY at 23:0:34 Tuesday June 27 2000
UP THE POSH

nsb at 22:54:53 Tuesday June 27 2000
watered down lemonade more like

Anon at 22:52:45 Tuesday June 27 2000
Darlo bucketmouths, go cry in your watered down beer!

Disaffected Darlo' Ingrates at 22:47:31 Tuesday June 27 2000
Although we Cobblers faithful appreciate the heartache this news will have caused you, as you rightly know, one man does not a footie team make. So give it a rest and look forward to the season ahead. Atleast you have dosh-a-plenty to soften the blow. And anyway, if you like disliked him so intensely, how come you feel the need to purge your souls on this site?

FAT BOY at 22:41:34 Tuesday June 27 2000
He`s just a fat greedy XXXX. Dont ever come back to DARLO.REVENGE WILL BE SWEET.

WHERE IS RODNEY MARSHALL? at 22:40:44 Tuesday June 27 2000
WHERE IS RODNEY MARSHALL? We have put up with your constant moaning over the past couple of weeks, NOW EAT YOUR WORDS!!

Col at 22:29:53 Tuesday June 27 2000
Where are all the pesamistic ones tonight? Doom & gloom merchants have at last shut up! Everyone who have slagged off anyone & everyone should now apologise for the crap they have written on these pages over the past few weeks. Who said the board were short sighted? They have delivered today! It feels like christmas. Roll on the start of the season.

nsb at 22:17:54 Tuesday June 27 2000
whats your e-mail bez? bez@greasylover.com?

nsb at 22:12:9 Tuesday June 27 2000
bez what do you think im gonna do..... piss about and watch marco+jamie beat the shit out of the pish defence!

Tinker at 21:55:17 Tuesday June 27 2000
Well done Kev Wilson, great signing's.Now let everyone who slagged off the board eat there words. They have pushed the boat out big time, let's give them a little praise for once.

IsolatedCobbler at 21:43:5 Tuesday June 27 2000
Oh my God! How good are we going to be?!

Marina at 21:40:39 Tuesday June 27 2000
Bloody Ceefax .....'Wilson confirmed as new Robin's boss'. I nearly choked, but it's OK cos apparently there is some other bloke of that name who we really don't give a toss about.

Pog at 21:24:39 Tuesday June 27 2000
"SPEECHLESS" (Except who is Chris Hargreaves, is he any good !!!!!)

MartinW at 21:20:0 Tuesday June 27 2000
Yup, Marina as Ian Dury once sang: "Reasons to be cheerful, 1-2-3!"

MAD4IT at 21:7:24 Tuesday June 27 2000
only one question remains then how did we buy Gabbiadini and Forrester when we have NO KNOWN MONEY AVAILSBLE have we got a financial backer for these signings ???? ANY WAY UP THE TOWN !! though i wish corrazzin was up front with them (sigh)

ORBITAL Ganja at 20:45:10 Tuesday June 27 2000
This is just the boost we need going into a new season and new division. Excellent work Mr Wilson and all at the club who helped to secure their signatures.

RICHARD at 20:30:59 Tuesday June 27 2000
You beaut', Cobblers! This is such good news I'm tempted to cancel my hols so as not to miss the start of the season yet again!! The extra revenue from increased ticket sales that will result from the spreading of this new signings news will only help to increase our prospects of ground expansion, extra advertising and MAJOR additional sponsorship!!! I've done my bit to help the coffers; I've persuaded a friend of the boy, Chris' to become a season ticket holder - and he's a Man U fan!!!!!

Perkins Posh at 20:19:1 Tuesday June 27 2000
Congratulations on a great signing...Forrester...top man...Gabbiadini ...Old git will still probably do the stuff for ya...BUT 2 players means theres 9 SHITE players left and as long as Hendon's playing Andy Clarke will be happy.....WE BEAT THE WOBBLERS 1-0 (twice)

Hartwell at 20:2:22 Tuesday June 27 2000
The trio of signings is excellent news. Marco and Jamie have the potential to provide us with thirty-odd goals between them - and in the end it is teams with the ability to deliver up front who stand out. I also like the signing of Chris Hargreaves who should provide some additional creativity in midfield, hopefully helping provide Marco and Jamie with the kind of service from which they will profit. I also believe these signings prove to those doubters, once and for all, that the Board is ambitious. After all, we are by no means a wealthy club. Yet to bring in three players of this calibre is a clear demonstration that, as many of us have always maintained, the directors are as committed as the rest of us -- indeed, even more so, as they are often required to put their cash on the line. This should provide a further boost to the already healthy advance ticket sales. And I am sure most of us are rubbing our hands in anticipation of the new season. Rarely have I felt so excited or confident about a coming campaign. If it lives up to expectations - and especially if Jamie and Marco weigh in with good goal quotas - we can expect another season of real progress. I am sure that, after all these years, the Cobblers are well placed to maintain any progress that is made on the pitch. The town is now large enough to sustain a Div One club. The stadium gives us added potential and let us hope that when it is required, the money is somehow found to extend Sixfields. I believe it will be.

Burton Cobbler at 19:59:11 Tuesday June 27 2000
Great News !!!! Let's all go to the bookies, the Cobblers are going up !!!

Russ Marriott - Norwich Cobbler at 19:47:1 Tuesday June 27 2000
Absolutely brilliant news! We must have one of the best forward lines in Div.2.Last season when Carlo was manmarked or not playing we struggled to score - who's the opposition going to mark now? We look full of goal potential now - with Howard,Hunter,Frain,Green,Hendon and Sammo adding a few we look capable of 70 goals in a season. Perhaps this is Kev's plan - 'total footaball' with goals being scored from all over the park. Got to applaud the board - very brave and farsighted this will surely sell more season tickets and probably result in a significant number of sellouts which will put pressure on the need to expand the ground.Its down to us to do our part and encourage the occasional supporter to come more often in the new season - with that forward line it won't be hard! It will be interesting to see the formation Kev plays - will Howard get the Bergkamp roving role behind the front two? Will Welchie shave his head like Bartez!!!.Also interesting will be how the bookies viwe our chances of challenging for promotion.Well done Kev,well done the Board,Come on You Cobblers!!!!!!!

Bez at 19:40:34 Tuesday June 27 2000
NSB, now that you have joined the ranks of the unemployed what are you going to do with your time? I think we should run out at the beginning of the season to 'hallelujah chorus' because after watching rubbish like Greg Campbell, Chris McLean, Morrys Scott, Ian McParland, Dean Trott, Dean Edwards, and Carl Leaburn (yes I remember you the lanky bloke with the touch of Kevin Francis, in fact are you Kevin Francis in disguise?) for the last decade or so we now have a strikeforce that ranks up with Barnes and Adcock or Morley and Benjamin. In fact this is probably THE most exciting thing that has happened at the club since May 26th 1997 at around 4.48pm when John Frain stepped up... Oh sorry no how about Northampton Town 3 - 0 Bristol Rovers, with Heggs, Clarkson and Warburton. Or that moment that Dean Peer scored the equaliser at Watford. Or when we beat West Ham in the Worthington Cup, or the time Sean Parrish lobbed Espen Baardsen against Tottenham or the time Steve Berry scored the winner against Coventry or the goal Chris Lee scored against Cardiff in 1997 or Sean Parrish's for that matter. Oh so many memories and now we can say do you remember when we signed Marco Gabbiadini and Jamie Forrester! Gabbiadini has cost Ł1.8m and Ł1.2m when Roy Keane was worth Ł3m meaning by todays standards thats around Ł7m! I think I am going to go and take the piss out of any Rushden fan I ever see, in fact living in Wollaston that wouldn't exactly be hard would it? DANNY, you are from Wellingborough aren't you? You could too! I now have a name to put on the back of my brand spanking new Cobblers shirt. G A B B I A D I N I + 1 0 = 10 letters and 2 numbers. Would that cost less than a tenner. Or am I too old to do such purile things? Who cares! What dysfunctional rubbish.

Carl at 19:38:38 Tuesday June 27 2000
I would imagine he was Number 18 as Stevie will be Number 9 still. So what's in a Number?

Miller at 19:35:12 Tuesday June 27 2000
Jamie Forrester ? Squad Number 18 ????????

From Sky Sports at 19:34:4 Tuesday June 27 2000
(Jun 27) Northampton boss Kevin Wilson has signed former neighbour Marco Gabbiadini, who was out of contract at Darlington. The 32-year-old former Derby and Sunderland striker, who notched up 28 goals for the Quakers last season, said: "I know Kevin well - we were neighbours three or four years ago - and I came here because I still believed I had something to offer at this level." The Cobblers have also broken their transfer record to capture former Leeds striker Jamie Forrester for Ł150,000 from Dutch club Utrecht and have also snapped up Plymouth midfielder Chris Hargreaves.

Carl at 19:32:46 Tuesday June 27 2000
Just to let you all know there are some good comments from the 3 players and Kev and Stonhill on the official site, it gave me goose bumps just reading it. Oh my this is gonna be fun :-) UP THE COBBLERS!!!!!

Carl at 19:23:44 Tuesday June 27 2000
530 to go, I reckon that could be reached this evening some how, where is everyone anyway?

LIZ at 19:3:52 Tuesday June 27 2000
Marco, jamie and hargreves!!!!!!!!!!!! GOIN UP GOIN UP GOIN UP!!!!

britgal! at 19:2:55 Tuesday June 27 2000
Wow! i cannot BELIEVE it! I was close to tears today when i was chucked out of the school computer room at 4o'clock, seconds before the ntfc page loaded up. My backup radio had also been confiscated earlier today so i spent an awful hour and 20 minutes with no idea what had happened. But finding out we got em both totally made up for it!!! KEVIN WILSON, U R A GOD!!!!

nsb at 18:52:41 Tuesday June 27 2000
this is so childish.... but f**k it im having a laugh

nsb at 18:51:34 Tuesday June 27 2000
luis felipe madeira (aka figo) is also a good mate of kev from their time together at transfercrazy united

MartinW at 18:50:34 Tuesday June 27 2000
Alessandro Del Piero is out of favour at Juventus and is also the subject of an ambitious bid by the ex-moustachioed Kevin Wilson. "He's a great mate of mine, so you never know," said Willo the Wisp. Mr Del Piero, who is currently in Holland preparing for a Euro 2000 semi against Holland was a little more cautious. He said: "I like to party weeth my friend Kevinini at the Chicago Rock Cafe in Northamptonini and it would be nice to theenk that I could feet een at the Cobblers. Who knows what might h

nsb at 18:48:59 Tuesday June 27 2000
it would be amusing if kev phoned up barca and said, mind if we have kluivert for a month or so?

MartinW at 18:47:40 Tuesday June 27 2000
Alessandro Del Piero is out of favour at Juventus and is also the subject of an ambitious bid by the ex-moustachioed Kevin Wilson. "He's a great mate of mine, so you never know," said Willo the Wisp. Mr Del Piero, who is currently in Holland preparing for a Euro 2000 semi against Holland was a little more cautious. He said: "I like to party weeth my friend Kevinini at the Chicago Rock Cafe in Northamptonini and it would be nice to theenk that I could feet een at the Cobblers. Who knows what might happen.....ini. "The only problemini is that I have to come weeth my good friend Gianfranco Zola, who eees out of favour at Chelseea and is also a good friend of Keveen."

nsb at 18:47:0 Tuesday June 27 2000
does kevin w also know ronaldo from his time at derby?

Marina at 18:45:57 Tuesday June 27 2000
So Martin, reasons to be cheerful ehhh?

nsb at 18:45:5 Tuesday June 27 2000
anybody were interested in, rushden try to sign, how else do you think they know about players?

A very happy Sharon from Hunsbury at 18:40:21 Tuesday June 27 2000
"I can hardly believe it!!! YEESSSSSSSS!!!, Even the `bump` due in November is excited. Roll on the next 45 days.

Donny Rover at 18:39:42 Tuesday June 27 2000
Congratulations on signing Gabbiadini from under our noses. The main thing is that it will piss off Ru$$den as they tried to sign him last season. Good Luck Donny Rovers

MartinW at 18:34:11 Tuesday June 27 2000
Kevin Wilson knows him too.

MartinW at 18:33:26 Tuesday June 27 2000
Bloody hell, apparently we're after the ancient central defender Sammer. On a free

MartinW at 18:32:11 Tuesday June 27 2000
Haven't calmed down yet.

Greg Rudeski at 18:31:57 Tuesday June 27 2000
Kevs signed him as well!

Gabbinotrosyln at 18:30:42 Tuesday June 27 2000
Radio 5 has now twice mentioned in their main sport news that the mighty Cobbs have signed flasher mac on a free transfer! Watch for more season ticket sales, last time we signed anybody half famous was it Ron Flowers??? Then what happened, only joking - not moaning, im on cloud 9, its the best ever build up to a new season. Not sure how good Kev will ever be as a manager, but when I was in Colditz I could have done with him, he can get hold of anything. If we were still at the County Ground would they have signed for us, in the old days Dave Bowen used to sign players at a motorway cafe so they didnt see the ground!!! Goldie is back!!

MartinW at 18:28:50 Tuesday June 27 2000
Am in not right in saying we now have the last two seasons' Third Division top goalscorers in Gabby Gabby Hey and the mighty midget Forrester.

MartinW at 18:25:32 Tuesday June 27 2000
OH MY GOD, MY HEAD IS EXPLODING. Confirmation of Gabbiadini, Forrester AND Hargreaves. God, is anyone else as excited about the mouth watering prospect of Forrester and Gabbiadini up front. But anyone who saw Hargreaves play at Sixfields will know now good he was on the ball and in creating telling crosses. Hargreaves, is perhaps the signing with less hype, but from what I've seen of him he looks a smart cookie. Can anyone remember a forward line which on paper fills you with so much fervour and anticipation. I bought my season ticket - because at the end of the day I trusted Willo. I understand those that did not want to commit to a season ticket, after being promised so much before only to end up with crap. I really feel that Wilson is showing that with the financial constraints we have - there is ambition. In fact if we had not signed Forrester, I was seriously considering re-mortgageing the house to put money into the signing of him - with a view to making money when he is sold on (if he is). You know, like putting money on a race horse. Anyway, it's not needed. Hooray. God, I don't think I have looked forward to a new season in ages. Complete opposite to last season with Atkins. Of course, we don't know whether they will gel, but God we're going to have a lot of fun watching them do it. We will still be needing a replacement goalie and I still think we need a defender to toughen the defence, but hell, Wilson's probably got Maldini on a free up his sleeve. Well, they are mates, aren't they?

nsb at 18:22:20 Tuesday June 27 2000
its even got the good news on ceefax so it must be true (still pinching myself)

Anon at 18:16:19 Tuesday June 27 2000
The Hunt deal has fallen through.

Mr Information at 18:15:26 Tuesday June 27 2000
Well right on 2 out of 3 so far.Stockport next in for Hunt for Ł125,000 ........Watch this space?

Ray at 18:8:59 Tuesday June 27 2000
.... and things were a little hectic ....

Ray at 18:1:7 Tuesday June 27 2000
Yes - I did have a little advance notice...but only 30 minutes.

WJS at 17:49:2 Tuesday June 27 2000
TCMP - thanks for your clarification to my query, your input is very much appreciated. Great news about the signings. It demonstrates we are an ambitious club moving forward all the time. Roll on the new season.

Carl at 17:44:51 Tuesday June 27 2000
I am on Cloud Ten, even if they are all a pile of poo, it shows we have ambition, two top, top class strikers. FANDABBYBLOODY DOZY. Say it out loud and it still sounds bizarre. JAMIE FORRESTER and MARCO GABBIADINI play for NORTHAMPTON TOWN FC. How does that song go? Smile, smile smile, smile etc. UP THE COBBLERS!!!!!!

The Romsey Cobbler at 17:24:13 Tuesday June 27 2000
After all the moaning on this site about the board over the last few weeks I'm delighted to see today's signings. We all think we could do a better job than the current board (if only we could win the lottery) but this shows that they are ambitious and they do have the interests of the club at heart. Well done Cobblers!

hmmm at 17:20:51 Tuesday June 27 2000
Ray, surely you knew? After all, your company runs the official NTFC website. Whilst html is easy to write, I'm sure you must have had at least a couple of hours' advance knowledge

dyl at 17:17:54 Tuesday June 27 2000
Gabbi not on a Bosman? Perhaps that is due to the fact that Darlo claimed they had taken up an option on a contract extension by sending a letter by registered post. If this was the case we would have had to pay I guess. The Darlo boss also said that if Gabbi wanted to leave they wouldn't stop him.

Danny at 17:2:3 Tuesday June 27 2000
I still keep checking the official site to make sure its true lol. Absolutly fantastic.

Charles Commins at 16:55:2 Tuesday June 27 2000
i'm so happy i think we have signed some top quality players today in gabbiadini, forrester and hargreaves. i know feel that this will make us a force to be reckoned with next season in division 2. we have a strong squad but i do believe that it would be best to go up after at least a couple of seasons in div.2 rather than go straight up next season.

BIG JIM,OVER THE MOON at 16:52:39 Tuesday June 27 2000
Well we can now gloat to other clubs as we have one of the lower divisions most prolific strikers on our books!!!!! YES our books!!! What a major Coup,Kev I am so impressed.I remember seeing Jamie Forrester on Football Focus a couple of years ago and was envious of Scunthorpe.He is actually ours now.......I cannot believe it.I remeber the days of Morrys Scott up front,Those days are long gone thank god.............Any news on a Keeper? No doubt Kev will do wonders there though . Up the Cobblers..

Ray at 16:47:9 Tuesday June 27 2000
.but I think you need to check out the time on your computer's clock..

Ray at 16:46:16 Tuesday June 27 2000
CAN'T WAIT!!! I'M EVEN MORE EXCITED NOW THAN BEFORE 4 o'clock!

Anon at 16:45:31 Tuesday June 27 2000
only 45 days 23 hours to go

Anon at 16:44:31 Tuesday June 27 2000
Poo United of course!

Anon at 16:44:7 Tuesday June 27 2000
Am I dreaming?

Big Roy at 16:44:6 Tuesday June 27 2000
I think I've been going the other way for years!

Anon at 16:42:7 Tuesday June 27 2000
Is anyone going the other way?

Gaz at 16:40:43 Tuesday June 27 2000
"The Millennium Fightback Part 2: Onwards and upwards." Coming to a town near you!

Prat who can't read at 16:39:38 Tuesday June 27 2000
Has any one heard anything yet?

Dyl at 16:39:10 Tuesday June 27 2000
To all who have slagged off the club since our promotion, surely this must show that even with very little cash, the Board have ambition. I don't always agree with what they do, but no-one would put up with what they do, and pump in the money they do if it wasn't for their love of the club! We have a strong side, and a footballing side. YES! Poor old Rod Marshall, now you'll have to shell out full whack for your season ticket when with a little faith you would have been 50 quid better off. WELL DONE TO EVERYONE! IF THIS IS WHAT THE LARGE SEASON TICKET (renewals) INCREASE WENT ON, THEN GREAT, YOU'VE DONE US PROUD!

Big Roy at 16:38:57 Tuesday June 27 2000
Any news yet?

Anon at 16:37:36 Tuesday June 27 2000
Who says we do not have any ambition! Congratulations to the board.

Vince at 16:37:31 Tuesday June 27 2000
With all the excitement don't miss the counter hitting 300,000

Ray at 16:35:23 Tuesday June 27 2000
Crap! The Official announcement was at 4 o'clock today.

hre at 16:33:36 Tuesday June 27 2000
the official announcement of gabbiadini and forrester's signings is tomorrow!!! OFFICIAL

Anon at 16:31:57 Tuesday June 27 2000
Headlines on Teamtalk : Wilson confirmed as new Bristol City boss.

nsb at 16:25:13 Tuesday June 27 2000
congrats to kevin wilson for being, bloody brilliant!

nsb at 16:24:20 Tuesday June 27 2000
bez you greasy git, we now officially kick ass!

Bez at 16:23:17 Tuesday June 27 2000
Oh well I was wrong. Maybe Gabbiadini is the one who will only play in Champions League games, or our equivalent the Auto-Windscreens shield. You just watch and see how other teams put their heads in their hands when they see this! Welch, Hendon, Frain, Sampson, Green, Hunter, Hunt, Hargreaves, Hodge, Gabbiadini, Forrester. Can anyone else see this 'H' obsession? Hunt, Hunter, Hargreaves, Hodge, Hughes, Howey, Howard, Hany Hmore Hthat HI Hhave Hmissed?

Vince at 16:22:23 Tuesday June 27 2000
I suspect that some sort of fee may be due to Darlington as Gabbiadini has signed for NTFC a few days before his contract with Darlington expired at the end of June. All in All 3 great signings and depending which players are going we could have one of the best sqauds in Div 2.

Ray at 16:20:51 Tuesday June 27 2000
I can guarantee that the emails to both CobbNews and WALOC were sent out on the dot of 4 o'clock. Any complaints regarding non/late delivery should use the form at http://www.egroups.com/suggest

Ralph at 16:20:21 Tuesday June 27 2000
Just a figure of speech Anon.

Mark Too at 16:19:23 Tuesday June 27 2000
I've found it! What a result! Congratulations to all who were involved in this amazing piece of transfer business.

Anon at 16:19:11 Tuesday June 27 2000
I'd like to see the size of the bird that this feather came from Ralph!

Miller at 16:18:27 Tuesday June 27 2000
Well. Some gibberish that included the word Front Page as well as the word Apache. Deffo what I get when I click Latest News. Having now clicked on the 'signings' thing though. Woo-hoo !!!!!!!

Ralph at 16:18:23 Tuesday June 27 2000
You could knock me down with a feather! A big vote of thanks to the board is in order. Well done to Kev who has managed to get the players here too.

A Very Impressed Danny at 16:18:1 Tuesday June 27 2000
Gabbi, Forrester and Hargreaves...... 3 fantastic players. These are great signings for NTFC and shows the ambition that the board lack... sorry have :) Looking forward to next season even more now. COME ON COBBLERS!!!!

Big Roy at 16:17:29 Tuesday June 27 2000
It says "click HERE for details of signings" . How much simpler can it be?

Carl at 16:16:6 Tuesday June 27 2000
What a result, what a front line, what a manager, what a board. COME ON THE TOWN. UP THE COBBLERS!!! Get your money on 'em. WOOHOO.

Lancaster Cobbler at 16:15:7 Tuesday June 27 2000
Why is Gabbiadini not a Bosman???

Bez at 16:14:47 Tuesday June 27 2000
WHERE IS MY BLOODY E-MAIL? WHERE IS MY BLOODY E-MAIL? I BET THEY'VE GONE AND MESSED IT UP AGAIN!! HOW ABOUT SOME SILLY PREDICTIONS Bass, Sollit and erm... Corazzin! Yes a new record signing Carlo Corazzin on more than he was AND he only has to play Champions League games. Ho Hum

luton cobbler at 16:14:35 Tuesday June 27 2000
it is there. look at top middle of ntfc.co.uk site

Ray at 16:13:33 Tuesday June 27 2000
The Official Site doesn;t use Microsoft FrontPage - so I guess you went to the wrong place.

Tony at 16:12:29 Tuesday June 27 2000
No wind up... check the site, I read it with my own eyes + contact lenses!

Supposed to be working! at 16:11:28 Tuesday June 27 2000
Tony, is this a wind up? Ray what's occuring?

Tony at 16:11:24 Tuesday June 27 2000
Go to www.ntfc.co.uk and click on "New Signings" on the front page! If you don't see that clear your browsers cache!

Mark Too at 16:11:10 Tuesday June 27 2000
I can't find it..... where is it on the official site? I might be on a poxy ...oh sorry proxy server....help!

Big Roy at 16:10:44 Tuesday June 27 2000
It's on the official site. Follow the link. Nothing special :-)

Ray at 16:10:43 Tuesday June 27 2000
I can assure everyone that all the details are on the Official Site - go to http://www.ntfc.co.uk - NOT directly to Latest News. Gareth who does the postin to this section is for some reason tied up in a press conference for the next 2 hours!

Anon at 16:10:37 Tuesday June 27 2000
Now 9 mins late.....

Miller at 16:10:21 Tuesday June 27 2000
Dunno about check the official site. All I get when I try to do that is a load of gibberish about Microsoft Front Page.

Ralph at 16:9:48 Tuesday June 27 2000
Ray you are such a tease, this is just a ruse to increase the hits!

Tony at 16:9:44 Tuesday June 27 2000
YES! Gabbers, Forester, AND Hargreaves!!! What's all this "the 2 clubs reached a financial setlement" regarding Gabiadini?? He was meant to be free!!!

Carl at 16:8:9 Tuesday June 27 2000
What is?

TRB Mark at 16:6:24 Tuesday June 27 2000
Well, that's an early Christmas present! All I want now is Jamie and Gabbi to knock in a hat-trick at the Pooh on Dec 23, not that I want much.

Tony at 16:6:20 Tuesday June 27 2000
Come on Town, no flippin email, no News on the Official page! And I make it at least 7 minutes late!

Anon at 16:6:6 Tuesday June 27 2000
It's like waiting for news of a Royal birth!

Ralph at 16:5:12 Tuesday June 27 2000
Done that Ray . . . and?

Carl at 16:4:57 Tuesday June 27 2000
Sure you don't mean Beswetherick?

Ralph at 16:4:26 Tuesday June 27 2000
I love a bit of Stilton, wot news?

Ray at 16:4:21 Tuesday June 27 2000
Check the Official Site for all the details!!!

IN THE KNOW at 16:4:14 Tuesday June 27 2000
we have Jamie, Gabi and Hardwick from Plymouth!!! C'MON THE TOWN!!! you read it here 1st!!!

Carl at 16:3:56 Tuesday June 27 2000
My mail is late arriving, the Royal Mail are gonna get a flea in their ear for this one

Ralph at 16:3:47 Tuesday June 27 2000
Oh for goodness sake just get on with it!!!!!

Jon at 16:3:45 Tuesday June 27 2000
Peter Shilton ?????? Oh gawd !!!!!

Anon2 at 16:3:3 Tuesday June 27 2000
Yep

Ralph at 16:2:9 Tuesday June 27 2000
How do you keep a fan in suspense? I'll tell you tomorrow!

Anon2 at 16:1:39 Tuesday June 27 2000
We haven't what?

Carl at 16:0:47 Tuesday June 27 2000
OH MY GOD WE HAVEN'T HAVE WE!!!!!

Anon2 at 16:0:32 Tuesday June 27 2000
Yep

Ralph at 15:59:58 Tuesday June 27 2000
The bells of St Matthews have just tolled!

Anon2 at 15:59:53 Tuesday June 27 2000
RALPH-read the OFFICIAL NEWS section

Anon at 15:59:44 Tuesday June 27 2000
Whats happened?

Anon2 at 15:59:20 Tuesday June 27 2000
Well, 4pm on my computer, still nothing.....

Ralph at 15:59:7 Tuesday June 27 2000
What's going on?

Anon2 at 15:57:37 Tuesday June 27 2000
Oooooooh, it's so exciting!!!

Ray at 15:56:19 Tuesday June 27 2000
NOT LONG NOW!

Anon at 15:36:33 Tuesday June 27 2000
Yes!!!!!! its Bugger wrong page

Anon at 15:31:51 Tuesday June 27 2000
has anyone heard anything yet? it's killing me.

SBJ at 15:22:36 Tuesday June 27 2000
I've heard it'll be Gabbiadini's mate's dad's baby-sitter's cousin, his dog, and Forrester. Also we'll get that Sting bloke who's a bit handy on the ball, and don't rule out The Ghost of Christmas Past on a Bosman from Hibs. Bert Trautmann's ready to sub as goalie now his neck's healed up nicely, and Kev Wilson's Moustache is also set to return to the squad in place of the departing James Hunt (cue 'couldn't do any worse' gags . . .). Don't forget where you heard it all first!

Leonardo at 15:21:25 Tuesday June 27 2000
My name really is Leonardo and I am stone deaf. Bugger, cant write any more at the moment, someone is knocking at the door!

Anon at 15:19:31 Tuesday June 27 2000
27 mins to go

van Gogh at 15:17:35 Tuesday June 27 2000
Sorry - could you use the other ear please.

Leonardo at 15:15:33 Tuesday June 27 2000
I havn't heard a thing - I'm stone deaf!!

Anon at 15:8:36 Tuesday June 27 2000
I've heard that the actual contract will run until 30th. June and after that hes a free agent again.

Complete Lie at 14:46:49 Tuesday June 27 2000
I've heard that Gabbiadini will be on a match to match contract with huge win and goal bonuses.

Keeping the speculation going until the 11th hour at 14:38:38 Tuesday June 27 2000
I've just heard that Gabbiadini will sign with NTFC but initially only for 3 months.

adam marriott at 14:17:38 Tuesday June 27 2000
gabbiadini. forrester. and simpson from wolves. these prediction are from a reliable source

Tony (The other one) at 14:10:13 Tuesday June 27 2000
Under 2 hours now, so here is my revised thoughts... 1) Gabbers 2) Forester 3)Hargreaves from Plymouth... yea yea I still need to learn how to spell!

TCMP at 13:53:45 Tuesday June 27 2000
Not long now, and then all of the rumours. sub rumours and inside commentary will be answered. Just a quick log on prior to the announcement to thank all of those who turned up to last Friday nights Trust EGM. The response to our call for volunteers was overwelming and I feel positive about the future. We have had people come forward to assist with administrative duties. another individual will take on the planning of all the open forums, there are a number of offers to help run a membership/general nerwsletter and the meeting had a good old fashioned clear the air feel to it. WSJ the full story on the stadium would take a page and a half to explain but in short, we have the plans we have the desire and we are working on raising the cash. The involvement of others to finance a deal is vital therefore there will be a continuation of the community stadium ethos, with the possibility of any undercroft being used for a wide range of sports/education linked activity. In a nutshell the wider the potential usage the better the chance of attracting additional grant and lottery funding. This together with monies from the Football Foundation (AKA Trust) and any possible commercial loan and/or sponsorhip could all add upto the total sum needed. However there is still a great deal of work to be done. Re the signings (plural, theres a clue) I will log on a little later after 4pm to try to answer any questions. cheers Tony

Carl at 13:27:9 Tuesday June 27 2000
So who knows, and who thinks they know? Or has it turned into one of the worst kept secrets since the last worst kept secret that I can't think of at the minute. I really do have to stop sniffing this Ajax.

Big Roy at 13:22:34 Tuesday June 27 2000
I don't suppose there'll be any exciting news today. I think I'll turn my comput ....

Ray at 13:2:54 Tuesday June 27 2000
Ooooooo - I'm all of a jitter.

Carl at 12:53:28 Tuesday June 27 2000
Int it exciting :-)

Anon at 12:45:56 Tuesday June 27 2000
3 hours 15 minutes.

Tony at 11:40:30 Tuesday June 27 2000
Just over 4 hours to go!

Euro2000 oxo cube at 11:30:32 Tuesday June 27 2000
Crumbles in the box and is a laughing stock

Mal at 11:1:24 Tuesday June 27 2000
The Euro2000 jokes are still coming through. Question: Whats the difference between an MFI table and Phil Neville? Answer: Ones a Glueless Kit!

Ray at 10:53:9 Tuesday June 27 2000
Those odds appear to be general - be surprised if they are as good as that after todays signings.

Anon at 10:41:39 Tuesday June 27 2000
Labrokes have the cobblers at 33-1. Are there any better odds about?

SBJ at 10:35:45 Tuesday June 27 2000
Check out that Gabbiadini goal from Darlo v Rochdale on 4 March (on the Rochdale video clips site) - if we really are signing Gabbi this season, that goal is one which should make the new season all the more exciting to look forward to. He turns two defenders to create space, shoots from outside the 18 yard box, across the area and the ball flies into the far side of the goal. I'd love to see more of those scored by NTFC players!

saracen at 10:3:27 Tuesday June 27 2000
welch, along the back frain sampson green and hendon. left midfield bring in heggs with hunter and savage in the middle hodgey on the right. Thorpe from lincoln and larry up front.

Anon at 10:1:14 Tuesday June 27 2000
A pessimist say's the bottles half empty and the optomist say's its half fall. A cobblers supporter say's its half empty and will probably fall over.

Optimus at 9:54:1 Tuesday June 27 2000
To those cynics and negative thinkers of which the Cobblers seem to have more than their fair share try following the Kevin Wilson way - think and act positive.

Anon at 9:46:12 Tuesday June 27 2000
Rino - what complete & utter tosh you write.

Atypical Cobblers supporter. at 9:42:5 Tuesday June 27 2000
To repeat, the Hunt deal is off.He stays.

