Cobblers Comments
May 1999
Big Roy at 23:19:18 Monday May 31 99
Just switched (free) service provider to ukonline (no, I'm not being paid by Ray, honest). I have included my new email address for those of you who make note of such things. It's a fair bit quicker downloading and refreshing these pages (advert over). Pendragon - please don't feel chucking fastised by me. I was taking the P. (whoops! sorry Yogi).
Big Roy at 22:53:38 Monday May 31 99
Have you all been smoking something in my absence? Never made it to the pub but sat and drank a rather nice bottle of wine whilst gazing into a friend's pond! Sorry Ralph, I'll have the light and bitter next time.
Ralph at 22:0:54 Monday May 31 99
ANON - I'm impressed! He went fishing though.
Anon at 21:26:48 Monday May 31 99
Ralph, Tom Waits never went trainspotting (literally that is)
Ralph at 21:23:6 Monday May 31 99
It's not me the piano's been drinking again!!!
Ray at 21:21:41 Monday May 31 99
Sorry to disappoint but no cards being issued today of any colour .....
Ralph at 21:21:31 Monday May 31 99
Wot are yooooo on?
Pendragon at 20:57:26 Monday May 31 99
Yes - Sorry Big Roy - I'm well and truly chucking fastised and won't resort to bad language again - it was the pints of ale that did it. It is a bit flat without the soccer. I think the answer to Ralph's question is Andy @ 2:28:39. Nice try Andy aka WOT Gas. Even the 7 year old schoolboy, whose sensitivities Yogi is trying to protect, could see thru your ruse.
Ralph at 20:51:2 Monday May 31 99
Sorry BIG ROY but Deano does tend to get my gander up! Have a light and bitter for me.
Ralph at 20:49:20 Monday May 31 99
As long as it's only his head that blows off!
Anon at 20:40:34 Monday May 31 99
woops! i meant Yogi Bear not Big Roy - I'll never make a comedian
Anon at 20:29:15 Monday May 31 99
I hope big roy whitehouse doesnt look at other sites on the web - his head will blow off!
Big Roy at 20:13:22 Monday May 31 99
The season can't start soon enough can it! Everyone seems to be cracking up. Hartwell has had a sex change, Pendragon has resorted to filthy, foul and terribly abusive language and Ralph is getting all worked up about a player we may or may not re-sign! I'm off down the pub!
David Nikel at 20:11:18 Monday May 31 99
Not sure but I think they serve them at Chesterfield....
Ralph at 20:4:51 Monday May 31 99
Hmmmmmmmm . . . . wot's an arseburger?
Ralph at 20:0:8 Monday May 31 99
Dean Peer is not and never has been anything but a liability when playing for us. His game is supposedly built around closing the opposition down. The only reason he has to close them down is that he constantly gives them the bloody ball! His inability to put a ball where he intends is legendary at all the clubs he has played for. He freezes in front of goal, can't head, can't create and can't defend. Very, very occasionally it all seems to click and for one brief moment he manages to contribute, I can think of the goal at Brighton, a goal at Watford and the move v Plymouth away that led to Freestone scoring. Not bad for a player that must have made around a hundred appearances for us! If Atkins does re-sign him it will send out the message of what is to come next season. It must not be allowed to happen! Sorry Deano, I hope you find employment somewhere but not here. I am now fed up with watching the long ball fodder week in and week out. Having seen us play in a more measured style I want more, I expect more and if Mr Atkins cannot provide it then get someone else who can give us football, please.
Pendragon at 19:53:59 Monday May 31 99
p.p.p.s. Some excellent and incisive points from Andy at 2:28:39. Don't know who his script writer is but he sounds like a genius!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ralph at 19:45:19 Monday May 31 99
DEEPCUT - Sorry mate, my comments were not directed specifically at you. If you look at some of the postings over the past few weeks most contributors feel we have just to turn up and stroll off with the points. The points you make I would agree with, we have the players but will he pick them? What style will we play? We still need a few more players, a goalie, a wide player and another goal scorer. If Monica Hartwell is right and we do re-sign Dean Peer I think we will all be 'resigned' to another season of mediocre football. It ain't going to be easy!
Uther Pendragon at 19:37:23 Monday May 31 99
Sobering to think that just over 12 months ago we had a great day out at Watford. Now we are at opposite ends of the league. p.s. Hartwell - I thought that we had already lost Warner who is now out of contract. p.p.s Out of the 5 gone Dean Peer is the last one we need back, both positionally and ability wise (although apparently he has a good engine and he did score the goal mentioned in my first point)!
Janine at 19:15:53 Monday May 31 99
hi everyone.anyone got a season ticket near row e seats 102,103,104 in east stand? coz u will have me sitting near u!!!!!
Hartwell Cobbler at 19:9:34 Monday May 31 99
Sid: typical - Watford got Smart. We got Wilkinson! This morning I heard Bolton fans on TV news being truly cocky ("we'll win 2-0. No problems"). I was immediately convinced (and hoped) they were in for a fall. So it made my day when Watford scored their second. Under Taylor they are a direct team - but one which plays with purpose and does also have good individuals who are able to mix it up. Unlike Atkins, whose approach is totally one dimensional. Ralph you are quite right - next season depends on how Atkins plays the game and also whether or not he is able to take a more positive approach off the field as well, encouraging his players. Being a realist I'd have to say it'll be the same again, because he shows no interest, desire or ability to change tactics. BTW - is there any news on the Turley and Seal fronts ? I remain uncertain whether Carlo will be here next season as well, despite all that's been said. Fact is he wants out and his agent is in the market. In which case I am sure someone will snap him up. Same goes for Warner. If or when we lose these players guess what ? Atkins will then be able to re-sign Peer!
Anon at 19:6:47 Monday May 31 99
Testing.
Big Roy at 19:2:12 Monday May 31 99
Yogi - It would be nice to get the point over in some sort of intelligible language. What on earth does the last half of your recent posting mean? BTW, I still think Seal was exceptional!
Uther Pendragon at 18:58:40 Monday May 31 99
Yogi - OK, so I used one swear word which I toned down with an *. You are probably correct that, for you and other sensitive ears, this ruined my 200+ word submission. Your message gives the opinion that the whole piece was laced with F words??! You could have perhaps made your point without calling me gutter trash and left Ray (whose site this is)to police it. If he is giving me a yellow card then fair enough (I don't think it was a red card offence). Vote now if you want me to clear off.
Sid at 18:7:34 Monday May 31 99
Division 1 Play Off Final: Bolton 0-2 Watford. They win with goals from Nick Wright and the player we almost got...... Allan Smart. Bloody good goals as well!
Yogi Bear at 15:41:18 Monday May 31 99
I notice the gutter trash have been on here again "uther pendragon" if you can't keep it reasonably cleran the KEEP OFF - one get the point over without resorting the filth.
Deepcut Cobbler at 11:6:0 Monday May 31 99
Ralph?? Was I being over confident? My comments were qualified with the "depends on how IA goes about it". He has the squad, he has the players, he now needs to play them to their strengths and not bottle it all up defensively. We can score goals, We can win matches but we have to play as if we want to!!!! COME ON YOU COBBLERS!!!!
Ralph at 9:39:0 Monday May 31 99
Much respect to Tony Pulis - during the post match interview he conducted himself with dignity. It was refreshing to see a manager not whinging about referees, the colour of goal keepers shirts, injuries etc. etc. etc. I expected him to lambast the ref after he had added nearly six minutes of 'injury time'. Good luck next season Gills and don't do a 'Cobblers'!
Ralph at 9:32:8 Monday May 31 99
Good to see that some of the more recent postings are beginning to realise that next season and promotion are not a foregone conclusion. The problems on and off the pitch need to be resolved, too many supporters are hanging their hats on what happened in the last nine games of the season. I do not want to appear a doom and gloom merchant, just realistic! There is still much to do, players, tactics, team selection and forty-odd league games, before we can get carried away.
Andy at 2:28:39 Monday May 31 99
Can I just say we crashed their party in style as it is still etched in the
memory. The 2nd half was totally awesome. The atmos in Chevy's this season has been flat with
few drinkers, funnily enough, the best nightI know this is dreamland, but wouldn't it be a breath of fresh air to see some humility from
Manchester City fans in the forthcoming 'phone-in's' on Five Live etc? Joe Royale has already
said that the play-offs are a joke (don't think he would have said same if he finished 4th/5th/6th).
They qualified as the best loser these have been done, you can be sure that this columns correspondents
will be the first to know. In the mean time, if you need free Internet Access then point your
browser at www.ukonline.co.uk - the service is about Is that a record??? Two wins out of three isn't bad!! COME ON YOU
COBBLERS!!P.S. Without my statistics to hand skilful player but lacks that certain something that professional sportsman
need. Too nice probably, bit like Bradley Sandeman, still I hope he picks up a club. If he does he
needs to become a bit meaner in my book. Seal? Seal? Seal? What might have been. I suppose
with Atkins track record of man management arseburgers are going to be the menu of the day.
Andy Waterbottom.
W-O-T Gas at 2:23:31 Monday May 31 99
Gutted, you've gone down ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!
From a Gashead (Bristol Rovers).
Uther Pendragon at 0:20:2 Monday May 31 99
I know this is dreamland, but wouldn't it be a breath of fresh air to see some humility from Manchester City fans in the forthcoming 'phone-in's' on Five Live etc? Joe Royale has already said that the play-offs are a joke (don't think he would have said same if he finished 4th/5th/6th). They qualified as the best losers and DON'T F*CKING FORGET IT. They are back in Div. 1 by the skin of their teeth and if they actually showed a bit of recognition for what it is like in Div. 2/3 we could all respect them a little more. Unfortunately they have the 'world owes them Prem. league status' attitude which is most unfortunate. Having got that off my chest, I would also say that the Gills can only blame themselves as you can't throw away a 2-0 lead with a few minutes to go (even if the 5 mins appeared a bit bent). I think that the Gills will find it very difficult not to do a Brentford/Cobblers next season as their defeat must be much more mentally shattering than the one we suffered in '98. Also agree with Anon/Hartwell's comments that next season is NOT going to be as easy as some think. We are already being tipped by some other 3rd Division supporters and we all know from experience how other teams react to playing the favourites (Fulham / Man. City) etc. Anyhow, time to get off the soapbox and listen to some music. Goodnight.
Robert Dunkley at 23:38:18 Sunday May 30 99
According to Teamtalk, Sealo is a taeget of Carlisle! Poor bloke will lose his tan!
Ray at 22:8:38 Sunday May 30 99
The new free Cobblers Internet Service IS coming - we are just sorting out some technical difficulties but as soon as these have been done, you can be sure that this columns correspondents will be the first to know. In the mean time, if you need free Internet Access then point your browser at www.ukonline.co.uk - the service is about the best on the web and you get the added advantage that Cobblers Comments will load miles faster.
Ray at 22:6:34 Sunday May 30 99
yes it was....
steve at 21:30:2 Sunday May 30 99
Oi. That wasn't steve Church.
nat at 21:2:32 Sunday May 30 99
A while back Steve Church told us about a Fulham page that was very good. I know we all hate Fulham etc. etc., but Ormoroyd"s reports are honestly the funniest football reports you are likely to see on the web. Judge for yourself, http://www.totalfulham.com/
Jim Clark at 20:34:45 Sunday May 30 99
What happened about that free internet access you were all joining a few weeks back?
Ray at 19:29:22 Sunday May 30 99
Your other pen name is Monica?
Ray at 19:27:44 Sunday May 30 99
Ah - thats right - I'd forgotten that P*sh were only temporary members of the League when the stats were considered - still, at least you will be able to boast a good record when you drop back to the Conference where you rightfully belong.
David Nikel at 19:21:48 Sunday May 30 99
Alex Ferguson's stopwatch?
Hartwell Cobbler at 19:15:57 Sunday May 30 99
Sorry - must own up to that last message! Forgot to add my monica.
Anon at 19:15:13 Sunday May 30 99
Sid - thanks for your further info on the Burnley school of excellence and reasons behind it. The Cobblers still should be sitting up and taking anotice of it, though. While is might cost to start such a centre it would be money better spent than on acquiring and paying players like Wilkinson. Incidentaly I believe out of the five he's let go, the one atkins wants to resign is Peer. Well, when it comes to choosing between Peer, a talented, intelligent, ball-player and an international, there's no contest, is there! I'm sorry, but that just about sums Atkins up. He's all too happy to keep and play the very, very average player who can run up and down the pitch all the game (even if he contributes little or nothing of creative significance). Eaststander is quite right - in fact we'd have played our way out of trouble this season, had atkins selected the players with the talent and allowed them to play football. The irony of the situation is that Atkins has now taken us back into the league which best suits his defensive, boring style of play. Having said that everyone should be warned that even in the basement styles are changing. Scunthorpe y'day showed that Div 3 does have some teams who can play (mind you Leyton Orient also showed us that there are still some of the old school left). Finally Jayne - I fear Atkins will continue here for some time to come if only because the board clearly does not believe it can afford to sack him (although, there's a strong agrument that says we will now be even worse off for not doing so). While I appreciate the need for Stonhill's rallying cry we should not get carried away into thinking promotion is there for the taking. We should be realistic and cautious. Like many others I am certain we have the players. But I question whether the attitude and morale in the dressing will be right.
Ray at 19:10:22 Sunday May 30 99
My commiserations to the Gills. 1 minute of normal time to go and they are 2-0 ahead.........its a cruel game.
PLUMBOB at 19:6:31 Sunday May 30 99
SORRY ABOUT THAT . I GOT CARRIED AWAY WITH MY MOUSE .
PLUMBOB at 19:3:46 Sunday May 30 99
WHAT ODDS GILLS DOING A COBBLERS AND GOING DOWN NEXT SEASON ??????
PLUMBOB at 19:3:45 Sunday May 30 99
WHAT ODDS GILLS DOING A COBBLERS AND GOING DOWN NEXT SEASON ??????
PLUMBOB at 19:3:43 Sunday May 30 99
WHAT ODDS GILLS DOING A COBBLERS AND GOING DOWN NEXT SEASON ??????
PLUMBOB at 19:2:45 Sunday May 30 99
WHAT ODDS GILLS DOING A COBBLERS AND GOING DOWN NEXT SEASON ??????
Big Roy at 18:5:17 Sunday May 30 99
Condolences to the Gills. Where the hell did those 5 minutes of injury time come from?
Robert dunkley at 17:59:55 Sunday May 30 99
Those lucky Mancs, god what must be Gillingham going through, it was far worst than how we lost, and I would be worried about losing Asaba and worse of all Smith and Ashby on Frees.
I think what we shoud learn from Gillingham, is to spend £200k on one, not five players. The money from Akinibiyi, allowed them to buy Taylor and Asaba.
God, does n't taking your best striker off, remind you of anyone?
Vegas Cobbler at 17:11:8 Sunday May 30 99
To quote a famouus TV line ".....I don't believe it!". Man City equallising with the last kick of the game when the Gills were just about to celebrate a famous victory (and another great day for the underdog) when MCFC emulate their richer brothers and score with the last kick of the game. The Gills will probably lose now as they must be gutted (to quote a famous football line) and Man City will have the believe that big G must be wearing a Sky Blue scarf today (and a raincoat apparently).
Anon at 16:54:49 Sunday May 30 99
Man City 2-2 Gillingham - Horlock and Dicov for City and Asaba and Taylor for the Gills. Extra time is now being played...
Angry at 16:53:52 Sunday May 30 99
I went to William Hill the other day and asked for odds on the Pooh going up - I got quoted something like 800,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 to 1. IMHO they're pretty mean at William Hill aren't they?
Sid at 16:20:49 Sunday May 30 99
Still Man City 0-0 Gillingham.
Sid at 14:58:42 Sunday May 30 99
Come on you Gills!
Bill at 13:48:10 Sunday May 30 99
Yes, he was in the leyland daf cup or something like that with Birmingham, along with Clarkson and Frain I think. Surprise surprise, another player that was bought from Brum...
Deepcut Cobbler at 13:26:20 Sunday May 30 99
Any body notice that yesterday was big John Gayles third play-off final at Wembley in three seasons!! Is that a record??? Two wins out of three isn't bad!! COME ON YOU COBBLERS!!P.S. Without my statistics to hand, has he not played in other Wembley finals as well? Not just play-offs??
Deepcut Cobbler at 13:22:17 Sunday May 30 99
I'm back!!!! Literally. Having been laid up with a prolapsed (slipped) disc for the last two months of the season. I was unable to get to any games during our so called "resurgance" in form attempting to survive. Having gone under the "knife", I am now back at work to contribute again. Well the deed has been done and at least we went down fighting rather than the wet lettuce displays previously. That was all we wanted from our team(but survival would have been even better). We are still with the same manager, but hopefully he will look to the last few games of the season and realise that the main objective of football is to score more goals than the other side not defend at all costs and hope that we nick a goal. Lets go for it from the start of next season, not wait until we are desperate. We have the squad and the ability to run away with it next season if IA removes the over cautious tactics. WE WILL be promoted next season. Whether we are promoted with or without a struggle depends on the way IA goes about it!!!!! COME ON YOU COBBLERS!!!!
Paddington Cobbler at 12:57:16 Sunday May 30 99
Ray, sometime ago you asked for suggestions for your web site. You could consider including some info about the Northampton Town Supporters Trust eg its purpose and how to join. I think someone asked a question about this recently on this page. The cost of joining is not excessive - £5 annual, £25 life - so it might encourage some of the more long-distant fans to dig into their pockets and help the Cobblers cause.
Big Roy at 11:50:27 Sunday May 30 99
Yeah Ralph... much better if it was wit and wendy. Oh, BTW good luck the Gills.
Lies, damn lies and Rays statistics !! at 11:15:37 Sunday May 30 99
Hey Ray, statistics obviously aren't your strong point are they ? Of course Wobblers are higher in the all-time points table than Posh because you've had 31 more seasons in the league !! (Wobblers 71 seasons/3404 points and Posh 38 seasons/2085 points). However we can rank the two clubs past performances fairly by using the final column, which shows the actual % won of the total points available. Result Posh 48.7 % and Wobblers 48.2 %. So there ya boo sucks !!!!!!
Ralph at 10:29:27 Sunday May 30 99
Looks like another wet and windy Bank Holiday weekend then. Sigh . . .
Ray at 10:17:46 Sunday May 30 99
Nowt ..... apparently.......
Ralph at 9:19:18 Sunday May 30 99
Wot's going on?
Yogi Bear at 23:39:26 Saturday May 29 99
Whats up everyone gone on holiday - we won't have to go to Glandford Park this season, pity its a nice run down the motorway. Instead we've got to shunt our way across the smoke once more to a three sided ground - sounds familiar. Good luck to John Gayle & Russ Wilcox.
David Nikel at 15:4:48 Saturday May 29 99
IT'S 3PM ON A SATURDAY AFTERNOON AND THERE'S NO COBBLERS GAME TO MOAN AT !! HELP
Sid at 14:46:27 Saturday May 29 99
After a few days off, my site is now up-to-date at http://members.xoom.com/cobblers.
Sid at 14:37:20 Saturday May 29 99
Here's an interesting note about the Burnley School of Excellence in Milton Keynes. The school they were at yesterday, Two Mile Ash, is just half a minutes walk from my house, and I used to attend it! The headmaster, Mr Hudson, is a big Burnley fan, and thats how he got the players down for this 'school of excellence' thing. He is probably the only person who persuaded them, so don't be too alarmed. Burnley aren't doing it to search for talent down here i dont think, but it is a good idea. The headmaster there has also managed to get lots of famous stars down, like Sharon Davies, and a couple of rugby players. Milton Keynes has a lot of good footballers, especially around my age group. (18-19 year olds) I used to play for about six years, and some of the talent is wasted here. One of Northampton's coaches, some sort of youth development officer, come down to my current school to teach the Year 11's in their Junior Team Manager's award. That's the sort of people who Northampton should be looking at. It would be nice, but the funding isn't their. I forgot my old Headmaster was a Burnley fan, and i only found out that Burnley were down at the school from a child that goes there!
Dav COBBLER POSH HATER FC at 13:50:33 Saturday May 29 99
Eastander ---- In reference to your questions regarding LOCALTEL. There dosent appear to be any catches, Localtel promise to be 10% cheaper than BT calls except calls to mobiles which are the same. I am currently on this setup and its OK , a bit like freeserve , not a top class AOL type but good enough for nothing. UP THE COBBLERS !!!
Anon at 11:29:50 Saturday May 29 99
Plunbob - do I take it that you are an Atkins supporter? I'm not a brain surgeon but I know when I've got a headache.
Eastander at 10:52:11 Saturday May 29 99
Yes that was me at 10.34 just a bit of dyslexia creeping in on my name.On more important matters I feel its going to be a lot harder next season than some like to suggest, lets face it 4 teams went down you can bet they`re all saying the same- we`ll bounce straight back, I bet Carlisle said it this time last season and they were within seconds of dropping into the conference. If we`re honest we`re not too good to play third division football, its what we`ve been playing for the past 2 seasons under IA in div2 with balls coming in from 15000 ft onto (or not as the case may be) a 6ft2in striker. Next season with the squad we have we have the opportunity to play our way out of that division if IA lets them keep the ball down and continues to select ball players like Savage, Hunt, and Wilson who still has another season in him even if for only 60 minutes a game.Yes we can do it but tactics must change.