Rino at 9:35:25 Tuesday June 27 2000
If I've said it once I've said it a thousand times gabbiadini, howard and forrester aren't fit to lace any of the strikers in division 2's boots. Howards is a donkey who wins the odd header. Gabbiadini will want god knows how much a week and ok he can finish a ball but he lacks in pace and forrester also lacks in pace. we've wasted our money. we want to sort out the left side instead of playing hodge on the left and staying with bloody spedding who I watched frain cover for about 50 times last year. sell howard and spedding don't buy forrester or gabbiadini and bring in two left sided player, some one with pace like freestone or larry and a ball winner that can also run maybe thorpe of lincon or caruthers. At the minute we're taking one step forward three back

Anon at 9:22:14 Tuesday June 27 2000
Lots of video clips (including the Cobblers 3-0 win at Rochdale last season) at http://web.ukonline.co.uk/members/dalefc/index

Ray at 8:44:31 Tuesday June 27 2000
Answers: Three different sets of plans have been drawn up for expansion of Sixfields but no final design has been decided upon - and then there is the "little" matter of raising the cash: Season Tickets: Will be printed in due course - as there are seven weeks until kick-off I don't think theres any need to panic: Video footage: All football clubs are barred from showing video footage or action shots of games by directive of the Football League - if anyone finds any sites showing either, please report the matter either to me, the Club or to the League. We would dearly love to be able to do it but rules are rules.

Typical Cobblers Supporter at 8:37:0 Tuesday June 27 2000
You know what's going to happen - we'll sign Gabbiadini and Forrester who will both be injured and spend most of the season watching us get relegated and Hunt will help Stockport win promotion to the Premiership and Hodge will join a Div 3 club who will win promotion and we will get knocked out of the FA Cup by a previously unheard of non-league side.

Anon at 7:12:15 Tuesday June 27 2000
Morning all have not slept all night roll on 4 o'clock

Season Tickets at 6:36:44 Tuesday June 27 2000
Please someone answer my simple question, are the season tickets printed and on their way!

Lancaster Cobbler at 1:11:38 Tuesday June 27 2000
If Marco signs I hope Janet has plenty of I s for her machine!

Lancaster Cobbler at 0:39:51 Tuesday June 27 2000
Donny are wromg Willo and Gabbi did not play together @ Derby!!

Lancaster Cobbler at 0:16:12 Tuesday June 27 2000
Come on, well done to the Cobblers borad, they have faith in KW

Anon at 23:31:33 Monday June 26 2000
when r they improving the stadium? anyone know?

Deepcut Cobbler at 23:28:17 Monday June 26 2000
Great news on the many? transfers/acquisitions.. Ray.. any answer about showing the video footage after games????COME ON YOU COBBLERS!!!!!

Ray at 23:11:15 Monday June 26 2000
I believe its a prerequisite for being a Cobblers supporter :-)

Happy Cobbler at 23:5:53 Monday June 26 2000
No more moaning? I'll try, but it is a hard habit to break.

Happy Cobbler at 23:4:2 Monday June 26 2000
All right, Ray?

Anon at 22:53:59 Monday June 26 2000
Once upon a time there was a non-conforming sparrow who decided not to fly south for the winter. However, soon the weather turned so cold that he reluctantly decided to fly south. In a short time ice began to form on his wings and he fell to Earth in a barnyard, nearly frozen solid. A cow passed by where he had fallen, and crapped on the little sparrow.The sparrow thought it was the end, but the manure warmed him and defrosted his wings! Warm and happy, able to breath, he started to sing. Just then a large cat came by, and hearing the chirping he investigated the sounds. The cat cleared away the manure, found the chirping bird, and promptly ate him. The Moral of the Story: Everyone who craps on you is not necessarily your enemy Everyone who gets you out of crap is not necessarily your friend. And if you're warm and happy in a pile of crap, you might just want to keep your mouth shut.

Ray at 22:43:57 Monday June 26 2000
Does this mean you will stop being the Moaning Cobbler? {not that that adjective makes you stand out from anyone else of course:-)}

Rodney Marshall(MoaningCobbler) at 22:42:42 Monday June 26 2000
No need to wait until tomorrow. I've just rung Doncaster clubcall where they 'exclusively' reveal that both Gabbi and Forrester have signed for the Cobblers. Apparently, Gabbi decided in the end between Doncaster and ourselves while on holiday in Italy and plumped for us because of Second Div football, Wilson AND Forrester. So there you have it!

Ray at 22:39:59 Monday June 26 2000
Do you honestly think we would be signing Gabbiadini, Forrester and Hargreaves if Atkins was still manager?

social at 22:23:16 Monday June 26 2000
The unbeaten run revived Atkin's fortunes, and if he had kept us in div 2 no-one would have complained. As for the English no entertainment jibe. If that was the case we probably wouldn't have lost to Portugal nor given away the lead to Romania, if the defence was more 'Atkins' like. Dont confuse entertainment with talent.

A Childs View at 22:16:19 Monday June 26 2000
Official announcements at 4.00 tomorrow! I can't wait till then, the excitement is too much!! A Cobblers front line of Forrester and Gabbiadini - awesome!! On paper this looks as good as Morley and Benjamin from 86/87. Will Roy Hunter come back fit to take on Richard Hill's mantle and score 25 goals from midfield to take me all the way back to those halcien days? I really hope so because I, somewhat foolishly, made a crazy bet with a Bristol City fan at an Indian Restaurant in Aylesbury (Martin W was there - Friday night Martin if you can remember after such a heavy session!!) that if the Cobblers didn't win the 2nd division next year I'd parade around Aylesbury town naked with nothing except a Rushden & Diamonds shirt to cover my modesty! A foolish bet you might think, however, I was being goaded by an Ipswich fan who said he had never heard of Philippa Forrester and doubted that Gabriella Sabatini would be any good at football!! He did express an interest in coming to home games though once, in his drunken crazy stupor, he had arrived at the conclusion that the delicious Argentinan beauty would be spearheading the Cobblers attack next season!! I'm praying its not all a load of hocum and that the Cobblers board will surprise me with their ambition. It seems a safe investment to me, Ł100,000.00 for Forrester - we could sell him for half a million within a couple of years - you heard it here first folks!! Up the town and sod the Saints - Egg chasing weirdo's the lot of them!!

Rodney Marshall(Moaning Cobbler) at 22:12:10 Monday June 26 2000
If Hunt goes then I for one will be sorry: he plays with his heart and with him and Parrish both gone we will be relying on ageing Frain and permanently crocked Roy. Quite a risk.

Rodney Marshall(Moaning Cobbler) at 22:9:55 Monday June 26 2000
Are you really telling me that lack of points cost Atkins his job? Get real! The Cobblers at one point had picked up 13 out of 15 points during a five match unbeaten run and still the fans' unrest continued. If you think that winning with no entertainment is fine then you are a dinosaur. A real 'English' football fan

Sprinter at 22:7:26 Monday June 26 2000
What do you call an Englishman in the Euro 2000 finals? Answer below. | | | | | The Referee

ANON at 22:3:54 Monday June 26 2000
Guess what I know ..... - sorry cannot tell you but I can assure that you will all be happy after tomorrow. Saw the man himself - Kevin Wilson on holiday with his family in Menorca, great bloke, his wife's even better!! ... my lad got talking to his lad, but of course its confidential, but I do know that the Gabbiadine's are friends of the Wilsons - all will be reviealed tomorrow so I am told. Great Holiday - nice sun tan! and I'm not even a NTFC fan, but I will certainly follow their progress this year with interest.

Anon/social worker at 22:0:32 Monday June 26 2000
So what happened to supporting Cobblers through thick and thin? It's a good job we are not all so fickle. And please, we only wanted Atkins out when he stopped getting us points. Nothing to do with entertainment. I didn't hear any Atkins out shouts at Wembley, did you?

nsb at 21:52:19 Monday June 26 2000
theyre doing this to piss us off

So I'm told at 21:38:5 Monday June 26 2000
NTFC will announce the arrival of Hargreaves of Plymouth (free), Gabbi (free) and Forrester (club record)but also Hunt to go (possibly to Stockport) at a press conference on Tues 27th

A miserable old sod at 21:25:50 Monday June 26 2000
Let's get real. Gabbiadini will sign for Reading. There is still a MAJOR sticking point with Utrecht over Forrester, and knowing our luck we will just end up signing a midfield player from some third division club who was formerly with Hereford and Hull. Oh terrific,will I ever get to sleep tonight?

WSJ at 21:17:41 Monday June 26 2000
Big Roy - thanks, will hope TCMP makes an appearance and give some insight. Roll on 4 p.m. Tuesday!!

Rodney Marshall(Moaning Cobbler) at 21:7:22 Monday June 26 2000
Anon/social worker, you needn't worry: the children won't go short but any parent of small children will tell you that you need to get away sometimes and if Sixfields is my outlet then I need to know that I'm going to be entertained. Football, in case you hadn't noticed is in the entertainment business, why else did we all want Atkins out?

Anon at 21:7:13 Monday June 26 2000
James Hunt will not now be going.

Anon at 20:12:18 Monday June 26 2000
Moaning Cobbler, have I got this right? You are short of money to buy a season ticket so you are going to wait to see if The Cobblers make some decent signings before allowing your toddlers to go short.

Tony at 19:13:11 Monday June 26 2000
My money is on Gabiadini (have to learn to spell if we sign him) and Forester (Ditto), Forester as the record signing! Who else though? Could be a midfielder or even a Goalkeeper?

Back from hols at 19:6:31 Monday June 26 2000
Have the season tickets been issued as yet - I sent a cheque off before my holiday - not received - so assumed that they are being printed after fixtures

Rodney Marshall(Moaning Cobbler) at 18:52:57 Monday June 26 2000
Like everyone else, I am really looking forward to the club's announcement tomorrow. Should I feel really guilty for holding back from purchasing my season tickets until now? Ihave two toddlers to support and a round trip of 300 miles for home games. Perhaps I should have had more faith but I've been let down so often in the past. I hope Forrester is signing, or Clare. It can't be both...

Big Roy at 18:40:32 Monday June 26 2000
WSJ - I think you'll find it was me who posted the report on the Trust Meeting. With reference to the innovative ways of financing ground expansion, TCMP did expand on this but I think it is better that I leave him to explain as there were several options and I wouldn't like to comment on something I know little about.

Anon2 at 18:24:50 Monday June 26 2000
Any news on the stadium expansion yet?

Anon at 17:42:6 Monday June 26 2000
Old Fart Where the biggins are you, you old smell sack you. I've been out of touch. So much so that the elevation to the 2nd div caught me quite by surprise. Fuck me backwards if I didn't have to check the Bangkok Post to make sure. By golly, by goodness, where's the players, where's the stadium. Think big my man, think big. Seems to me the Cobblers are big fish in a small pond. love

george - Bucks No 1 Cobbler at 17:39:52 Monday June 26 2000
Please stop all this whineing, weve got a record signing, could we see the cash, going on Jon Bass. Or maybe it could be , the signing of Chritain Lee, or its is maybe surely, Weve got back Billy Turley

The Romsey Cobbler at 16:55:45 Monday June 26 2000
What an exciting announcement from the club! Oh ye of little faith...

kids tv heaven at 16:45:46 Monday June 26 2000
..switch of your pc and go do something less boring instead.

Iva Goodsource at 16:32:17 Monday June 26 2000
Why don't you?

WSJ at 16:25:44 Monday June 26 2000
Ray - thanks for your report of Friday's Trust meeting. You mention that some reference was made to innovative ways of financing ground expansion. Are you able to expand on this or was all that was said? Reference was also made on this site late last week about an article in the C&E reporting Northampton Rugby Club plan to raise Ł2 million by floating the company on the stock exchange and the question raised as to why the Cobblers did not go down this road. I raised this question on this site some weeks ago and the answer given was something about costs. I don't think that if this is the official line from the club it can be the real reason. Can TCMP explain the position?

Anon at 16:16:0 Monday June 26 2000
Why don't all those "in the know" put their proper name and e-mail address?

Mal at 16:14:31 Monday June 26 2000
Speculation on the record signing is Forrester. Can't wait until August 12th. Come on COBBLERS

Ray at 15:52:46 Monday June 26 2000
Northampton Town Football Club will announce the names of their new signings to the media, via this service and on the official site (www.ntfc.co.uk)at 4pm on Tuesday June 27th. Among these signings is a new club record purchase.

Cobbler in the West at 14:19:27 Monday June 26 2000
BBC Ceefax reports Bristol Rovers as being "over the moon" about season ticket sales of Ł200,000. Which planet should we be over?!!

Iva Goodsource at 12:53:18 Monday June 26 2000
To Mr Information at 9:49:25 Saturday June 24 2000 - I hope everyone will apologise to you soon when you are proved correct. I too have the exact same information - the fee for Hunt is around Ł150,000 and Gabbi and Forester will both sign. Nobody will believe you until proven correct which is why I haven't posted this before.......

Its official, there is absolutely nothing to talk about at 12:39:49 Monday June 26 2000
Northampton Town officials have welcomed the lack of midweek fixtures at Sixfields on their Second Division programme. Other than two fixtures - Millwall on February 20 and Bristol Rovers on March 6 - Kevin Wilson's side will play their home games on Saturday or Bank Holiday Monday afternoons. The club are delighted with their programme, with attendance figures traditionally lower for midweek games. "It is a good set of fixtures because there aren't too many Tuesday night games where attendances are traditionally lower," a club spokesman said. "Most of the matches are Saturday games and we are quite hopeful of some good games and some good crowds."

Come on Guys at 12:19:35 Monday June 26 2000
Never mind pace he'll soon be needing a bloody pace maker.

Lancaster Cobbler at 11:35:59 Monday June 26 2000
Gabbiadini's game is based on skill not pace as well!

Anon at 11:35:25 Monday June 26 2000
Gabbidini is bigger than Carlo, and Howard is quite quick!

Do SKY SPORTS know what their on about? at 9:55:59 Monday June 26 2000
(Jun 24) Northampton manager Kevin Wilson has rewarded former Walsall defender Richard Green with a new one-year deal following a successful spell at Sixfields last season. Green, a previous Gillingham defender, played an instrumental part in the Saddlers' promotion campiagn last season.

The whole truth and nothing but at 9:41:6 Monday June 26 2000
There is no doubt in my mind that Gabb will be a great signing. But what do you do? If you play Gabb and and Forrester there's no height. You play Howard and Gabb and there is no pace. I say bring back Chris Freestone and John Gale.

Tinker at 23:19:15 Sunday June 25 2000
I should think Gabbi has a load of club's to pick from ,so the Cobbler's will have to pull one hell of a deal to get him .My contact's tell me he's going to Reading.

Ray at 22:36:24 Sunday June 25 2000
Latest news is - we have been playing at a new stadium for several seasons.

Anon2 at 18:20:51 Sunday June 25 2000
Any news on the stadium yet?

Anon at 17:56:37 Sunday June 25 2000
SUPER SUPER GABB SUPER SUPER GABB SUPPER SUPPER GABB SUPER GABBADINI

Do Teamtalk know what there on about at 17:38:30 Sunday June 25 2000
Gillingham are reportedly close to making a shock move for Canadian international striker Giancarlo Corrazin. The 28 year old former Plymouth Argyle and Cambridge frontman has been Northampton's top League scorer in the past two seasons and this season's tally of 14 goals was instrumental in Northampton finishing third. Whether Northampton would be prepared to let the player leave Sixfields is unclear, although they would surely expect a significant financial offer for a player guaranteed to score goals.

glastonbury cobbler at 15:55:6 Sunday June 25 2000
the fields are green, the sky is blue, but unforunately the river nene isn't down here. up the cobblers. see you tommorrow home

the glastonbury cobbler again at 15:48:2 Sunday June 25 2000
hi mum and dad having a great time, meet lamacq, john peel idlewild and the dandy warhols. very tired. hope you look at this site. fixtures are good over christmas. should be back about 2-3 tommorow could you leave me a key. bye for now. Can't believe bury away is before i go to uni.

the glastonbury cobbler at 14:27:41 Sunday June 25 2000
hello all tom here at glastonbury festival. how are you dad. I hope you look at this now. fixtures seem to be ok. have we signed anybody yet anyway bus leaves monday at 9.15 hopefully dfaves mum is picking us up will come to school for the key. glastonbury rocks

Anon at 14:18:53 Sunday June 25 2000
Another Moaner - you know nuffink do you?

Another Moaner at 13:51:40 Sunday June 25 2000
Does anyone else agree that the NTFC Internet Website is crap. It has got to be the worst football website in all the leagues. The only good thing is this guest book which has basically turned into a chat room, and this wasn't even set up by the Cobblers themselves it was done by an individual called Ray

Richard Branson``s Pa at 12:33:7 Sunday June 25 2000
OK, so just how am I expected to get round there at my age ???????

Richard Branson at 12:32:26 Sunday June 25 2000
Yippeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee, I have now have a round in peace !!!!!

Richard Bransons Richer Brother at 12:31:25 Sunday June 25 2000
I have for some time now been looking into making an investment into Northampton. However, after reading some of the critisisms that have been levelled at some of the people involved with the club, I have instead decided to turn my focus towards Collingtree Country Club, a present for my dear son.

MAD ABOUT GAB at 12:21:46 Sunday June 25 2000
WHY CANT EVERYONE JUST SHUT UP ABOUT GAB UNTIL SOME SOLID EVIDENCE APPEARS IN THE CHRON?

Joe at 11:52:6 Sunday June 25 2000
Hello Nick from Doncaster. Well until we see Marco on the back page of our local paper wearing his Cobblers kit I guess we shouldn't be totally confident that Gabbi is joining us, but the consistent flow of information from various people claiming to be 'in the know' has been pretty overwhelming, and he has been seen in the town with his old mate Kevin Wilson, so we are optimistic. Good luck to you for next season, hope to see you back in the Nationwide by next May.

Just Wondering... at 11:45:49 Sunday June 25 2000
The person so desperate for us to sign Craig Liddle, is it you Marco Gabbiadini?

Christian Lee at 11:35:25 Sunday June 25 2000
Christian is expected to resign for the Cobblers from the Gills!

Nick - DRFC at 10:55:46 Sunday June 25 2000
As a Doncaster fan I'd be interested to know why some of you are so confident of having signed Gabbiadini. I understand Darlo's chariman reckons a pre-contract agreement has been signed with Northampton but seeing as he admitted himself that they have been unable to contact Gabbiadini for the last few weeks then I find this comment a bit odd. All I'm saying is don't be too surprised if he signs for the Rovers. Obviously we can't offer the same level of football but do have the advantage of being within easy commuting distance of his current home and he's already said that his family will come first when making this decision. Anyway regardless of what happens, good luck for next season. We'll be seeing you soon, mark my words.

Tinker at 10:41:4 Sunday June 25 2000
Gabbi. to sign for Reading, Money to good to turn down. Watch this space,

Anon at 0:50:2 Sunday June 25 2000
since when has gabbi played for doncaster

Mark Too at 0:38:29 Sunday June 25 2000
I get what you mean though.... although there's nothing to stop him "agreeing" to sign for a club is there... if you get my meaning?

Mark Too at 0:36:10 Sunday June 25 2000
Has Gabbiadini signed a short term contract with Doncaster Ray?

Sympathetic to Your Plight Cobbler at 0:20:36 Sunday June 25 2000
It's hard dealing with brick walls Ray it hurts your forehead after a while !!

Ray at 0:15:47 Sunday June 25 2000
As I mentioned earlier - Gabbiadini's contract with Doncaster has not yet expired SO HE CAN'T HAVE SIGNED FOR ANYONE!!!

Mr Psychologist at 0:8:48 Sunday June 25 2000
To ANON below; My appraisal of you. You are a very ugly northern person with no friends and no life. You support a very small, insignificant northern slum club with silly thoughts of being a team with even half the potential of Northampton Town. YOU ARE A LOSER! YOU SPONGER AND PARASITE ON SOCIETY!!!! don't come back here again.

Neil at 23:5:43 Saturday June 24 2000
OH no!!!! Ive heard from a good source that Gabbiadini has signed for York City 4 year contract second 2 as player coach.aaaaaahhh

ANON at 23:1:20 Saturday June 24 2000
Gabbiadini is a fat bastard.Cheat,Shit & past it.Not my words but yours you bunch of two faced hippocrites.Hope to see you out of business soon.Relegation awaits(again).Going down going down going down.You bunch of southern wankers

Dave of DARLO at 22:50:30 Saturday June 24 2000
SHOVE THAT GREEDY FAT BASTARD UP YOUR ARSES

AK at 21:53:32 Saturday June 24 2000
Don't blame me, the keebord's been drinking

Anon at 21:50:28 Saturday June 24 2000
or is it proclaimed?

Anon at 21:49:41 Saturday June 24 2000
ok, prolaimed

Anyone knows at 21:48:31 Saturday June 24 2000
One of the many problems being a self procaimed cynic is you have a rather miserable life

Rodney Marshall(Moaning Cobbler) at 20:8:59 Saturday June 24 2000
Just to confirm: Rob (WALOC) and myse4lf - Rod - are not the same person, although we are very good mates. What we do have in common is a passion for the Cobblers and a large slice of cynicism. Surely anyone who has supported the club for 20 years - or in Rob's case 35 - has to be somewhat cynical? I would love to see us sign Clare and Forrester. The main problem with Gabbi is that he could easily be passed it a year into an expensive three year contract. We've just paid up the last money-grabbing ex-Prem striker - Wilkinson. What a waste of 2 grand a week that was. Why people slag Carlo off heaven knows. I'd rather have him in the side for 30 games a season than some jobsworth like Wilkinson.

Mark Too at 19:2:21 Saturday June 24 2000
Anon 17:3:34 Getting Gabbiadini on your shirt not a waste of money? It'll cost more than your shirt! ;O)

Mr. Realistic at 18:57:20 Saturday June 24 2000
AGOG.That's my point.Why any one want's to join a club like our's, without having an affilation to us, should send alarm bell's ringing.Making a quick buck comes to mind?

AGOG at 17:28:59 Saturday June 24 2000
How can you compare Sam Hamam with McRitchie? Dick Undercarriage unloaded his burden on McRitchie without checking him out. Sam's record speaks for itself, he was Wimbledon through and through.

Teamtalk at 17:4:3 Saturday June 24 2000
Gabbiadini signing imminent Northampton are ready to sign striker Marco Gabbiadidi from Darlington in the next few days. Darlington boss Dave Hodgson believes if the player, who has already signed a pre-contract agreement at Sixfields, doesn't want to play for Darlington then he should leave. He says: "If his heart is set on playing at somewhere else apart from Darlington, and his mind is concentrated on joining another club because the financial terms are superior, then to bring him back would be counter-productive." The player is a Darlington for the time being but things will change on the 30th when his contract ends but the Quakers may be able to sort a fee if they believe that he signed without permission while still under contract at Feethams. A Town spokesman said: "As far as we are concerned, Marco is thinking over his move while on holiday, we will find out his decision when he returns but we are hopeful that he will sign."

Anon at 17:3:34 Saturday June 24 2000
Why dont people get it, its not hard to understand! Gabbiadini is signing for the town, the money's coming from releaseing carlo, and not having to pay wilkinson! It's not been made official yet cos he's still under contract!!! So get his name on the back of your shirt, it wont be a waste of money!

BIG JIM at 14:45:52 Saturday June 24 2000
So IF there are businessmen out there who want to buy the club let us name them!If the people who claim to know such things are true they will cough up the information.If however you are talking total and UTTER shit don`t bother giving false hope to REAL Cobblers fans who do care!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

Mr.Realistic at 14:26:8 Saturday June 24 2000
ANON. Not another set of mystery local businessmen who want to buy the cobblers ? i see that old chestnut has come around again . I'm sure the board would step down tommorow if a suitable person, with the cobblers best interest at heart , came foward.Perhap's they could then get back some of the money they have undeniably put in over the year's . p. s. Don't forget, if someone like Sam Haman? comes in, you could be back to dark old day's of McRichie ,all they could do is rape the club and leave.

Anon at 13:1:23 Saturday June 24 2000
FWIW Gabbiadini has not agreed terms with ANY club yet. He's holding out for a 5 year deal but so far all he's been offered are 2 and 3 year deals.

Lancaster Cobbler at 12:49:44 Saturday June 24 2000
Re Forrester, I think there is a rule regarding Bosman players

Mr Information at 12:37:40 Saturday June 24 2000
If we need a cash imput why not Bob Thomas who owns one of the biggest picture librarys in the country and often goes to see the Cobblers play? Also believe what you want but I cannot reveal my source as they would get the sack from there position at the club? Doncaster offered Gabbiadini Ł450,000 over 3 years and he turned it down so we went higher......simple really just like some of the people on this board at time?

Anon at 11:57:46 Saturday June 24 2000
Ray Look, nobody in their right mind is slagging the directors off – only those who are pretty clueless would do this. The directors have done a grand job for the Cobblers – but finding quite a big of grand is the problem they are now experiencing. They need to let go and allow someone else in. If rumours are true, they even had problems paying the wages at the end of last season and we don't want to go back down that road again, do we? What's the point of shelling out a fortune on fat lad Gabbiadini if we go bust in the middle of the season. The only way we can bring him in is with a steady injection of money and that needs to be from another source than the current directors because they don't have that kind of dosh. Someone like Sam The Man does. There are a couple of other high profile businessmen in and around the town who would also like to get involved, but not while the current directors are holding sway at Sixfields. We don't want to shabbily kick them out, but they need to honourably stand aside to allow those with dosh, who are willing to put it into the Cobblers, to come in. The town has massive potential, the stadium can be built on and the club can prosper. Those two local businessmen know who they are and they have fortunes. So come on down and splash the cash lads.

You heard it here first! at 11:56:13 Saturday June 24 2000
Forget all "the who we are signing speculation", I dreamt last night we signed a pipe smoking centre forward who was an old mate of Atkins at one of his former clubs? Im off too see a shrink, especially as he was smoking his pipe when he missed a sitter against the P...sH!

Anon at 11:38:37 Saturday June 24 2000
Cobblers boss Kevin Wilson is being linked with a move for Plymouth midfielder Chris Hargreaves. The 28-year-old, who plays on the left side of midfield, is available on a free transfer after being released at Home Park. Hargreaves' contract expires at the end of the month and he is rumoured to be on his way to Sixfields. Wilson has yet to make a breakthrough in the transfer market this summer, but needs to add a midfielder after releasing Sean Parrish, who has since moved to Chesterfield.

Ray at 11:38:5 Saturday June 24 2000
I really don't understand this business of slagging off the Club/Directors etc at every available opportunity. We just gained promotion for goodness sake!!! Irrespective of how good/bad we are we can only go up one dividion at a time - as these appear to be the rules. All this speculation blaming the board for not signing this person or that person is a complete waste of time - no signings can be made or announced until the player's contracts with their current club expires which - depending on who you talk to is either 26th ot 30th June. No player can sign for another before that date else the club they are currently on the books with will be entitled to compensation. My own opinion on who will be with the Cobblers next season - Gabbiadini for almost certain and Forrester - most likely. Now if that doesn't excite you fans then I don't know what will.

Anon at 10:54:20 Saturday June 24 2000
Gabbi won't go to the Cobblers. He's a Yorkshire lad and is supposedly being offered Ł3000 a week to play for Doncaster. He'd be made to go to Northampton where money is virtually non-existent. It is unfair to say the directors don't have ambition. They do. But they don't have the money to back it up. What you do need to ask is why someone with real money is not intetested in the Cobblers? Why Sam the Man would rather go to Cardiff than up the M1 to Sixfields where he could buy the stadium off the council and make a real go of things with a club where the potential is massive? You always hear of rumours that there are big money men behind the scenes waiting to come in.... why is it they never take that final step? There is obviously a major problem here.

Mark Too at 10:52:3 Saturday June 24 2000
Mr realistic. If Mr Information really has heard this information, it may be in confidence, so he is unable to diclose his source. Having said that I'm not saying I believe what he is saying or otherwise, we'll have to wait and see, but these rumours are growing all the time, and various people seem to be hearing remarkably similar stories.

A Voice From The Grave at 10:47:27 Saturday June 24 2000
Mr Realistic you are a boring old twot !! It's the close season and all that is here is all that is here. The Rod /Rob debate is also the same and until either croak up and complain who cares a cr*p. Condescending dickwads get their say in the close season coz when the real stuff starts they dont have the backside to pipe up,say your piece in 48 days 19 hours etc when all is sorted and we get on with the business ......

Mr.Realistic at 10:37:33 Saturday June 24 2000
Mr. Information,followed by us putting an offer in for David Beckham and Alan Shearer?? Where is the money coming from ? All the feed back suggest's gabbiadini still on holiday, and won't make up is mind till he get's back .Forrester want's to come ,but his old club is not playing ball.Stockport have just signed a new midfield player.If you have inside information, have the gut's to say the source.

Mr Information at 9:49:25 Saturday June 24 2000
Please note all the following items are FACT not fiction as will be proven soon.1 Gabbiadini will sign for Ł160,000 a year for 3 years.2 Forrester will sign also next week or the week after.3 James Hunt is on his way to Stockport. I would like to add a "good luck" to Sean Parrish who has signed for Chesterfield this week.No one has come in for Carlo as he is a greedy **** and wants silly money!!!

WSJ at 8:12:5 Saturday June 24 2000
Just "for the record", I recognise that Rodney Marshall (the Moaning Cobbler)is not to be confused with Rob Marshall of WALOC. Keep up the good work with WALOC, Rob. The Moaning Cobbler has every right to his views and to express them here. It would be a dull site if we were all writing the same stuff. I happen to think that the Moaning Cobbler is neither right nor accurate in what he has written and have tried to demonstrate why. Lets keep the healthy debate rolling!

Deepcut Cobbler at 7:55:59 Saturday June 24 2000
Big Roy...Thanks for that account of the trust meeting... We will see if those who put their names forward continue the motion. Sounds very good on at least one transfer front, hopefull on the Forrester case. If as you say the TV money will allow us to break even there is a lot of work to do to entice/encourage someone to 'give' the club money. And I say give because we all should realise it is not an investment. Changing the subject...Can those illiterates who cannot tell the difference between Rob and Rod please leave the building. Anyway apart from that, at least Rod has an opinion, although it is not the same as the majority of us. He is a Cobblers supporter and our democratic comments page allows him to express those opinions. Likewise we have the right to disagree with him, but at least it invites discussion. But lets keep the discussion legible, without the foul language and personal abuse, especially to Rob (WALOC) Marshall who has not even joined in the conversation....COME ON YOU COBBLERS!!!!!

TRB Mark at 0:8:26 Saturday June 24 2000
Thanks for that Big Roy. I usually go to the Trust meetings but I had opted for babysitting duties tonight because, ahem, I wanted a free run up the pub tomorrow night for the Engand ~Italy game. Oops! The Club has been much better at comunicating with the fans than the Trust of late and I never thought I would ever say that!

Carl at 23:52:34 Friday June 23 2000
I don't know his name, just looks tall to me

Big Roy at 23:41:37 Friday June 23 2000
Who's that then? :-)

Carl at 23:40:21 Friday June 23 2000
It probably will on Saturday, starting at 9pm High Street Braunston in The Wheatsheaf. Go and see them just to see the tall mad guitarist!!!!

Big Roy at 23:37:35 Friday June 23 2000
I will indeed. Braunston Rocks!

Carl at 23:35:30 Friday June 23 2000
So Roymond you will be at The Sheaf tomorrow then.

Big Roy at 23:24:45 Friday June 23 2000
It's a skill I've developed over the years!

Ray at 23:21:58 Friday June 23 2000
I see Big Roy has killed the art of conversation again..

Anon at 22:52:18 Friday June 23 2000
Thats ok, anytime

Big Roy at 22:50:23 Friday June 23 2000
Ta

Anon at 22:47:51 Friday June 23 2000
no but you look like one

Big Roy at 22:46:6 Friday June 23 2000
Ever felt like the filling in a sandwich? LOL!

Mrs Fanny at 22:44:21 Friday June 23 2000
Well dont come near me!!!!!

Big Roy at 22:41:53 Friday June 23 2000
Just back from the lengthy Trust meeting. The main (and only official) discussion point was "to discuss the future of the Trust and the way forward". There was a lot of discussion about the problems relating to the setting up of the Sixfield Travel club and the loss of that revenue to the trust but the main message to come out of the meeting was the need for better communication, not only with existing members but also to the rest of the fan base. It was acknowledged that the original mission statement needs reviewing as many of the original objectives were rapidly met within the first few years. A redefinition is needed. An appeal was made for volunteers to give their time and skills in any capacity to increase awarenesss and communication. Many people put their names forward for such projects as producing newsletters (electronic and conventional)and for taking on the organisation, logistics and communication of the Trust meetings and open forums. It was a fairly frank discussion and if nothing else, it cleared the air. At the end the discussion moved on to unofficial football matters. TCMP's PERSONAL feeling is that Gabbiadini is 90% likely to sign, Forrester 50-60%, and Clare 20-30%. The club is considering some innovative options for attracting money for ground expansion. Money from TV rights is likely to be about an extra Ł100K on top of the norm. I got the impression that this, along with the extra money for div 2 would just about put the club back on an even keel. That's about the flavour of the meeting. I'm sure other people may be able to fill in any gaps.

Mr Willy at 22:39:1 Friday June 23 2000
My bell end smells

Carl at 22:15:12 Friday June 23 2000
Cobblers supporter you to have got it wrong it is Rob not Rod who sells WALOC, can't anyone understand me?

cobblers supporter at 21:55:40 Friday June 23 2000
to follow on from wsj i think marshall should keep his comments to the comic that he likes to think is the voice of people.the club lost Ł500,000 last year and why? because a bunch of people who aparrently have no ambition decided against any descicion that would have been in any other business logical and prudent to uderwrite a push for promotion and to their credit were rewarded. and for that we should all be grateful. marshall - if you dont know or uderstand the facts then we can only assume you are looking for cheap copy in which case it is not welcome.

Carl at 21:52:36 Friday June 23 2000
Anon, yet again I think you have the wrong Marshall. If you are talking about the 'comic' seller of WALOC, is that the mag or the bloke who sells it, I don't know. Anyway his name is ROB MARSHALL not ROD as in RODNEY MARSHALL MOANING 'GIT' COBBLER, just thought I would put the record straight once more. UP THE COBBLERS!!!!

Anon at 21:43:38 Friday June 23 2000
you should stick to selling your comic and stop having cheap shots at people who have the guts to put their money where their heart is.as you say you are makking your comments from a distance and also without any grasp of reality.the club have already stated that it lost over Ł500,000 last year and where do you think this money came from? it would have been easy yo balance the books by not signining clare and forrester on loan or buying hodge and selling howard,but instead the club backed the new manager even though it had to pay off atkins ,matthew,wilkin

Deepcut Cobbler at 21:12:21 Friday June 23 2000
Would appreciate details of tonights meeting, from someone who attended preferably!!! I had the trust members notification but slightly difficult to attend from here!! COME ON YOU COBBLERS!!! Ray..Any possibility of goal video footage being put onto the net for this season (hope this is not tempting fate). I remember P**h had some on for our match (the goal) but I seem to remember that there was a copyright problem?? If not here, is the official site planning anything. Advancements in technology and all that. More COME ON YOU COBBLERS!!!!

Sharon from Hunsbury at 19:34:46 Friday June 23 2000
I've been away for a bit on my Hols, so I'm a bit behind with the news. I'm glad to see the fixture list, should only miss one or two home matches in Nov/Dec when my baby is due. What exactly is the up to date news on Gabbiadini, and Forrester. The official site has nothing on it. I know corrazins been released by the club, but has he got a new contract yet, and if so who with?

Mark Too at 19:23:31 Friday June 23 2000
Go to "www.ntfc.co.uk" and find "fixtures" on the front page there. It is not on the front page of this site.

Back from the US at 18:41:22 Friday June 23 2000
Just got back how do I get hold of the fixtures I tried the `front' page and I couldnt find it? Thanks

Mr. Censor at 18:24:58 Friday June 23 2000
Spend the Ł6.50 on a new Caps Lock button and some soap to wash your mouth out with.

Anon2 at 16:50:28 Friday June 23 2000
I'M ALSO ANNYOED BECAUSE I'VE GOT A SHIT PAPER TO DELIVER (here come thew stats) I GET 2.5p PER PAPER AND I'VE GOT 10 LEAFLETS THIS WEEK, AND........ I GET LESS THAN Ł6.50!!! tHAT IS SHIT!!

Anon2 at 16:48:37 Friday June 23 2000
I AM SO FUCKING ANNOYED!!!!!!!! LAST YEAR WE GO ON HOLIDAY AND I MISS THE MACCLESFIELD AND POO MATCHES, AND THIS YEAR I MISS WYCOMBE READING AND BURY!!!!! I'LL PROBABLY MISS THE WHOLE SEASON NEXT TIME!

City Desk at 16:41:14 Friday June 23 2000
in C&E today rugby club are reported to be going public later this year to raise estimated Ł2 million. Why don't the Cobbers do the same? As someone wrote a few weeks back the 40,000 who followed us to Wembley 2 years ago paying Ł50 for shares would raise Ł2 million before expenses. Enough to go make a major contribution towards the new stand and buy a Gabbiadini or two. Why not?

Smartie at 15:59:46 Friday June 23 2000
What a load of cobblers!!!!!!!!!!! I would like to thank you in advance for the easy 6 points you will be giving us. Role on Oct 24th. Where's your Corrazzin gone?????????

BIG JIM at 15:55:40 Friday June 23 2000
On reading the 2nd Division message board I saw that Gabbi was Alledgedly spotted with Barry Fry and Peter Boizet?Wouldn`t be the first time things went wrong with transfers.I hope this is bluff.I do think that Gabbi has signed a pre contract with us as `there ain`t no smoke without fire` with the Darlington chairman saying yesterday.He`s not signed for us though that is the biggest worry

Ray at 15:55:10 Friday June 23 2000
Just a reminder that there is an Extraordinary General Meeting of the Northampton Town Trust this evening at Sixfields, 7:30pm

In the know at 14:19:54 Friday June 23 2000
Who was who's best man. Was it Gabbi for Wilsons' wedding or Wilson for Gabbi's, anyone know? Marco is Town bound and so is the talented Jamie Forrester. Out of the two I would shout the loudest for Forrester, but together, what a pairing and what goals. Come on you Cobbs

Relief at 14:17:1 Friday June 23 2000
Glad to finally have the fixtures to hand, I can now plan my holidays without missing my footie. Still manage to miss one, still home to Rotherham, nothing to rave about. Bournemouth in the sun, sounds like another Torquay to me. Can't wait. But still got long 50 days to go.

Mr.Reality at 14:2:32 Friday June 23 2000
Sorry, i actualy agree ? with WSJ .Slip of the keyboard.

Mr. Reality at 13:55:25 Friday June 23 2000
WSJ. I could not have put it better myself, i aggree with every word.

Northampton Gas at 12:55:45 Friday June 23 2000
The Worthington Cup draw will take place on Monday 24th July, this was confirmed by the Football League

Hats of to the board at 12:43:53 Friday June 23 2000
The board should put survival ahead of staying in div2 in these days of TV package deals, Gabbiadini Ł200,000 a year plus tax for div2/3 football, whats happened to football, when are managers/agents/players going to realise that div 2/3 doesn't get loads of bread from TV man.

WSJ at 11:50:39 Friday June 23 2000
The Moaning Cobbler has another irrational dig at the directors. I think it is common knowledge that whilst the directors may be fairly successful local businessmen none of them is in the ranks of the very wealthy. It is clear that they have (a) put money into the club, probably a lot relative to their individual net worth and other commitments (b) guaranteed the bank overdraft. When we were relegated to Div 3 it would have been easy for the directors to ease the short term financial situation by selling a couple of our better players but they did not and personally supported the club’s financial position. There is the further point that not very long ago the club was on the brink of extinction. The directors live in the shadow of those bleak times and as supporters and custodians of the club’s finances they have vowed never to permit that situation to happen again. The club must live within its means and tight budgets must be adhered to. No one in his right mind can dispute that fact. We all dream of a “Mr Big Bucks” coming along and investing millions in the club. But the history of NTFC, like the great majority of Nationwide clubs, is one of financial struggle and this is likely to continue for the foreseeable future. May it change!! Part of the problem is in truth the largely unsuccessful history of the club and part the lack of investment in the club from the wealthy, whoever they may be. The two are inter-related but money does not guarantee success. Ask the Haywood family at Wolves? The truth is that outside of the Premiership investing in a football club is a bucket with a proverbial hole in the bottom. The problem from an investment perspective is compounded in the case of the Cobblers by the fact that we do not own our ground. It is something of an understatement to remind ourselves of how very welcome the contribution of the Council was and remains. But if the circumstances were right for the Cobblers would the Council sell the ground to a buyer and what restrictions would be placed on the sale and expansion? What assets are an investor buying without ground ownership and how can he ever get a return on his investment? Add to that, what terms would an investor attach to buying the club and what happens when he gets bored with his new toy or faces abuse from “fans” when things aren’t going too well? That, Moaning Cobbler, is the reality and you cannot lay this at the door of the current directors. On the subject of PR I can recall a time when it was easier to get news out of the Kremlin than the club so, allowing for a bit of “spin” from time to time (you can hardly expect the club’s PR officer to be anything other than positive) I welcome the daily flow of news. Clearly, the Cobblers have sold +3,000 season tickets and that demonstrates that the vast majority of supporters think the club is doing a good job on and off the pitch. Long may it continue.

Danny at 11:41:33 Friday June 23 2000
OK, I read teamtalk!!! So whats so different on their to what I have read on here/in the Chron etc to suggest Marco IS ACTUALLY coming? Before I get too excited, I think I'll wait until NTFC officially announce it. But I have already brought my season ticket :)

Vince at 11:37:58 Friday June 23 2000
WJS, well said and I'm sure that most supporters who are in touch with reality think the same.

WJS at 9:48:58 Friday June 23 2000
The Moaning Cobbler has another dig at the directors. I think it is common knowledge that whilst the directors may be successful local businessmen none of them is mega wealthy. It is clear that they have (a) put money into the club (b) guaranteed the bank overdraft. When we were relegated it would have been easy to ease the short term financial situation by selling a couple of our better players but they did not, supported the financial position and we won promotion. There is the further point that not very long ago the club was on the brink of extinction. The directors live in the shadow of those bleak times and as supporters and custodians of the club’s finances they have vowed never to permit that situation to happen again. The club must live within its means and tight budgets must be adhered to. No one in their right mind can dispute that economic fact. We all dream of a “Mr Big Bucks” coming along and investing millions in the club. But the history of NTFC, like the great majority of Nationwide clubs, is one of financial struggle and this is likely to continue for the foreseeable future. Part of the problem is the, largely, unsuccessful history of the club and part the lack of investment in the club from the wealthy in the area, whoever they may be. The two are inter related but money does not guarantee success. Ask Jack Haywood at Wolves. The truth is that outside of the Premiership investing in a football club is a bucket with the proverbial hole in the bottom. The problem from an investment perspective is compounded in the case of the Cobblers by the fact that we do not own our ground. It is something of an understatement to remind ourselves of how very welcome the contribution of the Council was and remains. But would the Council sell the ground to a buyer and what restrictions would be placed on expansion? What assets are an investor buying without ground ownership and how can he ever get a return on his investment? Add to that, what terms would an investor attach to buying the club and what happens when he gets bored with his new toy or faces abuse from “fans” when things aren’t going too well? It is not necessarily in the club's best interests to bite off the hand that offers money. That, Moaning Cobbler, is the reality. On the subject of PR I can recall a time when it was easier to get news out of the Kremlin than the club so allowing for a bit of “spin” from time to time (you can hardly expect the PR officer to say anything negative about ticket sales and possible signings) I welcome the daily flow of news and await patiently for news about incoming players when KW returns from holiday. Clearly, the Cobblers have sold +3,000 season tickets and that demonstrates that the vast majority of supporters think the club is doing a good job on and off the pitch.

Anon at 8:53:3 Friday June 23 2000
It would definitely be a great Chrimbo pressie if we could beat them. Their fans are already being extremely arrogant and a ball hasn't been kicked yet, if no one reads TWO VIEW the 2nd Division Messageboard, because they sent Chester down they will be sending Rotherham down, harping on about how wonderful they are, 6 points against us and Cambridge is not a neccesity because it is a certainty. Just hope the Shysters get to eat some humble pie this year. Oh and they seem to think they are in the hunt for Gabbiadini too, but I suppose all clubs are at the moment. So we should approach all their postings with quiet resolve, bite our lips and just wait for something good too happen and then swamp them :-) I'd rather be a Cobbler than a POSH

TRB Mark at 8:3:5 Friday June 23 2000
You will never hear "Jingle Bells, Jingles Bells, Jingle all the way, oh what fun it is to see Cobblers win away OI!" sung with such gusto when we nobble the Posh before Christmas. Great gig at the Roadmender last night-and I got to meet my hero, Matt Johnson! The support band were pretty good too. Check out Turn, if you like you music Pixies style.

mick at 23:57:52 Thursday June 22 2000
Euro2000, Don't believe the hype! France and Holland flatter to deceive whilst Italy stroll it. Still available at 5-1. nb Cobblers can be got at 40-1, get on now!

Another Cobbler at 23:50:0 Thursday June 22 2000
Can't understand the constant criticism of the board. I expect like the rest of us - or at least me, I've checked the piggy bank - they just haven't got the odd million to invest in a couple of strikers. It would be lovely if they had, but it's hardly fair to blame them because they haven't, or even if they have, they decide to keep it. I would uess that if some madman came along and offered the odd pot of gold a la Mr Al Fayed, they would bite his hand off (or at least I hope they would). But then we would be just like that rotten Rushden lot down the road and it just wouldn't be the same anymore, would it?

Another Cobbler at 23:49:56 Thursday June 22 2000
Can't understand the constant criticism of the board. I expect like the rest of us - or at least me, I've checked the piggy bank - they just haven't got the odd million to invest in a couple of strikers. It would be lovely if they had, but it's hardly fair to blame them because they haven't, or even if they have, they decide to keep it. I would uess that if some madman came along and offered the odd pot of gold a la Mr Al Fayed, they would bite his hand off (or at least I hope they would). But then we would be just like that rotten Rushden lot down the road and it just wouldn't be the same anymore, would it?

Another Cobbler at 23:45:25 Thursday June 22 2000
Dr Vernon C - try Ant Stop in the yellow bottle. You spray it where the little treasures are coming in and it not only keeps them out but lasts for weeks before you have to reapply it. Very effective and a bargain at around Ł4 a botttle from all good DIY shops, or, if you can't find one of those, Homebase. And now back to our normal programmes......

Mr.Realistic at 23:21:5 Thursday June 22 2000
When you look at the turnover of other third division club's last year, i think you will find we had the third highest.Does that mean we have a board of director's who are not ambitious ? I'm sure there are a lot of managers in that division who would love to have that sort of money to play with .Why not stop moaning and go and find the club a millionaire who has money to throw away ( all club's are a bottomless pit ) Only true football fan's get involved at this level.

Anon at 21:59:38 Thursday June 22 2000
Whinging Cobbler "The club has NEVER had ambitious directors willing/able to bach their mouths up" What does THAT mean?

Ray at 21:59:26 Thursday June 22 2000
To be fair, I'm not sure that any of the current directors are in a position to shove loads of money into the Club.

Lancaster Cobbler at 21:49:4 Thursday June 22 2000
re:squad some might say the 1998/9 squad was better than 1997/8!!!

Lancaster Cobbler at 21:47:18 Thursday June 22 2000
I mean Atkins said that we had signed him.

Lancaster Cobbler at 21:46:43 Thursday June 22 2000
I personally feel the club are being just cautious, after Allan Smart

Rodney Marshall(Moaning Cobbler) at 21:45:27 Thursday June 22 2000
Forrester is available for Ł100,000 according to one of the Dutch football websites. I take the point about season ticket money etc. fair enough, but is it really me being moaning/cynical or are some of you incredibly naive. Promotion was brilliant, I loved it but then I loved it last time around when I genuinely - naively - thought we would progress further. Within two years we were back down again. The club has NEVER had ambitious directors willing/able to bach their mouths up; what makes you believe that has suddenly changed. Dare I remind people that the current squad of players is virtually the same as the one which took us down, minus our only goalscorer. If we don't sign any of these strikers how long will it be before some of you start complaining. I am a passionate long distance Cobbler, I'm just no longer willing to digest the PR **** which many others obviously live off.

britgal at 21:44:15 Thursday June 22 2000
What a crackin fixtures list! Not only is it posh before x-mas but we play them the day before my birthday as well!! 6 points would be a great xmas/b-day present! and on new years day it's Reading, my birthplace. And the last away match is a seaside town!!! Only 50 (!) days to go!!!

Dr Vernon C at 21:18:21 Thursday June 22 2000
What on earth have you been doing to get POXY ants?

Big Jim at 21:8:4 Thursday June 22 2000
Has anybody got any remedies for POXY ants?I hope we get Gabbi &Forrester.I hope we`re leaving the best and most shocking transfer pull offs till last?????? Any body think the same???????

Mark Too at 20:1:46 Thursday June 22 2000
Rodney... Why would the club say that 3000 season tickets have been sold to get people to buy early, when the "reduced rate" time limit for season tickets was up? It was too late to buy one cheap then anyway! If you don't buy a season ticket, don't complain you can't get a ticket for some games, although I know you will. About your point that if we had sold 3000 season tickets that would be Ł650,000 going into the club, well in simple terms , yes, but in less simple terms no, but we won't get into that one. My point is that this would cover the transfer fees and signing on fees possibly, but how is the wage bill going to be paid (approx Ł1.5 - Ł1.7 million?). With 3000 season tickets sold that means gate receipts will be on only a maximum of 4500 rather than 7500 tickets. Where do you get the idea that Forrester will cost Ł100000? As far as I know it is a "six figure sum". That could be anything between Ł100000 and Ł999999! I really don't know why you bother either coming on here just to moan, or going to Sixfields! You obviously don't enjoy supporting The Cobblers if you can't be positive now!

Wellingborough Cobbler at 19:41:40 Thursday June 22 2000
Well last season we had carlo on Ł2k a week and paul Wilkinson on Ł2k a week, i know he retired but he had a clause in his contract which ment we had to pay it up in full, so there's your Ł4k a week for Gabbiadini and he'll score more goals than both of them in a season

Yep, it's me! at 19:11:9 Thursday June 22 2000
Why do you bother Rodney? Go tell someone who cares, there's a good chap!

Rodney Marshall(MoaningCobbler) at 19:4:38 Thursday June 22 2000
Sorry, that should have read Ł100000 for Forrester!

Rodney Marshall(Moaning Cobbler) at 19:2:59 Thursday June 22 2000
Who says that we have sold over 3000 season tickets? Oh yes, the club's PR machine. This is the same source which has blatantly lied about ticket sales in the past. I remember ringing up re. the Leicester friendly two or three years ago only to be told that tickets were close to being sold out: "You'd better hurry!" The gate? Just over 2000, half of whom were Leicester fans who bought tickets on the day. I hope we have sold that number, but it is a good way - with our limited capacity - to scare fans into buying early. Perhaps I should be the cynical Cobbler. I do find it odd though that in a week when both Mansfield and York made unsuccessful Ł150000 bids for Luke Beckett, we can't muster Ł1000000 for Forrester. If we have sold 3000 tickets then that is over Ł650000.

And at 18:41:18 Thursday June 22 2000
Sam Hamman has put in a bid to buy 80% of Cardiff

Yep, it's me! at 18:38:10 Thursday June 22 2000
Anon2 - I'm sure I remember there being more than one goal.

Anon3 at 17:54:59 Thursday June 22 2000
I've got a lovely bunch of coconuts!!!!!

Mr. Realistic at 17:37:35 Thursday June 22 2000
Wellingborough Cobbler,with the money you are quoting for new players i'm surprised that's all we get.Second/third division strickers at that money ? How do think we have that sort of money? If Kevin and the board pull it off, they need a large pat on the back.

Anon2 at 16:44:5 Thursday June 22 2000
Does anyone know when the video of all the goals from last season is released. If there is one anyway

Wellingborough Cobbler at 16:28:24 Thursday June 22 2000
this makes very intressting reading about the trouble in euro2000, what do you expect from cardiff anyway "Cardiff striker Dai Thomas faces the sack after he was filmed by BBC cameras in the violence involving England fans in Belgium. Reports suggested that the former Welsh Under-21 international was merely a witness to events but Bluebirds officials were shocked to see the 24-year-old caught up in the aggravation between England and Germany fans before last weekend's clash. Chairman Steve Borley, who is taking the matter seriously said: "We will view the footage again before we talk to the player. There are a number of avenues open to us, and it could be he's breached his contract." Borley will allow Billy Ayre to have his input on the final decision over Thomas' future and was quick to note that the player is innocent until proven guilty."

Anon at 16:23:44 Thursday June 22 2000
go to the cobblers section of www.teamtalk.com and you will see that Gabbiadini is going to be a cobbler

A joke, I hope??? at 16:7:50 Thursday June 22 2000
Made contact with Dean Saunders? Didn't know he had died! Although come to think of it he did did look out of it last time I saw him play. What the hell would we want him for?

Wellingborough Cobbler at 15:50:28 Thursday June 22 2000
i,ve heard that were signing him aswell but don't know anything about him apart from he's a defender/midfielder! And we are signing Gabbiadini and forester so don't worry all will be well! Gabbiadini has signed a pre contract, he's still in contract with darlo till 1st July, thats why the delay the money he's getting is Ł3,500/4000 per week and the deal with forrester is getting near to completion. I also heard that if the deal with Gabbiadini had/does falls through then we've made contact with dean saunders!!!!

Craig Liddle at 14:54:28 Thursday June 22 2000
I suck dick hard

Paul H at 14:45:57 Thursday June 22 2000
I have been told that we are signing Chris Hargreaves from Plymouth. Does Anyone know much about him?

Bez at 14:31:32 Thursday June 22 2000
Notts County want the Darlington manager as their new one and seeing that he now hate Gabbiadini it seems that County may decide to drop that line of enquiry. Has anyone heard anything about where Corazzin will be next season? Maybe a non-contract signing for us if all things go pearshaped...maybe not.

wag at 14:17:48 Thursday June 22 2000
have you got a stutter Mark?

TRB Mark at 13:20:52 Thursday June 22 2000
Get yer backsides down the Roadmender tonight to see one of the greatest bands ever. THE THE!

Carl at 12:21:9 Thursday June 22 2000
The Torquay video has been out for ages, not the best quality ever but it sees us at the end applauding our AUTOMATIC PROMOTION and another fine victory for the Cobblers. What an intelligent comment from yet another so called 'POSH' fan of football, what with all the trouble we have seen recently, it's nice to see our local rivals mentality has not changed. It's the season that counts not just another loss to you lot, anyway I'll have a fiver with you that we beat you this time, if you want.

posh man at 12:17:32 Thursday June 22 2000
YOUR HAVING A BAD XMAS THEN HA HA HA HA HA HA HA ...............................ANOTHER EASY 3 POINTS AND ANOTHER EASY FIGHT...........................................................................................QUEERS

TOP HAT at 12:14:0 Thursday June 22 2000
Is the Torquay video out yet?

Mal at 11:32:3 Thursday June 22 2000
The Piss away on December 23rd. What a great Christmas present for all the Cobblers Fans that will be to start the christmas piss up with an away win on the ploughed field.

Ray at 11:26:41 Thursday June 22 2000
Despite postings to the contrary - there is a link to "fixtures" on the right hand side at the bottom on the Offical Site - http://www.ntfc.co.uk - NOT THIS SITE!

Vince at 11:20:29 Thursday June 22 2000
For all League fixtures for first 2 weeks see www.football-league.co.uk/fixtures/ (Pooh are at Oxford and newcomers Kiddy are at home to our new best friends Torquay)

Vince at 11:15:47 Thursday June 22 2000
Brentford at home for the first game - I wonder if Woodman will have recovered from illness and be in goal. If he is it will be interesting to see what sort of welcome he gets.(btw does anyone know when the draw is made for the Worthington Cup?)

TPO HAT at 11:12:0 Thursday June 22 2000
WEHO HAVE WE GOT FIRST GAME

HAPPY COBBLER at 11:6:44 Thursday June 22 2000
Oh yes they are cute tits.....that's where I got them from.....Click on Fixtures...then 4 options come up...1st team,reserves,youth and others....you need to click on first team. Why would I tell lies?

top hat at 11:6:4 Thursday June 22 2000
anon you could not manage to open a door, dont moan at my team

VERY HAPPY COBBLER at 11:4:48 Thursday June 22 2000
Has anyone noticed how fantastic December is for us for a change? Swindon at home,Oxford away,Sh~tboro away,Bristol City at Home, Wycombe at home!!!! When was the last time we only had a maximum of 40 miles to travel in December? Somebody likes us for a change....what's the betting we get bloody Plymouth away in the FA Cup 2nd round? Oh hurry up August....pleaaaase!!!

Anon at 11:0:40 Thursday June 22 2000
there not there smart arse

HAPPY COBBLER at 10:56:8 Thursday June 22 2000
Go to the front page of this site and click on FIXTURES....funnily enough!

HAPPY COBBLER at 10:55:3 Thursday June 22 2000
Oh dear...another weekend at the seaside to finish a season......Bournemouth he we come!!

MK cobbler at 10:54:23 Thursday June 22 2000
So where is the fixture list? Anyone?!?

HAPPY COBBLER at 10:54:0 Thursday June 22 2000
Hark now hear the Cobblers sing! The Boro' ran way....and we will fight forever more because of Boxing Day!! 23/12/00...Boro away....oh yes!!!!!

Carl at 10:52:50 Thursday June 22 2000
They are in the Latest News bit I would imagine

Anon at 10:52:35 Thursday June 22 2000
click on fixtures!

Anon at 10:45:22 Thursday June 22 2000
Gaz i hear you and have a similar problem. However where can i see the bloody fixtures? i've been to the main web page!

Teletext at 10:39:36 Thursday June 22 2000
Anyone see R+D have bought some Notts County striker, re opening the Notts County for Gabbiadini debate, I know its just that I can still not believe that we will/have already? sign him.

gaz at 10:38:24 Thursday June 22 2000
Bugger, I'll probably have to miss the first 3 home games. I wish the cricket and footie seasons didn't overlap!

Lancaster Cobbler at 10:27:39 Thursday June 22 2000
Darlington look set to sign with Ton Kack the ex Malvern striker!

Lancaster Cobbler at 10:20:5 Thursday June 22 2000
Sean Parrish has signed a two year deal with Chesterfield, great news for Sean!

Carl at 10:15:11 Thursday June 22 2000
Some truly great timing has taken place. Peterborough away 2 days before Christmas. 2 home games over Christmas, then Reading away New Years Day, and last away game Bournemouth, Wicked. 7 weeks and 2 days till Brentford at home. UP THE COBBLERS!!!

Ray at 10:2:11 Thursday June 22 2000
The fixture list has now been posted on the Official Site: www.ntfc.co.uk

Ray at 9:14:10 Thursday June 22 2000
Mr. Realistic: Just wait for a couple of weeks and be pleasantly surprised.

Mr. Realistic. at 8:55:52 Thursday June 22 2000
Does any one realy think we will get the sort of players everyone are talking about? Let's be realistic,How will a club of our size attract players on the sort of money that will be asked for by the players. Forrester's deal will involve a fee plus his wages ( making carlo's deal look like peanuts ) and Gabbiadini's turned mega buck's from the Diamond's. If anyone can convince me otherwise i would be glad to listen????????

SBJ at 8:39:52 Thursday June 22 2000
Steve Jones the former Sex Pistol; or maybe the former marathon runner, or the bloke of the Pyramid Game, or the bloke from Babybird, or The Times rugby correspondent . . . or possibly even me. No Ray, I didn't watch that Yugo vs Spain match, but from the scribblings on the bathroom wall in my flat (it's a long story) it sounds like it was game of the tournament so far. Hopefully Sky will repeat it this evening now there's nothing else on.

George at 7:34:26 Thursday June 22 2000
I saw this new hooligan video in Los Angeles last week. Steve Jones, the former Sex Pistol, was there as he narrates it. The bloke from S-Express does the music but it's actually alright. It seems to blame the police alot, especially abroad, plus it's also quite graphic, which is probably why they've banned it in England. It goes from the sixties up to Euro 2000. Ithink you can only get it off the internet. On the flyer it said, www.EverythingEnglish.com but they haven't got it until 1st July.

MartinW at 23:44:17 Wednesday June 21 2000
Moaning Cobbler for England manager. He won't take any shit from anyone. Least of all Alan Shearer. Oh, he's given up international football has he? Let me guess, everyone's really sad because of his last two performances, forgetting the way he sauntered throught the previous seven. Or rather not forgetting, because the same peoplewere slagging him off. Football god, one minute we're saying everything's fantastic the next we are slitting our wrists and beating the nearest foreigner. My prescription for the English football 'fan'. Try and care a little less about defeat. It happens. When you see how a lot of the man-on-the-street continental deals with it. Well they don't have to. They accept it, although they don't like it. But they don't want to beat people up. And they just almost forget about it. Not get depressed for the rest of the day. Mr Shearer, can't take warranted criticism and ask youself why he announced his retirement BEFORE Euro 2000. Of course he has pressure, he gets bloody good money to deal with it. God, England footballers are a pain. Is it any wonder those in the know get so fanatical about the Nationwide league. Mmmmmm. It's a funny game Saint. Bring on Forrester and Gabba.

nsb at 23:36:25 Wednesday June 21 2000
i do beleive that darlos statement to their supporters is a trick to prevent supporters blaming hodgson for gabbiadinis departure

nsb at 23:34:11 Wednesday June 21 2000
it will be interesting to see how long adams and keown last in the arsenal squad before arsene wenger signs some french center halves

nsb at 23:30:7 Wednesday June 21 2000
re anon; bez for england manager!!!!! could you imagine it? billy turley in goal larry up front and himself pratting about with greasy lover written on the back of his jersey!

Ray at 23:28:23 Wednesday June 21 2000
One of the reasons why it has "all gone quiet" could be that Kevin WIlson is currently off on his hols.

MartinW at 23:14:34 Wednesday June 21 2000
I liked the inside information. But I knew it. Does that make it inside? Or sort of already well known information. Or reminding others of what they probably did not realise. Good luck to ya. Don't take offence, it's not meant that way. Just a bit of fun. Clare has been a dead duck for a week or so now. Gabba looks like a goer, simply because the Darlo chairman thinks he is coming. Town will be cautious about being positive, simply because he has not signed yet. And they don't want to disappoint. The Forrester situation is more concerning. It's gone really quiet and my hunch is that too much money is wanted for him in the same situation as Clare. But Wilson loves Forrester. The fans love him. And we all know in our heart of hearts that the everyone will do everything they can to get him. No question. Who needs Euro 2000. Remember where you heard about Darlo's statement about Gabba coming to Northampton first. Not so much inside info as man desperate for any info at all about Northampton and willing to ask anyone and scour any website to get it. MartinW, News At Ten, Aylesbury.

Ray at 22:10:43 Wednesday June 21 2000
Who watched that cracker of a match - Yugoslavia vs Spain?

Inside information from 'The man who knows' at 20:53:42 Wednesday June 21 2000
Clare will not be coming back to Sixfields, but u will see Forrester back on the pitch next season.

Inside information from 'The man who knows' at 20:51:20 Wednesday June 21 2000
Cobblers will sign Gabbiadini within the next two weeks. Believe Me!

peter at 20:43:17 Wednesday June 21 2000
ray smells

Anon at 19:34:26 Wednesday June 21 2000
Kevin Wilson has reached a standstill in his bid to bring striker Marco Gabbiadini to Sixfields. Wilson put the Darlington striker, who is available on a free transfer, to the top of his wanted list - but he has a number of competitors for his signature. Despite claiming a deal was in the pipe-line, Wilson has yet to reach discussion stages with the former Sunderland and Derby County hitman and the prospect of a deal is up in the air.

Anon at 19:29:37 Wednesday June 21 2000
Rodney Marshall..... You're not called the moaning Cobbler for nothing are you? Whinge whinge whinge....moan...moan...moan...and errrr...whinge a bit more! We've heard it all before.... OK, you don't want to get a season ticket yet, 3000 people do...let's leave it at that and wait. I have confidence, (and some info from a good source) that we will have both Gabbiadini and Forrester next season. Where did you hear that the Gabbiadini deal is on hold?

Lancaster Cobbler at 19:24:7 Wednesday June 21 2000
But 10 days time or so is 1 July when Gabbiadini is out of contract

Rodney Marshall(Moaning Cobbler) at 19:16:4 Wednesday June 21 2000
Despite all the hype on this website and others, it now appears that the Gabbiadini deal is 'on hold', just like the Forrseter one, with the Clare situation a non-starter. No, I haven't renewed my season ticket yet, due to pay cheques as much as anything else. But I would like to see concrete evidence on the club's ambition rather than media and supporter hype.

MartinW at 19:14:18 Wednesday June 21 2000
Never mind about England - here's looking forward to the new season and the prospect of Gabbiadini and Forrester up front. If it happens, what a mouth watering prospect. Sod Shearer and Owen. Interesting to hear that Northampton are not counting their chickens over Gabbiandini, not surprisingly as he has not signed on the dotted line yet. Anything can happen, as anyone who saw the way Spain scored two goals in the last two minutes of their match against Yugoslavia to make it to the quarter finals, will testify. While the club say that Darlington's statements that Gabby is on his way to Sixfields was jumping the gun, Gareth Willsher did say: “We will find out his decision when he gets back in 10 days time or so. We are obviously still hopeful he will sign for us.” Who cares about Euro 2000, I'm more excited by Northampton

Anon at 17:42:26 Wednesday June 21 2000
TOP HAT SOUNDS LIKE A NEW ENGLAND MANAGER,,,,,TWISTED!!!!!! BEZ TALKS LIKE CLOUGHIE SO HE SHOULD GET THE JOB

Anon at 17:39:15 Wednesday June 21 2000
Good riddance to Nevilles

Anon at 17:39:0 Wednesday June 21 2000
Good riddance to Nevilles

Anon at 17:38:40 Wednesday June 21 2000
Good riddance to Nevilles

Anon at 17:38:26 Wednesday June 21 2000
Good riddance to Nevilles

andy cole at 17:29:55 Wednesday June 21 2000
top hat.....dont pick me, shearer only had two chances and he scored two goals,im shit and would need ten chances to score twice,that means come 2004 id only have 4 goals ,that would destroy confidence and id have to walk around with a sour face for four more years.Also after screwing it up id just be another Manc tosser for everybody to have a go at

New chants at 13:54:16 Wednesday June 21 2000
We're sh*t but we don't know we are, we're coming home we're coming home we'recoming englands coming home, poor britanias britanias all are fools britain never never never will win f*ck all

Danny at 13:25:18 Wednesday June 21 2000
Was that team supposed to represent the top players in the country from the self proclaimed "best league in the world." I'm so glad I watch the Cobblers. More spirit, desire, will to win. England were very very poor, and had they got through, well the Italians would have doubled Romania's scoreline.