Esatander at 10:34:24 Saturday May 29 99
Does anyone know if there`s a catch with joining LOCALTEL as in the free internet offered by tempo
Dav COBBLER POSH HATER FC at 23:5:16 Friday May 28 99
Only 10 weeks to go !!!!!!! COME ON COBBLERS !!!!!!! F&$K THE POOH............
Dav COBBLER POSH HATER FC at 23:5:8 Friday May 28 99
Only 10 weeks to go !!!!!!! COME ON COBBLERS !!!!!!! F&$K THE POOH............
PLUMBOB at 22:26:54 Friday May 28 99
ISN!T IT FUNNY HOW PEOPLE WHO KNOW HOW TO RUN THE COBBLERS ARE BUSY DRIVING TAXI CABS OR CUTTING HAIR OR EVEN USING THIS WEB SITE ????
Anon at 20:20:14 Friday May 28 99
Has Bilko actually gone yet? because if he hasnt that's another three grand we've pissed up the wall this week.
Carlo's fan club at 19:54:9 Friday May 28 99
Do we really need Forrester what's wrong with the great one? (CARLO FOREVER!!!)
NMW at 19:28:21 Friday May 28 99
As you are all aware I did not mean to write the R. Nene goes winding thru' the market square. There was supposed to have been a full stop. I was going to write the entire song but I thought it might take a while. Cobblers thru' and thru', NTFC forever!!!!!
nat at 19:24:31 Friday May 28 99
Orbital Ganja how about changing it to "ORBY G" Or is it too late for voting?
NMW at 19:22:25 Friday May 28 99
London road is falling down, falling down, falling down, London Road is falling down poor old 'Boro. Build it up with claret and white, claret and white, claret and white, build it up with claret and with nice one cobblers!
Whoever said that the cobblers have got THE best fans is spot on. Sh*t on the 'boro next season lads as we come up as CHAMPIONS!!!
The fields are green the sky is blue the River Nene goes winding through the market square..............up the cobblers!!!!
Hartwell Cobbler at 18:44:10 Friday May 28 99
Anglia TV tonight reports that Burnley have established a school of excellence at Milton Keynes. Right on our doorstep. Which begs me again to ask the question: are the Cobblers seriously addressing the issue of a proper youth set-up ? From what I understand we are not and that Atkins is not that interested. More's the pity because the future of all smaller clubs must lie in home-produced talent. Now we have the prospect of local lads being encouraged down to MK and on to Burnley of all places. We already suffer from losing kids to the glamour clubs and that is to be expected to some degree. Even Man U draws many of their players from the youth set-up. It's a far, far better long-term plan than to continue to buy poor quality journeymen, one after another. Fine to buy one of two key players (as does Man U). But to continue to rely on virtually your whole squad from this source is no road to progress. We simply do not have the money to assemble a quality squad in this way. Never have had. Never will, I doubt. So what about looking to a proper youth set-up, Cobblers ? A short-term financial commitment for long-term gain. Even if it means putting a virtual brake on new player spending for a season or two, I believe it would be worth it over, say a decade.
Ray at 17:37:55 Friday May 28 99
Did you also know that the Cobblers have the 6th. best attack in the post war period scoring 3437 goals (averaging 66 a season) - strange but true.
Ray at 17:19:15 Friday May 28 99
btw - that statistic wasn't based on number of games played - but is based on % won, drawn and lost....we have played 3142 matched, winning 1205, drawing 734 and losing 1203 accumulating a grand total of 3,404 points.
Ray at 17:13:15 Friday May 28 99
Searching the site mentioned below - you can find All TIme stats for every team that has ever played in the league. Northampton have played in 70 seasons, and are 56th. overall - teams below us include West Ham (72nd) Southampton, Coventry, Ipswich, Wimbledon and poor old P*sh in 88th. place - LOL!
Ray at 17:2:58 Friday May 28 99
You question about stats got me having a search and I found very telling statistic about last season. If we went behind we came back and won twice and came back and drew 8 times - may not sound much but it is the SECOND best record in the Division. Looked at another way we finished 20th. in the records where we were leading and either lost or drew. Check out the stats at http://www.sys.uea.ac.uk/~mrg/stats/teams/Northampton.html
ORBITAL Ganja at 16:9:16 Friday May 28 99
I'm off home now anyway see you all tues
ORBITAL Ganja at 16:2:27 Friday May 28 99
I'm not that bored it just the fact I wanted to know all the giantkillings that the cobblers have done since the war.
Anon at 15:39:21 Friday May 28 99
ORBITAL Ganja - I know your love life is not so hot at the moment, but you must be really bored
ORBITAL Ganja at 14:21:21 Friday May 28 99
Can anyone direct me to a good website which contains statistics and results for football matches post -war.
SBJ at 13:37:27 Friday May 28 99
Oops! Don't know how that spare word 'League' crept into that last message.
SBJ at 13:35:46 Friday May 28 99
Orbital: we may not have to visit Chester next season - last time I heard Chester hadn't resolved their financial situation and were staring closure in the face. Also Hull City have been asked to present a suitable financial plan (to the Football League) to show that they will be able to fulfill all their fixtures next season - League. Makes me very glad that we're fortunate enough to be financially sound at the moment.
phil a at 13:22:21 Friday May 28 99
I've already got a bet on us for next season. Saw in the Racing post a couple of weeks back that a Bradford bookies (John Wood) was doing prices for next year even before the playoffs. Amazingly, we were only ninth favourites at 14-1. Sounds like a very decent price to me.
Don't forget Planet Cobblers Hall of Fame results are now on my site and you've got two weeks to vote for the 10th member of it (to resolve a tie).
http://www.angelfire.com/co/bblers
Ray at 13:19:9 Friday May 28 99
What a great name....
Exiled Brighton Cobbler at 12:25:30 Friday May 28 99
Just read on ITV text that the Cobblers are interested in signing Bournemouths ex-Chelsea keeper Neil Clement, who is currently out of contract and was kept out of the first team last season by Mark Ovendale.
Ray at 9:49:33 Friday May 28 99
Its only free if you change your phone company.....
ORBITAL Ganja at 9:49:7 Friday May 28 99
Our celebration next season will be held at the brilliant Exchange diner, where all the waitresses are V Tasty. No odds (call themselves a bookies!!!) Met dyl yesterday on campus, had a good chat about the state of the club, ECF, and the grounds we will be visiting next season. CHESTER, ROCHDALE, MACCLESFIELD, AGGHHHHHHH!!!! I have to say Macclesfield will be the worst we will be visiting next season, particulary because of their greasy chips.
Big Al at 9:37:25 Friday May 28 99
Anyone out there interested in free Internet off-peak use check out the site www.tempo.co.uk sign up to screaming net ******** Up the Cobblers*********
Insider at 22:26:30 Thursday May 27 99
Billy goes next week and Deano re-signs!
Ray at 21:50:47 Thursday May 27 99
I mailed William Hill and they do not have any odds for next season..
Ray at 21:48:50 Thursday May 27 99
Actually this website is the only source of ideas for R&D.
Big Roy at 21:27:37 Thursday May 27 99
Hey Ray! My little problem seems to have cleared up (must have been the ointment!)
Big Roy at 21:23:55 Thursday May 27 99
Have just watched the tour through Manchester by the Munchkins. Didn't look as good as our celebration 2 years ago. When we win the treble can we have our reception in the Super Sausage? Admission £5 (including a bed for the night and £1 meal voucher)!
Eternal Optimist at 21:2:45 Thursday May 27 99
I see on ITV text that Rush & Dire are interested in Jamie Forrester. Does Talbot ever have any ideas of his own? I can understand why the R&D faithless don't like him. I suppose he'll be putting 11 back at corners and buying enough centre halfs to fill a bus next!
Terry Hawes at 20:13:52 Thursday May 27 99
Play-off Predictions :
Watford 2 Bolton 1
Gillingham 1 Man City 0 ha ha ha ha!
Scunthorpe 3 Leyton Orient 1
(actually Orient is sort of our bogey side, but hey..root
for the little guys)
Matt at 19:33:20 Thursday May 27 99
Is it just me or does anybody else think that the cobblers have a very loyal fan base, good stadium with excellant facilities (that are promoted throughout the country on how grounds should be!). The fans who follow the cobblers must be, if not, THE most loyal fans EVER, how we get behind the team no matter what. For the division they are in excellant average attendances and nearly always fill the away end at away matches. Therefore Mr. Po*h what the f*ck are you on?
UP THE COBBLERS!!!!!
Pooh Superstar???????????????? at 18:34:13 Thursday May 27 99
How about this for the Cobblers treble then----1.... Cobblers only scoring once in the victory at Pooborough----2.....Pooborough selling all their away allocation at Sixfields----3......Me not getting enormously drunk whilst enjoying point one above.........William Hill didnt have a scientific calculator handy to arrange the odds.
SBJ at 17:51:29 Thursday May 27 99
Real Mr. Posh: I'm mostly on optimism (about the only effective stimulant for fans of newly-relegated teams, especially down in the basement). Who have Posh got lined up for pre-season friendlies, btw? Is it a gaggle of non-leaguers and a token Premiership XI like we have, or what? Orbital: no odds as yet, not until the play-offs are settled. The cheeky ****-******* at William Hill claimed never to have heard of the Maunsell Cup! Shocking. Apparently we'd have to get our local branch manager's special odds for any bet involving a minor competition like the Maunsell.
The Real Mr Posh at 17:32:59 Thursday May 27 99
SBJ, I think you've lost the plot mate. The treble? Winning Div 3 next season, what ever next,I suppose its got to be beating the Mighty Posh as well, I do'nt think so. What ever your on, could I have some as well?***UP THE POSH***MR.POSH
j at 17:29:26 Thursday May 27 99
test
ORBITAL Ganja at 12:49:56 Thursday May 27 99
If anyone one finds out the odds then please put them on the comments page. Because some of us are at work at the moment and can't ring up bookies.
Ray at 12:42:43 Thursday May 27 99
or Ladbrokes on 0800 731 32 33.
Ray at 12:41:34 Thursday May 27 99
Latest odds can probably be obtained by a free phone number to William Hill - 0800 88 22 66
SBJ at 12:4:53 Thursday May 27 99
Great NTFC treble idea! Each season I put a small bet on NTFC getting promoted (I'm about breaking even at the moment) - I'll try to get odds on that treble now as well. Does anyone know where we figure in the odds for the div 3 title? I imagine we'd be somewhere in the shorter prices, though probably not very near the favourites.
Robert Dunkley at 10:31:41 Thursday May 27 99
Atkins should take note of Man Utd, they never gave up and Feruson looked as if he had mucked up his tactics!! Still, we must acknowledge they were missing 'their' Lily and Roy in Scholes and Keane.
The gaem actuallt brought back memories of both Wembley finals, the bar being hit I likened to Woody's penalty save and the hope it gave us, and of course the 93rd minute winner.
I think why so many Mabn Utd haters got behind them was the fact that it was England v. Germany. Blimey, I bet Atkins wouldn't mess around without that Italian ref!
I actually tgought Schmeicheal would score, but he did not.
Anyway, what odds for us doing the treble, i.e Maunsell Cup, Division Three and Auto windscreen Shield?
ORBITAL Ganja at 10:14:50 Thursday May 27 99
I must just congratulate MU on a fluky but deserved win last night against the Beer-Festival hosting Germans, (Don't mention the War!). But I must say this 15 years from now we will be up there in the heights of europe and the premiership. You may think I am loopy but I can see it happening eventually, as Northampton Town will be the force they were in the sixties. By the way - Don't mention the war!
No 1 Diamond at 9:40:39 Thursday May 27 99
Klobber - not another pathetic wimp who can't handle the Diamonds situation? Why worry about us mate if we nick a few of your players? Be pleased about it, because we're paying good money. And you need it. So you can't afford to complain - be grateful for a change! Besides, if you love all your players so much just think what lucky sods you all are because they haven't left the county: you can pop down to Nene Park next season and see them all as often as you like! I'm sure that they will all be pleased to see you.
jayne at 9:15:52 Thursday May 27 99
just like to echo Big Roys comments - good to see the Hartwelle Chronicles are back - and yeah - it's a real shame atkins is still around! We're running a sweep at work as to how long he's gonna last - I've got December '99!!!!!!! Still a bit drunk after last night - what a bunch of lucky sods - how many times have they done that. As soon as we saw that there were three minutes injury time to be played we knew they'd win it!!
Ray at 8:48:20 Thursday May 27 99
Yep - I saw the clip with the fat git getting a cup of tea thrown over him and watched it all through just for the sheer pleasure of it all.
Carl at 8:40:37 Thursday May 27 99
'The Real Mr. Posh' you're a funny guy. I hear the crew of 'Goodnight Sweetheart' are looking for a new cast member and I would imagine you to be funny enough for it. TOSSPOT!!! Did anyone see 'When Athletes Attack' last night, remember the title 'when ATHLETES attack' it showed that useless rather overweight ATHLETE who manages some team I've never heard, the name began with a PEE, berating one of his 'PLAYERS':-) Now if that lump of lard is an athlete then no wonder we ain't very good at athletics!
Ray at 0:37:53 Thursday May 27 99
Actually I have topless pictures of most of the staff - unfortunately the Press Council have warned me off publishing.
Ray at 0:34:32 Thursday May 27 99
You forgot to mention the ignomy of not even finishing in the top three of the Conference.
The Real Mr Posh at 23:24:18 Wednesday May 26 99
With recent talks of a merger between Stevenage Boro & Barnet, spare a thought this evening of a more likely merger between N*rthampton Down and Rushden & Diamonds. Taking the two clubs in turn just look what both clubs have to offer. Nene Park has: - 1)A stadium worthy of any top league club. 2)Max's Millions, what all clubs would be grateful for. 3)Excellent facilities all round. 4)A loyal crowd that follows there team through good times & bad. Etc, etc, etc. S**tfields has: - 1)??????????????????????????????? I'm sure there must be something you can offer, no can’t think of anything at the moment.***UP THE POSH***MR.POSH.
Ralph at 22:30:1 Wednesday May 26 99
If WE had a corner and if WE were 3-0 up, I suspect we would still have eleven back defending!
Big Roy at 22:14:7 Wednesday May 26 99
You're fantasizing Pendragon. There's no way Billy would come up for a corner if we were 3-0 up!
Ralph at 21:44:51 Wednesday May 26 99
Pendragon - Billy will be at least 27 by the time we get to the final.
Ralph at 21:42:20 Wednesday May 26 99
There is nothing like the sight of a gutted German. On the telly right now is about 50,000 of the buggers!!!! Luvleeeeee!
Pendragon at 21:41:38 Wednesday May 26 99
OK - I admit it livened up in injury time!
Pendragon at 21:21:47 Wednesday May 26 99
What a bore the European Cup final is....IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN US! Northampton Town 4 Bayern Munich 0. A stupendous hat-trick from Dave Savage was crowned in the 93rd minute when Billy Turley (who had come up for a corner) neatly blasted the ball past his opposite number. Bayern were not without chances when their tall centre forward controlled the ball in our box with his hand (missed by the ref), his shot only to be miraculously tipped over by young Billy. Bayern also had 2 penalties saved which was only justice as both had been awarded for blatent diving in the box. The ref. was awful but could't gatecrash the Cobblers party. Barcelona was painted Claret for the next 3 days and we all returned exhausted on Saturday to see the Cobblers parade the European Cup in an open-top bus ride around Town. COBBLERS FOREVER!!!!!!pass me another large scotch.
Ralph at 20:37:54 Wednesday May 26 99
It's all gone a bit ya! boo! sucks! lately. What's needed is a bit of scandal. Ray haven't you got a picture of Janet in the shop topless that you could publish?
Ralph at 20:27:15 Wednesday May 26 99
So eloquently put Kobbler! So you only think we belong in Division Two then? What's up with the Premiership?
Kobbler at 19:39:30 Wednesday May 26 99
DIAMONDS FANS...if you took your head out of Talbot's arse for one second you'll realise that you aint going nowhere and pretty soon the No1 club in Northants will be back up where we belong, Div 2 and you'll be stuck at the bottom of the conference like some smelly shitstain.
PS scoreline prediction Man U 1 Bayern 1 (BAYERN WIN 3-0 on pens aet)
Come on the Germans!!!!
Big Roy at 19:10:41 Wednesday May 26 99
Anon at 8.44 - NGS 1970 - 1976 (the year it turned comprehensive, sadly). Good to see the Chronicles back Hartwell. Keep 'em coming.
Hartwelle Cobbler at 17:52:48 Wednesday May 26 99
Hamtune Chronicles. 1699AD. Tis a time of littel cheerfulness in ye fayre towne. Ye Men of Shoes hath been slayde and in greate paine, their charges easilie matchde by armies wythe which they do battel. Ye leadre, Yan Brumiekins, didst exulte his troopes with straynge cries and exhortationnes of handes. And he doth promise manie greate victoryies, but mostlie alle saide was unto ye likenesse of a hollowe potte. And so it has come to passe, ye leadre of ye Men of Shoes, Barone Stone Hill, hath declarde a bigge cut in tythes. Ye Men of Shoes muste henceforthe do battel with armies of less repute whyche doth include ye hoardes assemblde by Friar Tuckeshoppe. Yan Brumiekins sayeth alles welle in our gardens, wiche hathe fragrances moste rosie. Barone Stone Hill, havinge recentlie acquirde by magik ye arte of soothsayinge, also doth believe Ye Men of Shoes will againe conquere. But manie followres doth see portwentes of bade omen and againe crie out loude for their savioure Waltney Mann, whose myraclse men of these partes doth stille recalle. Some doth make speciale sacrifice to anothre godhead from times remote, one callde Bowene. Alas and in vain. These are tymes of plague and pestelances.
Ray at 17:31:22 Wednesday May 26 99
Re: Frain. In my opinion hes is one of the best players ever to have donned a Cobblers shirt. Towards the latter end of last season he was however suffering from injury which slowed him slightly - nothing to do with age, past it etc. I predict that we will see a new rejuvinated Johnny boy after a couple of months rest clearing up everything coming down the wing.
Hartwell Cobbler at 17:1:40 Wednesday May 26 99
Jayne - i'm still here ! Pity the same can be said for atkins.
ORBITAL Ganja at 16:29:54 Wednesday May 26 99
I talk balls - footballs!!!!!!
phil a at 15:54:44 Wednesday May 26 99
After literally minutes of tension, the first nine members of the Planet Cobblers Hall Of Fame were announced to the world in a star-spangled ceremony at virtual Sixfields today...
I made it nine instead of 10 because there was a multiple tie for 10th - I'll add one more in a fortnight so you can all vote again for the next recipient of this prestigious honour.
I won't announce all the names here as I didn't do all the number crunching and vote-collecting, not to mention regular pestering (sorry!) not to get a few hits for my site out of it - so go there and see who they are for yourself. http://www.angelfire.com/co/bblers
There are 30-odd players nominated who didn't make the cut, but they have been listed too as a guide for future additions, it's quite interesting - honestly.
Thanks to those of voted, make sure you vote next time (votes to: ntfcfame@excite.com) to those who didn't. Cheers!
PS Frainy's not past it, but Spedding's a better prospect. Let's face it, when you've got six right-backs, two left-backs can surely be accommodated. Surely there's room for Speddo in midfield now?
John Frain Fan Club at 15:37:1 Wednesday May 26 99
Mad, sorry about the spelling mistake. Thanks for mentioning it!!! Anyway it would be interesting to know what people think of Frainy. Ray, does that mean you think he is still capable of playing well. I would rather have Frain in my team than Spedding (did you go to the Notts County away match to name but a few). If you did then you would have noticed how we lost the game in the first half. Don't get me wrong Spedding is a good player but he's not consistant enough at the moment so I would naturally play Frain, especially now we are in Div3. So Mad if your not to busy picking out spelling errors what do you think (you do go to away games don't you?).
jayne at 15:22:43 Wednesday May 26 99
any one know what's happened to John McCrurick and the Hartwell Cobbler?
arfurjob at 14:43:23 Wednesday May 26 99
http://www.InsideTheWeb.com/mbs.cgi/mb525380
arfurjob at 14:42:10 Wednesday May 26 99
jayne at 14:41:40 Wednesday May 26 99
orbital ganja - keep the name!!!
arfurjob at 14:40:33 Wednesday May 26 99
The 100% Un-Official Swansea City FC Messageboard
Arfurjob at 14:39:14 Wednesday May 26 99
The 100% Un-Official Swansea City FC Messageboard
Anon at 14:38:57 Wednesday May 26 99
Do you call yourself ORBITAL because you talk balls?
Ray at 14:37:59 Wednesday May 26 99
I wish people would stop talking crap about John Frain being over the hill. Just because the bloke looks about 40 he is in fact ONLY 30 - and this is by no means old.
MAD at 14:9:37 Wednesday May 26 99
ORBITAL Ganja. Keep the name!!!