TOP HAT at 12:46:14 Wednesday June 21 2000
FUTURE ENGLAND TEAM MARTYN G.NEVILLE FERDINAND CAMPBELLE BARRY BECKHAM GERRARD SCHOLES COLE PHILLIPS BARMBY OTHER PLAYERS J.Cole WEAVER WRIGHT SOUTHGATE LAMPARD UNSWORTH BEATIE INCE HESKEY STEVE STEVE STEVE HOWARD !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bez at 12:6:2 Wednesday June 21 2000
Well I never, Richard off 'This Morning' making an intelligent comment! The Romanians were like well trained sheep-dogs and we were like a pack of wolves. So true, I still believe we are better than Romania but we just have a glut of pants around as well. Good riddance to Nevilles, Adams, Keown, Ince, Seaman etc. Hello Cole (Joe), Lampard, Ferdinand (Rio), Phillips, Wright (Richard) etc. On the Cobblers front why don't the club release a statement about Gabbiadini so that we know what is happening? If anyone is like me they would be thinking about Alan Smart and David Oldfield!

Mystic Meg at 11:18:48 Wednesday June 21 2000
If anyone wants to buy a match day video of Torquay V Northampton ,please contact: brianling@westwardvideo.co.uk -The videos are Ł14.50 (inc p&p)... The video itself is very basic since this Brian was just filming it from a seat in the stand....(Its not like Anglia New's 'quality' or anything) ,but theres the bit at the end when we are all on the pitch and you might just spot yourself if you were there!! Its worth the money just for the memories of our promotion!!!!

Another Moaner at 10:42:50 Wednesday June 21 2000
Martin W, I agree with most of what you write. I would only add that throughout Euro 2000 the back 4 (including Adams) have not been up to decent intenrational level. Sure, Keown looked good against rugged ponderous German forwards but in other games they have been ripped apart. The quality of passing from out of defence has been abysmal and so put immediate pressure on the back line. Unlike England at least we can look forward to the Cobblers improving!!

Mystic Meg at 9:36:35 Wednesday June 21 2000
Well said Martin W...The Cobblers could have done better last night that most of those players!!! And id have to say that i really wasnt that bothered that we lost..We simply were not good enough and my only question is... What exactly has Keegan has been 'teaching' them for the past few months??? Perhaps the only good thing is that hopefully now Man United will NOT win the Premiership title again this coming season (...Since half the players from that team showed they really arent that good after all!!!) Roll on August 12th!!! UP THE COBBLERS!!!!!

MartinW at 8:26:19 Wednesday June 21 2000
England 2 Romania 3. Gutted. But why? I don't doubt when I pick up my papers today it will be full of the fact that England don't have the technical ability and can't pass. The continental teams are better blah blah blah. Too many foreign players in Premiership, blah blah. We were beaten by a side including Moldovan who could not get into a Coventry City team. Keegan has taken responsiblity for not getting the best out of the team, and he should. I shudder to say this but my gut feeling before the tournament was that we would get knocked out in the first round. When Heskey was brought on for Owen when we were playing counter attack, I couldn't believe it. Heskey is NOT international class and if you need anyone up front it's speedy Owen when counter attacking. Then the most unbelieveable substitution. Dennis Wise (defensive midfielder who was helping Neville out on the left) for Nick Barmby (attacking midfielder) when we are trying to hold onto what we've got (too late by the way). As soon as it happened I said that you can see the Romanians getting a late winner with a move down their right our left because it is exposed out there. And god I wish I hadn't said that. So blame me. No, England has good players it is playing them in a system getting the most out of them. Why leave Andy Cole at home? Sol Campbell looks great coming forward but you can see for Tottenham when playing four at the gack that he struggles defensively to mark tightly enough (see Spurs v Kaiserslautern). He looked better when playing in an England side playing five at the back with three central defenders. Southgate is a tighter marker at this level and got to show that too late. Phil Neville is a reserve team player. Gary Neville the other full back lacks confidence and occasionally looked like Warren Barton. In fact I thought it was him. Putting too much onus on the centre of defence. To say we can't pass when we have Beckham who is one of the finest passers of the ball in the world is laughable. It's about team organisation. To be 2-1 playing badly and then not keep it tight for at the start of the second half is unbelievable. We are watching Newcastle at international level and we know how they performed. Keegan came into the job with little international experience and everyone knows that. Bobby Robson may beold, but he had the experience and may in hindsight be a better choice. Keegan may one day learn about how a team need to defend. For the moment we will continue to get results like last night's and the one against Portugal. We have class players on paper but what amazes me about England teams is that players too often don't perform to anywhere near the standards of club side. You look at the Scotland side - admittedly out because they are very poor - but they play with a passion and drive which somehow elevates them above their normal abilities. Turkey - passion and pride. Belgium the same. England teams tend to stroll as if they expect to win and don't have to graft.

Terry Hawes at 23:24:42 Tuesday June 20 2000
Another useless commentary...in predicting the first fixture, I believe we will be home to Reading. We'll lose 2-1 because it seems we always lose our first game. After that the Cobbs will pick up strength and be in the top half of the table. Over XMAS, the club will face Posh and Swansea at home. The Boxing Day match with Posh we'll be a sea of claret as all the Posh fans will have spent their XMAS money on booze, while the smart little Cobbler fans will buy their kids tickets to the games. Before kickoff, a drunken Santa dressed in a Posh kit will be escorted off the field...we go on to win 1-0. We beat Swansea 3-0, but not after a brawl on the field that sees Clarence the Dragon or whomever he is...crush two drunken Swans fans. With Stoke and Reading at the top, the Cobblers make a run for the play-offs, wins at Wigan and Millwall and a home victory over Walsall puts us in a playoff with Bristol Rovers. A 2-0 away defeat is followed by a spectacular 3-0 home victory...deja vu Gas fans? This puts us in the play-off final against Rotherham. We play hard...a 1-1 draw, it goes to penalties...it goes on and on...the Cobbs lose 12-11 on kicks. Forrester ends up as top scorer in Division Two, Wilson is named manager of the year and we expand the crowd to 15,000 for the following season. IS THIS A PIPE DREAM? Probably...but I hope this caught your eye anyway! Cheers, Terry from Canada.

Chipp at 23:22:36 Tuesday June 20 2000
Some things in life are bad They can really make you mad Other things just make you swear and curse when you're chewing on life’s gristle Don't grumble - give a whistle And whistles help things turn out for the best And always look at the bright side of life Always look on the light side of life If life seems jolly rotten There's something you've forgotten And that's to laugh and smile and dance and sing when you are feeling in the dumps don't be silly chumps Just purse your lips and whistle that's the thing For life is quite absurd and death's the final word You must always face the curtain with a bow forget about your sin Give the audience a grin enjoy it's your last chance anyhow So always look on the bright side of death Just before you draw your terminal breath. Life's a piece of shit when you look at it life's a laugh and death's a joke - it's true you see it's all a show keep them laughing as you go Just remember that the last laugh is on you And always look at the bright side of life Always look on the light side of life And always look at the bright side of life Always look on the light side of life And always look at the bright side of life Always look on the light side of life And always look at the bright side of life Always look on the light side of life And always look at the bright side of life Always look on the light side of life And always look at the bright side of life Always look on the light side of life And always look at the bright side of life Always look on the light side of life And always look at the bright side of life Always look on the light side of life And always look at the bright side of life Always look on the light side of life And always look at the bright side of life Always look on the light side of life And always look at the bright side of life Always look on the light side of life And always look at the bright side of life Always look on the light side of life And always look at the bright side of life Always look on the light side of life And always look at the bright side of life Always look on the light side of life And always look at the bright side of life Always look on the light side of life And always look at the bright side of life Always look on the light side of life And always look at the bright side of life Always look on the light side of life And always look at the bright side of life Always look on the light side of life

Ray at 23:18:48 Tuesday June 20 2000
....and did you realise that R&D are going over there as well?

Ray at 23:17:43 Tuesday June 20 2000
....and will be on the Official Site at the same time :-) The 10am embargo prevents anyone from posting before then.

Northampton Gas at 23:9:32 Tuesday June 20 2000
Sorry I do not have a crystal ball, but both teams will be in Eire at the same time playing pre season friendlies, the connection is spooky. I would prefer to be at Kiddy, to sample their cottage pie and thick soup again. The league fixtures are avaiable at 10.00 on thursday on www.football-league.co.uk/fixtures/

Really? at 23:3:34 Tuesday June 20 2000
Now I have always respected your bits of gossip GasMan as they are usually accurate, but if you have inside info and we do draw you lot, the ground you walk upon shall be revered!

Really? at 23:1:19 Tuesday June 20 2000
Ah to be sure if it isn't young Padraig!

Anon at 22:58:26 Tuesday June 20 2000
O'Anon

Northampton Gas at 22:58:3 Tuesday June 20 2000
Worthington Cup draw out tomorrow, I have this horrible feeling that The Gas may be your opponents. I cannot believe that any Cobblers fans believe that Gabbiadini is to sign for the club. If R & D were unable to afford his wages, I cannot see the Cobblers wanting to bust their wage structure for a 32 year old player, despite his high goal scoring ratio.

Really? at 22:53:58 Tuesday June 20 2000
Ah that must be McAnon!

Anon at 22:51:24 Tuesday June 20 2000
You are going home with the Germans

Really? at 22:47:40 Tuesday June 20 2000
Oh and I am calm and this is not a knee-jerk reaction. All my fears have just come home to roost!

Really? at 22:46:11 Tuesday June 20 2000
That's just it we are having to pick players that are blatantly not good enough. We have no strength in depth, our under-21's are made up of Wimbledon/Villa/Charlton and Chelsea players who get the occasional game. We rely on Middlesborough to provide our engine room! Any national side must rely heavily on their top players playing in the top three sides in the league. I cannot think of a poorer side that has represented us at a major tournament.

Ray at 22:25:57 Tuesday June 20 2000
Yup! At least they know how to defend.

Anon at 22:25:41 Tuesday June 20 2000
what lost so much better? we are so used to that

Really? at 22:22:51 Tuesday June 20 2000
Yeah of course they would Ray!

Ray at 22:12:31 Tuesday June 20 2000
Quite frankly - the Cobblers would have done it so much better.

Dan at 22:9:16 Tuesday June 20 2000
Suddenly August seems so far away!!!!!!

Big Roy at 22:3:50 Tuesday June 20 2000
Come on France!

Big Roy at 22:3:8 Tuesday June 20 2000
That's that then.

Ray at 21:39:9 Tuesday June 20 2000
Which I suppose shows how much R&D fans know about football :-)

Ray at 21:38:29 Tuesday June 20 2000
No we're not!

R+D at 20:47:36 Tuesday June 20 2000
England are going through!!!

Anon at 19:10:25 Tuesday June 20 2000
The Gabbiadini stories are true... I said this some 2 weeks ago... HE IS JOINING US! It has been agreed although he has only signed a "declaration of intent" so far! Forrester is also joining us .... believe it!

MartinW at 19:1:7 Tuesday June 20 2000
Marco Gabbiadini WILL be a Cobblers player next season, according to Darlington's chairman George Reynolds. HOORAY. He told Darlington fans during a forum last night that he believes Marco Gabbiadini will be going to Northampton next month. Gabbiadini's contract with The Quakers ends in a fornight's time and there are believed to be a number of clubs from the Second and Third Divisions chasing him. There has also been some interest from the Scottish Premiership but Reynolds has gone on record as saying that he is convinced that Gabbiadini has opted for Northampton. Reynolds said: "We believe that he has agreed a pre-contract with Northampton. We made him an unbeatable offer to stay with us. It was an offer that would have doubled his wages but we think he used that offer instead to get leverage and a better deal elsewhere. Mysteriously he added: "I asked the Northampton chairman at the weekend if they had signed a pre-contract with him but they say they haven't. We still have a 12 month option with Gabbiadini which was sent by recorded delivery but he says that he hasn't received it." So it looks really good.

Uncle Richard at 18:38:20 Tuesday June 20 2000
Are we ever going to see the Hamtune Chronicles again, or are they consigned to the history books along with Yan Brummiekins ?

Anon at 18:4:28 Tuesday June 20 2000
Crap - and most of its nicked from other sites

adam at 17:28:29 Tuesday June 20 2000
could you please visit www.angelfire.com/zine/ntfc and e-mail me if you think it has the goings of a good site. warning it's not totally finished yet

Mr. Realistic at 17:13:1 Tuesday June 20 2000
Everyone must remember the club has to clear it's debt's before we get carried away with any extra money the club has at it's disposal. Don't forget we are still paying for relegation from the second division? Anyone who think's otherwise is being extreamly short sighted, or hasn't got a grip on our previous situation. Let's have a bit of stability before we get the idea that every pound we get in is going on player's.I know this is boring to the vast majority of fans ,but to me it good economic sense to me.

Mystic Meg at 16:54:8 Tuesday June 20 2000
D2 message board can be found at www.insidetheweb.com/mbs.cgi/mb938676

Mystic Meg at 16:53:20 Tuesday June 20 2000
D2 message board can be found at www.insidetheweb.com/mbs.cgi/mb938676

Adam at 16:48:14 Tuesday June 20 2000
Whats the Ntl money?

Big Jim at 16:23:58 Tuesday June 20 2000
What is the Website for the div 2 message board please

Anon at 16:19:14 Tuesday June 20 2000
Hre....some of us have been trying to tell people on this site for the past three weeks that we have Gabbiadini. And yes, we do have the Ntl money...it is enough to pay off the debts and get Forrester signed up too. It is fantastic news. And we should all get down the bookies now whilst the odds on the Cobblers for promotion are so good. This message is the absolute bloody truth......you will all read about it soon enough, just hope you all, including you Moaning Cobbler, got your season ticket at the reduced rate.

Carl at 15:42:50 Tuesday June 20 2000
Day 1 - Go out for a game of Hackey 123 with your mates, and relive your childhood days in style.

B.J.Stonhill at 14:58:50 Tuesday June 20 2000
If I have to say this one more time I will not return to chat with you, my fans, again - ever. Marco Gabbiadini has agreed to sign and we will officially be announcing this early next week. Thank You

CIJ at 14:47:50 Tuesday June 20 2000
Are these Gabbiadini rumours true???? PLEASE HELP!!!!

Phil at 14:46:29 Tuesday June 20 2000
53 days till the start of the season. Name 53 things to do between now and then!!! One for each day!!!

Marco Gabbiadini at 14:42:55 Tuesday June 20 2000
Hope This will end some speculation. I can confirm that I will be signing for you in the very near future. I look forward to my time at the club and hope that next season will be a successful one for both me and more importantly Northampon Town F.C. The club will be making an announcement at the end of the week and I have been told to keep quiet until then but as there has already been an announcement from Darlington this message can't do any harm. Once again I look forward to my time at your club and will see you all soon in pre season.

So Peterborough fans are behind England being banned!!! at 14:36:12 Tuesday June 20 2000
This announced on teamtalk (shitboro page) today!!!!............ Peter Boizot has wasted no time in declaring the club will ban any Euro 2000 hooligan from London Road for life. Just days after praising a court which banned three Posh fans, who were caught fighting in bars around the main square, from every ground in England and Wales, he has called on other clubs to follow his lead. And he warned: "We'll get hold of the names and addresses of everyone who was arrested and will ban them for life.

bjstonhill at 14:19:42 Tuesday June 20 2000
i can confirm Gabbiadini will sign early next week

Sibs at 14:16:16 Tuesday June 20 2000
Can anyone clarify what Town are getting from this NTL deal that other league clubs are going on about. Other clubs are cheering about cash windfalls.... surely if we have the same (and it's in addition to present budget) this will allow more scope for signings?? OR has this allready be taken into account and i've just missed it?? I've tried to make sense of the deals mentioned on Teamtalk... 1st DIV get 1.7mill and 3rd DIV (Barnet and Cheltenham anyways) get 800k - but what about 2nd DIV??

Anon at 13:55:26 Tuesday June 20 2000
GABBIADINI SIGNING IS FACT

Mr . Realistic at 13:34:45 Tuesday June 20 2000
Does anyone realise how much forrester is going to cost the club ?If we get him it will be great,but talk of other signings is pie in the sky. If we get any other players in ,we will have to give the club a pat on the back for once .We all like to take a pop at the club but let's be sensible, they only have so much money to play with.

PISS BOY at 13:30:1 Tuesday June 20 2000
IM OFF TO HAVE A PISS

JACK ARMY at 13:28:42 Tuesday June 20 2000
GABBIDINI-HES NO 2nd DIV. STRICKER HE'LL BE SHIT. THE JACKS ARE GOING UP. YOU CAN SHOVE YOUR FUCKING WEMBLY UP YOUR ARSE. KILL C.C.F.C

Poo boy at 13:16:51 Tuesday June 20 2000
I am dying for a shit!

hre at 13:1:41 Tuesday June 20 2000
WHO TOLD U THE GABBIADINI STORY 1ST HUH?? WHERE R MY THANKS??

Git at 12:58:55 Tuesday June 20 2000
keep taking the tablets Mystic Meg

Mystic meg at 12:42:40 Tuesday June 20 2000
...Rotherham might do well aswell...They were by far the best team in Division 3 last season!! (They beat us twice so they must be good!! LOL ) I predict The Scum and The Swans will be the ones that struggle!!!!!

Mystic Meg at 12:32:27 Tuesday June 20 2000
Why are some people (....that means morons that write on the Division 2 message board!!!) so strong in thier beliefs that NTFC will struggle next season??? Dont they know our promotion winning side is better than our 3rd place position suggested!! And with Howard, Forrester and Gabbiadini (possibly) up front..we are promotion material again..Not relegation!!!!

Carl at 12:3:43 Tuesday June 20 2000
Good old George thought they were dead certs for promtion last season though, so whether this is gospel or just more B/S we will have to wait. It's good though, I think if we do get him, an out and out striker is what we have missed for years and years. UP THE COBBLERS!!!!!

Team talk says at 12:1:27 Tuesday June 20 2000
Gabbiadini set to arrive Darlington chairman George Reynolds has told fans that he believes Marco Gabbiadini will be going to Northampton next month. Gabbiadini's contract with The Quakers ends in a fornight's time and there are believed to be a host of clubs from the Second and Third Divisions chasing him. There has also been some interest from the Scottish Premiership but Reynolds has gone on record as saying that he is convinced that Gabbiadini has opted for Northampton. Reynolds said: "We believe that he has agreed a pre-contract with Northampton. We made him an unbeatable offer to stay with us. It was an offer that would have doubled his wages but we think he used that offer instead to get leverage and a better deal elsewhere. "I asked the Northampton chairman at the weekend if they had signed a pre-contract with him but they say they haven't. We still have a 12 month option with Gabbiadini which was sent by recorded delivery but he says that he hasn't received it."

hre at 11:43:12 Tuesday June 20 2000
see ya...i'm off now Imagine our striking options next year now!!.....

hre at 11:35:29 Tuesday June 20 2000
him and gabbiadini to be announced next week - both positive!!

Jamie at 11:28:13 Tuesday June 20 2000
hre, what about Forrester then, whats the news on his proposed signing?

hre at 11:24:46 Tuesday June 20 2000
JAMIE?

hre at 11:24:13 Tuesday June 20 2000
VERY SURE....i have the knowledge. You'll see in the mext ten days!

Jamie at 11:18:40 Tuesday June 20 2000
hre....are you sure about Gabbiadini?

hre at 11:1:7 Tuesday June 20 2000
CARL.........GABBIADINI IS COMING>>>>ISN'T THAT GOOD??

hre at 10:58:31 Tuesday June 20 2000
JAMIE..........DIDN'T U HEAR ME....GABBIADINI!!!

Carl at 10:48:40 Tuesday June 20 2000
HRE no I don't believe it is. I think you will find it is run elsewhere.

SBJ at 10:41:21 Tuesday June 20 2000
I had a recollection this morning on the way to work which made me happy to be a Cobblers fan: final home game last season, Claret Day at Sixfields, me having just returned from a camping holiday, which had included seeing the game at Rochdale, in time for the match. I'd been to the pub (Malt Shovel) with a few other Cobblers fans for the pre-match build-up, and we got to Sixfields at about 2.45. Massively crowded in the upstairs area behind the West Stand, great atmosphere building up; the PA was playing a few 'favourite tunes', and a few people were singing along as they bought their meat pies / went to the toilets / whatever. As I made my way out into the stand, The Monkees were just building up to the chorus of Daydream Believer; right at the point that I got onto the stand and caught my first view of the Claret fans, the flags, the players, the pitch of green and skies of blue, I and everyone around me at once burst into song with "Cheer up Barry Fry" at full volume. Such a ridiculous song, so simple a change of lyrics, but so totally uplifting in the context, and it still gives a chill to hear The Monkees' rather poorly-worded version on the radio now.

Jamie at 10:30:52 Tuesday June 20 2000
Prediction for first game of the season - 2-1 Away win at Cambridge.

hre at 10:30:7 Tuesday June 20 2000
GABBIADINI IS COBBLER'S BOUND GABBIADINI IS COBBLER'S BOUND GABBIADINI IS COBBLER'S BOUND

hre at 10:22:14 Tuesday June 20 2000
I SAID IS THIS SITE RUN BY THE CLUB??

hre at 10:20:45 Tuesday June 20 2000
is this site run by the club??

Ray at 9:53:55 Tuesday June 20 2000
I think the Belgium authorities have made a serious mistake in their handling of the "hooligans". If people are not charged with an offence (as apparently 797 of the 800 deperted were not), then surely they are acting illegally under the terms of the European Community. Under the terms of the Amsterdam Treaty which allows free travel of citzens between member countries I believe that without charging them with an offence, any of them could take the authorities to court and would probably win - or am I mistaken? Perhaps TCMP knows the answer?

Carl at 9:26:41 Tuesday June 20 2000
1 - 0, home win against Oxford

Mystic Meg at 9:11:33 Tuesday June 20 2000
Any predictions for 1st game of the season?? I think it will probably be a home game.....

TRB Mark at 23:37:53 Monday June 19 2000
That is a superb line BR "media sponsored violence." I can see it now, tonight's violence was brought to you courtesy of "The Sun", your No 1 agent provoceter. While not condoning violence, it seems that any trouble involving English fans makes great headlines and even better T.V. Lots of action, in broad daylight, agressive stances, batons on heads, chairs flying etc, blood, flags, water cannons, tear gas, the lot. So lets solve the problem (NOT) by throwing the football team out of the competition. In the meantime, if you go and stab and kill English fans with no cameras around (thus no evidence to spoil the global brand) then that's OK. By their action in threatening to ban England should there be a repeat of trouble, UEFA have given the green light to any nation that it would suit to see England expelled, to goad the English hooligans into a fight. And lets face it, it won't take much. And the Belgium police tactics seem to have been designed to maximise the trouble. Meanwhile, the Govt wrings its hands and say they could'nt do any more because only three of the 800 arrested were on it's hoolie files. That's because the other 797 were normal England fans sitting drinking beer without realising they were committing the crime of being an Engish football fan. What I'm trying to say is that there are lots of different bodies here, all with thier own agenda. You have the English knobheads who still think they are still fighting WW2 aided and abetted by the red top newspapers with thier jingoistic headlines. The Belgium police just want to bash anyone and the German dominated EUFA want England banned so that the Germans can get the 2006 world cup. The Govt wants to shift the blame on to anyone else with Jack Straw doing a very passable impression of Colin Moynahan. All IMHO of course.

rjennings_nz at 23:29:8 Monday June 19 2000
living in new zealand i find this site very very good for keeping up with the latest news.i have played for the cobbles youth under jack jennings and dave bowen and went through those good years when we went from div;4 to div;1.ifond memeries of man untd beating us 8=2in the f.a. cup .just love to watch george best score those 6 goals agaist us it hurt at the time but looking back now those goals were magic.sorry to go on but just explain to you were im comming from.just one comment you have to spend moneyto make money buy good players, not spending money was one of reasons we went from div;1 to div;4 very fast.good luck for the new season and comeon the cobblers bye for now richard jennings.

Roaarrrrrrrr at 23:14:0 Monday June 19 2000
This is a really loud noise !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ray at 23:1:19 Monday June 19 2000
See how it all went quiet again....lol!

Big Roy at 22:27:40 Monday June 19 2000
Story of my life Ray.

Carl at 22:11:43 Monday June 19 2000
Hello

Ray at 22:11:30 Monday June 19 2000
The silence following BR comment is deafening...

Big Roy at 19:22:29 Monday June 19 2000
BTW - it was a year ago tonight that we recorded "Field of Green" up Sixfields!

Big Roy at 19:19:16 Monday June 19 2000
I really can't see UEFA carrying out their threat. Think about it for a moment. If England get booted out, the scenes in Belgium/Holland will be horrific. Thousands of "fans" with nowhere to go, roaming the streets harbouring a very large grudge! The threat is just that - an attempt to galvanize the government into waking up and smelling the coffee. Unfortunately, it's far too late to react now that most of the "fans" are either over there or on their way. It is sadly inevitible that more real, or media sponsored violence will occur tomorrow. This is not a football problem, it is a social problem that has infested football.

MartinW at 19:15:50 Monday June 19 2000
According to a Darlington insider Marco Gabbiadini has left Darlington Football Club today and could be signing for Northampton Town. The situation is to be discussed tonight in a meeting between fans and chairman George Reynolds. Also Wilson is interested in Birmingham defender Jon Bass.

Stu at 18:26:51 Monday June 19 2000
First of all let me make it clear that i totally deplore the actions of the mindless few who caused problems in Belgium over the weekend. However once again it would appear tht the authorities have totally cocked it up again and seen fit to use English supporters as scape goats for anything they can. Of the hundreds arrested the fact that less than 50 face criminal charges shows that the police systematically rounded people up rather than detaining for specific reasons. They obviously knew that any charges would not stick. As for expelling us from the tournament, well this really has to be the biggest political contribution to football for years. This is nothing more than a superbly timed ploy to ensure England do not host the 2006 World Cup. England should be awarded the competition because it will prevent trouble abroad, but because we have the best stadi and most importantly the competance to organise such a tournament in the interets of all supporters. As for the morons from Uefa, well the least said the better.

Ray at 18:26:2 Monday June 19 2000
Irrespective, although I have heard numerous reports of innocent English fans sitting quietly in bars and being badly treated by the local police, the fact remains that the scenes on Saturday were not of people sitting in bars but literally 100s of them out on the street in a pitched battle with the police, other fans and apparently anyone else who got in their way. Unfortunately this does have the consequence of every football supporter being tarred with the same brush but if there wasn't the tar there to start with they wouldn't be able to do it - which is the reason why I never contemplate supporting England in person abroad.

Proud English Cobbler at 18:15:0 Monday June 19 2000
I really cannot beleive my eyes when I am reading some of the tripe on here just lately. Let me please give you all some home truths, like them or not they are the truth.1) I am in no way of form what could be described as a football hooligan. 2) I have travelled abroad to watch my country play football on many occasions. 3) On each and EVERY one of these occasions I have been treated like an animal by the locals and by their authorities. 4) To sit in a bar having a drink with some of the more open minded locals, having a laugh and a beer, then to be attacked by the local police creates more trouble than the so called "English thugs" would or could ever cause. The moral of this story ?????? Please don`t beleive everything that you read in the press and try to understand the problem a little deeper. Cobblers on tour 2000, Holland and Belgium....... I await your comments........... UP THE COBBLERS........ !!!!!!!

SBJ at 18:5:30 Monday June 19 2000
Hopes for the fixture list: home game against a team for whom we have no 'historical baggage', ie. not Peterborough, Swansea, etc. - give us a relatively straightforward opener at home to give us time to get into our stride. A home game on 23 December to get us into a Christmas spirit. An away game on Boxing Day somewhere like Colchester or Millwall, as I'll be in Suffolk for Christmas and want an easy journey. Ditto for the New Years' first game. Midweek away games at Wigan, Swansea, Wrexham, Port Vale and Stoke would be fine by me as I have to travel there for work at various times and can stop overnight for the games. Progress to the Big Clubs stages of the cups would be nice too, to get in a couple of away games at top class stadia - Anfield and Highbury particularly appeal to me. And finally, the last away game of the season has to be at sunny Bournemouth for another party by the sea (celebrating mid-table stability I reckon).

nsb at 17:57:27 Monday June 19 2000
bez, wheres my bloody yearbook? you lazy git! what are you doing on the net dont forget theres a small matter of an exam to be taken care of tomorrow!

nsb at 17:56:14 Monday June 19 2000
forget about liddle, sign me instead!

Anon at 17:8:5 Monday June 19 2000
He was quick in Chariots of Fire

Bez at 16:23:45 Monday June 19 2000
WHAT IS SO SPECIAL ABOUT CRAIG LIDDLE?

Half pint idea! at 14:0:12 Monday June 19 2000
'Wilson on the trail of Bass' says the headline in Teamtalk!! Can't understand why? Bass were bought by Interbrew last week for Ł390m. Now if we had that sought of money!!!!

Carl at 13:52:39 Monday June 19 2000
We don't deserve it for the fact that every time there is one of these Celebrations of Football, the only people who ruin it are the people who mainly travel from this country. The Government should have done something productive years ago. I know that the Media hypes it all out of proportion but what an easy target we are. I get sick and tired of every time the English go abroad the press just wait for something like this to happen and in some cases I am sure they make it happen. We get all these statements about what great a nation this is, how great our Premier football league is, but when it comes down to it we are a jingoistic bunch of baffoons who get led on by what the Papers say. The Euro 96 game against Germany was an absolute disgrace Newspaper wise, all this Fritz crap. We don't deserve it until we put our house in order and sort out the same old 'minority' who 'ruin' it for all 'us loyal and law abiding fans'. As for Euro 96, what is it they say about shitting in your own back garden? Why should FIFA let us have the premier sporting event in the world, when we behave like this.

Anon at 13:48:24 Monday June 19 2000
BUY CRAIG LIDDLE BUY CRAIG LIDDLE PLEASE BUY CRAIG LIDDLE

Anon at 13:48:23 Monday June 19 2000
BUY CRAIG LIDDLE BUY CRAIG LIDDLE PLEASE BUY CRAIG LIDDLE

Anon at 13:48:22 Monday June 19 2000
BUY CRAIG LIDDLE BUY CRAIG LIDDLE PLEASE BUY CRAIG LIDDLE

Danny at 13:22:42 Monday June 19 2000
Oh and COME ON ENGLAND

Danny at 13:21:45 Monday June 19 2000
Carl - why do England not deserve to hold the 2006 World Cup? Why should we let these big, fat, bloated, demented half wits ruin somthing the rest of the country really really want. We have proved we can hold a virtually trouble free tournement (Euro 96). Its time everybody made a stand against these morons. If people recognise the "men" in the papers then they should name and shame them. Their Passports should be confiscated for life. Take away their Human Rights, because as far as I'm concerned, they don't deserve any rights. MartinW, if this is what 24 hour pub opening causes, I for one don't want to see it.

Carl at 12:56:36 Monday June 19 2000
I'm gonna organise a sweepstake of who we get first game, anyone interested then send a Blank Cheque payable to Carl 'Dodgy Dealings' Ltd, to Offshore Bank Ltd, 1 Arthur Daley Close, Isle of Man. The first prize is a night out with Lester Piggot, where you have to buy the grub and talk about horses all night. Second prize is not possible as there can only be one winner. As you have probably gathered I am bored once more. As for the hooligans, they always let us down, and I think the furore that has been brought up by this, which is one of the more minor things to happen at these tournaments where it always happens, just shows that the powers that be do not want us to stage the World Cup in 2006, and this just adds proof that we don't really deserve it. Good result Saturday, seriously bad head Sunday. UP THE COBBLERS!!!!

HAPPY COBBLER at 12:19:35 Monday June 19 2000
A solution for football violence...albeit a radical one!! When these idiots are arrested, put them in a cage with all the other idiots from whichever country. Lock the cage, move the police away, and let them get on with it until they have all wiped each other out. Then, show the horrific scenes of death and mutilated corpses on all TV stations (selling the rights to show it and all procedes going into charities of under privileged children). Make sure that the footage is really hard hitting, as to shock the world....then forget about all these crap "human rights" rules...if you caught fighting (and I mean fighting....not just having a drink in the wrong bar at the wrong time!)...you go into the cage. If you don't get battered or knifed to death...you will starve or dehydrate as no food or drink or medical attention will be provided! That should put people off!!! AS YOU CAN TELL , I'M PISSED OFF WITH BEING TARNISHED WITH THE SAME BRUSH AS THESE RIGHT WING MORONS.....I WANT TO WATCH THE MATCH,CHEER MY TEAM, AND LOOK FORWARD TO THE WORLD CUP COME TO ENGLAND IN 2006....F~~~ING FAT CHANCE OF THAT HAPPENING NOW.......CHEERS TO ALL 850+ WHO SCREWED IT UP FOR THE REAL FANS AT HOME WHO CAN'T GET TICKETS...BECAUSE OF YOU OFFICIAL AMBASSADORS OF ENGLAND....

Ray at 11:57:22 Monday June 19 2000
Eileen Drury - I'm more of the "hang them up by their goolies" brigade I'm afraid.

Carl at 11:15:49 Monday June 19 2000
Fixture list will be available from 10am Thursday morning for all those interested. Will be posted on The Official News section apparently

Someone like Eileen Drury at 9:28:28 Monday June 19 2000
Maybe we should spend some collective time trying to empathise with these poor misunderstood English patriots . . . find out what ails their tormented inner souls, and encourage them to express their anger and destructiveness through art or topiary. There's no hooligan who couldn't be reformed with the right mixture of flower-arranging and abstract theatre. Possibly.

MartinW at 1:54:49 Monday June 19 2000
Hooliganism is not just a football problem. If you go to any of the popular overseas resorts for the Brits you always seem to get the English causing trouble. And we have such a bad reputation in these resorts for always causing trouble. Why? I believe it is because they can't take their beer. Thank god the licensing laws are changing so that the regime in this country allows people to drink when they want to. In Scotland it changed years ago - and the hooliganism linked to drinking to much stopped. Why? Because when you can drink when you like - you don't have to drink like a mad fool so that you can get enough before 11/11.30pm. So the tendancy is not to drink so much in so little time. When the English go abroad, they drink too much too quickly and then realise that they can drink longer so they just get very more rat arsed than they do in England and with all that energy cause trouble. It's not that the English are any worse than any other fans - it's just that they are not used to continental drinking habits brought about by relaxed licensing laws. The English are repressed and when they go abroad it's like giving children their first party. It's got to end. But if the licensing laws don't work - then maybe English football fans should be banned from the continent. Certainly I think it is appalling that the England team could be expelled because of these morons. That only hurts the team and those of us who love the team without chibbing people.

Ray at 22:53:30 Sunday June 18 2000
If anyone can come up with a solution to the hooligan problem then they will earn the world's gratitude. However, threatenting to kick a national team out of a competition is probably self defeating and this may only encourage them - and gives the German "fans" a great incentive to cause trouble in the hope their team goes through instead.

Baz at 22:31:34 Sunday June 18 2000
I share the views of the vast majority, when deploring the disgraceful antics of so called "England supporters" travelling to Belgium and Holland. Whatever the authorities seem fit to do with them is fine by me (lock them up, throw away the key.) Where I take issue is with UEFA, threatening to throw England out of the competition. There are also German thugs at Euro 2000 who are equally hell bent on causing trouble, similarly a Turkish faction also. If England are thrown out of the competition then they should have thrown Galatasaray out of the UEFA Cup. Punish the guilty parties by all means but not the vast majority who have gone there to watch the football and support the team. It seems to me that UEFA have two distinct policies, one for England, and one for the rest of Europe.

Hear, hear Joe! at 21:56:52 Sunday June 18 2000
We should refuse the b*st*rds re-entry.

Joe at 20:1:9 Sunday June 18 2000
Well done to all the so-called England fans who have brought us to the edge of expulsion from Euro 2000...you must be so proud. This assumes you are able to read, and understand this message.

bubba fat ass at 18:18:33 Sunday June 18 2000
i think that ian atkins has had too much of an effect on many of you boys, with comments of england 'playing like pansies'. i think the lack of invention and ability to keep the ball was more of a problem later on.

Ray at 15:42:19 Sunday June 18 2000
You can also get 1000/1 for Ipswich to win th ePremiership.

Ray at 15:40:37 Sunday June 18 2000
Current odds for Division 2 Title: Wigan 9/2; Stoke 7/1; Reading 9/1; Cobblers 33/1; The Poo 40/1. 1/4 odds each bet for first 3 finish.

Enjoy the fact we are still in euro 2000 at 15:27:19 Sunday June 18 2000
didn't realise the famous ntfc moaning extended to england.

Ray at 15:12:0 Sunday June 18 2000
The Germans were so poor last night I'm not sure their team would have made the Third Division.

Ray at 15:10:50 Sunday June 18 2000
I'm just waiting for the new Official pictures to be forthcoming - then all will be revealed.

TowcesterCobbler at 13:17:1 Sunday June 18 2000
Just a couple of questions about kits: 1. Have we scrapped the white away kit? 2. What is our new away stip like (if there is one)

Anon2 at 13:2:31 Sunday June 18 2000
Cheers WELLINGBOROUGH COBBLER!!

nsb at 12:54:45 Sunday June 18 2000
the right result last night but we played like a bunch of pansies we MUST dispense of shearer/ince/keown and NOT put adams back in the side...... i agree with george cohen's opinion that we should play the younger players like barmby/heskey etc

Anon at 9:10:21 Sunday June 18 2000
Good to beat Germany at last but the thugs and morons have ruined it all for me. A complete disgrace to the country. Everyone could see trouble coming but the Government has not done much about it. The UK stopped 100 travelling whilst Germany stopped a reported 8,000. It was no better under the Tories but when will the politicians learn to treat this disease. And please no stuff about how difficult it is, human rights etc. What about the poor citizens of Holland and Belgium who have to put up with the English morons?

Deepcut Cobbler at 22:48:43 Saturday June 17 2000
55 Days???? Hopefully England will now make that seem shorter!! COME ON YOU COBBLERS!!!!

Guildford Cobbler at 22:7:13 Saturday June 17 2000
OnDigital? I get stunning reception down in Guildford, but whenever I bring my box back to Northampton there's absolutely nothing. Looked at the Digital TV Group website and it said Northampton is served by the Oxford transmitter. My parents (Kingsthorpe) point towards Sandy, - so no chance.

Ray at 21:47:11 Saturday June 17 2000
Phew..........

R+D at 20:22:29 Saturday June 17 2000
COOOOOOOOOOOOME ON, UUUUUUUUUUUUUUU WHITES! (England of course.....)

Wellingborough Cobbler at 16:14:26 Saturday June 17 2000
Its the same thing as clubcall, find it at www.Teamtalk.com It is updated every day and is very good for keeping up to date with the cobblers and other clubs Well worth a look!!!

Anon2 at 14:57:56 Saturday June 17 2000
If BEZ is still there please tell me what teamtalk is and how you can find it

Danny at 14:46:52 Saturday June 17 2000
Has anyone else noticed that most of the morons causing trouble in Belgium are over the age of 30. Just shows that Football violence is so 80's and these people really need to grow up.

Anon at 14:38:49 Saturday June 17 2000
Is anyone here going On the Tour to Ireland

Bez at 13:31:40 Saturday June 17 2000
GOOD NEWS ON TEAMTALK. Even though Notts County have been told that Gabbiadini is still under contract(??) on Darlington's bit it says that NORTHAMPTON TOWN LOOK LIKE WINNING THE RACE FOR GABBIADINI, the fact that we have released Corazzin being sited as why!!!! Lets just hope that he is thinking what a fantastic club with brilliant supporters and real ambition the Cobblers are. On the Prem front Pires is to join Arsenal for Ł10m, Nedved is in talks with Man U over a Ł21.2m move, and Flo could be on his way to Rangers for Ł14m!! What is this world coming to?

Anon at 11:24:14 Saturday June 17 2000
there's unconfirmed speculation on www.footballtransfers.co.uk from friday about us signing left-sided midfielder Paul Simpson on a free from Wolverhampton Wanderers. any thoughts on the player?

Phil Baron at 10:53:44 Saturday June 17 2000
Sean fancy being 2 up with 2 to play and not winning I hope you do better for your new club then that!! Check the Golf courses as well at the weekend you might have more luck up North!!!

Rob at 10:52:36 Saturday June 17 2000
i agree danny

WSJ at 8:48:36 Saturday June 17 2000
My reading is that ITV will broadcast their live matches on a regional basis. Presumably,this is because it is all about numbers watching to get more adertising revenue to claw back the money invested. Under the new deal Div 1 clubs will receive Ł3.3 million per year; Div 2 Ł600,000; Div 3 Ł396,000. I also read with interest that under a separate deal the cable company NTL have agreed a 5 year Ł65 milllion deal with the Nationwide League to create an internet portal for all the clubs. What this means exactly and what the earnings per club will be is not mentioned. Any ideas?

Ray at 23:46:47 Friday June 16 2000
Wonder if that means 15 regional matches per region?

Ray at 23:45:40 Friday June 16 2000
According to the Beeb Website: Under the terms of the new deal, ONDigital will screen 88 games from the First, Second and Third divisions, as well as from the Worthington Cup each season starting from next year. ITV will show one of the semi-finals and the final of the Worthington Cup, as well as the final play-off match for Premier League status. It will also have the rights to show 15 live regional matches each season.

Ray at 22:55:37 Friday June 16 2000
You can definitely get OnDigital in Northampton.

Northampton Gas at 22:47:4 Friday June 16 2000
I was under the impression that you could not get On Digital in Northampton. I have phoned them many times since they started broadcasting and have been advised that my post code will not allow me to view the station.

Rodney Marshall(Moaning Cobbler) at 22:22:0 Friday June 16 2000
I understood that Gabbi was available 'free' on a Bosman. However, Darlington have todat warned Notts County that Gabbiadini is still under contract and would cost a hefty fee! What is the truth? More spin doctoring?

Andy at 22:7:1 Friday June 16 2000
LC Don't worry about missing the League games on tele. Like most people I'm only interested in watching The Cobblers (preferably in person) or The Premiership on tele. I can't criticise Sky because I've watched some great games, and they spend time afterwards interviewing and analysing them, instead of immediately turning to some poxy soap.

Lancaster Cobbler at 21:41:54 Friday June 16 2000
No ITV will show 15 live regional games and OnDigital will show 88 live games, according to BBC Online

Ray at 20:53:29 Friday June 16 2000
Ian Clarkson has signed a new 2 year deal with Kiddy. He will have to come to some arrangement to repay the insurance he received when he had to retire from League football.

Ray at 17:27:3 Friday June 16 2000
Before you all rush out and get OnDigital, it appears that they are showing only 15 live matches and only the First Division Play-off final plus one of the Worthy Cup semis and the Final. Hardly seems worth it.

Danny at 16:2:23 Friday June 16 2000
Good job I don't watch much footy on the telly as I can't afford to subscribe to ONDigital, Sky Digital and NTL + buy me Season Ticket for the Cobblers and go all away games. Football Clubs are already pricing normal fans out of the game, even down in Division 3 and get a lot of stick from the Football Association and Football League who then sell the rights for Live football to three different subscription services and price arm chair fans out of the game. I'm not poorly paid, but the way things are going, in a couple of years even I may not be able to afford to go to every game. The cost of watching football is going up as fast as petrol prices.

Lancaster Cobbler at 14:17:42 Friday June 16 2000
OnDigital has won rights for Football League games from 2001,

Ray at 13:34:50 Friday June 16 2000
They do include VAT - and the Stadium Managers are paid by the council. HOWEVER - everyone should bear in mind that the Cobblers only get a percentage of the ticket sales and not all of it.

Anon at 13:14:29 Friday June 16 2000
Ray- interesting numbers but do they take into account VAT and whatever the stadium managers charge?

Turmoil at 12:51:9 Friday June 16 2000
Sean Parrish is in talks with Chesterfield

Carl at 10:6:20 Friday June 16 2000
What about the more Away end revenue, say a tenner per person average of a thousand a week, that works out at about Ł230,000 or so. So we've nearly covered the wages, Sky, this season pushing for promotion we will be on Sky as much as MUFC, so at Ł100,000 a game that must be at least another two and a half million, so we have 3 and a half to play with. SIGN THEM ALL, PROBLEM SOLVED. UP THE COBBLERS!!!!

Ray at 9:51:24 Friday June 16 2000
By my calculations at an average of Ł250 per ticket its Ł750K - but this is probably only half our annual wage bill.

Carl at 9:29:20 Friday June 16 2000
Don't think I do believe it. I hope against hope that we get at least one of them, sadly though the money issue will always be a problem. If 3000 people have bought Season Tickets that is quite a bit of bunce going into the club, it has to be a few hundred thousand, so hopefully the clubs bank, or indeed Building Society (Nationwide?) would maybe lend us a few quid based on our promotion and the prospect of more money coming into Sixfields, what with bigger crowds attending the games. I think hopes and maybe a bit of praying is all we have for now until probably the end of the month, when I think we will hear one way or the other.

MartinW at 8:57:32 Friday June 16 2000
DISAPPOINTING NEWS. According to reports from Grimsby Town we have failed in our attempts to get Daryl Clare, unsurprisingly because we cannot put up enough cash. The Cobblers have tabled an official bid for Daryl Clare, however the bid falls well short of the club's valuation of the player and has been described by vice chairman Brian Huxford as "derisory". He also said the deal is "dead in the water" Part of the problem is that Grimsby Town manager Alan Buckley has been told that if he raises money in the transfer market he can spend it on new players. So they won't give Clare away. Money is also the problem with the Forrester and Gabbiadini deals. Does anyone believe we will get Forrester and Gabbiadini?

Anon2 at 8:50:46 Friday June 16 2000
God damn it, the big clock is not loading up!!

Optimus at 8:31:35 Friday June 16 2000
Rod Marshall (the Moaning Cobbler- not to be confused with WALOC Rob)-I don't know about any hysterical reaction to your opionions but 3,000 people buying season tickets in June is the response. Up the Cobblers!!

Anon at 22:49:24 Thursday June 15 2000
All he needs to do now is sign another 10 players and u might be OK.

R+D at 21:26:38 Thursday June 15 2000
Although it's a lot of money, at least Talbot has found the area in which we are weak. If we give him service, I'm sure Jackson will deliver.

BlokeyBlokeFedUpWatchingTurkeyvSweden at 20:29:58 Thursday June 15 2000
So Runnybottoms and Diorrheamonds have splashed out Ł180,000 on Morcombe's Jacko. What a waste of money, half his goals came in penalties and when I saw him play against R&D last season he missed sitter after sitter. Good old Talbot, surprised he is still there, but that's the lovely Max for you, it took him ages to bin Roger Ashby. Now they have offered to treble Duane Darby's wage in an effort to get him to sign. Fancy that another player that Cobblers fans love to hate!!!!!

SPUD at 19:55:36 Thursday June 15 2000
Second Division Northampton Town look likely to concede defeat in their efforts to capture the Mariners striker Daryl Clare and it looks as though the Republic of Ireland under 21 international is set to stay at Blundell Park. The Cobblers had what was described as laughable Ł50,000 bid turned down earlier this week by the Grimsby board and manager Kevin Wilson now may turn his attentions to Darlington's out of contract hitman Marco Gabbiadini. Wilson has admitted that Gabbiadini has been to see him for a chat, which could signal the fact that he resigned failing in his efforts to lure Town's 21 year old star to his club. Clare spent two and half months at the Sixfields on loan during last season and impressed the former Chelsea man Wilson, but the asking price of close to a quarter of million pounds is way out of the reach of Northampton. Jersey born Clare still has two years to run on his current contract and Town boss Alan Buckley believes he can have a big part to play in the future of the club, but he would listen to offers for the player if the price is right. Patiently, he isn't impressed with Northampton attempts to get Clare at a knock down price.

MartinW at 19:45:43 Thursday June 15 2000
Damn, having taken Northampton Town to Division One in successive seasons on Championship Manager (PC game), I've been offered the job at Huddersfield Town and been forced to take it. Why? The board didn't have enough ambition. Wouldn't stump up the cash to invest in the ground, although money had been made in transfer wheeling and dealing and no money was available for wages for the kind of players necessary to keep in the First Division. Barry Stonhill's rating in the game is that he is "a poor businessman, unlikely to generate extra club income". Which as we all know is hogwash.

Bez at 16:22:41 Thursday June 15 2000
I think we should sit back relax and wait for some more news. As for the England team, why don't we just let Kevin Keegan do his job for a change. As if our opinions are important anyway. Heskey is a better player than any of us so what gives us the right to slate him? Keegan knows more about football than any of us and also was a great player so let him pick his side and if they lose or go out, they lose or go out. The 22 has been picked so let them do their job and if it counts for much I think that the Neville brothers are international class players and neither played badly it is just Figo, Concecaio and Rui Costa are at their peak whilst our team is either past it or on their way to approaching it.

John gayle at 14:30:13 Thursday June 15 2000
i'm crap i am really i am

Anon at 13:7:59 Thursday June 15 2000
Two old pensioners are taking a trip down memory lane and have gone > for > a holiday back to the place where they first met. While sitting at a > cafe the > little old man says, "You remember the first time we met over fifty > years > ago? We left this cafe, went round the corner behind the gas works > and I > gave you one from behind. > > "Why, Yes I remember it well dear." replies the little old lady with a > grin. > > "Well, for old time's sake, lets go there again and I'll give you one > from behind". > > The two pensioners pay their bill and leave the cafe. A young man > sitting next to them has overheard the conversation and smiles to > himself, thinking it would be quite amusing to see two old pensioners > at it. He gets up and follows them. The little old lady pulls off her > knickers and lifts up her dress. The old man pulls down his pants and > grabs the lady's hips. The little old lady then reaches for the > fence. > > Well, what follows is forty minutes of the most athletic sex the man > has ever seen. The little old man is banging away at the little old > woman at a pace that can only be described as phenomenal. Limbs are > flying everywhere, the movement is a blur, and they do not stop for a > single second. Finally, they collapse and don't move for an hour. > > Well, the man is stunned. Never in his life has he ever seen anything > that equates to this, reflecting on what he has just seen, he says to > himself, "I have to know his secret. If only I could shag like that > now, let alone in fifty years time!" > > The two have by this time recovered and dressed themselves. Plucking > up courage the man approaches the pensioner. He says, "Sir, in all my > life I have never seen anybody shag like that, particularly at your > age. > What's your secret, could you shag like that fifty years ago? The pensioner replies, "Son, fifty years ago that fence wasn't electrified."

CIJ at 12:49:25 Thursday June 15 2000
I'm Craig Liddle!!! Only Joking!! Sorry no news from me as Teamtalk is crap today and I can't be bothered to find my own news out. So something I made up.... Brazilian striker Ronaldo is looking for a club where he can improve his fitness and strile rate after his horrific knee injury. This has lead to both him and his club agreeing to a move to NORTHAMPTON TOWN for a seasons loan!!! Wilson said no though as he has his heart set on his old mate Gabbiadini, so don't expect to see Ronaldo at Sixfields next season

To Craig Lidlle Fan at 12:44:2 Thursday June 15 2000
Who's Craig Liddle

Anon at 11:43:47 Thursday June 15 2000
I see the kids have access to pcs again

Tony at 11:1:49 Thursday June 15 2000
There are already plans to abandon 1 up and 1 down for the 2001/02 season!!!

phil at 10:17:25 Thursday June 15 2000
I can't believe that they have devalued the WIndscreen Wipers cup by letting amateur teams in. Next the League will probably abandon the 1 up 1 down between Div 3 and the Conf!

Big Jim at 10:2:16 Thursday June 15 2000
Looks like Atko will be going for Ally McCoist.He`s going to do well with Carlisle as they want to throw more money at him than he can beat away with a shitty stick!!!!!!!!!!!!

Vince at 9:55:50 Thursday June 15 2000
Just in case anyone is interested next seasons Autoglass Trophy will include 8 teams from the Conference - Chester, R&D's, Morecambe, Scarborough, Kingstonian, Dover, Yeovil & Doncaster.

TO KEVIN WILSON at 9:12:2 Thursday June 15 2000
BUY CRAIG LIDDLE

Derek at 8:55:19 Thursday June 15 2000
Er Rodney. Prompting four or five responses in twenty four hours means that your post hardly produced hysteria did it. Were there hordes of screaming kids trying to get into the Cobbs guestbook to slay your name ? No. In fact, did more than a dozen people even notice ? No. Certainly less than a dozen bothered to respond. For what it's worth I almost agree with you about the season tickets. I've only just renewed mine after much soul searching and I have a 7 hour round trip so there.

Deepcut Cobbler at 23:6:23 Wednesday June 14 2000
Dyl....NTFC every time..1. We do not go into every thing expecting to win it. 2. A win is a bonus not an expectation. 3. If we continue to play two full backs who prefer to give the ball immediately to the opposition, at least we know its because they are the best we have got and that its not because they play for MUFC...4. We "only" have a maximum of 3 months between games, although even this is getting to be slitting wrists time now.. At least the play-offs reduced that. 5. We don't have to sit thirty yards away from the playing surface if we are behind the goal for home games.. 6. We travel to away games without the use of a passport.. 7. We play opposition with supporters who speak the same lingo..8. We will not be stabbed or locked up in a stinking foreign prison on away travels for no apparent reason.. 9. We can be bored stupid making up conversations like this.....COME ON YOU COBBLERS!!!!!

Which league? at 22:47:15 Wednesday June 14 2000
Did ya start last year then R & D?

Bob at 22:31:31 Wednesday June 14 2000
R&D fan. Who cares ?

R+D at 21:16:33 Wednesday June 14 2000
At the start of the season, d'you start a week before us like 1999-2000 season?

Anon at 20:55:19 Wednesday June 14 2000
I'm beginning to think that RM is a closet R&D fan....

Rodney Marshall(Moaning Cobbler) at 19:49:45 Wednesday June 14 2000
I thought my comments would produce hysteria and I was right. This idea that loyalty/love should be unconditional is crap. The only unconditional love is for your own children. Anyone who has supported the Cobblers for as long as I have - nearly thirty years - has seen us, the supporters - sold down the river before. Why shouldn't I hold on to see what the club's plans are before renewing my season ticket. I face a four hour round trip next season for every home game. I am entitled to a bit of scepticism and caution. I would actually argue that it is the gullible " we'll support you whatever you do to us " fans who actually allow the club to shaft us.

Rodney Marshall(Moaning Cobbler) at 19:49:36 Wednesday June 14 2000
I thought my comments would produce hysteria and I was right. This idea that loyalty/love should be unconditional is crap. The only unconditional love is for your own children. Anyone who has supported the Cobblers for as long as I have - nearly thirty years - has seen us, the supporters - sold down the river before. Why shouldn't I hold on to see what the club's plans are before renewing my season ticket. I face a four hour round trip next season for every home game. I am entitled to a bit of scepticism and caution. I would actually argue that it is the gullible " we'll support you whatever you do to us " fans who actually allow the club to shaft us.

MartinW at 18:53:44 Wednesday June 14 2000
Oh, and am I the only one whose first task when they come in from work is to check teletext and the Chron for any news of signings. Isn't it a bummer when all you hear about is how some guy called Hunter has signed for Northampton but its all about bloody egg chasing.

MartinW at 18:50:54 Wednesday June 14 2000
Rod Marshall, I understand your concern and am surprised you've not been told off by Rob yet. Ha ha. The PR machine is very good at being optimistic, but some of us know how PR manipulates the media -see the Labour spin doctors. And believe me, they exist in all walks of our society. My other half is one. If they are manipulating the media they are also trying to manage the minds of the public. If all the positive noises coming out of Sixfields do not amount to anything, there will be lots of egg on many faces. My view is pay for your season ticket and then if you don't like it when the season starts demand your money back. After all if you pay for a Mars bar and it turns out to be mouldy, would you eat it? No you'd get your money back. I agree with Ray, to a certain extent, when he says we should wait and see. But in the meantime an amount of healthy scepticism doesn't do any harm and may keep some on their toes.

Nyaar at 17:4:35 Wednesday June 14 2000
Dyl - Total Football did a poll a few years ago asking whether supporters put club or country first; I think only 9% said country, and most of those were non-league fans (I certainly would if I supported R+D). Definitely people think more rationally about their club, because I think most Cobblers fans realise deep down that Northampton aren't exactly the greatest ever (sorry!), but every two years the entire country seems to be convinced that England might just win it this time, when to be honest they haven't had a chance of winning anything important for 10 years.

The Romsey Cobbler at 16:35:8 Wednesday June 14 2000
Hey folks - the fixtures are to be issued within the next 10 days - whoopee! We can start planning trips!

Danny at 16:14:55 Wednesday June 14 2000
I'd like to buy a copy of the Torquay game on home video from "westwood" Who the hell are Westwood?

Carl at 14:38:30 Wednesday June 14 2000
I'm still here, you nice friendly chap.

u r gay at 14:37:45 Wednesday June 14 2000
u r gay

NTFC_andy at 13:51:55 Wednesday June 14 2000
Im Back and Ray uyou still suck cock hard......Wheres all the other pricks

NTFC fan at 13:17:11 Wednesday June 14 2000
How Yodeling was Invented Back in the olden days, a man was traveling through Austria. Nightfall was rapidly approaching, and the man had nowhere to sleep. He went up to a farmhouse and asked the farmer if he could spend the night. The farmer told him that it would be all right, and that he could sleep in the barn. The man went into the barn to bed down and the farmer went back into the house. The farmer's daughter came down from upstairs and asked the farmer, "Who was that man going into the barn?" "That's some fellow traveling through," answered the farmer. "He needed a place to stay for the night, so I said that he could sleep in the barn." The daughter then asked the farmer, "Did you offer the man anything to eat?" "Gee, no, I didn't," the farmer answered. The daughter said, "Well, I'm going to take him some food." She went into the kitchen, prepared a plate of food and then took it out to the barn. The daughter was in the barn for an hour before returning to the house. When she came back in, her clothes were all disheveled and buttoned up wrong, and she had several strands of straw tangled up in her long blonde hair. She immediately went up the stairs to her bedroom and went to sleep. A little later, the farmer's wife came down and asked the farmer why their daughter went to bed so early. "I don't know," said the farmer. "I told a man that he could sleep in the barn and our daughter took him some food." "Oh," replied the wife. "Well, did you offer the man anything to drink?" "Umm, no, I didn't," said the farmer. The wife then said, "I'm going to take something out there for him to drink." The wife went to the cellar, got a bottle of wine, then went out to the barn. She did not return for over an hour, and when she came back into the house, her clothes were also messed up and she had straw twisted into her blonde hair. She went straight up the stairs and into bed. The next morning at sunrise, the man in the barn got up and continued on his journey, waving to the farmer as he left the farm. A few hours later, the daughter woke up and came rushing downstairs. She went right out to the barn, only to find it empty. She ran back into the house. "Where's the man from the barn?" she eagerly asked the farmer. Her father answered, "He left several hours ago." "What?" she cried. "He left without saying good bye? After all we had together? I mean, last night he made such passionate love to me!" "What?" shouted the father. "He took advantage of you?" The farmer ran out into the front yard looking for the man but by now the man was halfway up the side of the mountain. The farmer screamed up at him, "I'm gonna get you! You had sex with my daughter!" The man looked back down from the mountainside, cupped his hands next to his mouth and yelled out, "I laid the old laDEE, too!" So that is how yodeling came about.

Ray at 12:13:6 Wednesday June 14 2000
I'd like to see Torquay go up as well - grand day out.

Bored s**tless..still at 12:1:5 Wednesday June 14 2000
After what we saw last season, who do we think will go up from Division 3 next season???? Without a doubt i think Brighton look sent for higher things, and Darlington should really walk it with all their money...(or are they set to be the 'Rushden and Direones' of the 3rd division?? Haha!!!) Hull,Orient, Rochdale and Cheltenham might all do well too going by last years performances against us!!!And you never know...Atkins might pull off a shock and work wonders with Carlise..(I mean we only managed to stick one goal past 'em last season!!!) And lastly, lets all hope Torquay go up too!!....Just because they are a nice bunch of peeps!!

Spotted...... at 11:52:57 Wednesday June 14 2000
Barry Hancock buying THREE bunches of flowers from the BP Garage in The Mill..... (One for each of his women i expect...)

Still Very bored at 11:45:29 Wednesday June 14 2000
To Dyl....NTFC win Division 2..no doubt about it!! England is our country, but the Cobblers are our home!!!! (And anyway, half the England team is made up of Man Utd players so the less said about that the better!!!!) When England lost the other night, i didn't feel half as peed off as i do when the Cobblers lose.... It CAN be exciting, but it'll never be the same as watching your home team! I rest my case!!!

In the Know at 11:42:46 Wednesday June 14 2000
I've had a tip that Stockport have offered us Ł100k for Hodge, and depending on the out come of Gabi we might take this to sign Clare! not bad bussines for a Ł25K signing!!

Anon at 10:58:49 Wednesday June 14 2000
dyl - NTFC win Div 2

Tony at 10:32:8 Wednesday June 14 2000
Could we yet see Marco....."Bristol Rovers boss Ian Holloway has ruled out any approach for Darlington striker Marco Gabbiadini. Gabbiadini is about to leave ambitious Darlington and Northampton are leading the chase, as a replacement for Carlo Corazzin."

dyl at 10:2:19 Wednesday June 14 2000
Question: What would you rather have, England win Euro 2000 or NTFC win Div 2 in 2000/01?

Still Bored at 9:52:12 Wednesday June 14 2000
Did you know that NTFC comes in 44th in the all time 'Goals For' table...ahead of The Scum!!!! Visit www.stats.football365.co.uk for more interesting info!!! And try and relieve your boregom like me...(which clearly is not working for me!!!)

Still bored... at 9:20:58 Wednesday June 14 2000
Has anyone else bought a copy of the Torquay game available on home video from 'Westwood'????? Does anyone want to???

Derek at 6:57:21 Wednesday June 14 2000
Dear Plumbob. Is it worth pointing out that there is a difference between Rob Marshall and Rod Marshall. One of those stands outside the ground on matchdays selling his fanzine, and incidentally played a major part in the formation of the Supporters Trust. The other one left a message here earlier about not buying your season ticket until you knew what players the Cobbs had bought. They are not one and the same.

Terry Hawes at 3:6:14 Wednesday June 14 2000
Don't underestimate Kevin Wilson! I believe he knows what he's doing...it was always going to be tough to get Clare or Forrester (forget Gabbiadini, he's going to be a flop). Buckley is going on about the fee because they will need him now in order to stay up next year although like I have said before, I think he really wants to play for us deep down. Forrester is tied down with a team in the Dutch First division...if it falls through, look for an increase in the bid for Clare...maybe another player involved as well. Stay loyal Cobbler fans, the board won't go crazy with money because we all know whats happening with the POSH and we don't want those days back ever again!

Plumbob at 0:24:24 Wednesday June 14 2000
Nice to see Rod Marshall nail his colours to the mask.Don't buy a season ticket until we see new signings ?How do you think the vast majority of the clubs income is raised ? No money ,no new players ? never mind ,if he can't be bothered to support the cobblers when they need help the most it show's what type of supporter he is. p. s. it will give him more time for the cheap mag he tries to sell outside the ground on matchday's

Ray at 23:31:8 Tuesday June 13 2000
Unlike previous years I'm not getting a season ticket this year - I'm getting TWO instead - bang goes my Saturday afternoon off.

Deepcut Cobbler at 22:47:38 Tuesday June 13 2000
Can I be first to jump on the band wagon. Supporting the Cobblers is through thick and the mainly thin. If you normally purchase a season ticket you should not be holding the club to ransom. The promised or forecast revenue from your advanced purchases will give more power to the boardroom to make funds available to buy these players. The board are supporters and if the funds were readily available do you not think that we would have the deals all done and dusted by now???? Get real, we have our limits, we have a finite amount of money for both the purchase and the wage bill. So although the figures for transfer do not sound too great we are not aware of their wage demands. Gabbi for his last real transfer needs to be able to 'set' up his family. If the Cobblers cannot afford to do that, why should we and why should we get onto the boards back for something that is out of their hands?? Where is our sugar daddy multi millionaire benefactor??? COME ON YOU COBBLERS!!!! By the way, I do not purchase a season ticket by virtue of my location and the impossible task of attending all matches....

Can't wait, Won't wait........ at 22:44:14 Tuesday June 13 2000
Anybody know the exact date the fixtures are out???

Rodney Marshall(Moaning Cobbler) at 22:27:15 Tuesday June 13 2000
The answer is quite simple: don't renew your season ticket until we see if NTFC do make some quality signings. I know that people will jump on my back for this comment: "lack of loyalty"; "they need our money" etc. But the honest to god truth is that in my lifetime the Cobblers have gone up on four occasions and each time the club's 'tight budget'/lack of ambition has cost us dear. Dodgin walked out on a promising team, Carr was left without backing and Atkins was frustrated by lack of financial aid. Now it is KW' turn. Unless the club proves that this summer is not merely a PR machine wind-up to get our money then I will hold on to mine...for the time being.

Anon at 21:39:50 Tuesday June 13 2000
Might I add that the below mentioned site does not change any files or content of the entered URL, but will make temporary changes to the output of your browser. But it is quite obscenely rude, so probably best to not even go there!!

Gomez at 21:31:0 Tuesday June 13 2000
May I apologise for this in advance but it is hilarious. To view this or any other web page in rude swear word ridden mode, simply go to http://pornolize.com/ select english mode and type in the URL of the site you want to see in rude mode (e.g. http://web.ukonline.co.uk/ntfc/cobbcomm.htm)and then submit. I must admit to being in tears of laughter after seeing this site 'pornalized'. Only visit this site if you are not offended by obscene swearing and preferably over eighteen!!!!! Please remove this Ray if you consider the conversion too outrageous, but it is hilarious!