ORBITAL Ganja at 14:4:38 Wednesday May 26 99
Changing times ahead my fellow cobblers! I am thing of cutting down my web name as you all seem to just be calling me ORBITAL. Would you prefer me to stick
with ORBITAL Ganja or go for ORBITAL G (The G stands so there is no confusion with techno duo ORBITAL. Put your thoughts on this page so you can help
me decide. KEEP THE VOTES COMING!
MAD at 13:32:28 Wednesday May 26 99
In reply to the John Frain Fan Club, are you on drugs or something?
I have been a season ticket holder for the last 4 years and I have only missed around 5 away games in the last 2 seasons. So as you can see I have been to 1 or 2 recent games. How on earth did Frain prevent us going done (I think you mean down) earlier. He was once a good player but is coming to the end of his time. He should step aside and give Spedding a run in the team for the good of the club. Then again with him and Atkins VERY close friends that's not going to happen. How many other people think that Frain is still a quality player or do you agree with me? I know that there are a lot of people every Saturday who think the same as me!!!!! If you haven't heard them, then you must be wearing a walkman all through the game.
Anon at 11:10:5 Wednesday May 26 99
He wasn't born - he was moulded out of dog crap.
Phil Baron at 9:45:28 Wednesday May 26 99
No1 Diamond fan..were you dropped on your head at birth?
ORBITAL Ganja at 9:35:26 Wednesday May 26 99
CHEMICAL BROTHERS - HEY GIRLS, HEY BOYS.
31ST OF MAY
BUY IT!!!!!!
ORBITAL Ganja at 9:34:24 Wednesday May 26 99
Cheers for the votes, keep them coming in. I will decide on friday.
RAW IS WAR which dept does your mum work in.
Anon at 8:44:45 Wednesday May 26 99
I wouldn't swap my forty-niner conker for Dean Peer. Big Roy, what vintage NGS are you? And do you remember the equally sadistic practice of putting the vaults across the gym then hurling medicine balls at each other? Can someone also enlighten me to the goings on on at Darlo?
John Frain Fan Club at 0:5:47 Wednesday May 26 99
Mad, what games have you seen this season, or have you been at Diamonds. If it hadn't been for some great tackling by Frain we would have gone done way before the season deadline. Don't tell me, I bet you still think Rennie is playing at the club. You obviously don't spend much time concentrating at games or know shit about football.
Ray at 23:27:21 Tuesday May 25 99
Worried? LOL! If it is three up and three down you might just scrape in but thats the only way you are going to do it.
Anon at 23:23:5 Tuesday May 25 99
Apparently in Kettering they are know as the "Rats and dogs". not bad
Yogi Bear at 22:29:22 Tuesday May 25 99
Dire ones - with the way they performed last season its the "Dim ones" from now on.
Anyway, nothing in todays C&E. Atko talking about going to florida again for a break - will it be his neck though ?
phil a at 21:50:48 Tuesday May 25 99
Well said councillor T.
Dav COBBLER POSH HATER FC at 21:24:28 Tuesday May 25 99
Dire1 I am confused as to which planet you are from never mind which county. How you dare even utter the COBBLERS in the same sentence as the DIREONES belies belief yet you talk such nonsense as the MIGHTY ONES being concerned about the VI`s (Village Idiots) from CASHDEN? My apologies go out to any COBBLERS who come from or reside in villages though I am certain that you will understand my stance? UP THE COBBLERS ..................................... from planet EARTH !!!!!
T. at 21:14:5 Tuesday May 25 99
Errrrrr, No.1 Diamond, how would three going up from the conference help you? You didn't even finish in the top 3. I would say you were a village idiot, but I'm from Artleknock and I support the TOP COUNTY TEAM. So stick that up your wotsit.
Judge Pickles at 21:1:49 Tuesday May 25 99
R&Ds interest in Billy is not serious - it is their continued effort to undermine other clubs in the county. Their(and particularly Talbot's) antics against Kettering 2 seasons ago largely went unreported - but so cynical were their actions they actually signed players they did not want but who they knew Kettering had a low budget interest in. I suspect signing Steve Berry was only to unsettle Stevenage who they see as a significant threat next season. In respect of Billy one would think the interest is to try and unsettle the player - do they really think we are going to sell our sole keeper. It may strike as paranoia but whilst Diamonds will acheive league status and on some occasions unfortunately higher league position than us the only way they could start to take significant support from us is if we go under. Treat every Diamond action with caution, do not buy DM footware and listen to friendly on the radio...............
Big Roy at 20:46:40 Tuesday May 25 99
Let me know when and where these parties are Pendragon!
Pendragon at 20:2:38 Tuesday May 25 99
Eternal Optimist - you're not quite right when you say the transfer of Bilko won't generate much. I reckon it will spark off a number of parties in the neighbourhood.
Tomas Jonsson at 19:40:6 Tuesday May 25 99
I just want to say that the "Cobblers" Have fans up in Sweden too. Now lets gather strength and win division 3 next year.
C`mon you Cobblers
Dean Peer at 19:7:2 Tuesday May 25 99
Well I don't know about you but I bargained for the princely sum of £1.23, four green shield stamps, The Kenny Dalglish sticker in Panini's Football '86, half a can of tizer and a refresher. Looks like I massively overbudgeted. I feel sad...
Kobbler at 19:3:10 Tuesday May 25 99
What a disgace, Dean Peer going on a free, I would have thought 50p and two green shield stamps would have been adequate, but free...
tash at 18:19:31 Tuesday May 25 99
Does anyone know what that Diamond geezer is on about because I aint got a clue!!!All this business about being scared? What's that all about?
Big Roy at 17:21:35 Tuesday May 25 99
A variation of football I remember at Weedon Bec Primary was played on the "L" shaped playground with a goal at each end. The goalkeepers were out of view of each other and long hoofed balls were impossible unless you got a hell of a bend on the ball. Perhaps this concept could be utilised in training next season!
No 1 Diamond at 16:10:55 Tuesday May 25 99
No. 1 Cobbler: You're just jealous because you are now feeling inferior to what is happening at Nene Park and you are very, very worried about it. You obviously never gave a thought to this in 1992 and treated the R&D situation as a joke. Now it is coming home to you in reality. If it's three up and three down from the Conference to the 3rd Division next season, then you really do have something to be very concerned about; it would be good news for the Diamonds, but very bad news for the Cobblers.
Eternal Optimist at 14:18:55 Tuesday May 25 99
Given the state of the clubs finances I assume that the Jamie Forrester offer is only being made because we know there is additional finance coming from player sales. I cannot imagine the transfer of Bilko would generate anything much, so who's it going to be......Carlo perhaps! Or is this talk just hot air?
SBJ at 14:13:54 Tuesday May 25 99
We also played crab football: I remember being Crab Russell Osman in the Crab UEFA Cup final (Ipswich Town vs. AZ-67 Alkmaar, recreated at playtimes in my Suffolk school up to about 1985). Nobody wanted to be the Crab Dutch, so opponents would pretend to be Crab Alan Hansen, "recently of Liverpool but just signed for AZ-67 Alkmaar for morning breaktime". The other oddity we had was called "Moog-Ball": taking the classic all-against-all format, up to 20 of us would lurch around the playing field in pursuit of a small rubber ball (which belonged to a friend's dog, which was called Moog), the intention being to kick the ball into a hole in the ground not much bigger than a golf hole. Always a scramble, always fights, scores at an average lunch break would be about 1-1-1-0-0-0-0- etc. Ball itself confiscated by teacher after a few months and the game consequently disbanded for ever.
Person at 13:47:5 Tuesday May 25 99
To Orbital ganja, I am currently reading Howard Mark's autobiography and think you should call yourself 'Pan Am Ganja' or 'Doing time ganja'. What do you think.
David Nikel at 13:40:39 Tuesday May 25 99
For some "interesting" pix of Wembley 98 and also away at Blackpool 98 go to DAVEWORLD at http://members.xoom.com/davidnikel/
RAW is WAR at 13:13:15 Tuesday May 25 99
To ORBITAL Ganja hi it is us again we got your message cheers for that if you are still at MK collage then you will know my mum she works there we cannot identify my mums name unless you tell us yours. Write back as soon as posiible cheers Rob M
Crab Footie at 11:49:44 Tuesday May 25 99
The version of crab football that I played had the keeper on his knees rather than in the crab position. Can't say I enjoyed the game that much, I'd rather play the real thing. Do you think atkins would still use long-ball tactics if the Nationwide League had to play crab-style?
Keeper Supporter - Pt 2 at 10:26:52 Tuesday May 25 99
No...........
get real at 23:33:3 Monday May 24 99
Ralph, Tony Banks does more harm than good?... compared to Tony Benn!
M. Jackson at 23:19:5 Monday May 24 99
" Ain't no sunshine when she's gone......ooww!
TRB Mark at 23:16:37 Monday May 24 99
Orbital Ganja, are you related to Ostric Tentacles?
TRB Mark at 23:14:52 Monday May 24 99
TCMP, you are going to be corrected for the second time today.(3rd if the whips get hold of you). It was 4-0 when Tony Banks came to Sixfields as we were playing Brenford that Tuesday night. How do I know? I came face to face with Mr Banks as he came out of the toilet just before the game. ....... Crab football, great stuff! I'm not sure the knees would be up to it now. Got me thinking about the other playground and Summer evening games we used to play. Bottle of Poison, May I? Tin eye aki, one about a wolf whose name escapes me, British Bulldog, Tracking, Tig off the ground. *Sigh* , the new season can't come quick enough can it?
Donavan at 22:51:10 Monday May 24 99
Sunshine came softly through my window today . . . .
Nils Lofgren at 22:39:23 Monday May 24 99
The Sun hasn't set on this boy yet . . . .
Ray at 22:27:50 Monday May 24 99
The sun never set on the British Empire because the British Empire is in the East and the sun sets in the west. (nicked from "The World according to student bloopers")
Mr POSH`S alter ego at 21:47:11 Monday May 24 99
HEY HANG ON !!!!!!!!! You are right !!! I was born in the county of NORTHAMPTONSHIRE therefore I must be a COBBLER !!!!!!!!!! . Thats what you get for asking your mum about footy eh !!
Better late than never at 21:44:12 Monday May 24 99
Look folks, it's been a tough season, so why not cheer yourselves up? To do this visit http://www.hamsterdance.com/
Toby aged 7 at 21:28:10 Monday May 24 99
Can annneone draw me a picture of how to ride my bike to Peeterburru? I want to go and sea my teem (The Mighty Cobblers) play their luverley footy against the scum. My Dad recons that Ian Atkins' tactics are Jodrel but I don't understand wot he meens. Wi cant we have Alix Fergusssun?
Ralph at 21:15:20 Monday May 24 99
TCMP - Thanks for your reply, although I still feel Tony Banks does more harm than good. Why can you not tell us what Mr Banks said of William Vague? Surely with the new secrecy bill anything goes?
ROTHERMAN at 20:6:9 Monday May 24 99
Welcome to the dungeon
NO1 COBBLER at 20:2:57 Monday May 24 99
ITS HARD TO BELIEVE THAT I USED TO LIKE RUSHDEN BUT NOW I THINK THEY ARE THE SCUM OF THE FOOTBALL WORLD
NO1 COBBLER at 20:1:10 Monday May 24 99
WE'RE GOING UP, RUSHDEN AREN'T COS THEY'RE SHIT
Big Roy at 19:55:42 Monday May 24 99
OG - call yourself M25.
at 19:52:6 Monday May 24 99
OG I dont think anyone would ever confuse you with the rather brilliant Orbital
TCMP at 19:34:15 Monday May 24 99
Anyway as I was saying before democracy rudely interupted,love him or hate him at least Tony Banks speaks his mind and knows just a little bit more about football than any previous sports minister since the late Denis Howell (who opened Sixfields and reffereed at the County Ground) and considering my knack of saying and doing the wrong things in the eyes of the whips, it's only the fact that Banksy can still do likewise and be in the cabinet that gives me any hope for the future. And he came to see the Cobblers at Sixfields the season before last.(we won 5-0 as well) So all in all he may be a fool at times but he is our fool and as such we suffer him. Must dash again but will try to log on later or tommorrow to answer the hundreds of questions etc
'keeper supporter at 19:29:42 Monday May 24 99
So Billy is staying then?
'keeper supporter at 19:28:14 Monday May 24 99
So Billy is staying then?
TCMP at 19:11:2 Monday May 24 99
OOPs, I shall stick to belly button in future it's easier to spell. Ralph, I did see your comment re Tony Banks, and meant to reply, anywat our tone is a decent enough chap, even if he does put his mouth into overdrive before engaging his brain in gear, perhaps he only says what others are thinking anyway? Still I disagree with his all Britain side, and his more recent comments but he has got England into a position where we are favourites for the 2006 world cup.Ps his comments on William Hauge were spot on if not repeatable. AGHH,Division Bell, got to rush can't even check the bad spelling
Captain Pugwash at 18:53:30 Monday May 24 99
TCMP: Naval gazing? Didn't know you were a ship-spotter me hearty! Learn to spell. And ideal candidates for crab football would be Les Phillips and John Cornwell, neither passed forwards in their careers.
phil a at 18:50:33 Monday May 24 99
The bits about the Crawley lads were on my site. The story came from a friend of mine who was at a Crawley game and got chatting to a Cobblers scout. He'd been sent there to watch their 30-goal striker Ben Abbey but was apparently more impressed with Hawthorne and Mackie and pumped my mate for info on them. Doubt we'd be interested in either now, if wee're reducing the squad although they are both up to Div 3 standard. Both have been targeted by Sutton Utd (just promoted to Conference). Hawthorne is the same one that was at Torquay, but has matured a lot over the last couple of years and is a classy 90-minute midfielder. Mackie had trials at Bournemouth, Forest, Reading, Brentford and Chelsea in the last year. Abbey was watched by just about everybody in the league last season, unfortunately they all started watching him just as his form tailed off! Can't see what harm it would do a club like ours to invite them to pre-season training though. A guy in our office saw Forrester for Scunny v Swansea and said he looked overweight and off the pace. the guy who replaced him scored their crucial goals. And a quick reminder to everyone to get your votes for the Planet Cobblers Hall of Fame to me sharpish. Mail your top 10 all-time Cobbs to ntfcfame@excite.com and check out the Meet The Fans section at the site: http://www.angelfire.com/co/bblers
Ralph at 18:46:51 Monday May 24 99
TCMP - Yeah crab football, I used to play this as an alternative to full blown football as the vicar did not want his church hall demolished. Goalies were also crabbed and indeed got it in the nuts or more often in the gob! Those were the days! You mention you have answered all questions raised, does this mean you have not seen or do not want to answer my comments re Tony Banks????? Answer!
Big Roy at 18:46:50 Monday May 24 99
I caught Crabs under Blackpool North Pier once! Took ages to clear up! On the subject of silly gym games, does anyone remember playing Pirates? We used to play it at the old Grammar School as an end of term treat. Treat? I remember several nasty accidents as boys fell from ropes and wall bars to the obvious delight of our sadistic ex-army PE teachers. Aah, those were the days!
TCMP at 18:8:49 Monday May 24 99
Pendragon, I am still here it's just that nobody has asked a question on any of the points previuosly listed. The info on the retained list has now been published and people now Know the basic philosophy, ie we need to ship players out before we even think about bringing anyone in, and at the same time reduce the wage bill. So the comments in the press re Forrester are at their best opportunist. One of the reasons that there is so little concrete news is that most players and managers are on post season holiday. Therefore most discussions have yet to get started, plus who is going to sign a player this early on in the close season when they will simply have to pay their wages for sitting on thier backsides until pre season training starts. In essence what this means is that for the next couple of weeks we will have to resign ourselves to naval gazing, bizarre and inane banter and talking about the weather. (Humid and overcast in London) Any way if any questions are posted I will try to answer them even if it is only a personal view I express. Now for the bizzare and inane banter, I have just read an article about schoolday sports and it mentioned that great institution of Crab Football (on all fours with backs arched, scampering around the gym). Sad as it sounds I can remember playing, but I could not remember what you did in goal, as simply waiting, legs spread to collect a fierce shot in the nuts doesn't seem quite right to me ? Anyway recollections of Crab Football would really cheer me up while I'm down here down here at the factory. Perhaps we should enter a team into the Crab Football League next year, Chrissie Lee plays like that sometimes already (Sorry Chris!!) and Carlo looks quite useful on the floor?.
SBJ at 17:21:14 Monday May 24 99
FWIW, I prefer Orbital.
Hartwell Cobbler at 16:45:11 Monday May 24 99
I very much doubt if Forrester will come here. For a start, if Scunthorpe get promoted, he won't relish dropping down a league; secondly he's a free agent at end of season and there'll almost certainly be clubs after him who can offer better wages and prospects. And then there's the Atkins dimension. Word gets around in the game and it's certain other strikers will be aware of his reputation and style of play. They will also be likely to know that quality players like Corazzin have, under Atkins, done themselves no favours by coming here and, indeed, want away. In fact I think we'll do well to hold on to several of our better existing players during the summer, when cash will be at a remium due in part to depressed season ticket sales. Yes, Kca, many of us are all too well aware of Atkins' failings. But what can we do about it - other than take our custom elsewhere ?
ORBITAL Ganja at 16:19:31 Monday May 24 99
Changing times ahead my fellow cobblers!
I am thing of cutting down my web name as you all seem to just be calling me ORBITAL. Would you prefer me to stick with ORBITAL Ganja or go for ORBITAL G (The G stands so there is no confusion with techno duo ORBITAL. Put your thoughts on this page so you can help me decide.
Andy C at 16:2:36 Monday May 24 99
Mark Hawthorne is probably the same one that used to play for Torquay - with no great distinction. See Garry Nelson's book "Left Foot in the Grave" for details. Beyond that, I know nothing.
SBJ at 15:56:35 Monday May 24 99
Point taken about Manchester North End. Maybe Barnet are suggesting the merger in anticipation of imminent relegation down to Stevenage's level?! Regarding our own squad, someone (e-mail group?) mentioned that IA had been looking at Crawley Town players Mark Hawthorne (midf.) and John Mackie (def.) - anyone heard anything more about this? Presumably we're not looking for more outfield players, given the recent squad releases?
Sid at 15:48:41 Monday May 24 99
I told you he would go for Forrester! Youre right, he wont leave Scunny, but they would have to give him a very good contract for him to stay.
Kca at 15:42:17 Monday May 24 99
Still can't for the life of me understand why you kept that twat Atkins ? I have always thought of him as jerk even back in the days he managed Col U Scum! You need a new boss to start again, if you had changed your boss in feb. or something, you could have done a Wycombe and stayed up. There is real optimism down at Adams park now. I know you lot take the piss out of Barnet, but I bet you would have loved to have got hold of Sean Devine!!
Craig Neighbour at 14:41:50 Monday May 24 99
Up the cobblers .
Yogi Bear at 13:16:58 Monday May 24 99
The Chron gives back page headlines to Atko chasing Forrester - but not until after the play offs. That means if scunny go up he won't be interested in coming to sixfields.
Ray at 13:1:21 Monday May 24 99
Perhaps it depends on who buys whom..... can we have a whip round and buy MU?
Paul S at 12:53:15 Monday May 24 99
I'm pretty sure that merged teams have to start in the league of the lowest team ,remember Manchester North End would have had to be in div 3(Rochdale) not div2(Oldham) or div 1(Bury). I guess the likes of Man City would have been tempted to buy their way up the league if the rules were framed any other way.
Ray at 12:49:41 Monday May 24 99
Massive clear out? I didn't think it was - all we were doing was realeasing some players who were out of contract. I would bet that even with these 5 going we will still have one of the biggest squads in the 3rd. Division (as well as the best - but that ges without saying - so I won't)
Pete at 12:40:1 Monday May 24 99
I agree with Rob D- be fair, give Damian a chance.
Robert Dunkley at 12:26:25 Monday May 24 99
Leave Damian Matthew out of this, he has had awful luck with injuries and only 60 minutes of First Team football.
Just after he recovered from his back problems, he was fit for a good few months, which is more than Hunter was, because like Lily Damian has skill he was not played and then he had a hip problem.
Remember even without Warner, we could have a very good midfield
Matthew, Hunter, Hunt with Savage in a free role
ORBITAL Ganja at 12:13:17 Monday May 24 99
Yes as seen on teletext Barnet are trying to buy Stevenage but apparently stevenage fans are having none of it.
Still though it will be a tough season but I am still confident we will finish next year in at least third place. Of course though money may help but it won't buy you the championship.
SBJ at 12:0:45 Monday May 24 99
While I'm on the subject of our new division colleagues (hope you fell this is relevant to us): a Barnet journalist friend of mine tells me that Barnet are trying to buy Stevenage Borough FC outright. The idea apparently is that the new club will Be Barnet & Stevenage Borough FC, and they will play (ideally) at the Barnet athletics stadium (I forget the name) rather than little old Underhill. This would mean that the new club would potentially have a bigger fan base, bigger team, richer Board, and would probably be a bigger threat to the division than last season. Add this to Darlington's multi-million pound investments (£5 million last week alone) and it looks like being a tough season ahead.
SBJ at 11:54:58 Monday May 24 99
It looks like Sport First is going to be one of the best ways to keep in touch with other third division teams this Summer. The paper will be devoting a page to summaries of team news from all the third division teams - this Sunday's issue carried a few lines about the Cobblers' massive team clear-out, but said nothing we didn't already know. Worth keeping tabs on anyway.
Andy C at 11:28:30 Monday May 24 99
I've now got my Wembley ticket, having queued from 7.30 on Saturday morning. We sold our allocation in two days flat - is this some kind of record? - although it's certain that touts and City fans will have got hold of some. It seems some of the problems with our arrangements were caused by the League demanding we sold 15,000 on the first day (we managed closer to 20,000) and now there's a brouhaha at City over the way they're selling theirs. Expect a few touts to either get rich quickly or get beaten up for their tickets!
Jacks at 9:55:22 Monday May 24 99
The board need to look to their own conscience - it is totally poor business sense to get rid of Micky Warner and Colin Hill, whilst retaining the likes of Chritian Lee , Damien Matthew, Ian Clarkson 9remember we now have Hendon - except of course he's not a Brummie). I fear for us if the board are once again going to lie down and let Atkins run riot next season. COME ON COBBLERS
ORBITAL Ganja at 9:50:30 Monday May 24 99
Didn't get into the lounge saturday, as they wouldn't let us in with trainers on, which is strain considering that the other weeks we've been there we got in without any hassle at all. Pre-season, I hate it OK there are plenty of other things to do like Festivals, Clubs, Shopping, Drinking, Sex etc.. But nothing beats saturdays watching the cobblers. Still only a couple of months before the friendlies start!
MAD at 9:31:27 Monday May 24 99
To the John Frain Fan Club - I agree with you that John Frain has been the most consistant player, at being crap.
I also agree that he has something to offer the club, hopefully his resignation!!!!!
The Insider at 22:12:15 Sunday May 23 99
Billy, your reply smacks of exactly the sort of complacency I was trying to highlight. Who said anything about bullying companies to support the Cobblers financially? Stanley Tools and Wells are not simply "distribution points" - they are European HQs. In the case of the latter, their building raised a deal of local ire and it is commonplace these days for major planning applications to be accompanied by a sweetener, be it leisure facilities, road upgrade, schools whatever: witness the reconstruction of J15 of the M1 by the developers of Wootton Fields.
Pete at 20:51:40 Sunday May 23 99
I suspect that Damian M. could be a good player next season if his very real problems are solved. We saw very little of him but his touch in the reserves suggested class. A RELIABLE KEEPER, CLARKIE AND Hunter in midfield, Corlo and a target man up front (the tactic will persist!), promotion and then a new managerial tactic and we will be OK. What do people see as IA's biggest faults? Inability to change tactics that were not working? Personal Player blindness? Bad buys? Ran out of luck with injuries? What do you think...stick to max of 10?
Tash and Shailla at 20:31:33 Sunday May 23 99
Well all we can say is let's hope Ian Pratkins doesn't sell anymore of our decent players (like corazzin,savage,hope etc) because they'll be no return to Division Two. I can't believe Warner and Hill have been sold.IT'S RIDICULOUS!!!!!
By the way Philip Hudson (the number one cobbler) we've burnt you Arsenal shirt so don't think you're gatting back!!!!!! ALRIGHT!!!!
Angry at 20:28:46 Sunday May 23 99
Hi Bill - you were right! Very philosophical. IMHO Peer was crap, Francis was a past it shortarse and Warner was too good for wing-back. I hope that if we do sign anyone back it's warner and Hill - both excellent players with more to offer in their little finger than Atkins has in his own body. It's a shame Seal left - he was probably our second best striker after Carlo. We needed someone of his ability in the team all season but Twatkins 'knows best' and dropped him like Wilko dropped his pants in the stationary ahem sorry 'bout that. Anyway, I think Jimmy Glass and Jamie Forrester would be good for next season. Why wasn't Damien Matthew released? It baffles me that someone who has played about 8 minutes of football in the last season and is probably highly paid can still keep his place here. Still, it works for Chris Lee...
Pendragon at 18:26:47 Sunday May 23 99
Conference Accountant - still looking for clarification re the board pulling the plug.
John Frain Fan Club at 17:49:51 Sunday May 23 99
Pendragon - Cheers for the info on Zante, I'm looking forward to it!!!
Hartwell Cobbler at 16:19:56 Sunday May 23 99
As Big Roy says interpersonal management training is a vital tool in any business. Nowhere is it more necessary in football. So why, or why, are football managers never taught such skills ? Even in the higher reaches of the game it still seems enough to have been a good pro player and from there to drift into management. In Italy you cannot coach a Serie A or B club without a full coaching certificate. In England what do you need ? Nothing. True some football managers have the nous or seem able to acquire sufficient personnel skills to enable them to deal successfully with their staff (players). A very few, like Alex Ferguson, appear born motivators. But they are a very small minority. Given this situation it's no wonder managers are constantly under fire, under threat and sacked. Many for the first time in their blinkered, sheltered, lives find they wield power but have been given no skills to enable them to use that power effectively and positively. So, often their only, crude, way of man management is to rule by fear. Anyone who has differing views is seen as a troublemaker, to be shown the door as fast as possible - even when those views are helpful to the team as a whole. Why is it that so many successful businesspeople who become involved in running football clubs suddenly forget all the principals of good management and fall under the strange spell that English professional football seems to cast ? Football seems to be a logic-free zone, where reality is suspended and where proven skills which apply successfully in all other facets of industry and commerce are somehow mysteriously suspended. You could make a case for saying - by and large - football, still gets the managers it deserves.
DARTH VADER at 15:54:59 Sunday May 23 99
WE'LL NEVER PLAY YOU AGAIN
FULHAM FOREVER
9224 at 15:38:43 Sunday May 23 99
Good luck for next season Sealo. We hope we don't come against you, because we know you stick a couple past us.
SEAL, HILL AND WARNER IN!!! at 15:37:46 Sunday May 23 99
Bring back these players, they are too good to be released, not that our management would recognise a good player until there are insufficient games to guarantee safety.
CONSPIRACY THEORY PROVED at 15:36:13 Sunday May 23 99
"David Seal - age 27 - 41 + 12 /14 - Signed from Bristol City in August 1997. Began in fine form with 7 goals in his first 10 games, but only scored 5 times (plus 2 penalties) in his next 43 appearances and failed to hit the net in his 7 first team games during 1998/99. He has only scored 1 goal in open play since December 1997."
Quite why the club needs to point out these things for just David Seal, when other players have only a couple of words escapes me. Perhaps the need is felt to justify this decision by IA. I'd just to make it clear to anyone that has read this that Seal's 7 first team games were spaced out, he was given no time to settle in the team by our inept management and the style of play is FAR. FAR below the player's abilities. The fact that the club needs to point out that he hasn't scored from open play since December 1997 is laughable when Chris Lee has only scored once in the last two seasons despite God knows how many performances. When you add the 'impressive' stats of Wilko and Howard, we see how Atkins simply HAS to be biased against David Seal.
Owen Wilkinson at 14:15:29 Sunday May 23 99
Hello, Cool site I have to say it puts my clubm offical page to shame!!(Brighton)but I have made up for it by creating my own http://move.to/bhafc . I will look forward to seeing you all down at withdeen stadium(By the way Away fans are only getting about 250 seat so be quick)and I am sure I will make the jurney up to the sixfield!!.
Lets hope next season will be both our clubs last in division 3 for the right reasons!!!!
Conference Accountant at 12:46:5 Sunday May 23 99
Pendragon a self-confessed thicko: "........a bit thick and don't understand......"? and a cheap booze man too.......you said it, Pendragon. At least you understand something about yourself.
Name given at 11:42:24 Sunday May 23 99
We'll avoid relegation next season (I hope) because despite management which is a lot worse than moderate, we have a squad which is almost certainly more skilled than the bottom of Div 3. As long as at least two from the players such as Corazzin and Savage stay, I see no reason why we should finish bottom - after all, Carlisle stayed up... Raising another point, why did Atkins buy such players as Warner and Savage if he plays a style of football not suited to skilled playmakers, and ignored Warner while often dropping Savage?
Dr Blues Patient at 11:18:34 Sunday May 23 99
Well,since the cobblers aren't playing any games for a while ,I just thought I would write in about the big game next week.Yes Manchester City against Gillingham.Come on City .Come on City.Many City fans were kept queuing up for more than 12 hours yesterday to get tickets.You have to admire their supporters loyalty even if its a good laugh to see them keep shooting themselves in the foot. Good luck the Gills as well enjoy the day out most cobblers fans can tell you its a fantastic occasion.We look forward to playing you both again in a couple of seasons time ,unfortunatly we had to go down to few lessons to the Boro scummers.
Puzzled outsider at 10:54:0 Sunday May 23 99
I watch a lot of football and after a lifetime find it satisfying to take an interest in most clubs. Yours intrigues me: a big clear-out under way, no money available, moderate management - how are you going to avoid falling to Conference football at the end of next season?
Ralph at 10:32:7 Sunday May 23 99
Cricket starts in ten minutes.
Ralph at 10:28:54 Sunday May 23 99
Cricket starts in ten minutes!
Nosey Parker at 10:12:50 Sunday May 23 99
Dear Anon at 8.38 Friday, As you put it "guessing the names" and getting 5 out of 5 is not a bad guess is it? Also as for spreading rumours that is crap as I only have the club at heart. I am in close contact with the players,staff at the club so cannot reveal my identity but suffice to say I said in December Seal will be going and am I correct? He will be an Oldham player before long and Lee has had intrest from Q.P.R and York.Also Seal and Lee had transfer bids turned down on the last day Seal £35000 and Lee £50000 so thats £85000 lost by Atkins "the man who knows how to talk to players" The way he treats Wilson would not suprise me if he went as well and I know for sure that most of the players would go tomorrow if a club come in for them ,that is the way most players feel about him. Did you know he even bollocked the players in the dressing room on the last game and told them they were crap? Fine way to support your players when already down.Atkins will not resign as no club wants him because of his reputation in football taht is the ONLY reason he is here,Wolves job was never an option he simply isnt good enough.
Ex - Bad Language COBBLER FC at 8:36:11 Sunday May 23 99
WHEB ??????
Ex - Bad Language COBBLER FC at 8:35:47 Sunday May 23 99
Wheb will JIM HALL return ?
Pendragon at 23:55:52 Saturday May 22 99
Conf. Accountant - Sorry, I'm a bit thick & don't understand your point. As far as I'm aware BS & the Board don't pump any money into the Cobbs (anything significant anyway). I take it that you are a non-Cobbler which unfortunately makes you irrelevant!!!!!! Hi Big Roy - good to see you. JFFC - I've been on holiday in Zante (last year) - VERY HOT weather - lovely clear warm sea - good cheap booze. You need to take in some trips to add interest to the holiday as the island is very small. The island tour is good (full day). Food is typically Greek (ie ((imo)) crap).
Big Roy at 22:43:56 Saturday May 22 99
I'm still here Pendragon! There's not too much to add to all of the comments of the past few days. I agree with some of Hartwell's comments regarding managment skills. I have a lot of contact with many different types of industry but cannot recall any where there is such an apparent disregard for interpersonal and motivation skills in the upper tiers of management. Lack of desire and loss of motivation in employees is usually a symptom of a management style which fails to identify the needs of the individual. It is easier to remove the source of a problem than confront it. I have been criticized on this site before now for my praise of the quality of players like David Seal but I really believe that he has a talent that would have been and still may be evident given the correct environment. I wish him (and Mickey Warner) all the best for the future.
TRB Mark at 22:29:54 Saturday May 22 99
Reading between the lines in today's Chron, Peer's departure may not be an absolute certainty.
Robert Dunkley at 22:3:57 Saturday May 22 99
Found this on R&Ds site, it is Brian TAlbot's weekly column
I intend to bring in a keeper and another two strikers. Darren Collins suffered a terrible season injury wise, and we have lost Fossy to Yeovil. In the case of Foster, we could not match what they are going to be paying him, and he is only required to train once a week. People do not realise that we have a sensible pay structure here
at Nene Park. We are not the highly payed players that everyone thinks. We are
continually having to compete with Clubs who are part-time, having players that are
earning two pay-packets - one from the Club and one from their place of work. To
come to Diamonds they are looking to cover their current pay plus a bonus for
coming to Diamonds. It takes them out of our pay structure, and that is why we
have not secured the services of some players that we have wanted to sign. It’s not
fair on our players that we currently have, to bring players in on more money who
are not better players. I am sure that the supporters would not like that kind of
thing happening in their own work place. There is a lot of discussion at the moment
concerning our bid for the Northampton Keeper, Turley. I have watched him on
many occasions and he is a good keeper. He is 24 years old and has not played that
much First Team football. But he is a keeper in the Schmeichel mould, a large
frame, takes crosses well, and kicks well. His distribution is also good. But our
offer has been turned down.
Also Heggs wants league football
Robert Dunkley at 21:57:49 Saturday May 22 99
Right, according to a site owner Doncaster are all on holiday at the momet so he has not heard anything other than they are to sign an experienced striker.
It could Bilko, but even he noticed Wilko's poor strike rate.
ORBITAL Ganja at 21:6:30 Saturday May 22 99
Off to the lounge tonight if anyone would like to meet us, I will be wearing a bottom TV series T-shirt. UP THE COBBLERS!!!!!!!!! BRING ON THE P**H.
Conference Accountant at 20:34:20 Saturday May 22 99
Pendragon: what also if Stonehill and the rest of the board pulled the plug as well!!?? But I suppose if that happened, you could always bring back Lomax and the collection tins again........
Carl Smith at 20:17:41 Saturday May 22 99
Anybody up for a chat on Sidney's site this evening?
Pendragon at 19:44:58 Saturday May 22 99
TCMP - where are you? You said you would post further insights into the Board decisions and to answer questions. P.S. Where is everyone else?
Anon at 19:33:50 Saturday May 22 99
er...yeah....er........up the cobbs!
David Nikel at 18:40:1 Saturday May 22 99
Abide with me; fast falls the eventide,
The darkness deepens;
Lord, with me abide.
When others fail, and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless,
O abide with me.
I need they presence every passing hour.
What but thy grace can foil the tempter's power?
Who like thself my guide and stay can be?
Through cloud and sunshine,
Lord, abide with me.
Bill at 10:34:25 Saturday May 22 99
Blimey! That was very philosphical of me!
Bill at 10:33:53 Saturday May 22 99
Well, I suppose some players had to go, but why Hill and Warner? I was surprised that Deano went, but not that sorry. Francis going wasn't too bad... he was only temporary, but i wonder how Billy will feel after being dropped for some of the last few games? Ah well, i suppose everything will be sorted eventually... for better or worse
sunny at 10:24:50 Saturday May 22 99
He also said he's prepared to go to the third division!!
Sunny at 10:23:38 Saturday May 22 99
I've just been watching soccer am, and peter beardsley is up for grabs.Maybe the management should think about signing him!!He says he's got one more season left in him, but someone needs to come and get him. I think someone should inform the board!!
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm! at 9:27:59 Saturday May 22 99
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!
Big Al at 9:24:48 Saturday May 22 99
Has Wilkinson really gone? If so do you think he could take Atkins with him. Then we could have a decent manager a possible replacement could be a recent out of contract player called Colin Hill who I think used to be a decent player when allowed to by his past manager who should have been released with him.
John Frain Fan Club at 0:34:59 Saturday May 22 99
Why has Atkins released Warner!!! Probably because he has a chance to become an exceptional player unlike Lee who is, and let's be honest, S"£$. I can also see why Mad is called Mad after his comments on Frain who was one of the most consistant players last season and still has more to offer the club. Bitch over....P.S, I've just booked my holiday to Zante or Zakhynos (or something like that) has anybody been there before from this site and if so is it any good.
Ex - Bad Language COBBLER FC at 23:36:46 Friday May 21 99
Back from the boozer after once again drowning my sorrows. I am sorry to see the five leave our mighty club however with Seal in mind I have to ask whether his heart wwas with it or had his heart and passion been removed by the selection process? Maybe he just wanted out in which case hes better gone. Lets not bother with the summer and begin the new season NOW................UP THE COBBS
Sid at 22:55:36 Friday May 21 99
It's quiet in here isn't it?!?! Well, FA Cup Final tomorrow, Manchester United v. Newcastle, and i want Newcastle to win!!!! (Even though i have a bet on Man Utd) Who do you think is gonna win?
Pendragon at 18:46:22 Friday May 21 99
I see that Ray Mathias has been sacked for getting Wigan as far as the playoff's!!! Whilst I don't wish to take any satisfaction from anyone's misfortune at losing their job I can temper my feelings of despair when I recall his comments following the recent Sixfields game. Wigan have the big money man/large new stadium/ big expectations. The reverse of this coin is that they have few supporters which makes a mockery of the large stadium (no atmos), the inability to support wages from gate receipts, and the overall inability to meet their chairman's ambitions. Whilst we would like a large injection of cash at least Barry S is trying to run the club within the bounds of the size of the supporter base. We have a growing support, can survive, and hopefully prosper in our own right. If these moneymen (Wigan - don't know his name, Griggs etc) pull the plug, then their clubs are all in deep brown stuff. It will only be the supporters who suffer. Perhaps we are not so badly off as we think?
Hartwell Cobbler at 18:5:34 Friday May 21 99
A significant part of the make-up of better quality players is their belief in their own individual abilities and their desire to express that on the field. In other words they tend to be more free-spirited and as such more free-thinking. Unlike the journeyman player who can - indeed often needs - to be told his exact, mechanical, role. The better player's psyche needs to be nurtured and encouraged by the manager. If we have learned anything this season it is that, having brought better players to the club, Atkins clearly has not developed the psychology for handling them nor the method of playing them to best effect. Until or unless he is prepared to learn from these mistakes Atkins is going to be forever trapped in a mental straightjacket of his own making. The club itself could do something to help in this respect by encouraging him to undertake a business management course. (Mind you that would probably be a first in the unenlightened world of professional soccer management!).
Ray at 17:12:5 Friday May 21 99
As far as I know, last year both teams started off with an equal allocation - although in the long run it won't make any difference. They leave a number of blocks in each half of the ground free so that if more tickets are required then they are available. Mind you it does sound like chaos in Kent - just like the first time we went. Perhaps next year when you go again they will have it better organised.
Sad Git at 17:9:5 Friday May 21 99
Let's start by getting behind next year's squad!!!! 'Ian Atkins Balti Army...Ian Atkins Balti Army' etc. The fields are green the sky is blue, the grand union canal goes running thru. etc.
Harry Sachz at 16:57:25 Friday May 21 99
I support Brighton, but whatever team you are is O.K i guess but I'm worst at what I do best and for this gift I feel blessed
Mike Hunt at 16:53:10 Friday May 21 99
Who ever you are you probabily suck ass so you shouldn't bother reading this and don't even think about replying to this letter by the way all football is crap and I love train spotting . And get lost
Mike Hunt at 16:52:53 Friday May 21 99
Who ever you are you probabily suck ass so you shouldn't bother reading this and don't even think about replying to this letter by the way all football is crap and I love train spotting . And get lost
ORBITAL Ganja at 16:15:11 Friday May 21 99
I will see you all monday, or perhaps in one of the many nightclubs or bars over the weekend.
ORBITAL Ganja at 15:44:16 Friday May 21 99
The fact is that despite City having a larger average home gate. The Gills haven't been to Wembley in their 106 year history. Plus as of last year with us, there must be a huge demand by the Gills fans. It should be equally shared out.
Andy C at 15:38:18 Friday May 21 99
Back again, and still no ticket. Haven't heard from my brother since he left at 9.15 to join the queue! And they've changed the rules halfway through to halve the number of tickets per person. Interested to hear your views on ticket allocation. City have 38k, we have 34k, as far as I can tell. Question is, should the two clubs have the same amount because we're both in the same division, or should City get more because their average home gate is about four times ours? Sorry it isn't Cobblers-related (other than the tenuous link of last year when you got hugely more than the fishermen, presumably on the basis of greater demand).
Dave at 15:27:9 Friday May 21 99
If anyone is interested. The "former" Cobbler Colin Hill has just been named in the Northern Ireland squad for their next match. How many clubless internationals are there? He must be the only one!
ORBITAL Ganja at 13:50:29 Friday May 21 99
Don't worry Rob, we all though we would be up in Div1 now plus I remember a bookmakers making us fourth favorites to the title last August.
ORBITAL Ganja at 13:47:51 Friday May 21 99
Good luck Andy C and the Gills hope you make it to Div1. Your spot on though with the thoughs about the media saying to us lower league clubs to go and clean the gutters while they lick the boots of Beckham, Ginola, Ferguson, Bates etc...
UP THE SMALL CLUBS
Except P**h and Diremonds.