Smart Ass at 19:51:18 Tuesday June 13 2000
Martin W - There are other fish in the sea but Guppy and Mark Fish already have contracts for next season.

Insider (on tour with England) at 19:48:21 Tuesday June 13 2000
And it's shock news from the England camp as Kevin Keegan is demoted to joint-manager for the rest of the tournament. His new assistant is Ian Atkins who will immediately assume team tactics if we go 1 nil up against Germany and will get at least 11 men behind the ball (more if possible) and will absorb pressure for the rest of the game. Dean Peer has been called into the squad to cover for Steve Macmanaman and Paul Wilkinson will be in charge of the forwards. Hansie Cronje has been asked to talk to all potential England opposition.

Northampton Gas at 19:7:39 Tuesday June 13 2000
Just thought I'd let you know that Corazzin's agent has been pushing him to join The Gas. Ian Holloway indicates that he could be interested IF Corazzin agrees to give up playing for Canada. With regard to Gabbiadini, I have been told that R & D have offered a substantial contract to him and that is one reason why he has refused to sign on again with Darlington.

MartinW at 19:4:23 Tuesday June 13 2000
KevinW is telling everyone not to worry - there will be new signings. The delays in getting anything tied up with Clare/Forrester or Gabbiadini are all to do with cash. Quite simply. And that has to be a worry. Of course there are other fish in the sea. And maybe some nice moneybags benefactor.

Good gag at 18:47:32 Tuesday June 13 2000
'Athena poster' if it was one, p.s. i think your probably right.

Plumbob at 17:50:53 Tuesday June 13 2000
ATHENA.Conned ? Desperate? You obviously have no idea that the workings of a football club take a lot of twists and turns during the summer .I can't believe you are moaning this soon after going up. Seems like a cheap shot at the board to me .

Athena at 16:6:4 Tuesday June 13 2000
Prudent thinking would suggest that we have all been sold a 'pup' over the supposed signing of new forwards. What else could the management have us suppose during a time when they are anxious to sell season tickets on the back of supporters optimism for next season? This 'we will perhaps sign two out of three' is just pie in the sky. If the truth be told it is unrealistic to suppose we shall get one of them! As so often, I again get the feeling that we the supporters are being conned and short changed by a desperate board. The excuses have already begun to filter out about the problems in getting these players. Why can't the club be open and honest and tell us the truth for once - that we are going to be very short of goal power next season, or is telling the truth bad marketing policy?

Adding a little more to the Rumour Mill at 15:51:13 Tuesday June 13 2000
Plymouth's Hargreaves WILL be joining the Cobblers at the end of this month!!!!!!

Sibs at 15:34:6 Tuesday June 13 2000
Err the last two comments after the end of the quote is me... i tried to space it but didna work..

Sibs at 15:32:59 Tuesday June 13 2000
Likewise with this gem... teamtalk again.. Former Leeds hitman Jamie Forrester is no closer to becoming a Northampton player as talks have come to a standstill with Dutch side FC Utrecht. Manager Kevin Wilson has revealed that negotiations have stalled over the six figure sum being demanded for the player. Forrester proved a revelation while on-loan at Sixfields at the end of the promotion season, scoring six in the ten games he played for the Cobblers. But Wilson is struggling to agree a fee for the diminutive frontman, who he has earmarked as the replacement for the departing Carlo Corazzin. Wilson commented:"Discussions with Utrecht about Jamie Forrester are ongoing and that is the best possible way to describe them. "We are no closer to a deal than we were this time last week." Things are going well... still dont want to bid too high to start and spend more than necessary.

Sibs at 15:30:49 Tuesday June 13 2000
Appologies if this has been mentioned before... from teamtalk... Daryl Clare's name keeps cropping up as the Republic of Ireland Under 21 striker becomes hot property. Northampton Town's Ł50,000 bid was turned down last week and the Mariners vice chairman dismissed the Cobblers offer as a 'derisory one'. Grimsby would be prepared to let the player go - the asking price is a quarter of million pounds. Northampton haven't got anything like that money - so the chances that the 21-year-old will heading off to the Sixfields on a permanent basis, look slim. He did spent two and a half months there last season on loan. But the incentive for the manager to ship these players out is now there after the boards decision to let him keep the money.

Anon at 15:16:36 Tuesday June 13 2000
Yup - thats what I was referring to - but didn't want to alert him in cas ehe did it again - lol

Carl at 15:13:5 Tuesday June 13 2000
Trouble is the idjit has appeared to put an email address for both of the witty comments and one can only assume that it is genuine (mole_36@hotmail.com).

Anon at 14:52:2 Tuesday June 13 2000
You have to worry about the mentality of some people......

Dean Peer at 14:41:15 Tuesday June 13 2000
IM STILL RUNNING ROUND LIKE A HEADLESS CHICKEN!!!!!!

Steve Howard at 14:40:4 Tuesday June 13 2000
SORRY IM NOT VERY GOOD

SBJ at 13:17:19 Tuesday June 13 2000
I thought that the best team won last night; England were good but Portugal had something a bit extra, holding on to the ball when it mattered and creating scoring chances almost from start to finish. Somewhere during the last hour of the game England players played with an uncertain / indecisive manner, and were too often caught in possession when they could have been setting up a scoring chance. On the positive side, I think we showed enough ability to gve us a good chance against Germany on Saturday, and perhaps then a draw against Romania would be enough to go through. The other nice thing to see was that the Portuguese didn't play to Mediterranean stereotype: very little time-wasting, play-acting, nasty fouling or general poncing around like the Italians or Spanish or Turkish tend to go for. Leave the midfield as it is, try turning the apparent loss of Tony Adams into a positive thing by re-shuffling the defence (G Neville, Keown, Campbell and Barry?), and try not to use Shearer as a winger so much. that should sort out the Germans, who's 39-year-old centre-back shouldn't be able to contain a fast Owen and strong Shearer combination. And get Seamen to keep the hair out of his eyes; Figo's good, but even with the deflection that shot was stoppable.

Anon at 12:58:19 Tuesday June 13 2000
BUY CRAIG LIDDLE

Anon at 12:58:18 Tuesday June 13 2000
BUY CRAIG LIDDLE

Anon at 12:58:17 Tuesday June 13 2000
BUY CRAIG LIDDLE

Anon at 12:58:2 Tuesday June 13 2000
BUY CRAIGB LIDDLE

SUNDERLAND COBBLER at 10:40:18 Tuesday June 13 2000
Morning all, England were very poor at the bacl last night. Adams was not fit enough to last a full game. However, we will still go through and beat the germans. Must dash. P.S Marco will come to us that the feeling up here Dave.E

dyl at 10:36:27 Tuesday June 13 2000
Shearer should be dropped. Adams should be dropped. Owen and Phillips (or Fowler) up front. Where was our captain last night? AWOL! All he did was a header at goal at the start of the game, and block a good shot by Scholes. He's too slow, and seems unable to inspire the team to overcome a deficit (unlike the Portuguese).

Tony at 10:26:14 Tuesday June 13 2000
I have always thought Heskey was a good player, but NO WAY an international player. And if you are gonna play him, NOT with Shearer! And even if Cole is injured, shouldn't Philips be given a chance ahead of Heskey? At least Philips know's where the goal is! And Heskey.... OI NOOOOO, STOP FALLING OVER!

Anon at 10:0:42 Tuesday June 13 2000
Hey my names Anon think of your own bloody name!

Anon at 9:55:18 Tuesday June 13 2000
oh for god's sake give it a rest. I won't sing it now out of principle!

Anon at 9:20:41 Tuesday June 13 2000
We haven't heard my idea for a new song for at least 5 minutes, so here goes.....it goes as followed in the tune of dads army..... Who do you think you are kidding barry fry if you think we're on the run? We are the boys who will stop your little game we are the boyz who will make you think again so who do you think you are kidding barry fry if you think old cobblers are done! So there you have it. Now sadly I have no power to enforce this brilliant tune but I appeal to anyone that may have the power in whatever form programmes, web pages etc to try and promote it. Thank you for your time (Again!).

Lancaster Cobbler at 2:42:34 Tuesday June 13 2000
Hot news England call up Cobblers defence!! Well, Hendon is better than Gary Neville!! !

MartinW at 0:45:41 Tuesday June 13 2000
People too gobsmacked or drowning sorrows to comment on how England conspired to lose after going 2-0 up. Keegan's tactical naivety is well known. Players that have played for him will tell you. He believes that if you play at your best you don't have to worry about the opposition. It's very refreshing and there's no doubt that the players love him for that. Coaching, pah. But players need systems and they need to know what they are supposed to do on the pitch. Where was the marking. Where was the defence. We've seen it all before when Keegan managed Newcastle. Great games. God, fab for the neutral. But would have been a Geordie. At 2-0 up we should have closed the game off. The best teams do and we have the players to do that if directed properly. And they were clearly not knowing what to do, except ball watch. Portugal had ONE player up front. And that one player did more than our two up front. There has been too much jingoistic hype about how England are going to win this tournament. People have seemed to forget how bloody jammy we were to get even to the play offs, never mind through that. We have the talent in England to do well. But the margin between success and failure when so many sides are so equally matched is so small. Tactical awareness is crucial. To say that you don't have to worry about the opposition is a laugh. Luis Figo was worried about the opposition, when interviewed. He could not pick out one single dangerous England player because he felt that if one player like Beckham does not play well then someone else like Owen will. Sorry, I've probably done what everyone has done and gone down the pub and got hammered. But what the hell was Shearer doing on the pitch at the end. He should have been subbed coz he did very little offensively and his body language, sauntering around when he should be leading and fighting as captain was once again astonishing. To say he never got the service is a fallacy because quite clearly Scholes did manage to score with the service. And could have got another. Shearer just wasn't on the ball again, quite literally. Great player in the past, but in recent interationals found lacking. You could not get better service than that provided by Beckham who is truly world class. Not one opportunity did Shearer create or one on target... again. Heskey. Give us a break. And whose twiddling his thumbs at home - Andy Cole. Never given a chance at England level. Heskey? Jeez O. Scholes and Beckham are class Coley would have been a perfect link up with those because of the Man U connection. Not enough has been made of his exclusion. Not enough is made of Coleys running off the ball. And anyone who says he hasn't done it at the top level forgets he has won a Champions League medal scoring crucial goals in that campaign. Instead we have Fowler, not match fit because of injury, before Coley. Does that make sense. And all that stuff about Cole being injured was tosh. He wasn't given the chance. Full stop. We're talking saving face stuff. Let's hope England can get it together against the Germans. My head wants us to go up but before this tournament began I felt we would go out first round and that a draw against the Portguese was the best we could hope for. I kept believing I was just being too pessimistic. Eeek. Anyway, who cares about football. It's only a game.

Ray at 23:32:45 Monday June 12 2000
Pesonally I felt that Portugal showed us what it means to have "class" players. Although several comments were made on the box regarding their "suspect" defence - they did keep us out for the last 75 minutes - and scored 3 in retaliation. Assuming they don't get "first 15 minute" nerves in their remaining matches I can see them going a long way.

nsb at 23:19:52 Monday June 12 2000
an analysi of englands performance...... strikers were quiet, ince crap adams........ doesnt deserve to be in the 22 let alone the 1st 11 neville shirked his defensive duties scholes...... when it came to defending was all over the place plus points: mcmanaman had a good game but got injured adams is injured HOORAY! germanys defense was pants earlier so some pinpoint beckham crosses could mean plenty of goals coming our way!

Ray at 23:2:44 Monday June 12 2000
Duly deleted.

Barry Stonhill at 22:46:28 Monday June 12 2000
Never mind rumours, we've got Marco. Get your season ticket reduction this week. And when Alan Shearer rings to offer his services free of charge, the answer will be NO.

Sky news at 22:28:8 Monday June 12 2000
Ian Atkins confirmed as manager of Carlisle. Good luck to him and the club

mick at 22:24:12 Monday June 12 2000
So, who do you fancy for Euro 2000? I've bet the house on Italy. Why? Because they are a quality team no-one is talking about. This means good value at 7-1. For all you patriots out there, don't worry I've done a "heart" bet on England at 12s. But after tonight I've shelved any plans on spending the winings. Mind you, being the gullible fool I am, I definately going to punt on England being victorious on Saturday.

Danny at 22:3:15 Monday June 12 2000
We were unlucky. No recriminations

Big Roy at 21:44:44 Monday June 12 2000
anyone even!

Big Roy at 21:43:57 Monday June 12 2000
Did any notice that the referee tonight was a Swede? This GM food issue really is a bit of a worry!

Think about it at 21:42:50 Monday June 12 2000
Maybe Sean isn't English

Sean is a looser! at 21:28:30 Monday June 12 2000
Whats your problem dick f*&k! You got some serious mental issue!

Sean from London at 21:10:19 Monday June 12 2000
Goal !!!!!!!!!! Clarets 3-2 up

britgal at 20:40:48 Monday June 12 2000
plus, come on england!!

Real Britgal at 20:40:10 Monday June 12 2000
whoever that was at 13.10.26, prtending 2 be me, u r evil!!! ray, can u please delete it?

R+D at 20:9:30 Monday June 12 2000
Bloody hell lads, you trying to give me a heart-attack? 2-1 on 20 mins! (Scholes, McManaman) (Figo) Cooooooooome on, uuuuuuuuuuuuuuu whites.......

Sean from London at 18:51:4 Monday June 12 2000
I will be supporting the team in claret tonight - come on Portugal !!!

More rumours at 18:29:18 Monday June 12 2000
Kevin Wilson will have to wait until the end of June to discover if he has persuaded ex-Derby striker Marco Gabbiadini to sign for the Cobblers. Wilson and Gabbiadini are old friends and when it emerged that Gabbiadini would not sign another contract with Darlington after failing to win promotion to Division Two, Wilson got in contact. The striker toured the club and spoke to other interested parties before jetting off on holiday to consider his options. Wilson said: "He is currently away on holiday and he has said he will make a decision on his return at the end of June."

Dyl at 17:17:7 Monday June 12 2000
Best and worst moments of last year.... Best Darlo away, Rochdale away, Torquay home and away. Worst, Rochdale home - well, most of the Atkins games really, boro home and away.

Bored again... at 16:55:20 Monday June 12 2000
Does anyone know when the fixture list is officially out?? That should give us something to ponder over till August 12th!!! Also, instead of talking CRAP in here..why dont we discuss our best/worst moments of out AUTOMATIC PROMOTION winning season???

Anon at 16:46:45 Monday June 12 2000
I hear Posh Spice could offer some advice

Anon at 16:33:14 Monday June 12 2000
who wants to help Britgal?

Jenna Redding at 15:16:10 Monday June 12 2000
Congratulations to Kevin wilson and the lads on their promotion to division 2. See you at as many games as possible next season.

Ray at 15:10:43 Monday June 12 2000
I knew that - I was trying to pass the time with a rather feeble quip. God - this close season seems to be longer than most.

Anon at 14:40:41 Monday June 12 2000
'If' the Cobblers are going to Ireland ???? You mean you didn't know that Ray - your slipping mate. Bray Wanderers ground is called the Carlisle Grounds so cancel that train ticket to Cumbria .

Ray at 14:25:8 Monday June 12 2000
If the Cobblers are going to Ireland, why are you going to Carlisle?

Paddy cobbler at 13:55:30 Monday June 12 2000
Brilliant ! Just discovered the Mighty Cobb's are coming to Ireland in July. See you in the Carlisle Grounds , Bray next month

Bez at 12:44:47 Monday June 12 2000
From what I understand on the Gabbiadini front he is concerned that if he joins Reading or Walsall he won't be guaranteed first team football with Nicky Forster and Martin Butler up front for Reading and Darren Byfield and Alex Watson for Walsall. Interestingly Walsall have released Mark Robins so that could be a fall back signing. The result of all this is that Northampton and Darlington are favourites, but Darlington's financial clout added to the fact that he is not too interested in having to move far could be the deciding factor. As for Rusden and Diamonds - the reason they are buying these over priced conference players is that very few players want to drop to the Conference from Divisions 2 and 3. This means that they ask for inflated wages. That means that Gabbiadini probably asked Rushden for more than he has asked the league clubs. Also Brian Talbot's lack of tactical and man to man managerial know how he is becoming regarded as a liability. Tarkan Mustafa, his first signing is a wing back who he is proposing to play at right back (any one who has seen him play knows he can't defend) and as I have always said NEVER sign a striker after 1 good season. Look at Lee Bradbury Ł3.5m! Jackson may well be a similar result. My advice for them would be to sign Neil Davis from Hednesford.

marco at 10:21:11 Monday June 12 2000
teamtalk say we are keen on jon bass, a right-back from birmingham. Plus it looks like we are looking at the left-wing position. This from the optasoccer site - WOLVES midfielder Paul Simpson could be on the verge of a return to his former club Oxford United after a proposed move to Northampton fell through. The left-sided player can leave Molineux on a free if he can find a buyer and Denis Smith has made enquiries into taking the player to Oxford. Northampton had been chasing Simpson but because of other potential deals have cooled their interest in the player. Simpson has another year on his contract at Wolves, although he has been stuck in the reserves and would likely jump at the chance to resurrect his first team career.

NSD at 9:38:15 Monday June 12 2000
We haven't heard my idea for a new song for at least 5 minutes, so here goes.....it goes as followed in the tune of dads army..... Who do you think you are kidding barry fry if you think we're on the run? We are the boys who will stop your little game we are the boyz who will make you think again so who do you think you are kidding barry fry if you think old cobblers are done! So there you have it. Now sadly I have no power to enforce this brilliant tune but I appeal to anyone that may have the power in whatever form programmes, web pages etc to try and promote it. Thank you for your time (Again!).

Ray at 1:22:54 Monday June 12 2000
Yup - look at the announcement on 15th. May.

web at 0:2:39 Monday June 12 2000
Oh I forgot there in latest news.

web at 0:1:6 Monday June 12 2000
Ray I don't think the season ticket prices are on the official site.

Andy at 22:19:50 Sunday June 11 2000
plattery? Is that being a half decent player but a crap manager?

Ray at 21:23:59 Sunday June 11 2000
They say imitation is the sincerest form of plattery - R&D have announced a pre-season "tour" of Ireland.

Ray at 21:22:6 Sunday June 11 2000
Why not look on the Official Site and see if they are there?

Anon at 16:50:39 Sunday June 11 2000
Yeah but how much are they

Cynic at 16:13:18 Sunday June 11 2000
Anon - They are the charges made for obtaining all of your tickets pre-season thus making a small saving and giving the club a huge cash advance.

Anon at 15:6:37 Sunday June 11 2000
Wot are the season ticket prices

Ray at 13:52:32 Sunday June 11 2000
Northampton Team Talk site is - http://uk.sports.yahoo.com/foot/engl/t/nort/index.html

Danny at 13:31:26 Sunday June 11 2000
With all due respect Rushden Kestral, Carlo was gonna miss 16 games to international commitment next season so 3000 per week was not economically viable.

Anonn at 13:28:53 Sunday June 11 2000
Whats the address for teamtalk site anyone??

Ray at 12:14:41 Sunday June 11 2000
You actually have 2 years to bring stadia up to the required rules - so its the third season thats important. However - has anyone ever heard a a club being relegated because of this rule? I thought not.

nsb at 11:54:31 Sunday June 11 2000
new rules state that in their 2nd season after being promoted all div 2 clubs must have a certain capacity.....

R+D at 11:44:33 Sunday June 11 2000
What's all this rubbish about you not having a big enough capasity for Div2? It didn't stop you last time....

nsb at 11:43:32 Sunday June 11 2000
on the subject of a new reserve keeper, i think that the most likely outcome here will be that kw offers one of the youth team keepers a pro contract for next season..... either that or we should by woody back!

Nosey Parker at 9:54:57 Sunday June 11 2000
It only goes to show that even greed is spreading to the lower divisions when Gaddiadini wants more then Ł3000 a week? If he is so good why did the top flight clubs off load him them?

MartinW at 7:34:0 Sunday June 11 2000
A little extra info on Gabbiadini. Darlington are understood to have offered Gabbiadini a near 70% increase in wages over two years. But the big sticking point was that Gabbiadini wants a three year deal. As WSD says the one thing we have in our favour is Second Division football. But with Gabbiadini saying, "This will probably be my last contract and I must do what is right for my family", money will be a factor but some clubs might get put off by a commitment to three years when Gabbiadini is in his 30s. Darlington wantedGabbiadini on a two year deal to keep him hungry. But the Quakers manager Dave Hodgson has not ruled out landing Gabby. He could reopen talks with him when his new budget is known.

plumbob at 1:25:28 Sunday June 11 2000
With all the money mr. talbot has to spend, why does he carry on dipping into the confrence ? I'm amazed he can't attract quality players from the second or third division .If he was in any other club i'm sure he would have been on his way by now.

WSD at 22:15:52 Saturday June 10 2000
Rushden Kestrel - you have to look at it this way, he may have turned Ł3k a week down to play in the Conference, but would he turn that down to play at a higher level of football?

Mark Too at 21:22:30 Saturday June 10 2000
Rushden Kestrel... I don't think Carlo's wages was the problem.. I think why he left was more down to the 16 games he will miss next season while someone is still paying him, and that he was completely upstaged by Jamie Forrester who made him look very ordinary. While we are on the subject of transfers... Why have R&D just spent Ł180,000 on a conference striker? If that's what having money does to the prices of players you are hoping to buy then I'm pleased we haven't got much! I honestly believe that both Forrester and Clare would not move to a club out of the Nationwide league, unless it was the Premiership of course. With Gabbiadini I thought you had a chance, but it seems that due to your managers idea that the third division top scorer is not worth Ł250k but a non-league striker is worth Ł180k you no longer have a chance of getting him either.

Rushden Kestrel at 21:7:17 Saturday June 10 2000
With respect, if you couldn't afford to maintain Corrazin's wages at Ł3K per week then you are out of the race for Gabbiadini. Doncaster offered him Ł3K per week and that wasn't enough for him. Grimsby want Ł250K for Clare so that's a no no unless you can meet them half way while Forrester looks your best bet if only you could raise Ł100K to pay the transfer fee. Think you might get the latter but...........Diamonds might be keen to see which of Clare and Forrester doesn't move to Sixfields!

Hot Off The Press at 16:44:38 Saturday June 10 2000
Todays top story: Northampton Town are trying to sign Arsenal's Nigel Winterburn on a Bosman Free Transfer

Philip Hudson at 16:40:22 Saturday June 10 2000
The reason we're short of left sided playerts is because he realeased Parrish. He released and even said we needed a left sided player. If we need to fill the gap why did he release him

Philip Hudson at 16:36:57 Saturday June 10 2000
Can someone remind me how much the season tickets are please

Mark at 12:8:6 Saturday June 10 2000
I don't think we will get any of the strikers as we just can't afford them and as Martin W said, we need a second goalie and a left sided player before we start spending money we haven't got. We should not of released Carlo without knowing if we had a new striker who had signed for the club, however i hope we can get at least one of the forwards. Also, has Parrish signed for anyone yet? UP THE COBBLERS

MartinW at 10:47:21 Saturday June 10 2000
Re Marco Gabbiadini apparently there are a number of clubs lining up to sign him with Reading the favourites. Marco has been looking at a number of options - not just Northampton. It would be interesting to see how we can now finance a deal with Clare when it was a problem last season. Chesterfield is the latest side to join the race to sign Gabbiadini who is out of contract and has scored 50 goals for Darlington in Third Division matches in the last two years. Newly-relegated Chesterfield are hoping that the club's proximity to Gabbiadini's home in York might help them. Although Reading are the favourites to sign him,manager Alan Pardew has also asked about Wigan forward Stuart Barlow. Walsall are another side in the running, but a reunion with Gabbiadini's former manager at Sunderland, Denis Smith, who is now at Oxford United, appears to be unlikely. Smith brought in Gabbiadini on loan two seasons ago, but he only scored one goal while he was there and it is thought that he would be reluctant to take a chance on criticism from the fans. They also have a problem with financing a three year deal. Alsoi out of the running are Scottish Premier League club Aberdeen, who have to lighten their wage bill. Darlington chairman George Reynolds has said: "We have had negotiations. We have to wait until David Hodgson gets back but he (Marco) is trying to see what he can get." It sounds like that our options might have to be wider on the forward front if we are to get two from Forrester/Gabbiadini/Clare but then football is a funny old game.

D ub Stylee at 8:39:48 Saturday June 10 2000
Shrewd business dealings are not an indication of ones financial status. If the first offer for Clare or Forrester are accepted they are too high. I haven't seen hoards of press about other clubs racing to sign either player. Both fit into our team makeup but again both are on loan from teams who dont use them. We need them both as they suit our style and squad but at the end of the day they are both Div 2/3 first team players so if we are realistic when the terms are agreed they will sign.

ITS OFFICIAL... were broke! at 0:43:4 Saturday June 10 2000
Grimsby Town have officialy rejected an offer from Second Division Northampton Town for striker Darryl Clare. The Republic of Ireland under 21 international spent time on loan at Northampton last season and had been identified by the newly-promoted side's manager Kevin Wilson as a transfer target. Mariners boss Alan Buckley has always said that he will not allow the Second Division side to short change him over Clare who he regards as a player of real ability. Northampton's offer for Clare hasn't been revealed, but it's thought to come well short of the figure of around two hundred and fifty thousand pounds that Town want for the player. Clare would be delighted to return to the Sixfields Stadium, but they're going to have increase their offer if they're to stand any chance of sealing his return to the club.

Don't make us laugh Ian! at 0:40:36 Saturday June 10 2000
"I don't understand the word consolidation, I only understand the word win."

Guess the Chairman? at 0:38:30 Saturday June 10 2000
Chairman Albert Doweck is backing new boss Ian Atkins to revive the fortunes of the Cumbrians. Doweck said: "The future begins now - everything looks good and the supporters will love Ian Atkins. He loves football, he is ambitious, he has a good record and is an excellent man manager. "He knows we have got to get off the ground floor and there is a budget - if a player needs to be bought, the directors will be open-minded."

Uncle Richard at 23:23:59 Friday June 9 2000
Real Exclusive :- Andy Roberts will not be reporting the Cobblers for the Chronic next season -Remember you saw it here first

MartinW at 23:0:25 Friday June 9 2000
With all this talk about whether we will get Clare/Forrester/Gabbiadini to get our forward line up to speed, it should be remembered that we need to sign another goalie, a left sided midfielder and a defender. We missed the boat with Byfield because he was available on a free from Villa last season. Money is obviously the big factor. If we invest in our forward line other parts of the team might suffer. Personally I would go for Gabbiadini and Forrester. Clare's interesting and yes he's young, but who would not lick their lips over the possibility of having the firepower and proven goalscoring ability of Gabbiadini and Forrester.

Zinedine Zidane at 22:27:16 Friday June 9 2000
I was just about to sign for your club, but I hear there are no Zs at the shop, oh well.

Andy at 22:17:14 Friday June 9 2000
Richard, I'm afraid youv'e missed my point. Unfortunately ground capacity seems to have no relation to success. I gave a few examples before, and another good one would be Reading. Although they have one of the best grounds outside the Premiership, they are still stuck in div 2 with us. luckily for them they have a sugar daddy who is happy to chuck money at them. The cold facts are we have had a handfull of seasons off the bottom division since the 60's, and if any Company or Council is thinking about investment they are bound to hold off to see if we can consolidate our place in the 2nd. It's easy to critisize the board's ambition etc. It's simply not your money, and if it was, don't try and persuade me you'd give it all to The Cobblers.

Adolf Hitler at 21:53:53 Friday June 9 2000
kgfiusf kajdfaiuhf. kahfkauyiahfd,a afoaifu bo aof ;l/ul flika fityiaerh .l/a8gonvla;a8rbolhjfg

Memo to Janet in the shop. at 21:49:7 Friday June 9 2000
Learn how to spell 'Gabbiadini'. It could be helpful in the months ahead.(And place your letter 'Z's in the bargain bucket as there won't be much call for them in these parts.)

Steve at 21:39:8 Friday June 9 2000
Hello, Due to morons, we have now moved the 2nd Div messageboard. You are very welcome to visit the board, our aim is to keep abuse, pornography and violence away from the messageboard. We can now block abusive postings, so you should be able to post your views in peace. http://members.boardhost.com/2view Thank you.

Nosey Parker at 20:57:51 Friday June 9 2000
Talking about players coming out to a tune how about "Micky Mouse" ha ha ha sums up the board wonderfully!!! Judge Pickles are you still thinking of a reply to my last posting last week?

Big Jim at 20:7:11 Friday June 9 2000
Jamie you wrote you would be in Ayia Napa I am living about 20 minutes away.Tell me when you`ll be in town and we`ll have a drink

britgal at 19:11:50 Friday June 9 2000
and my name is an anagram for: a clarence heroin tool. hmmm...

britgal at 19:2:1 Friday June 9 2000
anagrams for kevin wilson: knives in low, swivel no ink, evil is known, sloven i wink, novel ski win, wolf-skin in, evil sink won. Make of that what u will. (ok, i know this is old but i'm bored!)

Steve at 18:41:19 Friday June 9 2000
Does anyone know if the Sixfields Ticket office is open Saturday morning regarding re-newing Season Tickets ?.

Anon at 18:36:18 Friday June 9 2000
A magician on a cruise liner had a parrot, who'd seen all the magician's tricks a jillion times, long ago having figured out how the magician made everything in the act disappear. The parrot got bored, his owner growing stale and not developing any new tricks that the parrot could figure out. One night in the middle of the magician's performance, the ship hit an iceberg and sank. Everyone drowned except the magician and the parrot. The magician managed to swim to a piece of wreckage and climb aboard, immediately collapsing from exhaustion. Soon afterward, the parrot flew to the magician and perched on the edge of the makeshift raft and stared at the magician. And stared. And stared. For a whole day the magician was unconscious, and all this time the parrot didn't take his eyes off him. Eventually the magician started to stir. Looking up, he saw the parrot, still eyeing him intently, not even blinking. Another hour goes by, and finally the parrot squawks, "Awright, I give up. What did you do with the goddamn ship?"

Hartwell at 17:58:18 Friday June 9 2000
Watch out for an announcement tomorrow regarding the squad. PS -Terry - Grimsby didn't look much like a lame duck side when they beat us at Wembley, did they ?

I8Poshie at 17:35:21 Friday June 9 2000
what are you on. we know your scum but i did'nt know you are all retarded aswell

Adam Marriott at 17:33:24 Friday June 9 2000
I have just started a new ntfc fan page. i am looking for constant visitors and correspondants so i can get the amount of visitors of the message board up to as many as this one. the address is http://members.boardhost.com/mazz/?960567692 you can also e-mail me if you wish to correspond with a true cobblers fan.

Poshie at 17:31:46 Friday June 9 2000
Here's a couple: Marco Gabbiadini - Acrid aim big bacon. Northampton - Non hot tramp!

Person at 13:26:58 Friday June 9 2000
The board do a fantastic job but they have found their level, div2, every public statement recently as always involves mentioning financial difficulty, and as no big time financial backer as ever been in charge (If Griggs really wanted it he would have got it)I predict the ground will not be expanded until the league threaten to lob us out of div2.

Alan Hansen at 11:48:46 Friday June 9 2000
We haven't heard my idea for a new song for at least 5 minutes, so here goes.....it goes as followed in the tune of dads army..... Who do you think you are kidding barry fry if you think we're on the run? We are the boys who will stop your little game we are the boyz who will make you think again so who do you think you are kidding barry fry if you think old cobblers are done! So there you have it. Now sadly I have no power to enforce this brilliant tune but I appeal to anyone that may have the power in whatever form programmes, web pages etc to try and promote it. Thank you for your time (Again!).

Carl at 8:58:21 Friday June 9 2000
Good old Marvin Gaye would have had a field day with all this speculation and counter speculation going on. It seems to go in cycles - we'll get A, no B wants to come here, but what about C, then no we can't afford A and B just C but we will have to sell D and E, what a crap board we have if D and F have to go to get ZZ. I prefer just to wait and see, and I think we all know whoever we get be it A or ZZ then KW has tried his best and you can't fault him, I just wish it was all out the way. Roll on August. Where if we do get just two out of the three people mentioned on this here site, I reckon we could be in for a very good season, and hopefully with plenty of goals to cheer. UP THE COBBLERS!!!

Vince at 8:58:5 Friday June 9 2000
Does anyone know a goog hitman who's speciality is people who are about to get married? - I've had "no way out of this one" wedding invitation for 12 August Arrrrrrrrrrrrrgh......

Cornonthecob at 8:54:30 Friday June 9 2000
Personally i would go for Clare, and Forrester. This would mean we would always have a skillful, quick, player available to play off Stevie! Admittedly Gabbo is skillful, but he lacks pace, has only 1 or 2 seasons left, and is probably the one were least likely to get hold of. If we get daryl, and jamie i`ll be well chuffed!, what about the other 3 positions though? surely our defence and midfield don`t have anywhere near enough depth to get us a mid table spot next season? Byfield isn`t a loss, he has bags of skill and pace, but lacks effort, and at a club like ours, if u don`t put in the effort you shouldn`t be here, all our players are grafters, there`s no place for cruisers.