Rob Clarke at 13:46:25 Friday May 21 99
Commiseration’s on the drop. I actually tipped you for promotion at the beginning of the season so it shows you what I know. I am pissed off that you gone down as we always seem to beat you and being absolutely shite as we are we will need all the points we can get!. I am sure you will bounce right back and anyway, if not, we will be down there as well in a couple of seasons!!! PS. Make sure that you beat the Chester scummers (and give Gary Bennett some stick)and we will (hopefully) return the favour against Cambridge!,
SOS at 13:25:53 Friday May 21 99
Good to see some sensible comment regards Seal. It was a shame he wasn't given more of a chance. On arrival he was a class act, but unfortunately as Carlo found out, we will not play the ball into feet. Good Luck to all those released, I just hope they don't come back to haunt us. All except Peer that is who has a habit of giving the ball back to the opposition!
Andy C at 13:21:58 Friday May 21 99
Hotel Ender (aah, the memories of the Kop in driving wind and rain - why was it always windy at the CG?!), I mostly know about your players because I've seen a bit of football over the years, read all the comments on this page (and other message boards) and deduce things, eg Corazzin is a good but small player who's scored goals everywhere, Savage was popular at Millwall, add those to last year's team and you shouldn't be at the bottom. As for our players, just take it from me they're class and play as a team. I too enjoyed Garry Nelson's books but I was more interested in Gills-related stuff so I'll take your word on Seal......... Carlo's Fan Club, I'm reliably informed that City's goal wasn't handball, which is a bit of a shame really.... Thanks for all the good wishes for Wembley, we'll do our best for the "small" clubs who, if you take the papers at face value, should resign from the League en masse so that the "big" clubs can have their moment of glory. Apparently there are 4,000 people in the queue for tickets this morning, allowed up to eight each. Fans like me stuck in London during the week are left to rely on favours from other people. This has shambles written all over it, again. Right, off now to try for some tickets. Goodness knows whether I'll get any. I'm certainly not keen to pay £32 each for them but it may come to that.
mathematician at 13:20:48 Friday May 21 99
...And in the other four games, who knows!
David Nikel at 13:17:20 Friday May 21 99
We all knew Hill would go cos he was too much of a threat to Atkins' job.
ORBITAL Ganja at 12:56:6 Friday May 21 99
Anyway the fact is that Seal did try his best sometimes, he did as much as he could in the reserves to gain a place in the first team. But when the chance came he was given only a game to mould himself into the playing style of the team. Ooopps I'm sorry team, the team was chopped and changed so many times last season just to consitute with the 'brummies' tatics that they didn't get to know each others style of play, in 42 games let alone 1 game!
ORBITAL Ganja at 12:51:17 Friday May 21 99
It hasn't just been Seal and Bishop if you remember Rennie was publicly blamed for a number of mistakes before being sent to P**h
Robert Dunkley at 12:33:50 Friday May 21 99
What right has Atkins got to talk about seal in the way he did. I am not saying that Seal has exactly been totally blameless, BUT the thigs he said were out of line.
I liked the comment we have worked so hard with him, yeah right like saying he will be given achance and you give him two games. Atkisn did the same thing with Warner.
I also thought I heard Atkins say that Seal was responsible for rumour sprweading, or am I mistaken?
Atkins behaved in a bad manner sacking Bishop, and now it seems he just would love to reck Seal's career, the fact is if David Seal ever plays against NTFC with Atkins in charge, He will prove him wrong.
If Seal is such a bad boy, how did he manage to score 42 goals in 40 goals for Aalst in the Belgian first division. The fact isSeal was probably typical of the Australian spirit, speak what on your mind , and coupled with him being a centre foward it is not surprising he seemed selfish.
God, what would Atkisn have done with someone like Di Canio, Gascoigne, Ginola. It is now wonder Atkisn does not appreciate Warner, who has been let down in a big way.
Ray at 11:35:49 Friday May 21 99
All I know about Wilkinson departing is what I read in the Chron a couple of nights back that he is off to Doncaster.
Paul at 11:23:0 Friday May 21 99
Err, correct me if I am wrong (and I am most often wrong) There was no mention of Wilkinson leaving the club on the official site. And to my mind that means he is still not only under contract, but knowing Atkins will be in the Team next season?? Well, who said he had left, and where did they get their information?
Wobbler at 11:22:25 Friday May 21 99
Kevin Wilson's moustache is legendary. He is probably more famous for his 'tache more than he was as a top footballer. Word is, is that there is a clause in his renewed playing contract that when he reaches his 200th league goal, he can't rip off his shirt, the 'tache will go instead. Can' wait for that!
The midget at 10:50:21 Friday May 21 99
Bill Turley should not be sold to R+D - if he goes then I'm off as well. We might as well all go!
midget cobbler at 10:47:31 Friday May 21 99
dobbie,dobbie's arse, trotty's nose, johnnies spam,lazy lazy lazy eye, tubby's gear!!
midget cobbler at 10:43:11 Friday May 21 99
Has Wilson's moustache got a free transfer?
ORBITAL Ganja at 9:51:6 Friday May 21 99
OK, I know Seal's attitude wasn't the best, but still though Atkins had know right to go on about how he let has let the club down, and bringing in his personal life saying that he has let his wife and kids down. These comments should be left in Atkins head and not be broadcast everywhere. I can see now why there is no passion to play for the team and Atkins anymore, as if you get put down like that you would prefer to go and smash Atkins face in rather than go out on pitch and score a few goals. If Atkins continues with this attitude towards other players then I am afraid he will have to go.
Anon at 8:38:20 Friday May 21 99
" Nosey Parker at 17:34:3 Tuesday May 18 99
Bye bye to Lee,Seal.Peer,Wilkinson,Warner,Hill,Clarkson has a new 1 year contract and Carlo and Savage will go if the money is right......trust me I really do know for sure. " Most of them were good guesses. However you don't know for sure and try not to keep spreading your crap
Northampton Gas at 0:39:36 Friday May 21 99
TCMP - good to see you going along with your principles today. Let's hope that you will be prepared to take such difficult decisions in the future on behalf of all the true Cobblers supporters, when the chips are down.
Anon at 0:33:13 Friday May 21 99
Chris LEE is Gay and so am EYE
Ian Twatkins at 0:20:35 Friday May 21 99
Well what do youthink you suckers you WILL PAY GOOD money to see my quality football !!, Colin Hill HAD TO GO so did MICKEY WARNER are boath good players and might even start playing football , SO THEY HAD TO GO!!!!!!!!.
TRB Mark at 23:33:5 Thursday May 20 99
Congrats to Andy C and the Gills . Have a great day at Wembley~and win!
Carl at 23:27:44 Thursday May 20 99
The only dodgy decision might be Warner, all the others, although I did like Peer don't quite fit. Colin Hill, good player, getting on a bit, argued with IA has to go, not good for the rest of the team. Seal, thank god he is going, miserable Aussie git, he WAS there to play for the team not for himself, Francis, I have no opinion on him as he let in SIX goals in two games, Billy wouldn't have done!
Carlo's fan club at 23:24:42 Thursday May 20 99
HA HA, sorry to gloat but looks like what goes around comes around! What am i talking about?
The Man City "handball" that condemned Wigan to another year in the second division. Who's complaining now?
Good luck to Gillingham in the final, bad luck Wigan! up the cobblers!
Ralph at 22:56:31 Thursday May 20 99
Bloody Watford, ninety minutes away from the premiership!
paul at 22:24:17 Thursday May 20 99
best wishes to deano - always gives 100%; good luck in the future!
Michael Warner should not be released - he can pass. Still time to change your mind, Ian!
Big Roy at 22:11:25 Thursday May 20 99
Nice one Ralph! I'll be the sharp dressed man.
Ex - Bad Language COBBLER FC at 21:52:37 Thursday May 20 99
I would just like to thank those released players for the time that they have spent at NTFC. Good luck and best wishes to you all !!! PS Always keep a deep dislike of PISH !!!!
Uncle Richard at 21:51:1 Thursday May 20 99
Well , no surprises in the retained list - Atkins is just so predictable , thanks to the departees for their efforts , one memory of Peer was his performance away at Plymouth running from our box upto their goal line and crossing for Freestone to score , what he lacks in ability , he makes up for in effort , but I hope we don't go wishing he was still with us come Christmas time . I hope he returns the favour to his in-law ie find a nice cushy number somewhere and invite Atkins to join him .
thrapston cobblers at 21:42:34 Thursday May 20 99
cheers DEANO all the best for the future, hope you find a new club soon.
Ralph at 21:30:4 Thursday May 20 99
I believe I will be there BIG ROY. Depending on the Cross-town traffic!
Ralph at 21:28:9 Thursday May 20 99
Lots of emotional gushing going on at the moment. Dean Peer, long serving and we were long suffering. SID when did Deano ever come up with any goods at any time? Francis? Hardly knew the chap. Warner? Very skilful player but lacks that certain something that professional sportsman need. Too nice probably, bit like Bradley Sandeman, still I hope he picks up a club. If he does he needs to become a bit meaner in my book. Seal? Seal? Seal? What might have been. I suppose with Atkins track record of man management and Seal's reputation of being a sulky Aussie something was going to give. Colin Hill if rumour is to be believed has been offered a job at Leicester City. It's well documented the rift between Hill and Atkins and as a result the club suffers. The irony is that Atkins is looking for a coach!!! Try the 16.45 to Solihull!!!
Big Roy at 21:25:44 Thursday May 20 99
No real surprises in the list then. I echo the sentiments about Ipswich and all the best to the Gills. I met another guy today who's been a Nottingham Forest supporter all of his life but moved to Lincoln last year and so started following them. I guess some people were just meant to have it bad! I made him promise to start supporting P***borough next year! RALPH - next "Osiris" gig in Northampton is on Sunday June 20th at the County Tavern but has yet to be confirmed. Email me for a full list. We play covers by the likes of Deep Purple, Jimi Hendrix, The Who, ZZ Top etc. All quiet, gentle stuff really!
Sid at 21:20:30 Thursday May 20 99
Andy C - Best of Luck at Wembley, I will definitely be rooting for the Gills in this match, and if i had the money i would have gone to see it! COME ON YOU GILLS.......!!!
Ralph at 21:19:24 Thursday May 20 99
I think you'll find that the bloke who 'did' Ian Clarkson was a chap called Thorpe, number eleven, for Lincoln. I still have vivid memories of what was tantamount to GBH. I believe Clarkson is still considering action. Thorpe was never even booked for the 'tackle' as I recall but was sent off two weeks later for stamping. Fortune-West was on loan at Lincoln at the time and sufferd the abuse due to a case of mistaken identity.
Sid at 21:18:59 Thursday May 20 99
I have just got in from Work, and i see the Club have let go of Warner and Hill (oh, and Seal, Peer and Francis). I feel the club have made a BIG mistake, and I definitely side with most supporters on this one. A quote from Atkins though could still get a repreive for Warner. He said "If finances dictate and maybe one or two others leave the club, I may be in a position to offer one or maybe two of the five released players something for next season." This could mean Warner could still stay. I would like to say thanks to all the players that have been released, and i think everyuone should say a big thankyou to long servant Dean Peer. He wasn't the best of players, but still came out with the goods at the right times. David Seal - Great form early, and was my favourite player. I hope he goes to a club more suited for him. Colin Hill - Well, what can i say? He was the most consistent player for Town in the last year or so, but sadly didn't get a chance late on. I think he will go behind the scenes somewhere. Steve Francis - He shouldn't have been signed, but i only saw him in a reserve game, where he looked good. ***Turley could still go!*** Apparently, Northampton are still thinking about the R & D bid for Turley, and have not yet turned it down. If Diremonds up their offer slightly, Cobblers will take it.
Long suffering and old before my time ex Hotel End person. at 20:26:47 Thursday May 20 99
Really sorry about Warner and Hill, and would like to wish Peer and Francis luck for the future. Has anyone out there read Garry Nelson's books? One about his time at Charlton, another about the sheer bloody misery that is being player/coach at Torquay United? They are both excellent books, but what I was going to say was that he had serious questions about Seal's attitude, and I respect his opinion.
On an entirely different subject, Hello Andy C. You make me ashamed that I know so little about your players...how do you know so much about ours? Now please, Wipe the floor with Man City, and have the best day of your life at WEMBLEY. Very best wishes to you.
P.S. Feel awful for Ipswich.
The Dog at 19:10:28 Thursday May 20 99
Oi Atkins... Warner!?!?!? Why?!?!?!?!?!
ORBITAL Ganja at 19:3:23 Thursday May 20 99
I will see all tomomorrow, as it's time to go home and enjoy my poor sister crying because SEALO is leaving. No suprises really though on who went. I wish the departing players well. And Ummmmmm Goodbye!
Chime Away!
Nat at 18:37:50 Thursday May 20 99
Without trying to copy what everyone else has wrote I also would like to thank all the players that are leaving, for their time spent with the club and wish them all the best in their future careers. Personal thanks to Dean Peer who always gave 110%, Mr. International himself, Colin Hill and for some of the greatest goals ever witnessed at sixfields to David seal. I'm sorry to see Michael Warner go, as everyone knows he has talent it's a shame it wasn't put to much better use. Don't really know what else to say so good luck in the future see you at Sixfields soon.
ORBITAL Ganja at 17:47:22 Thursday May 20 99
I'm sure it was because the North Stand erupted everytime he came near us!!!
ORBITAL Ganja at 17:46:9 Thursday May 20 99
With the cobblers not playing it can get tedious during saturday afternoons. But when the night comes it's time to !!!TRANCE!!!.
Still though only two months before the friendlies.
Andy C at 17:42:5 Thursday May 20 99
That wasn't a bad guess, seeing as I couldn't even tell you which Gills players' contracts are up! I thought Peer might be Atkins' favourite - presumably he'll be top of the list for a new deal if circumstances change. Orbital, I'm sure it wasn't LFW who broke Clarkson's leg - there was a long debate at the time which I took an interest in because of LFW's Gills connection. But it was a Lincoln foul.
MAD at 17:37:23 Thursday May 20 99
Can't wait for the Weekend!!! I bet I'm not the only one. Then again isn't Saturdays boring when the Cobblers aren't playing.
MAD at 17:35:46 Thursday May 20 99
We shall see. I hope I'm wrong. But I very much doubt it.
ORBITAL Ganja at 17:35:19 Thursday May 20 99
Don't worry MAD friday to go then the weekend begins!!!!!!!!!!!
MAD at 17:34:11 Thursday May 20 99
God you can tell it has been a long day. My spelling is getting really bad.
ORBITAL Ganja at 17:33:48 Thursday May 20 99
Firstly that was 9 months ago, he will be fresh and ready for the new season.
Secondly Leo 'Scum-bag' Fortune West skivied clarky which resulted in his injury.
MAD at 17:32:53 Thursday May 20 99
You must be one of the only people who thnk John Frain is good. Then again we are all aloud are own opinion.
Ray at 17:29:0 Thursday May 20 99
Plaqued him? hmmm - nasty.... please substitute the correct spelling of plagued...
Ray at 17:27:28 Thursday May 20 99
I think you will find that no-one with contracts for next season has been released. Frain is one of the best players we have on the books and as soon as he recovers from the injury that plaqued him during the latter half of the season you will wonder why you ever wrote that.
Hartwell Cobbler at 17:26:47 Thursday May 20 99
May I add my thanks and best wishes to the players leaving the club. In particular I would wish Warner well. He is a quality player and wasn't given a fair chance by Atkins. I am certain he'll be snapped up - the steal of the close season - and go on to become a prized asset at some other club. Wherever you go, Michael, you certainly won't be "playing" in row Z of the stand next season! Their gain will be our loss. As for Hill - I doubt his experience can be replaced. What a dreadful shame it is to see a player of his calibre leaving the club through internal disagreements. One final thought: if all football clubs invested in management training skills for their managers the game would be far better for it.
MAD at 17:26:27 Thursday May 20 99
I assume that you were at the games just before he got injured you could see in them games that he was slowing down because he couldn't keep up and more importantly he was fouling a lot. A perfect sign of a player getting slow. If I remember rightly he injured hiself by fouling an opponent. Can you honestly say that he deserves a place in the team ahead of: Hendon, Howey, Hope,(maybe)Dobson,Spedding and when on form Gibb.
ORBITAL Ganja at 17:17:26 Thursday May 20 99
How can you say clarky is slow when he hasn't played a first team fixture for around 9 months. Have you any evidence?
MAD at 17:15:54 Thursday May 20 99
Why on earth has Ian Clarkson and Joh nFrian been kept. With spedding and Hendon now on the books there is no need to keep them. Yes they were good players once but they are getting too old and too slow. They are no way near as good as Spedding and Hendon. Let's just hope that they are on the side lines for most of next season games or even better sold.
Ray at 17:15:4 Thursday May 20 99
Almost right Andy(!) Although the only one that caused me any surprise at all was Warner - any other club should snap him up post haste! All in all, I think this is the best we could have expected.
IA says at 16:53:20 Thursday May 20 99
From the Home page
5 released with possible backroom changes
Northampton Town Football Club has today announced that five out of contract players will not be offered new terms.
Defender Colin Hill, striker David Seal, midfielder Michael Warner, goalkeeper Steve Francis and midfielder Dean Peer are the men freed, while player/assistant manager Kevin Wilson has been offered new terms, along with youngsters striker Chris Lee (aged 22), and defender Garry Hughes (19). Full back Ian Clarkson has been offered a new contract despite missing nearly all of last season with a broken leg.
The rest of the squad are already under contract for next season.
Cobblers chairman Barry Stonhill recently spoke of the need to reduce the squad and introduce some sensible cost cutting measures after the side's relegation to Division 3.
Details of the released players are below;
Key: Full Northampton Town appearances + substitute appearances / goals
Colin Hill - age 35 - 65 + 6 /0 - Northern Ireland international who found his appearances were limited in 1998/99.
David Seal - age 27 - 41 + 12 /14 - Signed from Bristol City in August 1997. Began in fine form with 7 goals in his first 10 games, but only scored 5 times (plus 2 penalties) in his next 43 appearances and failed to hit the net in his 7 first team games during 1998/99. He has only scored 1 goal in open play since December 1997
Michael Warner - age 25 - 11 + 27 /0 - Regular in the reserve side but limited first team appearances
Steve Francis - age 34 - 3 - Goalkeeper signed as cover from Huddersfield in January on a free transfer
Dean Peer - age 29 - 110 + 34/5 - Midfielder who was signed from Walsall in August 1995.
Cobblers boss Ian Atkins said, "If finances dictate and maybe one or two others leave the club, I may be in a position to offer one or maybe two of the five released players something for next season. In an ideal situation I would not be releasing all of the players, but that's not possible. I'm speaking to a couple of other players to try and strengthen the squad ahead of next season, but again finances dictate exactly who I can bring in. I am still looking to be positive and bring players in who can improve us because I do not want the strength of the squad to stand still. I'm looking to push ahead within the constraints we have here."
In a potential move behind the scenes, youth team manager Kevan Broadhurst could move in to the role of first team coach, vacated by Garry Thompson's departure to Bristol Rovers part way through last season. Kevin Wilson would continue as player assistant manager with a new youth team manager to be appointed.
ORBITAL Ganja at 16:53:14 Thursday May 20 99
Seal - for one match only, I'm not going!!!
ORBITAL Ganja at 16:51:12 Thursday May 20 99
Seal - My sister will badly miss all the times you taught her at the soccer schools. But I have promised her I will take her to see you at your new club. (so don't go to P**h or Diremonds!!!!!).
Matt at 16:50:54 Thursday May 20 99
I woul also like to add my thanks to the players that are leaving especially Dean Peer who was one helluva loyal player. Best wishes in the future.
Now we now who is staying a little song came into my head, are you listening Po*h:
"WE'RE GONNA WIN THE LEAGUE, WE'RE GONNA WIN THE LEAGUE, AND NOW YOU'RE GONNA BELIEVE US, NOW YOU'RE GONNA BELIEVE US, NOW YOU'RE GONNA BELIEVE USSSSSSSS, WE'RE GONNA WIN THE LEAGUE"
Up the cobblers, Down the po*h!
ORBITAL Ganja at 16:48:54 Thursday May 20 99
No real surprises apart from the fact that Wilko hasn't gone yet. All I can say is farewell to you players you served your club well (when atkins picked you)
COLIN HILL - Excellent defender, full international
DAVID SEAL - Goalscoring hero of 97/98, shame Atkins didn't pick you much this season. After the arguments you had with him, his personal feelings came before the club.
MICHEAL WARNER - Again when played, excellent player will sadly be missed.
STEVE FRANCIS - Well we new you were going, Thanks for Reading (A)!
DEAN PEER - Came up with some crucial goals in his time, but out of squad for much of this season.
Carlo's fan club at 16:44:42 Thursday May 20 99
After reading the retained list i am very sorry to see Deano go, I would like to wish him all the best in the rest of his career.
I would also like to say thanks to Seal, Hill, Francis, Warner and Wilkinson for the time spent at NTFC. Some of them it obviously is for the best regarding playing. Thanks for the memories especially Colin (international) Hill and David Seal. Good luck in the future lads and thanks again.
Nik - Cambridge Cobbler at 16:38:32 Thursday May 20 99
I am sure many people will be sending this in ... but here it is!
20 May 1999
5 released with possible backroom changes
Northampton Town Football Club has today announced that five out of contract players will not be offered new terms.
Defender Colin Hill, striker David Seal, midfielder Michael Warner, goalkeeper Steve Francis and midfielder Dean Peer are the men freed, while player/assistant manager Kevin Wilson has been offered new terms, along with youngsters striker Chris Lee (aged 22), and defender Garry Hughes (19). Full back Ian Clarkson has been offered a new contract despite missing nearly all of last season with a broken leg.
The rest of the squad are already under contract for next season.
Cobblers chairman Barry Stonhill recently spoke of the need to reduce the squad and introduce some sensible cost cutting measures after the side's relegation to Division 3.
Details of the released players are below;
Key: Full Northampton Town appearances + substitute appearances / goals
Colin Hill - age 35 - 65 + 6 /0 - Northern Ireland international who found his appearances were limited in 1998/99.
David Seal - age 27 - 41 + 12 /14 - Signed from Bristol City in August 1997. Began in fine form with 7 goals in his first 10 games, but only scored 5 times (plus 2 penalties) in his next 43 appearances and failed to hit the net in his 7 first team games during 1998/99. He has only scored 1 goal in open play since December 1997
Michael Warner - age 25 - 11 + 27 /0 - Regular in the reserve side but limited first team appearances
Steve Francis - age 34 - 3 - Goalkeeper signed as cover from Huddersfield in January on a free transfer
Dean Peer - age 29 - 110 + 34/5 - Midfielder who was signed from Walsall in August 1995.
Cobblers boss Ian Atkins said, "If finances dictate and maybe one or two others leave the club, I may be in a position to offer one or maybe two of the five released players something for next season. In an ideal situation I would not be releasing all of the players, but that's not possible. I'm speaking to a couple of other players to try and strengthen the squad ahead of next season, but again finances dictate exactly who I can bring in. I am still looking to be positive and bring players in who can improve us because I do not want the strength of the squad to stand still. I'm looking to push ahead within the constraints we have here."
In a potential move behind the scenes, youth team manager Kevan Broadhurst could move in to the role of first team coach, vacated by Garry Thompson's departure to Bristol Rovers part way through last season. Kevin Wilson would continue as player assistant manager with a new youth team manager to be appointed.
ORBITAL Ganja at 16:37:6 Thursday May 20 99
OFFICIAL NEWS - NOW
Nat at 16:36:32 Thursday May 20 99
Ref: E-mail
The list is now on the official site, Ian Atkins will be live on Clubcall at 5pm
David at 16:36:7 Thursday May 20 99
Radio N'hampton were sayng that the list will be out later today. Maybe on 5 o'clock news or in their sports slot at 5.30pm if we're lucky. Stand by your beds!
Andy C at 16:14:32 Thursday May 20 99
Almost can't wait for the retained list... No, hang on, why should I care? The Gills are at Wembley!!! Surely you all know what's going to happen anyway: Hill, Seal, Warner, Francis out, Peer retained (he has a good engine); only question mark is over Wilkinson. I'll be interested to see whether I'm right.
Nat at 16:14:31 Thursday May 20 99
I've just E-mailed the club asking when they aer releasing the list, I'll let you know as soon as I they send me back the info. (providing they do that is)
Nat at 16:3:0 Thursday May 20 99
Ok, I've just rang clubcall - no news, looked on teletext p.170 - no news, checked sky sports news and rest of teletext channels - no news, finally checked the official website and three guesses what wasn't on there! Any other ideas?
ORBITAL Ganja at 15:58:59 Thursday May 20 99
Gareth I'm warning you tell us now or else Andy Roberts will be getting the photos (Not that he will publish them of course, as he thinks I'm always drugged up).
Big Al at 15:52:38 Thursday May 20 99
Anyone heard any news yet on who's leaving?
Nat at 15:51:16 Thursday May 20 99
Still no list, pleeeeeease put us out of our misery and release the God damn list. I'm starting to get annonyed now. Come on Gareth, what's there to hide?
ORBITAL Ganja at 15:38:8 Thursday May 20 99
Please announce it soon, come on press officers. Please or else we will blackmail you with those photos we all have.
Wobbler at 15:25:20 Thursday May 20 99
Can't stand the wait any longer. Come on, who's in and who's out??
Got a feeling there may be a surprise or 2, just like when he let Larry go after getting promoted, I was really shocked then. This is like waiting for your bus to come but this time it is really, really late. Please put us all out of our misery (and the players) !
Robert Dunkley at 15:16:59 Thursday May 20 99
Maybe they will put it on ClubCall first? Maybe the meeting is still going on and/or the players are hungover from Sean's stag night
Ray at 15:14:7 Thursday May 20 99
When the retained list is issued, one of the first places it will appear is on the "news" page on the official site.
phil a at 15:6:28 Thursday May 20 99
Gammon - been following Cobbs since 1965?? Glory-hunting bandwagon-jumper!=:o)
Ray at 14:53:7 Thursday May 20 99
I think the capacity is about 85,000, and I would assume that ManC will take up their half and with your 30000 + the record should go easily.
Andy C at 14:26:5 Thursday May 20 99
Man City in the Third - now that would be amusing!! But whoever loses this time around, I think the jinx will be broken. The only problem would be if we lost, Tony Pulis left for one of the vacant First Division jobs and several players followed him out of the door. Otherwise I'm confident we'd be among the contenders again next season - there's something about the current set-up that has us marked as winners rather than losers. Last four seasons: 2nd, 10th, 8th, 4th - before that we hadn't finished in the top 10 since 1987 (when we lost to Spitdon in the play-off final). The times they are a-changing.
Yogi Bear at 14:24:44 Thursday May 20 99
Are they frightened of putting out the retained list before 5pm cos of the stick they'll get...
Andy C at 14:22:10 Thursday May 20 99
That trend hasn't gone unnoticed. Does anyone have any ideas on why it might be? City will beat the 48,000 record if they get enough tickets, but I'm hearing we've been promised 30k so that's unlikely. I'm pretty sure there will be at least 65,000 there - what is the current capacity? Re Hereford, they did indeed go down the season after - but I think they only made the play-off semis, losing to Darlington who then went down 1-0 to Plymouth in probably the most long-distance final ever (except maybe Blackpool v Torquay in the early 90s). If Warner is released please can someone give him GFC's phone number asap - he sounds worth a look.
Surrey Cobbler at 14:20:19 Thursday May 20 99
Piss of Diremonds. Not content with trying to nick Woody, they are now after Turley. And I though it was only Ashby that bought players who appeared in the Chron. You can have Francis, and Bilko....but you will never take our Freedom!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!(why the hell do they want Rennie? - he couldn't make it at Sh*tboro, or maybe it's to keep razor company!! Mind you back Sammo!!
George at 14:8:58 Thursday May 20 99
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASEPLEASE PLEASE PLEASE
PUT the bloody retained list up - ARGGGGGG my bets, Bilko (tosser), Seal (why?) Francis (old), Peer (may stay) and Warner (why again).
3 other things:
1. I used to play footie against Ali Gibb as a youngster.
2. Boro are Shite
3. Up the Cobblers
MAD at 13:48:40 Thursday May 20 99
Carry on Ray you are spot on. Meat boy(Gammon) do you talk dribble for a living. Because if you don't you should.
ORBITAL Ganja at 13:35:35 Thursday May 20 99
Lunch!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ORBITAL Ganja at 13:34:54 Thursday May 20 99
It's almost like there is a voodoo curse been put on the play-offs. Take Ipswich for example they are stuck in football's equivalent of Groundhog Day.
96/97 PLAY-OFF SEMI-FINAL 97/98 PLAY OFF SEMI FINAL 98/99 PLAY OFF SEMI FINAL
Nat at 13:28:58 Thursday May 20 99
Just think if the P.O. final keeps its trend and the losing finalists are relegated the next season. Man City could end up in the third!
Nat at 13:23:57 Thursday May 20 99
Orbital, what about Torquay, last season they lost to colchester in P.O final and they've had a crap season too, near the wrong end of the third.
Nat at 13:21:36 Thursday May 20 99
When's the bloody retained list coming out?
ORBITAL Ganja at 12:44:25 Thursday May 20 99
Correction, Hereford went down the season after. With good old Dave Norton the skipper on the day.
ORBITAL Ganja at 12:42:2 Thursday May 20 99
Funny theory that about if you get to the play-offs one season then you fall from grace.
Brentford did it, We did it. Swansea had a horrid season after losing to us at Wembley in D3. I seem to remember Hereford got there in 95/96 only for two seasons later, they fell through the trap door to the conference.
Ray at 11:57:58 Thursday May 20 99
btw - if the worst does happen and you lose, try not to do repeat fo the last 3 seasons and get relegated - cos we are coming back up next year.
Ray at 11:55:28 Thursday May 20 99
Re: attendance at last years final. This was 62,988 (a record) and the Cobbs took 48,000 of these (another record).
Ray at 11:42:5 Thursday May 20 99
The retained list is scehduled to be published today - watch this space.
treenie at 11:36:37 Thursday May 20 99
Can I please make a point about the youth team. They haven't sacked all of them. They've realeased all the second year yts players apart from Brad Peircewright who has been offered a three month contract. I can't see why though as he spent most of the time running around like a headless chicken!!!!!
Oh yeah and the only other youth player who has a slight chance of getting in the first team iis Andy Morrow who signed a 2 and a 1/2 year deal at christmas and that was only cause he's an international!!!
Andy C at 11:29:17 Thursday May 20 99
When is the retained list going to be announced? Is Warner good enough to play in the First Division if we get promoted?
Andy C at 11:28:35 Thursday May 20 99
Wembley here we come! Thanks Ray for the good wishes - I'm not confident about our chances but you can be sure the Gills' players and fans will give 100 percent on the day. Nat, what was the attendance last year? Considering Grimsby's small fan base, I can only assume you must have done well. It should be a sell-out: I reckon we could shift 30,000 and City are averaging more than that at home!
ORBITAL Ganja at 10:38:54 Thursday May 20 99
By the NTFC Seal has sold his house two weeks ago.
ORBITAL Ganja at 10:36:51 Thursday May 20 99
Raw is war and Will - I will not disclose my real name, but all I can say is that I am 19 years old and attending MK College, Wougthon where I am doing a computer course. Also I am not paying for the bill due to me being at Work Experience at Cranfield Uni and the uni's is paying for this.
Hartwell Cobbler at 10:24:2 Thursday May 20 99
Well said, Ralph. I think your comments on the difference between Carr and Atkins says it all. Talk about the Cobblers not being able to afford to play anything else but the long ball game is utter nonsense. You don't have to be rich to play a certain style of football. In the same way as you don't have to be loaded to adopt a positive lifestyle. Its an attitude of mind. Atkins' mean spirited mentality is reflected in the way he chooses to play the game. This season, for the first time for many years, we had some quality players. But, unlike Carr, Atkins couldn't make the most of them, because he either wasn't able or prepared to change his kick and hope style. Even worse, he regularly ignored the better players in preference to lumbering leviathans. Players like Warner and Savage have been good enough for Div 2 all season. Yet Savage didn't get a look-in until it was virtually too late and Warner remained in the stands. Carlo also suffered because his game is best suited to pass and movement. He's not a big lad but give him the ball on the ground or low driven crosses from the wings and he will score goals. The plain fact is Atkins failed because he would not either play or allow his better players to keep the ball on the ground, where they are far more effective. Watching Carlo, game in game out, having to chase lost causes - high balls (badly hit at that) over the top - was pathetic. I really felt for him. I am the first to acknowledge Atkins earlier achievements. But what is now clear is that he either cannot or will not change the style of play to suit his squad. It was acceptable - if unpleasant to watch - when we had players like Gayle. But without that kind of player, the long ball game is totally dead in the water. And that's the crux of the problem. The long ball game took its physical and mental toll on the better players, who you could see becoming increasingly frustrated by its use. Much else - including the dressing room dissent - stemmed from this one problem. Forget the excuses - refs, injuries, yellow ball etc. They were just ready smokescreens to hide the fact that our game plan was wrong all season. Only in the last few games - no doubt out of desperation - did Atkins begin to allow players to go forward, keep possession and express themselves a little. From that came a good run-in. OK we ought to have picked up several more points. But the battle was lost in the first two thirds of the season, when we were (by order) playing drivel. I believe this criticism of Atkins needs to be aired. Not because of any desire to dwell on the past. But in order to look ahead and learn from our mistakes. If we don't we'll make the same ones round again. As they say, to err is human. But if you learn nothing from your mistakes, remain negative and go on repeating them, things will never improve. And the only defence you ever have is to find excuses and blame others.Does that sound familiar ?
Ralph at 9:4:9 Thursday May 20 99
Language Raymond! :-)
Ray at 8:53:8 Thursday May 20 99
Come on you Gills - lets see you put one over on Man Shitty on 30th!.
Ray at 8:52:22 Thursday May 20 99
Yep - I'll certainly organise a coach for the P*sh next season if you want. The one you have at the moment isn't any good.
Ralph at 7:55:8 Thursday May 20 99
Thanks for that BIG ROY - Nothing like starting the day with a smile, hope it didn't spoil 'the deal'. Sorry didn't make the gig, went to see Bruce at Brum and it's Steve Earle at Warwick tomorrow. Please post your next gig in Northampton, what can I expect to hear?
Ralph at 7:49:15 Thursday May 20 99
GAMMON - That's rich, now whose got a memory like a goldfish? :-)
Nat at 1:14:11 Thursday May 20 99
Just got home from work and watched Ipswich match. You have to feel for them. Good luck Gills in final. (I think that match will beat our record attendance from last season)
up the cobblers!
gammon at 23:5:12 Wednesday May 19 99
Ralph, please remind me what happened two years after Graham Carr's glorious promotion
The Real Mr Posh at 23:0:49 Wednesday May 19 99
To the other Mr Posh. I would just like to point out that the mass exodus you mentioned has already began, just like the Grim Reaper commented on yesterday, its not only the fans leaving the club but the players as well. I couldn’t help notice on a recent visit to N*rthampton that they have already started to erect signs around S**tfields stating ‘S**tfields Park & Ride’. In other words park your car at S**tfields and ride to where, Peterborough? Could this mean Ray is organising coaches to the mighty Posh next season? ***UP THE POSH***MR.POSH.
Big Roy at 22:59:14 Wednesday May 19 99
Carry on ranting Ralph! I had one of those more pleasant moments today. I met a guy on business today, whilst proudly wearing my Cobblers tie, who upon noticing this launched into a monotonous speech about how NTFC were back where they belong and how R & D were the only club with any future in Northamptonshire etc. etc. ad nauseum. However, it soon transpired that he was a West Ham supporter! A well timed reminder of the events of last September saw his face turn a deep shade of red as he mumbled something about getting on with business! Sometimes all seems well with the world...
Ralph at 22:52:12 Wednesday May 19 99
GAMMON - I would love the opportunity! How do you know that I can't afford it? You seem a bit presumptious! What's the fixation with money? Graham Carr assembled arguably the best football team the Cobblers have had for virtually bugger all. He let them play with flair and passion and allowed them to express themselves. If Atkins had the same squad Richard Hill would have been sub and Trvor Moreley would have played in the last nine games, Eddie McGoldrick would have been sold to Diamonds and Russell Wilcox condemed to the reserves.
Ralph at 22:45:17 Wednesday May 19 99
And while I'm in rant mode - Leaving ones politics firmly to one side - OI TONY CLARKE - NO! - Tony what can be done about the current 'Minister for Sport' Tony Banks? I've sat and squirmed enough at his inane comments, that obviously come from someone who neither cares for nor understands the lot of the average football supporter as opposed to the 'New' supporter. First it was foreign players like Zola qualifying to play for England after so many years resident in this country and more recently he was suggesting that England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland should become one as we would have a better chance of winning something. Glenn Hoddle lost his job for less! He also compared Scotland with West Ham, lovely football but win bugger all, great timing as Scotland went on to beat Germany next day 1-0. Tony how does he stay in a job? Surely your the man? Oh and by the way if you bump in to Tony Benn please pass on my very best wishes. The last of the independents.
gammon at 22:41:35 Wednesday May 19 99
Yeah Ralph, I bet you could guide a team from virtual obscurity to the 2nd division play offs with zero money and tiny support base. The next time you go to a game, buy a programme, take a look at the visiting team profile, and you will notice just how much it costs to assemble a team to play the way you like. Can you afford it? No. Neither can anyone connected to the club. Until then we have to scrap our way the best we can. Atkins has been damned by his success. If we had simply achieved mid table two years ago and a reasonable position in division 3 this year everyone would be happy - except probably you, but then there are still Man U fans complaining about Ferguson. btw constant supporter since '65, as if it matters.
Ralph at 22:27:7 Wednesday May 19 99
GAMMON - I've had the pleasure of following my team, home and away, since 1968. The beautiful game is all about opinions. My opinion, whether you like it or not, is that our tactics and game plan under Ian Atkins is dull, we are not liked by other clubs, we are not liked by match officials. As for recent games me old porker, one swallow does not make a summer. I do not criticise the players just the way they are forced to play! It's a shame Atkins came to his senses so late in the season. If you care to back track through the comments you will see much of what has happened was predicted by the saner contributors to these pages and without hindsight too. I take no pleasure out of being proved right it just adds to the bloody frustration of knowing we need not have been relegated. OK?
gammon at 22:16:31 Wednesday May 19 99
Ralph, did you actually go to any recent games before Atkins was in charge? if so you have the memory a goldfish would be ashamed of.
Ralph at 22:4:49 Wednesday May 19 99
HARTWELL DAVE - Welcome back from the Balcon, the rest has done you good! I have just read your most recent entry and the points you make are spot on. If you look at the entire Atkins reign how many games can you say were enjoyable? We became a lucky side that achieved much in a short space of time without much flair or innovation and virtually no foundation on which to fall back on. I would like to be positive about next season but too many people think it's all ready over and we have a God given right to the championship.
wet at 21:58:51 Wednesday May 19 99
I got soaked today - and did Atkins apologise? NO! He claims it's nothing to do with him. We desperately need a manager who is prepared to accept responsibility for everything that happens around the club
Ralph at 21:53:3 Wednesday May 19 99
A tense one at the Priestfield Stadium tonight. Gillingham hung on to a two minute lead and are off to Wembley. CONGRATULATIONS TO THE GILLS. Now go on and beat Man City in the final!!!!!
Mr Posh at 21:49:51 Wednesday May 19 99
The exodus is about to begin....as exclusively predicted by me...when have you ever known me to be wrong....remember "In the know" eh Hartwell Cobbler? Get ready for the fastrack to the Conference boys.
Ex - Bad Language COBBLER FC at 21:48:5 Wednesday May 19 99
The TRUE CLARETS.................. NTFC
Anon at 21:43:44 Wednesday May 19 99
Talking of Burnley - did you see their manager and coach at the last game? The ranting and raving put Atkins to shame!
Ray at 21:38:34 Wednesday May 19 99
Nobody lives in Burnley - theres nothing to live for...
Anon at 21:31:5 Wednesday May 19 99
er... I think THE CLARETS live in Burnley
Ex - Bad Language COBBLER FC at 21:22:59 Wednesday May 19 99
Born in NORTHAMPTONSHIRE = a COBBLER............Born in BEDS, BUCKS, CAMBS, LEICS, WARKS = Mighty close but DAMMED UNLUCKY.........................UP THE CLARETS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
NTFC at 19:58:56 Wednesday May 19 99
Diamonds have now targeted released Youth Team Keeper Matt Finlay as there next keeper - Cobblers Lost could very well be Diamonds Gain - Cobblers wanted 200k for Turley
NTFC at 19:56:31 Wednesday May 19 99
David Seal had no Intention of staying at NTFC becuase his house has been up for sale for the last 4 months. Clarkson has been out of contract for the last 2 months - Expect at least 1 shock when the retained / Transfer list comes out tomorrow
Sid at 18:56:26 Wednesday May 19 99
To be honest, the youth did well in their league, but i didn't think the current crop were that good. I suppose Atkins would be stupid to take someone on, if he wasn't good enough. Only a couple had a chance this year. Mark Dickson seems to be the only one that will make it though from next year........
Mooseman at 17:4:1 Wednesday May 19 99
HARTWELL - I agree- we seem to forget about the youth and this seems to be summed up by the fact that all of the YTS players have been sacked. Who was the last youth team player to make it to the 1st team and play at least a dozen games? Colkin ? Burnham ?. Does NTFC have a decent scouting system - it would appear not .
FIRESTARTER at 15:37:16 Wednesday May 19 99
LOOK EVERYONE I KNOW ATKINS HAS BEEN A BAD MANAGER THIS SEASON BUT YOU ARE ALL FORGETING WHO GOT US UP TO DV2 IN THE FIRST PLACE (FOR THOSE WHO DON'T KNOW IT WAS ATKINS+THE TEAM) AND 2 YEARS AGO YOU/WE WERE ALL SAYING ATKINS WAS THE BEST MANAGER EVER, SINGING HIS PRAISE AND I ADD LAST YEAR WHEN WE WENT TO WEMBLEY ONCE AGAIN FOR OUR FIRST YEAR IN DV2 WHO TOOK US THERE???? ATKINS SO STOP SLAGGING HIM OFF JUST COZ HE HAS HAD ONE BAD YEAR THAT HAS UNFORTUNATLY COST US RELEGATION.