M at 8:21:14 Friday June 9 2000
I've heard that if we get Gabi and Forrester young Mr Howard will be on his way to Carlisle, and we all know who is at the healm there, don't we. I think it could be a done deal. Watch this space!!

Terry Hawes at 1:31:35 Friday June 9 2000
I honestly don't think we will get Gabbiadini, its either going to be Reading or Darlington. Besides we don't need him, continue the youth movement I say, focus on Forrester and Clare...Clare deep down doesn't want to return to Grimsby. They are nothing but a lame duck side with lame duck fans and a lame duck ground, they show no ambition and what does that equal (relegation next year) read my lips...division two for the fish! Forrester and Clare would work well together and throw in Howard to the equation and we have a good team. We'll have to get rid of a couple of players (ie: Spedding, Savage etc) but I think we've got ambition under Wilson, unlike Atkins. PS: Any news regarding Carl Heggs, is he still at Chester...what's the story with him...bring him back! Bring Warburton back...I know he wants to be back! GO COBBLERS from CANADA!

RICHARD at 1:1:34 Friday June 9 2000
ANDY@23.15.33: Ambition is the key to the equation. We have the raw materials to achieve success, both on the field and in the commercial stakes. It requires both forward thinking and sound management. I believe the existing force behind NTFC wants the same as the ordinary fan; the differenece lies in the ability to influence and lead. It's patently obvious that the catchment area COULD supply a ready source of revenue through the turnstiles. What is lacking is the promotion of this aim by those empowered with the wherewithall. The County ground used to attract crowds of 20,000 on a fairly regular basis; even 10,000+ would turn up in the desperate days of the downward flight to the basement division in the late 60s and early 70s. It was the lack of dynamic managemennt at the club in the latter years that has lead to a declining interest in NTFC locally. The Wembley 40,000 is testament to the casual interest in the Club; that uncommitted element needs to be nurtured and cajoled into manifesting itself in bodies through the turnstiles. On the back of this, plus a consequent rise in merchandise sales adding to Club funds, would mean money in the coffers and the chance to acquire quality players. The resulting success on the pitch would further fuel local interest, creating the seed corn of future financial security, which would lead to a stronger, more profitable and, ultimately more successful Club. The initial boost required is bums on seats; we have seen that success on the pitch attracts more fans, but we have been unable to accommodate a wider fan base because of the meagre capacity of Sixfields. We have been told that the ground can expand; indeed, the existing structure was commissioneed with expansion in mind. We need to grab the bull by the horns as an ambitious Club. Increase the ground capacity and let the fans vote with their feet. Money, the root of the majority of footballing success, will flow from it. Carpe diem.

Andy at 23:15:33 Thursday June 8 2000
Deepcut Cobbler, No-one is going to want to invest if we keep yoyoing between the 2nd and 3rd division. Don't forget, in the 3rd you are one bad season from non-league. As long as we consolidate ourselves in the 2nd for a couple of seasons then long term investment is a reality. Don't forget no amount of support is a guarantee of success. Man City was an obvious example and Birmingham City and Wolves are current ones. It's easy to urge people to spend their money on our team, but I do know if I had that sort of cash (I wish) I would think long and hard before doshing it out to The Cobblers at the moment.

Deepcut Cobbler at 22:13:30 Thursday June 8 2000
Walsall have signed Darren Byfield ahead of Oxford, so he is out of the frame...COME ON YOU COBBLERS!!!!

Deepcut Cobbler at 22:8:3 Thursday June 8 2000
We may only need 400 extra seats to meet Div 2 standards but why restrict us to that? We need a lot more extra revenue to be able to sit at the same table as the rest of them. Gate revenue prevents us from being the side we could be. I (in loud because I am trying emphasise) BELIEVE THAT WITH OUR CATCHMENT AREA, A STADIUM TO ATTRACT AND ACCOMMODATE THEM ALL AND A MANAGER LIKE KEVIN BLOODY, WE HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO BE AS BIG AS AT LEAST IPSWICH!!!! Ipswich?? I hear you say, Ipswich are a very similar size town to us. They have a Third Division side relatively close (Colly) but still are able to attract 20K crowds, we do not have that distraction. I believe that with the capacity increase, the right side which includes success we could and would have at least a 20K regular attendance when we get into the first. If we are not in a position to accommodate that amount what is the point? Why are we struggling to attract funds when presented correctly NTFC is a goldmine if sold correctly. I would love to be given the funding and wherewithal to be able to present and promote NTFC. Why hasn't this been achieved? The mindset is in place for a small time club and we stick to that. NTFC is bigger than that and once the powers to be realise this we may progress. Yesterdays piece on capacity utility should have provoked more response, this hopefuly will do that. We reckon that we are the voice of the real fans, is there any real comment/agreement out there or are we just talking to ourselves?? COME ON YOU COBBLERS!!!

Dave at 21:33:21 Thursday June 8 2000
POSH r Ł5 million in debt hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahhahahahahaha hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha hahahahahaha

I know something at 21:31:40 Thursday June 8 2000
Northampton is looking favourite for Marco.

ORBITAL Ganja - Part 3 at 21:15:1 Thursday June 8 2000
She though was stopped by about 5 pedestrians. Who held onto her. Mean while people rushed to the aid of the other woman who was in sheer agony. The Emergency services were called. About 5 minutes later one ambulance arived followed by a police riot van and a police car. Trouble though was still ahead as arguments flaired between the hammer woman and members of the public. As the injured woman was carted away by the ambulance. The hammer woman was led to the police van but just before she was about to board it, she flicked out her hammer from her shopping bag and tried to hit a policeman, but luckily she was wrestled to the ground by three other policeman, handcuffed and carted away to the nick. That was the last we heard. So any Football Fans entering Bruges during the tournament, beware of the Mad hammer woman of Bruges!

ORBITAL Ganja - Part 2 at 21:4:22 Thursday June 8 2000
Anyway on to the main part of the story. While sitting in a very large market place next to a fair, eating candy floss. Me, my parents and sister, witnessed seemly a most psychotic attck performed by an OAP (Oh thats not PC!). The attack happen like this:- Two elderly ladies were sitting in a bus stop about 20 feet away. They were chatting away, but voices began to get raised until a full scaled argument ensued. A man standing by the bus stop tried to calm them both down. But to know availe. Then as quick as a flash one of the women pulled out a hammer from a shopping bag, and thrust the hammer directly at the other womens knee. She did this twice,the other women screamed in agony, and collasped on to one of the seats. The woman with the hammer then put it back in her bag and started to walk away.

ORBITAL Ganja - Part 1 at 20:54:16 Thursday June 8 2000
Aside from me going on about the Log Lady (Mon). I would like to all tell you a true story that coincides with Euro 2000. Well Belgium to be specific. Way back in 1991, I used to live in Belgium. Me, my parents and little sister moved there in 1989, due to my Dad having to change jobs. So we moved away from a green Northants, and set up home in a town called Terveun, which is about 11 miles from Brussels. Now on to 1991. On a hot summers day, we visited Bruges, for the annual Holy Blood Parade. Which was a celebration based on the fact that during the Crusades around 1090-1150AD Belgian knights bought back Christs blood (Apparently). So once a year Bruges turns into a carnival. Cont.....

Hush at 20:43:17 Thursday June 8 2000
It's all gone quiet . . .

Big Roy at 20:39:43 Thursday June 8 2000
I'm absolutely splendid T. Long time no speak. Is it August 12th yet?

T. at 20:35:23 Thursday June 8 2000
BR, How the devil are you?

Anon at 19:34:25 Thursday June 8 2000
So there's this fella with a parrot. And this parrot swears like a sailor. I mean he's a pistol. He can swear for five minutes without repeating himself. Trouble is, the guy who owns him is a quiet, conservative type, and this bird's foul mouth is driving him crazy. One day, it gets to be too much, so the guy grabs the bird by the throat, shakes him really hard, and yells, "QUIT IT!". But this just makes the bird mad and he swears more than ever. Then the guy gets mad and says, "OK that's it for you." and locks the bird in a kitchen cabinet. This really aggravates the bird and he claws and scratches, and when the guy finally lets him out, the bird cuts loose with a stream of vulgarities that would make a veteran sailor blush. At that point, the guy is so mad that he throws the bird into the freezer. For the first few seconds there is a terrible din. The bird kicks and claws and thrashes. Then it suddenly gets quiet. At first the guy just waits, but then he starts to think that the bird may be hurt. After a couple of minutes of silence, he's so worried that he opens up the freezer door. The bird calmly climbs onto the man's outstretched arm and says, "Awfully sorry about the trouble I gave you. I'll do my best toimprove my vocabulary from now on." The man is astounded. He can't understand the transformation that has come over the parrot. Then the parrot asks, "By the way, what did the chicken do?".

Big Roy at 18:57:42 Thursday June 8 2000
I was in Grimsby yesterday and had dinner at Steel's in Cleethorpes (best haddock I've ever had). I heard no rumours about Clare but they need lots of money to build a new "out of town" stadium near the A180.

Dave at 18:34:50 Thursday June 8 2000
hearing rumours that Gabbiadini is in talks with R & D

Spud at 18:22:9 Thursday June 8 2000
From the official Grimsby site:Town Manager Alan Buckley has returned from his holidays and will perhaps have to decide if Daryl Clare will be a Grimsby Town player next season, it is reported in the press today that Clare will sign for Northampton Town next week to pair up with former Mariner Jamie Forester. Clare had a successful loan spell with the Cobblers last season.

Is this true, anyone at 18:21:17 Thursday June 8 2000
Conference 1. Promotion two up and two down has been accepted by the Football League, however it will not come into play until season season 2001-2002 the reason being "the difficulty in getting legislation into place" 2. The new ten yard rule amendment in which teams can be punished by having to go back ten yards for dissent at free kicks will will apply to every one else(Prem and FL) but NOT the Conference. 3. The clubs finishing 2-7 inc plus Macmillan cup winners and the relegated club will play in this seasons Auto windscreens Shield. 4. The season will kick off on 19 August, fixtures will be out early July.

Marina at 17:41:2 Thursday June 8 2000
Grimsby's teamtalk reports growing speculation that Clare is set to sign for us early next week.

Brian Talbot at 17:30:19 Thursday June 8 2000
Sorry Tony but i cant convince myself,im just clutching at straws at the moment with the Gabbiadini thing ,god i hope i dont lose my job,ive got so much money to spend but i dont know what to do with it ......FECK

Sibs at 17:28:41 Thursday June 8 2000
Tony - don't get the chron in bradford!! Do you all reckon that it means we will get 1 striker for sure 2 possibly but the other postions will have to wait?? I hate this waiting... And rather concerned we only appear to have 1 keeper... fingers and everything else possible crossed...

jamie forrester at 17:24:15 Thursday June 8 2000
looking forward to the ireland trip

Tony at 17:17:18 Thursday June 8 2000
That "new" news on Teamtalk" was from yesterdays Chron! I think Wilson was saying to get 2 of the 3 players we would have to let others go! I guess well see. I really can't see Marco going to Wallsall, though Reading is highly likely. R + D is unlikely given the drop in leagues unless BT can convince him they will be promoted next year!

Anon at 17:10:14 Thursday June 8 2000
We'd have to sell a hell of a lot of cds to raise 2 million!

Anon2 at 16:30:22 Thursday June 8 2000
We could try a sort of..thing, to raise money for the expansion

WSJ at 16:16:30 Thursday June 8 2000
Increased stadium size is critical to any intentions the Cobblers have of progressing. Bigger gates means more money to afford the likes of Gabbiadini, Forrester, Clare without having to sell players we would rather keep. It also signals to players on our shopping list that with the Cobblers their careers can move forward. There are also other ways of improving like bringing on our own players but this takes time and so far not so good on that front.

Mystic Meg at 16:10:25 Thursday June 8 2000
Ive a feeling Savage or Spedding could be on thier way soon.....

Anon at 15:58:53 Thursday June 8 2000
by the start of next week now? Is the club stringing us out until after the Season ticket deadline passes? Call me a cynic, but this talk of Gabbiadini just seems to be the Div2 equivalent of minor Prem teams talking about foreign signings that never materialise. I would love to be proved wrong. I'd love it if we signed Gabbi, Forrester and Clare. Somhow I suspect that only one of those will join us at most.

Same old cobblers at 15:24:7 Thursday June 8 2000
Kevin Wilson has revealed that if the Cobblers are going to bring in new faces, existing players will have to move on first. Wilson is targeting a trio of strikers - Marco Gabbiadini, Jamie Forrester and Daryl Clare, but he knows even if he is going to bring in two out of the three he will have to make sacrifices elsewhere. "There is no way all three players could be signed but two of them is a possibility, although it would mean savings having to be made elsewhere," he said. Wilson has met with the club's directors to see how negotiations with players are going and is optimistic he will have something to announce by the start of next week.

Stadium size at 15:23:0 Thursday June 8 2000
Someone summed it up the other week we only need 400 extra places to comply with div2 requirements, leave it a year hope we stay up and maybe just fill in a corner or two.

BIG JIM at 15:17:44 Thursday June 8 2000
JASON DOZZELL SPRIHGS TO MIND.I THOUGHT WE HAD THE BUGGER

Sibs at 15:13:2 Thursday June 8 2000
I don't have time to cut and past so can i suggest you all look at the teamtalk pages. More news is breaking. Appears some players may have to leave before more come in....

Carl at 15:4:53 Thursday June 8 2000
That's less than 3 grand a week, I'm sure we have paid people more in the past, 3 years seems a little long though.

Not good news.... at 13:47:14 Thursday June 8 2000
Walsall are reportedly leading the race to sign veteran Darlington striker Marco Gabbiadini. The Saddlers have now overtaken Kevin Wilson's Northampton who appear unable to match the striker's wage demands. Ray Graydon is seeking more fire-power up front to partner new signing Darren Byfield and see Gabbiadini as the ideal man as he is able to walk out of Feethams under the Bosman ruling. The Bescot outfit still face competition for Gabbiadini's signature from Reading and Bristol Rovers. Reading are thought to be willing to meet the striker's demands of a three year Ł150,000 a year contract and Bristol Rovers are in contractual dispute with their current strike force. Gabbiadini is however settled in the North East, and could well be tempted to put pen to paper on any new deal that Darlington may offer him.

Ray at 12:25:47 Thursday June 8 2000
The email address of the club is secretary@ntfc.co.uk.

Big Jim at 11:48:50 Thursday June 8 2000
Does anybody know the E mail address to the club as I`ve still not recieved my new Cobblers kit yet on the new fandango internet shopping thingy? Robbing bastards !!!!!!

l.beeby at 11:37:53 Thursday June 8 2000
hello marky boy if your out there leave a message!!

I was born under the North stand end at 11:31:47 Thursday June 8 2000
We haven't heard my idea for a new song for at least 5 minutes, so here goes.....it goes as followed in the tune of dads army..... Who do you think you are kidding barry fry if you think we're on the run? We are the boys who will stop your little game we are the boyz who will make you think again so who do you think you are kidding barry fry if you think old cobblers are done! So there you have it. Now sadly I have no power to enforce this brilliant tune but I appeal to anyone that may have the power in whatever form programmes, web pages etc to try and promote it. Thank you for your time (Again!).

Jamie at 1:17:33 Thursday June 8 2000
I can answer that one bud, Ayia Napa!!!! Proudly wearing my new Cobblers top which I am mighty pleased with. Bring it on!!!

Barton at 23:44:58 Wednesday June 7 2000
Jamie my mate! Where are we going on the 9th of June???!!!

Old... oh sod it ... at 23:0:20 Wednesday June 7 2000
I'm bored now

Old two Nuns on tandem on cobbled street joke at 22:58:20 Wednesday June 7 2000
"I've never come this way before!"

Old two Nuns in bath joke at 22:56:41 Wednesday June 7 2000
"Where's the soap?". "Yes it does doesn't it"

Old Convent joke at 22:53:38 Wednesday June 7 2000
Candles out! Pop!

Anon and on at 22:50:27 Wednesday June 7 2000
Anon, very old.

Anon at 22:10:26 Wednesday June 7 2000
Anon, very good

Andy at 22:5:47 Wednesday June 7 2000
Deepcut Cobbler, exactly. It's so hard sometimes to get into a Cobblers game on the day. It often feels like getting into some glamorous private club rather than an average 3rd division game.

Gomez at 21:41:49 Wednesday June 7 2000
Or how about this one? SNIVEL IN WOK? Yes i'm bored.

Gomez at 21:38:29 Wednesday June 7 2000
OK. Who's this an anagram of? A MANIAC BOB RIGID

Anon at 21:34:57 Wednesday June 7 2000
A man with a Doberman pinscher and his friend, who owns a chihuahua, are going for a walk. After a while they get hungry and the man with the Doberman pinscher says to his friend: "Let’s grab a bite to eat in that restaurant over there!" The man with the chihuahua replies, "I don't think they'll let us in with our dogs." "Don't worry about it," the guy with the Doberman pinscher says. He puts on a pair of dark glasses and hands another pair to his friend. Then he tries to walk into the restaurant, but the doorman says: "Sorry, no pets allowed." The man with the Doberman pinscher says: "You don’t understand. This is my seeing-eye dog." "A Doberman pinscher?" the doorman asks. "Yes," the man replies, "they’re using them now. They're quick learners. I wouldn't know what to do without Rufus." The doorman nods understandingly and lets the man and his dog pass. A few minutes later the man with the chihuahua walks over to the restaurant. Again the doorman says: "Sorry, no pets allowed." The man replies: "But I'm blind. This is my seeing-eye dog. "A chihuahua?" the doorman wonders. The man looks surprised and says: "You mean they gave me a chihuahua?"

Deepcut Cobbler at 21:28:37 Wednesday June 7 2000
What with all the continuous, will we, won't we on increasing the stadium capacity. Then out comes the quote that we only nearly reached capacity on a couple of occasions. (Normally when the visitors took up their full allocation). I have come up with an interesting stat from football365 that we came second out of the second and third Divisions for percentage of our available ground capacity used. In other words we used on average for each game throughout the season 71.3 percent of our available capacity. Not bad when either 15 or 25 percent of this is normally allocated to visiting fans who, in the third, turn up with one man and his dog or we have been hindered by the ridiculous stipulation that certain matches will be all-ticket with the reduction from the turn up on the day fans. So even when we have the maximum home allocation we are not far off fully utilising our home capacity on average. With the natural increase in visiting fans in the second division, this average will undoubtably go up(maybe into the 90's).How much gate revenue are we having to turn down through our lack of capacity? When we are prevented from even sitting at the table to talk over a Ł200K deal we cannot afford to consistently throw away that kind of revenue. Speculate to accumulate, where is our man on the white charger with the spare couple of millions to invest(or throw away) in NTFC? Someone must have a friend of a friend who is able to be persueded to assist for a different type of hobby. The decision and funding for the capacity increase needs to be found and fast. The continual throwing away of funds is obscene when foresight and a proper appraisal of the size of our catchment area should have been done in the first place. I know the argument that at the time we were on the brink of the Conference, but the council should have been better briefed or more forcefully so. We are now having our hands tied behind our back, no wonder we keep yo yoing between the divisions. Let us have the money to go into deals for the likes of Forrester and Clare without showing our knees through our trousers like the street urchins we appear to represent.COME ON YOU COBBLERS!!!!! Incidentally it was Brighton who were above us on capacity percentage.

Andy at 20:7:37 Wednesday June 7 2000
One of the best things about this message board is that us out of towners are able to get the info on the rumours flying around town, including the Chron articles. So PLEASE keep them coming - no matter how unfounded or weak they are. No-one gets hurt if they are wrong.

Mark Too at 19:21:33 Wednesday June 7 2000
The cron says we are unlikely to sign Gabbiadini... In that case expect to see him sign before the weekend!

DavCobbler at 19:16:45 Wednesday June 7 2000
Must admit these anagram thingies somewhat baffle me .......... however, hows this for a first try ????? >>>> Barry Fry >>>>> Fat Boro Bastard ?????? any good eh ??? Not bad for a first attempt even if I say so myself !!

Ray at 18:20:26 Wednesday June 7 2000
Theres a hell of a lot of clubs in a much worse position than we are....

Anon at 17:25:13 Wednesday June 7 2000
How can a club like the Cobblers, with no money at all and heavily in debt afford to even think about signing a new top quality strikers?

Bez at 17:17:1 Wednesday June 7 2000
If Darren Byfield has signed for Walsall, why do they want Gabbiadini? They are not exactly gifted in the money department either. As for Byfield, Walsall winning promotion again? I don't think so somehow. Finally if Gabbiadini does go to Reading no-one can really complain. I mean that I would probably sign for Reading if in his position, top stadium and more money, not really much of a decision to make. Lets go for Forrester and AN other, Clare in my opinion is dead in the water.

Vince at 17:3:47 Wednesday June 7 2000
Spring Park Cobbler, Longford and Bray Wanderers both won promotion to the Irish Premier League last season - the Cobblers other opponents on the Irish tour, Dundalk are still a 1st Division side. There are stacks of websites for all 3 of these teams plus lots of other websites on Irish football. eg Bray Wanderers www.club.ie/bray-wanderers/

Anon at 16:38:44 Wednesday June 7 2000
CARLISLE have announced this afternoon that Ian Atkins is to be their new manager. Atkins - who has previous managerial experience with Colchester, Northampton and, at the end of last season, Chester - was said to be interesting Second Division Notts County, but has been persuaded by Carlisle chairman Albert Doweck to take the Brunton Park post.

Tony at 16:37:31 Wednesday June 7 2000
We tried to sign Byfield? Or is this just speculation! No loss I agree, he didn't do half what Clare or Forrester did!

Tony at 16:36:45 Wednesday June 7 2000
Walsall have signed Aston Villa striker Darren Byfield on a free transfer. The player was released by Villa manager John Gregory at the end of the season and turned down offers from Northampton, Queens Park Rangers and Oxford in favour of a move to the Bescot Stadium. Byfield said: "I am a Birmingham born lad, and delighted to be remaining in the West Midlands. Although I have received some very attractive offers from other Clubs I have been very impressed with the set-up at Bescot Stadium and the ambition of the Club to return to the First Division."

Anon at 15:54:12 Wednesday June 7 2000
or forrester

adam marriott at 15:53:48 Wednesday June 7 2000
out of the three which two strikers would you like to see up front for the cobblers clare gabbiadini

Transfer Recommendation at 15:6:20 Wednesday June 7 2000
Sign Craig Liddle hes a quality defender who would play along side samo brilliantly or play down the wing and put in quality crosses

SBJ (stuck at JFK airport) at 15:1:33 Wednesday June 7 2000
Nice to be able to keep up with the non-news of non-transfers while I'm here in USA. Fingers crossed that we get some firm news on new players soon - the rumour mill takes ages to wade through on this public access (ie. slow) net terminal!

Spring Park Cobbler at 14:48:12 Wednesday June 7 2000
I may well have missed this and be repeating earlier postings but didn't Savage play for Longford Town one of the teams that Cobblers are playing on the Irish tour? Does anyone know if Longford were promoted last season? I heard that they were close to making it into the equivalent of the Irish Prem.

nsb at 14:47:20 Wednesday June 7 2000
no news then? ill check the ever reliable ceefax

nsb at 14:46:50 Wednesday June 7 2000
im proud to announce that the cobblers first summer signing is............. ME! ha ha ha in my dreams!!!

marco at 13:27:30 Wednesday June 7 2000
darren byfield has signed for walsall. According to the walsall local paper, we were also interested. No loss in my opinion, he was the least impressive of our striker loan signings. Bring on Forrester.

Anna Gram at 13:23:8 Wednesday June 7 2000
Sixfields - Fix Slides

Anna Gram at 13:21:19 Wednesday June 7 2000
Ian Atkins - A in a stink.

Tony at 13:16:57 Wednesday June 7 2000
Like my Mr Posh's girlfriend, the story must get around a lot!

Danny at 13:8:59 Wednesday June 7 2000
Why do we keep getting the same story but in a different format?

Tension mounts, but is it just a load of pooh as usual at 12:54:18 Wednesday June 7 2000
Northampton Town boss Kevin Wilson has admitted for the first time that he is close to completing his first summer transfer. Wilson has made little secret of his desire to bring in new faces despite the current squad firing the club to an immediate return to Division Two. And he has revealed that he fully expects to unveil a new signing before leaving the country on holiday next week, although he was playing his cards close to his chest on the identity of the target. Wilson said: "I expect to have a player signed up before I go on holiday, but at the moment everything is still up in the air." He has talked openly about his desire to bring former loan stars Jamie Forrester and Daryl Clare in permanently and even added Darlington striker Marco Gabbiadini to his shopping-list on Tuesday

Ray at 12:52:47 Wednesday June 7 2000
Whose that an anagram of?

Anon at 12:50:16 Wednesday June 7 2000
gas ave deva

Ray at 12:41:24 Wednesday June 7 2000
Kevin Wilson = "Snivel in wok"; Steve Howard = "Had to swerve";Keith Welch - "Wilt he? Heck!"; Roy Hunter - "Runty hero": Ian Sampson - "passion man"; James Hunt - "he just man"; Ian Hendon - "hand on in"; Duncan Spedding - "Canned puddings"........More??

CIJ at 11:56:51 Wednesday June 7 2000
As everyone is so bored how about a little light entertainment. Can anyone come up with any anograms for any cobblers players/staff?? I'd like to give you one to start off but I can't. Kevin Wilson makes I Love Wise but then you have Knn left over.... Can anyone make any better ones??? (This should cure your boredam.

WiseOne at 11:46:31 Wednesday June 7 2000
Did anyone else notice that our lowest attendance in all games was 1904, and the highest was 9104??? How Bizarre!!!!! (yes i am bored aswell!!)

CIJ at 11:21:40 Wednesday June 7 2000
2 from Gabbi, Forrester and Clare!!! I'd take Gabbi and Forrester. We already have a young(ish) striker in Howard so Gabbi Forrester and Howard would be an ideal mix of youth and experience. Gabbi - proven goal scorer; Forrester - pace and skill; Howard - Lots of potential and was realising it at the end of last season. WHAT AN IDEAL COMBINATION!!

nsb at 10:58:22 Wednesday June 7 2000
bugger! but since when can te chron be trusted?

Paul H at 10:47:18 Wednesday June 7 2000
The Chron states that Gabbi is likely to sign for either Walsall or Reading today!!!!

nsb at 10:15:36 Wednesday June 7 2000
whats the word on gabbiadini/jamie/dazza....... i heard that gabbi was putting pen to paper TODAY......... somebody! Whats the answer?????

Carl at 9:27:27 Wednesday June 7 2000
How does it go?

NSD at 9:23:0 Wednesday June 7 2000
We haven't heard my idea for a new song for at least 5 minutes, so here goes.....it goes as followed in the tune of dads army..... Who do you think you are kidding barry fry if you think we're on the run? We are the boys who will stop your little game we are the boyz who will make you think again so who do you think you are kidding barry fry if you think old cobblers are done! So there you have it. Now sadly I have no power to enforce this brilliant tune but I appeal to anyone that may have the power in whatever form programmes, web pages etc to try and promote it. Thank you for your time (Again!).

NSD at 9:20:16 Wednesday June 7 2000
We haven't heard my idea for a new song for at least 5 minutes, so here goes.....it goes as followed in the tune of dads army..... Who do you think you are kidding barry fry if you think we're on the run? We are the boys who will stop your little game we are the boyz who will make you think again so who do you think you are kidding barry fry if you think old cobblers are done! So there you have it. Now sadly I have no power to enforce this brilliant tune but I appeal to anyone that may have the power in whatever form programmes, web pages etc to try and promote it. Thank you for your time (Again!).

Ray at 9:8:32 Wednesday June 7 2000
An Extraordinary General Meeting for the Northampton Town Supporters Trust has been called for Friday, 23rd. June at 7:30.

Carl at 8:57:29 Wednesday June 7 2000
It's offiical!!!! All this transfer speculation is affecting my work!!! Can we please just sign someone, anyone. Let them just tell us Clarence has been signed up as mascot or anything!!! I need some news, Gabbiadini, Forrester, Kanu anyone. August the 12th seems such a long way away, especially when the bloody clock doesn't work at the top as I am using one of them weird UNIX boxes, with no floppy drive and no CD ROM so I can't even listen to music at work. Someone please help me, I beg you.

confused at 8:19:27 Wednesday June 7 2000
I know Atkins and Wilson were close, but thats crazy!!

Bucks Cobbler at 8:9:9 Wednesday June 7 2000
Really exciting stuff if the Cobblers sign 2 of Forrester, Clare and Gabbiadini. It shows Kevin Wilson's positive thinking and that we can be major force in Div 2. It will also be a big boost for season ticket sales, on which subject all has gone quiet since the initial club announcement on the number of applicants.

Ray at 23:50:4 Tuesday June 6 2000
This will make you laugh - or not as the case may be. Check out www.carlisleunited.co.uk - look at the first article and then check out the picture alongside.

To : Anon below at 22:58:26 Tuesday June 6 2000
Your reliable source is not that reliable! I know better, so don't count your chickens - neither have singed anything yet. You might get an answer tomorrow - can we afford Ł150,000pa + ?

posh the bosh at 22:49:4 Tuesday June 6 2000
I could not belive my eyes, a Northampton suppoprters club holding a meeting in gods own country Pboro.and the landlord of the pub even signing up !! Fortunatly it was a meeting for the only decent team in No/hampton the Saints,and not for you shite!!!!

posh the bosh at 22:43:59 Tuesday June 6 2000
I could not belive my eyes, a Northampton suppoprters club holding a meeting in gods own country Pboro.and the landlord of the pub even signing up !! Fortunatly it was a meeting for the only decent team in No/hampton the Saints,and not for you shite!!!!

KEEF at 20:59:12 Tuesday June 6 2000
How about 'Sympathy for the Devil', man?

Evgeni Yordanov at 20:9:11 Tuesday June 6 2000
Hi I`m 17 years old boy from Bulgaria.I`m big Cobblers fan.I want to mail with other Northampton fans around the world.I have a programme from match vs Mansfield but have a lot of the best Bulgarian team CSKA Sofia.my address is Evgeni Yordanov Drouzhba 2-528-A-2 Sofia 1582 Bulgaria

Anon at 19:49:7 Tuesday June 6 2000
dadadada

Perkins Posh at 18:31:5 Tuesday June 6 2000
Ok I know you lot are gonna find this hard to believe but heres some sensible comments(even if i say so myself). 2 out of 3 of those strikers? Id leave Gabbiadini on the shelf. Why? Forrester is class in divs 2/3...when u signed him on deadline day i said to Kobbler that I was jealous and he will take u up..As for Clare, a guy at work is a Grimsby fan and was raving about Clare when everyone else was on about Jack Lester.. He did well for you lot and looked ok at London Rd...Hes also the right age. Gabbiadini isnt..ok hes proven but 1 hes short term and 2 expensive to pay...Stick with the young ones...Having said that I hope u dont i hope u get none and i hope u go down QUICK....oh buggar i let myself down...CYA

Anon at 18:21:31 Tuesday June 6 2000
I have heard from a reliable source that everything has been agreed and we WILL be signing both Gabbiadini and Forrester. This is not a joke.

marco at 16:49:47 Tuesday June 6 2000
Atkins has been offered the Carlisle job according to their website. He's asked for 24 hours to think about it. This Jon Bass story seems a bit unlikely. Can't see us paying Ł100,000 when we've already got hendon. Today's Chronicle&Echo story about Forrester sounds fairly promising but it does seem to be saying that players will have to go if we sign him.

CIJ at 14:59:41 Tuesday June 6 2000
Yet more transfer specualtion from teamtalk.com. I haven't heard about this one before though!!!! Bass sure to leave. Birmingham's transfer-listed right back Jon Bass may be heading towards a summer move to Northampton. Bass seems certain to be heading through the St Andrew's exit door after the 24 year-old defender was put up for sale at the end of the season. Blues boss Trevor Francis is seeking to boost his spending power for an overhaul of his current squad. Bass has spent all of his six-year career at St Andrew's but looks likely to be given the option of either staying in the First Division with new boys Gillingham or dropping down a division to join Northampton Town. Both clubs have been in contact with City to discuss the prospect of making a bid for the player. Bass has struggled to make much of an impact at St Andrew's in the past couple of seasons, making just 8 first team appearances last term. A move to Gillingham would seem more likely especially as he had a loan spell at Priestfield towards the end of the season and would be keen to stay in the First Division. However, their interest may come to nothing if manager Peter Taylor takes over at Leicester City, therefore leaving the Gills managerial and transfer situation very much up in the air. In the meantime, Francis has given no official hints as to what kind of fee he would be seeking for Bass. But it is thought that he will hope to collect at least Ł100,000 for a player who has found himself as the third choice right-back at St Andrew's behind Gary Rowett and Jerry Gill.