FIRESTARTER at 14:28:9 Wednesday May 19 99
WELL ORBITAL IT SEEMS THAT YOU HAVE A FAN CLUB ON HERE NOW BOY ANY YOU UP FOR A GAME OF FOOTIE TONIGHT.
AND TO ALL YOU IN RAW is WAR NOW HOW OLD ARE YOU LOT AND OLD ORBITAL SHOULD BE JUST FINE I THINK ANYWAY WHATS HAPPENING WITH CHRIS LEE'S TRANSFER AND BRINGING HEGGS BACK .
SBJ at 13:44:25 Wednesday May 19 99
Regarding pre-season friendlies: are season ticket holders assured of getting their usual seat at the home friendlies? I'm about to buy my first season ticket, and would like to get to as many pre-seasons as possible, but if I have to choose just one match it'll probably be the Villa one (in which case I'd like to have my 'usual' seat). Imagine that, a whole load of Brummies playing at Sixfields! To the couple of you who expressed interest in a possible London Cobblers supporters' group: I haven't forgotten about this, but I'm a bit busy right now unfortunately. It looks like most of those interested are actually from the South coast rather than the Smoke, btw. I'll knock up a mailing list and get a message round to everyone who's interested, asap.
Phil Baron at 13:22:26 Wednesday May 19 99
No one is in Majorca..the lads went to away for a week on Seans stag week.Sammo has had his op on Tuesday or today and Sean has his plate removed tomorrow.Bye everyone til next season have a nice break lads and see you at Seans wedding!!
RAW is WAR at 13:13:30 Wednesday May 19 99
To ORBITAL Ganja we write again in need of a reply we are at school and very board. please give us a ray of light. Cheers + Atkins is still a Arshole
RAW is WAR at 13:5:26 Wednesday May 19 99
To ORBITAL Ganja how are you doing, we are fans of your work, can you please write us a special message and write back to what Will Woodward wrote in late April. Thanks PS we are annoyed at Ian Atkins as he is a bad manager
ORBITAL Ganja at 12:53:52 Wednesday May 19 99
Its only a select 11 so most likely there reserve and youth team. Still though I remember a few years ago when we played them, we lost 3-1 at home in a pre, but they put out there full team. Just wish Arsenal had put out there first team for the DB memorial match.
Ray at 12:50:10 Wednesday May 19 99
The Aston Vanilla one is at home....
ORBITAL Ganja at 12:47:21 Wednesday May 19 99
Lets hope we get a home game in pre-season, wouldn't mind a match with Sunderland, Bradford or Leeds.
TRB Mark at 12:44:30 Wednesday May 19 99
Faux pas of the day. Got me renewal season ticket info and a very nice letter from B Stonhill. One line reads "We trust you that you will appreciate this gesture (freezing of season ticket prices) and renew your tickets for what promises to be an EXITING period in the club's history." Well, we have just exited the 2nd Division, lets hope we do the same for the 3rd, but out the right end!. That's the problem with spellcheckers exiting, exciting... public , pubic
ORBITAL Ganja at 12:44:28 Wednesday May 19 99
PROVISIONAL FIXTURES are on official site, with only firm one being Diremonds away.
Eternal Optimist at 12:42:18 Wednesday May 19 99
How do I get in contact with the Trust? Anyone got a phone number?
Ray at 12:30:54 Wednesday May 19 99
If possible I will post direction for all matches, including pre-season. Problem is I can't do anything until some fixtures are released - anyone got firm dates and venues yet?
ORBITAL Ganja at 12:5:39 Wednesday May 19 99
Ray, any chance of finding out directions for the pre-Season friendlies?
ORBITAL Ganja at 12:4:11 Wednesday May 19 99
Ray, any chance of finding out directions for the pre-eason friendlies?
ORBITAL Ganja at 10:55:44 Wednesday May 19 99
I hope that we actually appear on Sky in a league game. As all we have had is cup games.
Ray at 10:28:13 Wednesday May 19 99
Speaking of finances, one point in our favour is that, although we suffer a drop of 100K from the league by virtue of being relegated, how much will we gain when we appear on Sky next year as the promoted teams from the Third Division have done.
JAMES at 10:27:56 Wednesday May 19 99
OH PETERBROUGH IS FULL OF S**T, oH PETERBROUGH IS FULL OF S**T!
S**T,S**T, AND MORE S**T ,OH PETERBROUGH IS FULL OF S**T!!!!!!!!!
james at 10:25:23 Wednesday May 19 99
Next season:
1.Northampton
2.Plymouth
3.Exeter
-------------
4.Brighton
5.Darlinhton
6.Swansea
7.Torquay
-----------
24.Pet**brough(0 POINTS, 0 GOALS, CONCEDED 143!)
Hartwell Cobbler at 10:0:18 Wednesday May 19 99
Insider, Uncle Richard, Billy and Pete - some excellent and very pertinent comments. I'd like to add one other point to the debate about the club's future and its finances: the news this morning that Crewe has sold one of its youngsters for £3m reinfoces my long-held argument that the only way clubs like the Cobblers will prosper and go forward is by developing a proper youth policy. Only by developing the youth facilities and gaining a reputation as a first-class nursery club, will we attract youngsters with the "right stuff". Instead of continuing to waste relatively large sums of money on a successuon of average to poor journeymen/has-been pros, the club should invest in a coherent youth policy. Unfortunately I believe Atkins is a stumbling block. I have it on good authority that he pays lip service to the youngsters we do have, doesn't do enough to enourage them and certainly doesn't give them the breaks into the first team. Atkins has make a succession of bad mistakes, especially this season. I could firgive him if he were prepared admit them (rather than give the impression, as he has on Northants TV, that all's well and the garden's rosy when clearly it is anything but)and learn from his mistakes. Unfortunately there is no evidence that he is willing or able to do either. As Pete says we are loyal, paying, customers and like any others in any other walk of life, we are as such entitled to complain if we consider the product to be inferior. This season's results - and in particular Atkins awful, dour, defense-laden tactics - should be roundly criticised by us, the consumers. While I think the board has done an excellent job, bringing us back into solvency etc., they are not, in my opinion, now reading the script properly. Our future playing prospects need to be in the hands of a far more enlightened coach. If you stand still in life you will soon be overtaken by events and your competitors. I fear the Cobblers are in danger of falling into this classic trap. It's very easy to utter cliches such as "we'll bounce straight back." It's far harder to achieve these aims, unless everything's in order on and off the pitch. Which is certainly isn't.
ORBITAL Ganja at 9:58:36 Wednesday May 19 99
Thats all I can think to say at the moment!!!!
ORBITAL Ganja at 9:56:46 Wednesday May 19 99
stop complaining
billy at 9:26:39 Wednesday May 19 99
Pete, I wish to complain about you complaining about me complaining about you complaining
Pete at 8:35:15 Wednesday May 19 99
I see it as unreasonable to complain about the fans who are shouting loudly about what has happened and pointing the finger. Someone has to, someone should be called to acount. We supported the team through thick and thin. We bit our tongues when asked to, we pointed out the obvious errors but kept up the support. The manager was wrong and the board backed him- this cannot be disputed. He admitted he had better players than last season, yet we were relegated. Players thought not good enough for Div 2 were released...why not the manager who could not make the grade? He can move on. We do not. Our team was relegated. We have the right to complain loudly.
Uncle Richard at 7:39:13 Wednesday May 19 99
Re - billy again's comment - he wasn't being positive , he just couldn't see the rubbish going on in front of him
The Grim Reaper at 22:55:40 Tuesday May 18 99
Reading comments of recent days gone by, I see that it is not only the fans which are defecting to other clubs but the players as well. 'The End Is Nigh'.
billy again at 22:47:54 Tuesday May 18 99
I've just read Uncle Richard's posting - at least Ian Atkins is being positive, it's about time somone was
billy at 22:41:8 Tuesday May 18 99
insider - Its easy to complain about every one connected vaguely with the club and the towm with our predicanment, but its unfair to the people who work at the club. I happen to know a couple of them who are devoted supporters and work for wages you would probably laugh at, especially considering the hours they put in. Every 3rd 2nd and some 1st division clubs are praying for a Griggs type character to rescue them. As for Levis etc. they are all multi-national companies and you cant bully them to contribute to every sporting team where they happen to have a distribution point. No you cant expect to take £10 off every one who went to play off finals; they just went for a day out, and the opportunity to go to Wembley and paid their money for it. Good luck to them - you cant make them be devoted supporters. The success of the club depends on gradual growth and the relegation is a major setback (obviously). lets hope we can bounce back and continue that. The crucial difference between this and our other recent and fleeting vists to division two is a reasonable ground, and a sound financial setup. This should encourage players to sign for us and get us back on track. Up The Cobblers!
Uncle Richard at 22:29:30 Tuesday May 18 99
Something worth watching :- Northants TV (channel 40 - comtel cable)Ian Atkins speaks out - I caught the last 5mins of this 15 min interview and all in the garden is rosy ! Did you know that with Bilko/Howard in front we only lost 1 game and with Clarkson/Hendon playing we only lost 6 of 29 games , so "the attack's ok and so's the defence and that's all that matters " this and lots more rubbish will be repeated at 23:45pm - watch and disbelieve - Atkins has done NOTHING wrong (if you believe him ) . Please Atkins GO NOW there's a job going at Carlisle , wouldn't you rather travel north for a few seasons .
The Insider at 22:12:5 Tuesday May 18 99
Hats off to NTFC for out-insiding me. My big concern is that if Andy Roberts is correct - and he rarely is - IA is going to be allowed to recruit another coach in addition to Wilson. Also it is worrying that despite two relatively lucrative years we have been unable to capitalise by laying down better commercial foundations. No effort has been made to create a supporters club branch network (the bedrock for many years of MUFC and Rangers) even at the most local levels even though we have both a commercial and marketing manager. The efforts of the Trust and the directors are laudable but somehow one feels a certain amount of wishful longing for a Griggsesque financial fairy godfather. The disastrous choice of kit last year and the inability to have it on the shelves at an early stage further underline this. If anything the Trust is too introverted and I cannot believe that we can take £10 a year off the the 30000 or so that went to Wembley but are not regular followers. The shortfall in finances would not seem so daunting with extra income from such sources. Perhaps even the Council should have made it a condition of the many companies which have enjoyed the benefit of cheap greenfield sites in this town to make a donation. Too often we look to Nationwide and Barclaycard who have been employers of longstanding and financial supporters of the club. What about Levis, Stanley Tools and Wells (all within eyeshot of Sixfields)?
Ben at 21:35:57 Tuesday May 18 99
Any news on the new kit???? when will we get to see it??? (i blame our shit season on the last kit..... stars and stripes.... bloody yanks.....)
Ben at 21:31:37 Tuesday May 18 99
According to I.A. we had our best spell of the season with wilkinson in the team, what a load of c.r.a.p. we went down to YEAOVIL with bloody wilkinson in the team.......... even bloody duston youth could beat yeo bloody vil......
Anon at 21:18:22 Tuesday May 18 99
Just the one.
Angry at 19:36:37 Tuesday May 18 99
Hoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooray! Wilkinson's left! Yes! The 2 grand a week waste of money has b*ggered off to poor Donny. They can't be very ambitious of regaining their League place if they have to resort to signing Bilko. Could everyone on here do me a favour, if you have any photos of Wilkinson could you send them to angry_cobbler@hotmail.com please.
Ex - Bad Language COBBLER FC at 19:35:28 Tuesday May 18 99
Can anyone confirm the retained list? or even the not retained list?
ian at 19:29:44 Tuesday May 18 99
who's going ? who's staying ?????????????
Stan the Exile at 19:16:2 Tuesday May 18 99
Word has it in Bristol that David Seal couldn't keep his mouth under control and upset Joe Jordan hence his departure. In this case it may not be IA causing the alleged trouble. However, we all have to get along in this world and this guy's talent should be employed in the first team more regularly, irrespective of personal feelings. To any player not retained by the club, best wishes in your career in the future and many thanks for all of your efforts on behalf of NTFC.
Philip Hudson at 19:8:7 Tuesday May 18 99
HE'S GOING HOME,HE'S GOING HOME, HE'S GOING, WILKO'S GOING. THREE CHEERS FOR ATKINS!
cambs cobbler at 18:28:52 Tuesday May 18 99
i just heard a report on the local radio about the housing problem in p****borough, where apparently many residences are 'over run with mice, rats and cockroaches'...nuff said.
Sid at 18:26:11 Tuesday May 18 99
Hartwell, I certainly am not being that optimistic, but i can see ourselves doing OK next year, maybe around the play-offs.
Hartwell Cobbler at 17:58:42 Tuesday May 18 99
Ray - I know for a fact that Frain and Sammo are on holiday in Majorca. I wonder how and when they'll get to know their fates? As for Wilkinson, I wish him well, but have to say he will not exactly be sorely missed here. Even taking injuries into account he was, shall we say, one of Atkins least astute signings. If it's true that Warner and Hill are also on their way, I'll be sorry. Warner's talent is in no doubt except, it seems, to Atkins. Someone's going to get one of the close season bargains. As we should expect the management is already putting on a brave face with the expected "we'll bounce straight back" pledges. Unfortunately the history of the Cobblers says otherwise. We are used to short bursts of success followed by years in limbo. In the end I suppose it comes down to money. But it has to be said we wasted a lot of hard-earned cash this year, accumulating a vastly oversized squad, among which were far too many journeymen players who were certainly not up to Div 2 requirements. I hope that, in thinning down the squad for next season, the focus will be on quality. Again, however, I have grave doubts, given Atkins inability to operate any other game plan than route one, boot and hope. I'm not so sure this crude tactic will be so successful next year in Div 3. I watched several Div 3 games this year on tv and some of the teams played some far better football than we saw when we were last in the basement league. Maybe standards are rising there ? Being a realist I don't think it will be so easy to get back out of Div 3 as Atkins, Stonhill and the boardroom boys are saying (although I hope I'm proved wrong!).
Nosey Parker at 17:34:3 Tuesday May 18 99
Bye bye to Lee,Seal.Peer,Wilkinson,Warner,Hill,Clarkson has a new 1 year contract and Carlo and Savage will go if the money is right......trust me I really do know for sure.
ORBITAL Ganja at 17:22:47 Tuesday May 18 99
Come on announce it club, I can not stand the wait.
Anon at 17:7:57 Tuesday May 18 99
NO MORE WILKINSON!!!!!! DONCASTER....on a free according to the chron.... YYYEEEEAAAHHHH....i mean, good luck in you future career etc etc
Ray at 15:52:15 Tuesday May 18 99
The retained list - latest news. The list will not now be released until Thursday. IA wants to talk to the whole squad before its made official and as some are away at present, Thursday is the earlest time possible. You heard it here first!
ORBITAL Ganja at 15:31:1 Tuesday May 18 99
I am sitting in an office at the moment waiting for my supervisor to return from another job before we upgrade the security depts computer.
Come on board!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Tell us!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ORBITAL Ganja at 15:2:25 Tuesday May 18 99
Anyone who fancies seeing a crap game of footie tonight, is welcome to see Iceland F/F CMK playing at the Hockey Stadium in MK. KO 10.00pm were the ones in dark blue shirts. I will be starting of as sub tonight due to skyving off the last two games.
Ray at 14:46:50 Tuesday May 18 99
Come on NTFC - the suspense is agonising!
ORBITAL Ganja at 14:38:8 Tuesday May 18 99
The wait is becoming unbearable now please tell us
another anon at 14:23:34 Tuesday May 18 99
In suspence- and why? The players who are leaving already know- I spoke to one of them. The Board seem to being unnecessarily secretive.Savage or Corazzin leaving would be unthinkable unless very very large sums were involved. Hill leaving will be the obvious error- he is good and even if on the bench can come on to allow someone else to move up field. I can only presume that his moving will confirm our suspicions that his and the Seal maltreatment were 'personal' and the board stand guilty of allowing it. IA seems to have tried to destroy Seal- Seal may have last laugh when he lines up against us. John Frain will become more injury prone- the warning signs are there (unlike Hill who seems to have little problem with fitness). Billy T, nice guy, had his chance, did not make it consistently.. essential in a keeper. I look forward to the Hunter - Clarkson return...with Micky W if he too has not been outcast by IA's personal blind spot. However we will know officially soon. BY THE WAY, TCMP, not sure where the capitals came from, if you see a familiar face in the 'Stranger's 'eating place around 7pm Wed., it will be me...the full Cobbler's regelia will give me away... unless the family persuade me into the old dark blue suit. In that case I will be the one being escorted out for singing'Who's the B****** in the black' to Betty B and Blackrod etc.Now that there are so few socialists ( Is that a 'naughty word' which ought not to be used in Ray's column?), I will recognise you as you are being escorted out singing....? Remember, Cobblers fans still do it GOING DOWN.
MAD at 13:59:32 Tuesday May 18 99
HELLO TO ALL THE TRUE COBBLERS FANS AND A SPECIAL SHOUT TO MR ANGRY. I JUST LIKE TO SAY, LETS GET BEHIND THE BOYS NEXT SEASON AND CHEER THEM ON AS MUCH AS WE CAN. I KNOW THEY DON'T ALWAYS PLAY GOOD FOOTBALL. I GET PEVVED OFF JUST AS MUCH AS THE NEXT PERSON AS I LOVE TO SEE THEM PLAY ATTACKING FOOTBALL. WE ALL KNOW THEY CAN (BAR MR IAN "DEFEND" ATKINS) AND WHEN THEY DO THEY PLAY REALLY WELL. BUT WE SHOULD SUPPORT THEM NO MATTER WHAT.WE'VE HAD 2 GREAT SEASONS BUT UNFORTUNATELY NOW BACK TO SQUARE ONE. IF WE PLAY ATTACKING FOOTBALL AND GET RID OF ALL OUR DEAD WOOD (SORRY MR FRAIN BUT YOUR TIME IS UP)WE SHOULD GO STRAIGHT BACK UP. SO LET'S KEEP ON GIVING THE BOYS THE BEST SUPPORT WE CAN JUST LIKE WE DO EVERY WEEK AND HOPE THAT WE GET SOMETHING BACK IN RETURN.
£100,000 FOR TURLEY? EVEN THOUGH I THINK THAT HE WILL BECOME A GREAT PLAYER IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS WE CAN'T AFFORD TO TURN THAT KIND OF MONEY DOWN.HOPEFULLY BUY SELLING HIM WE WILL BE ABLE TO KEEP PLAYERS SUCH AS; SAVAGE,CARLO & HOWEY.
ORBITAL Ganja at 13:50:25 Tuesday May 18 99
Well we must be kept guessing then as to who wil be leaving us, until at least tonight?
Please Carlo can't go
By the way score from last nights back-garden league. Was OGanja Town 27 - 25 Firestater. I was losing by one goal with a minute left before my sister scored twice, and I added the crucial 27th after a late counter from firestarter backfired.
chip at 13:34:51 Tuesday May 18 99
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA going down going down.
Whilst Wigan are going up, Where the hell are you ?
Where were you in the autowindscreens aswell ?
Who the hell in Carlo Corrazin ?
Haworth didn't handball - honest
See you later.
WAR is RAW at 13:12:13 Tuesday May 18 99
Atkins is a knob-jockey. Does anyone agree!
David Nikel at 12:57:4 Tuesday May 18 99
COME ON ATKINS, GET IT OVER WITH
SUNDERLAND COBBLER at 12:22:13 Tuesday May 18 99
Well how is going to go then? Wilko is a must along with Peer,Seal, Franics and Gibb. Jimmy Glass would be a good buy. We need the money for Billy Bunter from Diremonds. First siging must a winger to give us pace and good crosses to the men up front. Lets look aorund for some good Bosmans both in the UK and Europe.We need to have some continental flair in this side to win div 3 next year. Is their any sign yet IA is going?
Ray at 11:30:54 Tuesday May 18 99
Still no news then?
Ralph at 11:22:51 Tuesday May 18 99
According to today's Chron, Wilkinson is off to Donkeyster. Quite apt really.
Robert Dunkley at 10:26:5 Tuesday May 18 99
Is it just me or all of them going to be released, with the exception of Chris Lee who will be transfer listed as he is not eligable for a Bosman.
I also wonder whether Kevin Wilson will go to pastures new, if he was not wanted as a plyer, I remember this happening to Danny O'Shea. Maybe we might see Kevan Broadhurst as as assitant manager
Robert Dunkley at 10:21:29 Tuesday May 18 99
It is just gone 10 am and no news yet, let's look on the bright side we still have a number of decent players under contract, and if MAtthew and Hunter are fit for the start of the season, we will still have a good midfield.
I am sure Parrish, Hunt, Mathhew, Hunter, Spedding, Gibb will give us plenty of choice.
Up front I am more concerned, but if Carlo stays, Howard may find a foil and person to take his good work. He has scored 8 goals for Hartlepool this season, I just worry that Bilko will go straight in.
How come Atkins give Frain a 2 year extension to his contract, yet he only gives a one year deal to Mickey Warner, who is now able to walk away from us, nicw work Ian.