CIJ at 14:58:1 Tuesday June 6 2000
Just to keep you all informed on where he is going!!!Corazzin on Rovers shopping list. Former Northampton Town striker Carlo Corazzin has emerged as a transfer target for Second Division Bristol Rovers. Canadian international Corazzin was released at Sixfields at the end of May after manager Kevin Wilson decided not to offer him a new contract. Wilson was sceptical whether to offer the talented striker a new deal after the prospect of losing him for a large percentage of the season through his international commitments. The former Plymouth Argyle and Cambridge United frontman is currently without a club. But Bristol Rovers manager Ian Holloway is set to step in and rescue his career after seeing his side miss out on promotion to Division One.

CIJ at 14:56:49 Tuesday June 6 2000
Todays news is pretty good here's something else!!Kevin Wilson is determined to sign quality players this summer and to get two of Gabbiadini, Forrester or Clare. Wilson is keen to ensure that Northampton make th most of the renewed chance in the second division and not to fall foul of relegation again. Wilson said of Gabbiadini: "His record speaks for itself and if we can get two out of Forrester, Gabbiadini and Clare at Northampton then I think other clubs will sit up and take notice. "I don't want to stand still. I want us to be challenging at the top end of division two next season. "Marco was bitterly disappointed not to win promotion with Darlington but he's now out of contract and available on a Bosman free. "But I'm sure he's had plenty of offers and he's gone away to look at his options. He would interest any club."

CIJ at 14:55:37 Tuesday June 6 2000
Me agian nicking stuff form teamtalk.com Wilson eyes Gabbiadini move!!!! Northampton boss Kevin Wilson has revealed that he has spoken to Darlington's Marco Gabbiadini about joining Town. Wilson has hinted that he may be ready to make a move for the former Sunderland and Derby County frontman. He topped the goalscoring charts in Division Three last year, but Darlington's failure to secure promotion has fuelled speculation about his future. Wilson is searching for a striker after releasing Canadian international Carlo Corazzin, and he has added Gabbiadini, who is available on a free transfer, to a shopping list that already boasts former loan stars Jamie Forrester and Daryl Clare. Wilson said: "Marco is a personal friend and he came down to the ground for a chat at the end of last week. "We had a chat about his situation and I took him around the stadium and showed him the facilities we have got at the club. "I am looking to improve the squad and Marco is the sort of player we need to be looking at now that we are playing at a higher level.

Ray at 14:28:9 Tuesday June 6 2000
Don't forget the "unlisted sensible" guestbook - mail me if you haven't had details.

another idea at 14:22:0 Tuesday June 6 2000
To the tune of Go West "We're up, and we're staying up".

Danny at 14:2:57 Tuesday June 6 2000
My god, its like Northants 96 on here, same songs every hour!!!

please let this song be sung at 13:53:39 Tuesday June 6 2000
We haven't heard my idea for a new song for at least 5 minutes, so here goes.....it goes as followed in the tune of dads army..... Who do you think you are kidding barry fry if you think we're on the run? We are the boys who will stop your little game we are the boyz who will make you think again so who do you think you are kidding barry fry if you think old cobblers are done! So there you have it. Now sadly I have no power to enforce this brilliant tune but I appeal to anyone that may have the power in whatever form programmes, web pages etc to try and promote it. Thank you for your time (Again!).

Now thats what I call financial details and fat chance of NTFC ever releasing this sort of info at 13:27:53 Tuesday June 6 2000
Financial details revealed It is reported that Peterborough have debts of more than Ł5m but their tangible assets are only worth around Ł3,5m. The recently prepared Directors' Report and Financial Statements for the year ended May 31, 1999 therefore concludes that: "The company is dependent upon continuing financial support of chairman Peter Boizot and the bank to enable it to meet its financial obligations as they fall due over the next 12 months." Ł1,120,000 of their debts need to be paid within a year which will mean another huge injection of cash from the chairman - or elsewhere - while around Ł3,900,000 needs to be repaid within five years. The amount of money owed to the Posh pales into insignificance in comparison - at a total of Ł296,000. The document values the London Road ground and buildings at just under Ł3,500,000 and their other tangible assets - office equipment, cars etc - at a further Ł15,000. The profit and loss account shows that the club made an operating loss of Ł1,621,281 in the year ending May 31, 1999, compared with a loss of Ł1,404,087 the year before. Even without paying any wages, the club would barely be making a profit. Their wage bill for the year totalled Ł1,796,196 (for 89 people) although it had been over Ł2m the year before (for 82 people). The staff of 89 is split as 61 "playing and supporting services" and 28 "office and management". Teamtalk reported last week how former director Nigel Hards had been brought in as the new Chief Executive to turn the club's finances around. His main job is to stop the club needing to rely on generous hand-outs from the chairman just to stay in business

Danny at 13:0:5 Tuesday June 6 2000
And they also show their mentality Carl..... Where were we at Wembley!!! How dumb must he feel now?

Carl at 12:27:48 Tuesday June 6 2000
I tell you what you have to give it to these 'Posh' fans they are really, really good at stating the bleedin' obvious.

JESIKA SAUCEDO at 12:23:44 Tuesday June 6 2000
I´m from Argentina, I´ve got mi family there and I´ll be visiting you next january.

boozy junior at 12:14:28 Tuesday June 6 2000
1-0 we beat the cobblers 1-0 twice see ya soon up the posh come on you blues

Dave Lee Travis at 11:20:26 Tuesday June 6 2000
We haven't heard my idea for a new song for at least 5 minutes, so here goes.....it goes as followed in the tune of dads army..... Who do you think you are kidding barry fry if you think we're on the run? We are the boys who will stop your little game we are the boyz who will make you think again so who do you think you are kidding barry fry if you think old cobblers are done! So there you have it. Now sadly I have no power to enforce this brilliant tune but I appeal to anyone that may have the power in whatever form programmes, web pages etc to try and promote it. Thank you for your time (Again!).

Carl at 11:13:56 Tuesday June 6 2000
I finished school some 11 years ago. And with words like that is your real name Rogers or Hammerstein, or could you be Gilbert or indeed Sullivan?

Bored at 11:6:29 Tuesday June 6 2000
Are we all as bored as me??? You could all use your time wisely and write something for WALOC the fanzine since you all have such views on the plight of the Cobblers!!!

I've forgot me bloody name. at 10:59:49 Tuesday June 6 2000
Nice to know your all paying attention to what I write a+ to all of you! now run along child the bells gone

Carl at 10:43:5 Tuesday June 6 2000
Oh, and if it is the same person as yesterday, then your name is PC Plod

Carl at 10:16:36 Tuesday June 6 2000
Have I just experienced Deja Vu, or did you put exactly the same 'classic' song on here yesterday?

I've bloody forgot my name at 10:6:23 Tuesday June 6 2000
I have a remarkable idea for a song next year and it goes as followed in the tune of dads army..... Who do you think you are kidding barry fry if you think we're on the run? We are the boys who will stop your little game we are the boyz who will make you think again so who do you think you are kidding barry fry if you think old cobblers are done! So there you have it. Now sadly I have no power to enforce this brilliant tune but I appeal to anyone that may have the power in whatever form programmes, web pages etc to try and promote it. Thank you for your time.

Tony at 10:3:46 Tuesday June 6 2000
Looks like Doncaster have offered Marco Ł150,000 a year! And Bristol Rovers are also believed to have offered hm very good terms. The only thing going for us must be him knowing Kev, but well see!

Dear POSHIE at 7:20:46 Tuesday June 6 2000
You may have beat us twice but we still finished higher up the league! Its the season that counts. Have yopu worked that out yet.

Anon at 23:40:30 Monday June 5 2000
marco needs 3 grand a week to feed his habit, did you see daniellas nose?

Alternative RSPCA Ending at 22:23:16 Monday June 5 2000
and if he won't rocket out to dry himself, put him in the microwave...

Margeret Lanterman at 21:53:34 Monday June 5 2000
So nice of you to remember me, young man

ORBITAL Ganja at 21:36:49 Monday June 5 2000
Did that log belong to the Log Lady. Cause if it did you better watch out as her husbands spirit is trapped in that log (supposedly)!

the cat at 21:12:9 Monday June 5 2000
first it went dark,then i heard a blood chilling gurgling sound,and then it happened,a huge tsunami, followed by a whirlpool it was then the god's smiled upon me(eeow)and sent me a big log for me to jump upon and save myself from drowning, and before you could say barry fry's a tosser the skies cleared , so i leapt of the log and onto dry land, only eight more to go

Joe at 21:11:49 Monday June 5 2000
So it was Marco I saw last tuesday!

britgal at 19:47:50 Monday June 5 2000
very curious, i decided 2 look on wsds site, at the infamous hair and: JESUS, MATE! what possesed u? :) i love kevin the car though!

Malkmus Malone at 18:44:27 Monday June 5 2000
Wolverton's other claims to fame are that it is a grey, dirty, depressing estate with no sense of community and absolutely no places of entertainment, and that it has the country's worst rail station.

Ray at 17:39:34 Monday June 5 2000
I spent 5 bloody hours cleaning my cat yesterday!

Anon at 17:24:5 Monday June 5 2000
Cleaning the Cat: 1. Thoroughly clean the toilet. 2. Add the required amount of shampoo to the toilet water, and have both lids lifted. 3. Obtain the cat and soothe him while you carry him towards the bathroom. 4. In one smooth movement, put the cat in the toilet and close both lids (you may need to stand on the lid so that he cannot escape). CAUTION: Do not get any part of your body too close to the edge, as his paws will be reaching out for anything he can find. 5. Flush the toilet three or four times. This provides a "power wash and rinse" which I have found to be quite effective. 6. Have someone open the door to the outside and ensure that there are no people between the toilet and the outside door. 7. Stand behind the toilet as far as you can, and quickly lift both lids. 8. The now-clean cat will rocket out of the toilet, and run outside where he will dry himself. Sincerely, The DOG

Ray at 17:14:14 Monday June 5 2000
Where were we? In the second division!!

Poshie at 17:9:43 Monday June 5 2000
Don't believe all you read in the papers about POSH. I hope you do get Gabbiadini, we brushed him aside at Wembley, (where were you?), and we'll do it again this season when we beat you twice AGAIN!

Ray at 17:5:19 Monday June 5 2000
The rest of the report said "O'Reilly spent the club's promotion season on-loan at Sixfields, but made just a handful of appearance as understudy to first choice custodian Keith Welch. Wilson has his transfer targets in his mind and the club are refusing to rule out the possibility of O'Reilly being in that list. A club spokesman said: "Kevin has his transfer targets and is trying to tie up some deals. Alex O'Reilly did well for us on-loan and he could be a transfer target. That is up to the manager himself."

Anon at 17:4:34 Monday June 5 2000
Has WSD still got that pink shirt if so can I borrow it

Ray at 17:3:48 Monday June 5 2000
According to "team talk", Northampton officials are not ruling out the possibility of on-loan goalkeeper Alex O'Reilly returning to the club on a permanent basis.

MartinW at 17:0:32 Monday June 5 2000
Gabby gabby hey. Gabbiadini at Sixfields. Go for it.

Adam Marriott at 16:4:32 Monday June 5 2000
does anyone know of any pictures floating about on the net of cobblers players in action. i am creating my ntfc fan page but i'm finding it difficult to find any pics. can anyone tell me where to get some from or email them to me. thanks. I am also looking for regular correspondants to visit my chat room when my page is up and running. i'm hoping that it will be labbled by the club as there unofficail chat room. if your interested e-mail me. thanks again

Tony at 15:37:40 Monday June 5 2000
Teamtalk reports today that the Poo are 6 million in debt!!! And London Road and other assets are only worth 3.5 million. This all means they must pay off 1.5 million of the debt inside 1 year, or else! How bad is it with us? Ł400,000 ?? or something?

BeckyBoobs at 15:21:43 Monday June 5 2000
To PC PLOD..... What a lovely new idea for a song to sing!!! I for one will try and spread the word!!! The Pooh fans will wonder whats going on when they hear us singing that..They will think we've all been back to school during the summer or something!!!!

Bez at 15:12:52 Monday June 5 2000
Forrester scored 6 goals in 9 starts for us in the 3rd Division to help us get promoted. The 2nd Division is the equivalent of the lower reaches of the Dutch top league and how can you judge a player who played only 8 minutes, especially if he hasn't settled? As for our board, I only wish they had the cash to match their and our ambitions. Hey ho, such is life but it would be satisfying if we ended up with any of Clare, Forrester and Gabbiadini to go with Howard. Don't forget him, he seems to be a bit like a fine wine, improving with age.

Anne O'Rack at 15:11:59 Monday June 5 2000
Yes MK City do play at Bletchley, Wolverton's claim to fame is that it had the oldest stand in the world at a football ground.

m.k. cobbler at 15:4:12 Monday June 5 2000
re milton keynes pre season frendly .m.k.city play at the manor fields in bletchley.

FC Utrecht at 15:0:54 Monday June 5 2000
Well, when I read your site and guestbook i notice that you're very happy with Jamie Forrester........ Is the 2nd division that bad or what ?? Jamie got 8 minutes (!!) playing time in the dutch "premier league" for us, and he didn't do anything at all.... Even in the reserves he played along without being better than the rest......... How many goals did he score for you in how many games ?

Lancaster Cobbler at 13:21:6 Monday June 5 2000
Viveash has just joined Reading. I think Gabbiadini would be a good move.

Carl at 13:5:55 Monday June 5 2000
Danny, I think what I want is an end to all the speculation of about 46 players coming to the club, and to hear that, please god, we have actually signed one or hopefully two of these fine players. The Viveash thing has gone a little quiet, but if we got him and 2 out of the 3 strikers, Gabbiadini and Forrester being my choice, that would be all we need, maybe another midfielder but I think we could cope with what we have. As you say though it is great that we can even dream about talking of these people joining our club. I have never had any qualms about our board and respect them for what they have done, I just wish I could win a few million on the lottery and join them.

Danny at 12:51:4 Monday June 5 2000
And another thing, there were so many complaints about how our board are crap and are not forward thinking. Then we're linked with such players as listed below, people then rubbish it all saying "as if we're gonna get him" etc. What the hell do you bloody want????

Danny at 12:48:53 Monday June 5 2000
Isn't it great that Northampton Town are being linked with quality players such as Gabbi, Forrester, Clare etc. Beats being linked with Bilko anyway.

Carl at 11:22:11 Monday June 5 2000
And another 'apparently' about Gabbiadini is that there are an estimated 14 clubs going for his signature. So we probably have to accept that we are quite far down the list, but you never know, what is it Jimmy Greaves used to say to Ian St John 'It's a funny old game'. UP THE COBBLERS!!

Carl at 10:48:16 Monday June 5 2000
I think of all the talk going around about all these Strikers we are possibly signing, if we do get Gabbiadini that would be absolutely superb, I would prefer him to Clare any day of the week the bloke is an out and out striker and that is what we have desperately needed for a long time, someone who can knock in 20 goals a year no problem, and if you had him and Forrester up front, my goodness wouldn't it be grand. We'll probably end up with neither of them though.

Bez at 10:38:13 Monday June 5 2000
I'm still alive!!! I have heard from a friend of a friend who is reasonably close to the club that an announcement is close about a new striker joining the club. It may be later today, and the name he understands it is happens to be aforementioned Gabbiadini. HOWEVER I have to stress this may be rubbish

PC Plod at 10:3:1 Monday June 5 2000
I have a remarkable idea for a song next year and it goes as followed in the thune of dads army..... Who do you think you are kidding barry fry if you think we're on the run? We are the boys who will stop your little game we are the boyz who will make you think again so who do you think you are kidding barry fry if you think old cobblers are done! So there you have it. Now sadly I have no power to enforce this brilliant tune but I appeal to anyone that may have the power in whatever form programmes, web pages etc to try and promote it. Thank you for your time.

I need Helppppppppppppppp at 7:30:12 Monday June 5 2000
I cant wait for the season to start, im not even interested in England anymore, this message board should be closed until 30 days before season starts, bored people are putting bored messages on here - that means me too - R7D posters - get a life we are not impressed, Pish - well for those Cobblers fans who are glad they are up - just cos its just down the road - I would rather walk to Darlo than have the `crap' in the same division - so im off to the US - no papers (well I wont buy one) - no agonizing over Englan v Portugal or who Kev is spotted out with, or where the Cobbs will be playing MK - get a life with some of the speculation on here! Wheres Papa!!!

Tony at 0:32:31 Monday June 5 2000
Yes Kev has signed his contract as cleared up by TCMP a while back. And well, lets see what happens on the transfer front, Kev is pretty shrewd! As long as we don't buy Dean Crowe I don't mind. Looks too much like Lee Evans for me!

ANNON at 23:37:41 Sunday June 4 2000
Just to put the record straight...Gabbiadini's home town is York not Derby and this is where he now lives. Surely as he is on a free we might have a little more money to play with especially with no transfer fee to pay. He would be a great investment for the Club. And yes I can confirm I saw him and KW and a woman in a restaurant in Northampton on Friday night. Does anyone know if KW has signed his contract yet?

Doom+Gloom at 23:9:37 Sunday June 4 2000
Bez......have you killed yourself yet?????

Anon at 23:7:26 Sunday June 4 2000
why hasnt that talbot bloke been sacked yet?my gran could waste all that money and still get nowhere ha ha UP THE COBBLERS,with no cash

Bez at 22:55:35 Sunday June 4 2000
I think it is time we re-enter the real world. We all know the finances of the club is not great. Therefore we probably have around Ł200000 to play with. Gabbiadini will probably join Notts County as it is his home town club and can offer more than us, Clare may want to join us but we can't afford him. Utrecht are sticking on a price for Forrester so it seems unless someone gives no-one is going anywhere near Northampton Town.

WSD at 22:16:25 Sunday June 4 2000
R+D, it's on Daveworld, but I wouldn't worry, it's changing again soon :)

Anon at 22:9:49 Sunday June 4 2000
Posh manager Barry Fry has been linked with a shock move to take over the vacant manager's position at Sheffield Wednesday. After being turned down by former Wimbledon boss Joe Kinnear, Wednesday are believed to be turning their attentions to Fry, who of course had a highly public disagreement with the London Road board last week, despite leading Peterborough to the Second Division only four days earlier. The attraction of employing Fry is that for the majority of his managerial career, he has been forced to work with limited resources, and with the Yorkshire club currently in debt to the tune of 12 million pounds, Wednesday may see the outspoken Fry as the ideal man to take over the reigns at Hillsborough. In addition, no compensation would be paid to Peterborough for the loss of Fry, something which the Owls are keen to avoid, after they paid one million pounds to Barnsley for the services of ex-manager Danny Wilson.

Anon at 22:7:15 Sunday June 4 2000
Reading boss Alan Pardew is apparently showing interest in Darlington's much travelled and out-of-contract striker Marco Gabbiadini. The 32-year-old former Sunderland and Derby player was the Third Division's top scorer last season with 28 but is available on a free transfer and could be ready to leave Feethams after Darlington's failure to be promoted through the play offs. Gabbiadini has run out of contract at Darlington and although they want to keep him in the North East, they have only offered him a one-year extension. Gabbiadini is looking for a three-year contract and Pardew is keen to discuss the situation with him and his representative. Notts County, Dundee United and ambitious non leaguers Rushden and Diamonds are also keen so that Reading face plenty of competition.

Middleton Cobbler at 21:35:19 Sunday June 4 2000
NTFC are playing in Milton Keynes in a Friendly. I think the game will be played at The Park, Wolverton. (Nr to the train station)

TRB Mark at 21:34:32 Sunday June 4 2000
Just returned from a blistering hot south of France, with a glorious tan, to the news that the Pooh jammed it big time, Saints eventually won something (good for them!) and it's done nothing but rain here! Ha! On the Gabiaddini front, when we got in the play-offs after the 0-0 @ York, Gab was on the town with Kev, so they mus be at least friends. Not that that means much. I'll just shut up.

Nosey Parker at 21:2:45 Sunday June 4 2000
Judge Pickles must have good humour........He has a season ticket for one thing!!!!!He must also need cosmetic surgery as he talks out of his arse a lot?

Ian at 20:52:54 Sunday June 4 2000
Just got back from Sixfields Travel Club dayout to Manchester United.A great day was had by all and it raised money for The Cobblers.Anyone know where The Cobblers are playing in Milton Keynes,is it the National Hockey Stadium?Have a great holiday Paula and Ian

Ian at 20:51:16 Sunday June 4 2000
Just got back from Sixfields Travel Club dayout to Manchester United.A great day was had by all and it raised money for The Cobblers.Anyone know where The Cobblers are playing in Milton Keynes,is it the National Hockey Stadium?Have a great holiday Paula and Ian

R+D at 19:39:50 Sunday June 4 2000
How many people have you signed in the close-season? Ans WSD, I haven't seen you, post a pic of your hair on one of your numerus sites! Oh, and my brother is going down to Wembley for a trainind session tomorrow with his friends. The first time a Rushden shirt'll be on the sacred turf!

R+D at 19:39:37 Sunday June 4 2000
How many people have you signed in the close-season? Ans WSD, I haven't seen you, post a pic of your hair on one of your numerus sites! Oh, and my brother is going down to Wembley for a trainind session tomorrow with his friends. The first time a Rushden shirt'll be on the sacred turf!

ORBITAL Ganja at 19:33:1 Sunday June 4 2000
I see the cobblers are playing at Milton Keynes during pre-season. I wonder how the team will adjust to playing on a concrete pitch!

Thin Lizzy at 18:1:22 Sunday June 4 2000
Nah! He's really Phil Lynott. I saw him back in Town!

anon at 17:48:16 Sunday June 4 2000
Gabbiadini was at Sixfields on Tuesday and Friday.

Lionel the Steward at 15:52:41 Sunday June 4 2000
Hello.................Is it me your`e looking for ??????????????

Tom 'Long Man' Bason at 15:13:22 Sunday June 4 2000
look out for Cobblers getting Gabriadini, its TRUE, please believe me

Anon at 13:24:59 Sunday June 4 2000
Former Northampton boss Ian Atkins is being chased by a number of clubs following his decision to quit Chester. Atkins had been offered a new contract with Chester following their relegation out of the Football League, but he chose to leave that offer and is now in talks with Carlisle United and Notts County. Notts have admitted that he is on their shortlist for an interview next week after they decided not to continue with Gary Brazil as their manager, whilst Carlisle are also in contact with him. Atkins met with Carlisle for an interview in Manchester on Friday, whilst he will be interviewed by the Magpies at some stage this week with a view to taking over the reins at Meadow Lane.

CDU at 12:28:6 Sunday June 4 2000
Oh and a very happy Birthday to the littlest Big One of all !! Go Towcester Littluns Go !!

CDU at 12:25:41 Sunday June 4 2000
Righto for those of us who have taken part all season what is the final result of the Tipping Comp ? Is it a win for Ray the Beardsman Clemence or has Sam the Man Schofield nipped it ? We NEED to know Webmaster !!!!

Eastander at 9:54:59 Sunday June 4 2000
If you want to support the Coblers now get down to the club shop and buy your new shirt if we`d gone to Wembley it would have cost us all more than the price of a shirt and the cobblers must be making 10 or 15 pounds a time on them. Lets see 5000 supporters in shirts for the first game of the season

Uncle Richarrd at 19:19:10 Saturday June 3 2000
Good luck at the Dimones Arsekiss, don't take anymore cobblers with you!

Tany at 16:45:37 Saturday June 3 2000
You can have the 6 points if the season ends like this one did, with us above you!!!

Posh and Proud at 16:17:26 Saturday June 3 2000
Looking foward to two good games against you again next season, and hopefully another 6 points. Up the POSH The future is Blue

Ray at 15:52:31 Saturday June 3 2000
Only 69 days now....oh hum...

Illiterate DavCobbler at 12:5:25 Saturday June 3 2000
OOPS :-))

DavCobbler at 12:4:58 Saturday June 3 2000
Is anyone going to Dublin for the freindlies ?????

Anon at 10:40:33 Saturday June 3 2000
lots of tossers about

The Walrus at 1:52:47 Saturday June 3 2000
That's a nasty stutter you've got there Anon - now p*ss off and play somewhere else.

Anon at 1:2:59 Saturday June 3 2000
YOUR SHIT AND YOU'RE GOING DOWN..YOUR SHIT AND YOU'RE GOING DOWN..YOUR SHIT AND YOU'RE GOING DOWN..YOUR SHIT AND YOU'RE GOING DOWN...YOUR SHIT AND YOU'RE GOING DOWN..YOUR SHIT AND YOU'RE GOING DOWN..YOUR SHIT AND YOU'RE GOING DOWN..YOUR SHIT AND YOU'RE GOING DOWN..YOUR SHIT AND YOU'RE GOING DOWN..YOUR SHIT AND YOU'RE GOING DOWN..YOUR SHIT AND YOU'RE GOING DOWN..YOUR SHIT AND YOU'RE GOING DOWN...YOUR SHIT AND YOU'RE GOING DOWN..YOUR SHIT AND YOU'RE GOING DOWN..YOUR SHIT AND YOU'RE GOING DOWN..YOUR SHIT AND YOU'RE GOING DOWN..YOUR SHIT AND YOU'RE GOING DOWN..YOUR SHIT AND YOU'RE GOING DOWN..YOUR SHIT AND YOU'RE GOING DOWN..YOUR SHIT AND YOU'RE GOING DOWN...YOUR SHIT AND YOU'RE GOING DOWN..YOUR SHIT AND YOU'RE GOING DOWN..YOUR SHIT AND YOU'RE GOING DOWN..YOUR SHIT AND YOU'RE GOING DOWN

Northampton Gas at 23:7:41 Friday June 2 2000
Note your comments regarding Corazzin. Firstly "Lancaster Cobbler", we did not sign Nigel Pierre as we got our sums wrong and found out that he has not played sufficient matches for T & T to qualify for a work permit. To "Me", come on, I and you know the score, but that dosent mean that another football club is aware of the real facts. It appears that Tommo is on an FA Coaching course, but I am amazed that he has not pointed this out. Looking forward to the release of the fixtures in the last week of June to see when The Cobblers take on The Gas again.

nicked from div 2 message board at 21:22:12 Friday June 2 2000
http://ds.dial.pipex.com/town/park/yfh45/ground1.htm good guide for all grounds

Judge Pickles at 21:5:36 Friday June 2 2000
Well nosey, your really progressing, if it's not anti republican racist comments, it's having a little dig at the disabled (I bet you park in those spaces at supermarkets as well). Me, I can take your insults - I just wish you could make them a little more witty.

marco at 15:50:40 Friday June 2 2000
from the grimsby local paper's website: Northampton's move for Daryl Clare today looked dead in the water after they admitted to Grimsby Town that there were very little funds available to finance the deal. The two clubs spoke on Wednesday after Cobblers' boss Kevin Wilson had indicated his intention to try and land the Republic of Ireland Under 21 international. But today, Mariners' vice-chairman Bryan Huxford revealed that though contact had been made, Cobblers chief Barry Stonhill had admitted that any offer would not be a substantial one.

Adam at 14:52:17 Friday June 2 2000
The clocks slightly wrong on my computer!

Adam at 14:48:23 Friday June 2 2000
Only 70 days, 23 hours and 59 minutes to go now!!!

Anon at 12:45:4 Friday June 2 2000
How about Coventry City? For a pre-season friendly that is.

hmmmm oops at 12:42:18 Friday June 2 2000
That should read "haven't got" not "have got"

hmmm at 12:41:43 Friday June 2 2000
can I just say I'm a little disappointed that we have got a pre-season game v a Premiership club. Villa, Chelsea, Leicester and Arsenal in previous years, and the best we can do this time is Watford! Having said that I'd rather watch us against Watford than Wimbledon (who Luton have).

Grimsby fan at 12:13:31 Friday June 2 2000
Daryl Clare has stated that he wants to play for Grimsby Town next season as a first team regular and not mentioned anything about moving to Northampton. With the predicted sale of Lee Ashcroft, Daryl would become a first choice striker therefore he would be reluctant to drop down a division

michael yarborough at 11:1:50 Friday June 2 2000
its mint

TWSP at 10:34:58 Friday June 2 2000
Excerpt from the Chron. "Grimsby Town boss Alan Buckley has agreed to sanction the sale of striker Alan Buckley. Clare is keen to re-join Kevin Wilson at Sixfields after a successful loan spell with the Cobblers last season. The ball is now in the Cobblers court and Grimsby are expecting a written offer.The Cobblers have also tabled an offer for Jamie Forrester"

Me at 10:30:1 Friday June 2 2000
Northampton Gas, I think that if you know about Corazzins possible international commitments and everyone who posts on this board does then Bristol Rovers management may have heard about them too. Mind you the Direones didn't know about Turleys dodgy eye!

Lancaster Cobbler at 10:12:29 Friday June 2 2000
That sounds daft as Rovers have a Trinidian Nigel Pierre as well!

mick at 8:59:20 Friday June 2 2000
Lancaster Cobbler, you should be glad you didn't take the 66/1, becuase at the time it was 1/2 odds 1st and 2nd.

Northampton Gas at 23:3:59 Thursday June 1 2000
I thought I'd give you all a laugh. It appears that The Gas want to sign Corazzin, it appears that no-one has told them about his international commitments over the next twelve months!!!!!

ORBITAL Ganja at 21:32:16 Thursday June 1 2000
71 days NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!! Still though we have to put our heads up and think summer. Summer is sun, warm evenings sitting in the pub beer gardens with a pint. Going into clubs in london when its dark and coming out when it's light. Illegal woods parties with no rain!!!!! Glastonbury. Predictions for the forthcoming season. Oh lovely!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nosey parker at 21:2:16 Thursday June 1 2000
I see from the Official site that the club had to have a donation to go to Ireland...what a joke also could they have picked anymore shitty games for the "pre season friendlys" why not play a disabled 11 they might beat them as well!!!!

Nosey Parker at 20:59:12 Thursday June 1 2000
Judge Pickles please go and stick a large root vegetable up your arse!! The 0 should of said 1 sorry we are not all perfect like you Danny ?

Judge Pickles at 20:25:42 Thursday June 1 2000
Oi Mister racist nosey parker I thought you were leaving, never to return - still saying no two ways about it Darlo for the championship - I expect you meant 2001 !

Paul S at 20:25:16 Thursday June 1 2000
Britgal - outside guess - what about Brentford?

Danny at 20:6:41 Thursday June 1 2000
Where's the "0" in 133/1 then Nosey Parker?

Nosey Parker at 19:49:26 Thursday June 1 2000
Did they miss the0 off the odds of 33/1? it should read 133/1 ha ha ha ha

britgal at 18:50:0 Thursday June 1 2000
ok statto types: how many other teams have won at wembley, lost at wembley, got relegated and auto-promoted in 4 years straight? Oh, and i thought Razor (ray warburton) was pretty gorgeous! I am probably alone in thinking that though...

Lancaster Cobbler at 14:47:50 Thursday June 1 2000
I bet we wish we had backed the lads when we were 66/1 in April

Carl at 12:52:26 Thursday June 1 2000
I think it's a quarter of the odds e/w for the first 3

Paul S at 12:23:7 Thursday June 1 2000
Oh yes and is that to win the division, what about promotion & relegation odds

Paul S at 12:22:20 Thursday June 1 2000
Hi Carl, Is anyone still doing that free ten pound internet bet?

Carl at 12:20:10 Thursday June 1 2000
Getting away from Dave's snotty head for awhile here are some odds for next season. Wigan 11/2, Stoke 9/1, Millwall 9/1, Reading 11/1, Bristol Rovers 16/1, Port Vale 16/1, Walsall 16/1, Bristol City 18/1, Notts County 18/1, Swansea 18/1, Swindon 18/1, Rotherham 25/1, Wrexham 25/1, Brentford 28/1, Luton 28/1, Wycombe 28/1, Northampton 33/1, Bournemouth 40/1, Bury 40/1, Oldham 40/1, Peterboro 50/1, Cambridge 66/1, Colchester 66/1, Oxford 66/1. Seems like not to bad value, especially if we get JF and/or DC.

Carl at 12:4:19 Thursday June 1 2000
Could be Wee Snotnose Desnotterer

Curious at 11:40:31 Thursday June 1 2000
Does this now mean that WSD stands for West Snothead Dave?

Ray at 9:32:37 Thursday June 1 2000
I've also seen it. Personally Id get myself a large brown paper bag for my head for the next few months - lol

Carl at 8:58:46 Thursday June 1 2000
And I have seen the pictures!!!!!!! It's looks like someone has used your head for a great big snot rag for a few months, yee gads man from Ginger to Green, although thinking of it like that it's probably a fair swap, I'll have to let my Ginger hair grow out now and go back to my original colour of bright blue.

Previous postings are here.

May 2000
April 2000
March 2000
February 2000
January 2000

December 1999
November 1999
October 1999
September 1999
August 1999
July 1999
June 1999
May 1999
April 1999
March 1999
February 1999
January 1999

December 1998
November 1998
October 1998
September 1998
August 1998
July 1998
June1998
May 1998
April 1998
March 1998
February 1998
January 1998

December 1997
November 1997
October 1997
September 1997
August 1997
July 1997
June 1997
May 1997
April 1997
March 1997
February 1997
January 1997
December 1996


Site concept, graphics and design © Blue Diamond Solutions. Click here for further enquiries.

Cobblers CommentsJune 2000

Previous postings are here.

Cobblers Comments
June 2000