NB. Championship Manager 3 is not realistice, it is impossible to do well as NTFC manager and Barry Stonhill keeps threatening to sack me, despite teh fact I am out of the relegation zone, as he asked!! I had a bad start to my third season and I jumped ship, I tried to re-apply, but I was told that the board had not forgiven me for the bad results!!
I have started afresh as Burnley and I am 4th at the moment, Lee Howey is on loan at The Cobblers and unlike real lfe plays as a striker and is useless. Damian Matthew has strangely been ommitted, but a player at Burnley called Rude Veinham has his stats i.e same career record?
TCMP at 4:40:48 Tuesday May 18 99
Help, save me from this madness, why am I sat here at 4.30 in the morning waiting for a vote that probably will not now happen today, and then when I do vote I risk the comdemnation of my colleagues for voting the wrong way. This is almost as bad as sitting by through those last few games thinking maybe we can survive only to be robbed at the death. Northampton Gas, no spin, no Alistair Campbell, just genuine concern and an acknowledgment that whatever we may want to happen re the retained list we are not in a position to achieve it. There will be decisions that others will disagree with there are players going that I would like to see stay but we can't achieve that level of satisfaction. All we can do is accept our position and get on with it. Any way I must return to the debate, at least when the Cobblers play badly we only have to suffer 90 mins, I have had 14 hours of this so far and were still here. I will log on tommorrow (today) to try to answer questions re the published list until then sleep well, Tony
g at 4:20:21 Tuesday May 18 99
g
TCMP at 4:19:26 Tuesday May 18 99
Help, save me from this madness, why am I sat here at gone four in the morning waiting to vote against my own government, only to get into more trouble, and lose more sleep.Northampton Gas you can take it from me that Alistair Campbell is not my favourite person at the minute, so my comments left earlier are untouched by any spin doctor. My reason for them, is that after a while you realise that however much we try we cannot all get our way on the retained list tommorrow (today). However I will try to log on after the list is released to give some insight as to why's amd wherefores of the decisions taken. Anyway must dash it's time for another spell in the chamber and another riveting contribution from the backbenches. The trouble with politics as opposed to football is when the Cobblers have a bad game you only have to suffer for 90 mins, so far today we have managed 13+ hours and were still suffering. Anyway until tommoorrow (today) Tony
Bert at 0:25:44 Tuesday May 18 99
If any of you like a bet on the horses, then why not have a look at THE FINAL FURLONG message board, it can be found at:
www.insidetheweb.com/mbs.cgi/mb386323
Ray at 0:18:51 Tuesday May 18 99
The PNE game is on Wednesday - I'll check and let you know which matches Sky is covering...
Yogi Bear at 22:27:37 Monday May 17 99
If I was a betting man I'd give 6/4 we take on Higgs from Worcester in goal.
T. at 22:17:16 Monday May 17 99
NTFC are you CC who sent me my first email?and can some one tell me which night PNE play the second leg of their play-off semi and is it on Sky?
Cheers!
Sid at 21:56:7 Monday May 17 99
From TCMP's comments... "What I would like to see tommorrow on these pages are comments that thank those who are leaving us for their contributions to the club whilst they have been here, and words of goodwill for them wherever they go on to play their football." ***I echo this view aswell, as there is no point bearing grudges. I cannot stand the way at the moment how some players are knocked, when a fair crack of the whip isn't given. However, in some cases the criticism is fair. (Seal, Francis!)
Diamond Vision at 21:53:26 Monday May 17 99
Gift horse.........? Tonight's Evening Telegraph states that Brian Talbot has made a bid for Billy Turley - but not for the £125,000 as reported. Nearer £100,000. But the Cobblers' board has turned down this offer and Talbot is now looking elsewhere. He will not be asking about Turley again. Has the Cobblers' board looked a gift horse in the mouth? I don't see such a good offer coming again for Turley - and the Cobblers do need to find £400,000 for next season..........
Sid at 21:44:19 Monday May 17 99
Ok, who here would take £125k for Turley in the present position now? I certainly would, and thats no disrespect to him. That is a fair offer but if the club want more I would push for more, if they can get it. £150K+ sounds good. If Francis is leaving then a very good keeper would need to be bought to replace him.
Sid at 21:41:22 Monday May 17 99
Ray, thats a bonus! Read by the players and directors! If only they read my site...........!! I think we are gonna have to be careful what is posted up here now we know this. I would probably think that one of the players have posted something under an anonymous name........
Ray at 21:25:27 Monday May 17 99
This site is read "enthusistically by players and directors alike"? Wow! Blush!
Ray at 21:23:32 Monday May 17 99
Honest - I am trying to reduce the size of the header on this page but last time I fiddled I managed to cock it up somehow and got shouted at by Sid et al - lol. When its quiet on here (assuming it ever is) I'l have another small revamp and reduce it even more. Problem is I have to download the file, edit it and then relaod it before anyone posts - so you can imagine how difficult this is.
g at 21:9:51 Monday May 17 99
oh forget that, it's back and I'm sure its bigger!
gammon at 21:8:20 Monday May 17 99
btw hooray for soccer-links - I dont have to scroll down so much now!
gammon at 21:1:34 Monday May 17 99
To be fair, I dont think aAtkins and co had much choice with Woody, although its a good point.
phil a at 20:57:35 Monday May 17 99
No point arguing now about who we want to stay or not, the deeds are done. Might as well wait until tomorrow (or whenever it's announced) and THEN start a-whoopin' and a-hollerin'. However, if Alastair Campbell was really in on the negotiations, surely he wouldn't have thought it wise to keep, say, Wilko, and yet lose, say Warner??? That's as bad as 50p on a pint and rationing sex isn't it TCMP?=:o)
PS Lots of new things for everyone to do at Planet Cobblers - http://www.angelfire.com/co/bblers
billy at 20:56:45 Monday May 17 99
Peter Smeichel would be intersted at £125000. Until he finds out it's not the weekly wage
David Nikel at 20:54:43 Monday May 17 99
It's messages like gammon's that make you wonder why we let Woody go for just £100,000.
gammon at 20:52:56 Monday May 17 99
The Turley problem shows exactly the dilemma we are in. He is unreliable, etc. etc. But where are we going to get a better keeper and pay just £125,000? So we have to stick with the devil we know, or lose him and sign ....?
David Nikel at 20:48:35 Monday May 17 99
Why don't we all just shut up until tommorrow ?
Luton Cobbler at 20:29:33 Monday May 17 99
What the hells going on here this evening. People demanding that Seal stays. Where were you at Preston or numerous non performances he turned in again this year?
Dire ones offer £100k for Turley. I'll come and collect him and take him there personally (Get the cheque ready Max). How many howlers did he make last season. How many points did he cost us ? Far more than we needed to suvive. On this occasion forget the fact it's R&D. Take the money and laugh.
Ben at 20:9:58 Monday May 17 99
Apparently Rubbish & Diremonds want turley.... no way hell go, theres nobody to replace him with (unless atkins buys another 50 year old ****)
Robert Dunkley at 20:7:51 Monday May 17 99
Reading between the lines of TCMP's welcome contribution, I would presume that Ian Clarkson, may well not be on the retained list. I expect, with the need to reduce the playing squad, Ian has been a victim of circumstances and his injury. I would hope that any player who goes will find a new club, and not have the prospect of looking for a new career.
It seems that Ian Atkins will be manager for next season, I would like to think that Ian shows some attacking flair like the end of last season, and he is more open with the fans.
Whatever happens we know we have got a good chance of returning to Division Two, if Savage and Corazzin stay then I am very confident. What I am concerned about is if Bilko is EVER fit, that he gets treated as his peers. I suspect that a number of players may be listed, as we will have too many centre backs, Dobson, Sammo, Howey, Hughes for a 4-4-2 system.
Fingers crossed
Ben (the pissed off cobbler) at 19:56:16 Monday May 17 99
You know atkins, when it comes to buying talented players on the kind of budget that our excuse for a board give him, he is the best in the business, however once he has assembled a good squad like he has done over the course of this season (he has of course made some dumbass moves but well give him the benefit of the doubt) he has no idea what to do with them. A good example is signing carlo corazzin, who is 5 foot nothing and sending long, high balls to him which he cant win and which bypass some great midfielders (hunt/savage) One moment that sticks in my mind was the wigan game, when atkins went looking for goals so he made howey push up and brought hill on...... atkins must have been horrified when hill, instead of hoofing the ball clear, brought it down calmly, passed it to fellow defender dobson, who released frain on the left, this breach of orders no doubt cost hill a starting place in the following match..........
Why oh why does atkins buy players who dont suit his game plan? why doesnt he buy low talent defenders to hoof the ball clear, or why doesnt he play a style of football that the players are more comfortable with and are more likely to win games with?
The Real Mr Posh at 19:55:21 Monday May 17 99
Ray, its nice to see that most of the foul and bad language that was regularly being posted on your comments page has almost stopped. I say almost because one particular word which raises its ugly head now and then is the misuse of the word ‘Co*blers’. If I were to use such language when living at home with my parents my father would give me a well-deserved clip around the ear. I also would have something to say if ever I caught any of my children coming out with such filth. Please could you clarify your position on the ‘Co*bler’ word as whether it should be banned once and for all.***UP THE POSH***MR.POSH.
Northampton Gas at 19:31:16 Monday May 17 99
I don't like the sound of TCMP's comments. This sounds just like a politian, forewarning you of some very bad news. Alister Campbell, step out from behind that man!!!
ME AGAIN at 19:28:13 Monday May 17 99
SEAL STAY! SEAL STAY! SEAL STAY! SEAL STAY! SEAL STAY! SEAL STAY! SEAL STAY! SEAL STAY! SEAL STAY! SEAL STAY! SEAL STAY! SEAL STAY! SEAL STAY! SEAL STAY! SEAL STAY! SEAL STAY! SEAL STAY! SEAL STAY! SEAL STAY! SEAL STAY! SEAL STAY! SEAL STAY! SEAL STAY! SEAL STAY! SEAL STAY! SEAL STAY! SEAL STAY! SEAL STAY! SEAL STAY! SEAL STAY! SEAL STAY! SEAL STAY! SEAL STAY! SEAL STAY! SEAL STAY! SEAL STAY! SEAL STAY! SEAL STAY! SEAL STAY! SEAL STAY! SEAL STAY! SEAL STAY! SEAL STAY! SEAL STAY! SEAL STAY! SEAL STAY! SEAL STAY! SEAL STAY! SEAL STAY! SEAL STAY! SEAL STAY! SEAL STAY! SEAL STAY! SEAL STAY!
NTFC at 19:0:59 Monday May 17 99
TCMP - When you live next door to one of the players you get to know the gossip - Read my comments about the YTS boys from yesterday !!!!
NTFC at 18:59:33 Monday May 17 99
Hill has quit Football to take a PR job at Leicester City
Seal will join Oldham at the end of June
TCMP at 18:58:21 Monday May 17 99
Good work Cobblers commentatators. The retained list will not be published until tommorrow, and I have no intention of breaking the confidentiallity of those decisions. The first people to know must always be the players concerned, for us it is all part of the ongoing debate but for the playing staff it,s their livelyhoods we are dealing with. However as was always my wish, the level of understanding and knowledge amongst contributors to these pages, means that most of the answers are written within the contributions below. Not through insider knowledge, not through leaks, but through having the most informed and educated supporter base in the country. How many other clubs could conduct a debate amongst it supporters, where information is shared on who is and is not out of contract, and where the board are upfront on the financial position of the club. Where else on the internet will you find a site that is read as enthusiastically by the players and directors as it is by the fans. Friday's board meeting was very tough. Decisions were taken that if the circumstances were different we would not wish to take. But once they are declared we must begin to look ahead at what we have to do next season, and which players we have with us to achieve it. It will be pointless to speak in hindsight or to suggest that one players presence or absence is critical. We have to prepare ourselves mentally and physically for the challenge ahead. I for one cannot wait until the pundits start declaring us as favorites for promotion, although I think I will try to secure an anti-post bet before that happens. What I would like to see tommorrow on these pages are comments that thank those who are leaving us for their contributions to the club whilst they have been here, and words of goodwill for them wherever they go on to play their football. For a period of time in the early 90's nobody came or went from the Cobblers, we were a transfer desert. Now at least we know what we have to do to both balance the books and push for a promotion challenge. I am sure things will continue to be fluid for a few weeks yet. But lets just remind ourselves that every decision is taken by people at all levels who have one aim in mind, to see the football club continue to succeed, and to continue to do so with the fan base having a real say in what go's on within the boardroom. The more you comment the more I am able to represent your view. Keep up the good work. As always I will try to answer any questions raised.
Sid at 18:53:55 Monday May 17 99
NO! Hill?? What about any of the others??
NTFC at 18:38:49 Monday May 17 99
Hill Seal & Francis have all been Axed
ORBITAL Ganja at 16:50:41 Monday May 17 99
Time for me to go home after a nice day of web design. Still the week holds many paths in which some of the cobblers players will be taking. I just hope Direones don't nick more of our best players.
Still though pictures this in your minds. London Road, Last Game of the season. S**T 1 - 1 Cobblers. Into injury time, Late Counter by the cobblers Corazzin rounds one defender then keeper before placing ball into empty net. Cobblers are crowned Champs, while the S**t are sent down to the conference.
ORBITAL Ganja at 16:45:52 Monday May 17 99
T
Hippocrates at 16:38:15 Monday May 17 99
Rottenfish and Dumplings are meant to be buying Ryan Price form Macc. for £100,000. How many keepers does Mr. Griggs need?
ORBITAL Ganja at 16:36:45 Monday May 17 99
Who knows most likely stil be eating her dinner, knowing the time she takes.
FIRESTARTER at 16:36:22 Monday May 17 99
OK ORBITAL I'LL SEE YOU LATER MATE ENJOY THE REST OF YOUR DAY
FIRESTARTER at 16:35:2 Monday May 17 99
OK THEN MATE THAT SOUNDS GOOD, SO SARAH NOT PLAYING THEN
FIRESTARTER at 16:34:8 Monday May 17 99
WELL THATS ALL FROM ME KIDDIES I'M OFF AND BY THE WAY KEEP CHIMMING
ORBITAL Ganja at 16:31:57 Monday May 17 99
well there only us playing!!!!!! This time though we shall have a stop watch I suggest 30 mins a half.
FIRESTARTER at 16:30:46 Monday May 17 99
OK MATE I SHALL BE THERE SAME TEAMS YEAH
Bolton Cobbler at 16:27:50 Monday May 17 99
PS Has anyone else heard that Heggsy might be returning in a swap for Chris Lee, or is this pure fiction?
ORBITAL Ganja at 16:27:5 Monday May 17 99
Around 6:30
Bolton Cobbler at 16:26:26 Monday May 17 99
Re Turley, I think you'll find the club are playing Griggs at his own game of wind up...and beating him...come on Diamonds 200000 nicker stump up you tight bastards!!!!
anon. at 16:24:55 Monday May 17 99
Met a player yesterday...I offered sympathy, he said they were in recovery. He did say rumours rife amongst the players that Atkins will be sacked.Could this be true?
FIRESTARTER at 16:23:3 Monday May 17 99
YES MATE WHAT TIME?
Northampton Gas at 16:6:18 Monday May 17 99
Apparently the Cobblers have turned down Diamonds offer of £125k. They want £200+k - who are they trying to kid!!! The Gas have never paid for a goalie for over 10 years, even Nigel Martin was a free as is their present goalie. I cannot believe the Cobblers are living in the real world - would you pay £200k for Turley? REMEMBER YOU HEARD THIS HERE FIRST.
ORBITAL Ganja at 15:46:8 Monday May 17 99
Firestarter, up for a game of footie tonight?
Sid at 15:39:40 Monday May 17 99
The Club have frozen season ticket prices, but for individual matchday tickets, they have gone up 50p a ticket. e.g. West Stand Upper tickets cost £14 now, and East Stand Adult costs £12. The released list should be out tomorrow.
FIRESTARTER at 15:25:19 Monday May 17 99
AND ORBITAL TOO RIGHT ABOUT THE EYE UPS WE WERE GETTING DOWN IN THE "LOUNGE" SO WE MIGHT PULL SOME OF THEM ON FRIDAY MATE NEVER KNOW.
FIRESTARTER at 15:22:19 Monday May 17 99
WHATS UP PEOPLE, THE COBBLERS WILL BOUNCE BACK NEXT SEASON AND BE CHAMPIONS OF D3 SO CHEER UP, ANY WAY ORBITAL FRIDAY AND SATURDAY I SHOULD BE ABLE TO GET HOLD OF SOME MONEY SO
johnny p at 15:18:13 Monday May 17 99
Chris lee on his way to Dimonds after talks to Talbot
johnny p at 15:14:35 Monday May 17 99
HEGGS is to come back after a bad time at Dimonds!!!!!
trust me i know.
ORBITAL Ganja at 15:14:2 Monday May 17 99
Cheers Ray
Ray at 15:11:28 Monday May 17 99
I would anticipate that the retained list will be released tomorrow or Wednesday.
ORBITAL Ganja at 14:32:49 Monday May 17 99
Does anyone know when the club are releasing details of who is staying and who is going?
Ray at 13:44:31 Monday May 17 99
It has been reported that a £125K bid has been made by Rubbish & Dire.
'keeper supporter at 11:58:47 Monday May 17 99
Any more news on Billy?
ORBITAL Ganja at 11:17:8 Monday May 17 99
PS Specified not specifired
ORBITAL Ganja at 11:16:24 Monday May 17 99
dyl, I don't have an e-mail address specifired on the UNI computers. So you will have to come into the computer centre and go into the computer suite behind the reception. Or put a note on my car. You will know me as I will have my cobblers jacket on.
Ray at 11:7:37 Monday May 17 99
Come on u Gills!
Andy C at 11:0:33 Monday May 17 99
PS Thanks for all the comments about ticket priority etc. Hopefully GFC will have the chance to get it right for Wembley...
Andy C at 10:58:35 Monday May 17 99
Nosey Parker, perhaps the reason Atkins wouldn't sell Seal to Oldham was that he feared the prospect of Seal's goals keeping the Latics up at Northampton's expense. Also, this Freecall thing sounds dodgy to me: if you have to give other people's names it could well be some kind of pyramid selling scam with no product at the end of it.
ORBITAL Ganja at 10:33:46 Monday May 17 99
Ah 4 weeks of work experience and weekends off. Thanks for some of the support about the Brunette, but all I can say is if she wasn't prepared to give it a chance it's up to her (and her protective mate).
Still though good news reached me on friday that a V Tasty mate has just dumped her boyfriend, so I may have to move in for the kill. Plus the some of the looks I was getting in 'The Lounge' (A Club for you non-technoheads) suggest that I may not be without love for long.
Hartwell Cobbler at 9:2:33 Monday May 17 99
Just got back from Spain to the reality of div 3 football next season. To be honest, and in reflection, I think we played like a relegation outfit for much of the season and that - despite all Atkins bleatings, moanings and excuses - the table doesn't lie. Atkins is the manager and must take full responsibility. His tactics remain dull and one-dimensional and clearly he is not a born leader or motivator. These facts, I believe, have been a major contributor to such a poor season. Injuries are a red herring. He's been allowed to buy player after player to replace those injured and in many respects his judgement has, to say the least, been poor. In doing so he's spent all the cash resources at the club's disposal and left us with a top-heavy squad containing too many journeymen players and an enormous wage bill. Unfortunately it will be the better players who are likely to depart. Much is (rightly) being made of who will be retained. But to my mind Atkins should head the list of departures. For all the good he's done in the past, it's clearly time for a new face and a new approach. One thing does please me - the board's decsion to freeze next season's ticket prices. At one time they were threatening to put them up wether we remained in Div 2 or not. I think they have made a sensible decsion.
Hot off the press at 7:22:38 Monday May 17 99
Rubbish & Dim-ones have offered approx £125k for Billy Turley
Robert Dunkley at 0:30:15 Monday May 17 99
I just have this feeking that Seal and Warner are just waiting to rub Atkins face into the mud. Imagine if they both join Boro scum!
Next season will be interesting, let's hope Hendon gets another Third Division medal. I think that if Hunter and Matthew are both fit we will have a good midfield
|I think Atkins shoudl be saying we missed Matthew and Hunter more than anyone else especially Bilko
Mate of Mr Pish at 23:17:14 Sunday May 16 99
Peterborough are gay!!!
Yogi Bear at 23:11:51 Sunday May 16 99
At last someone alse being sensible - Yes ANGRY I agree with your comments but at the stiffs last monday (behind closed dooor) I was there. So were some other scouts and managers. We'll be lucky if Mickey Warner stays. Seal has already lined up another club and he had at least three clubs after his signature. Francis was only here short term and he's gone. Greenacre went back before last mondays reserve fixture. There was the possibility of another brummie blue coming but other culbs including posh are also sniffing round him as well.
Ray at 22:56:2 Sunday May 16 99
Actually I haven't had any spam......had a bit of luncheon meat though.
Angry at 21:37:31 Sunday May 16 99
I think that out of the four or five names almost everyone has said they think will be released, three will be kept. Why? Because Ian Atkins is joined at the hip to Paul Wilkinson and Dean Peer and Chris Lee has his head so far up Atkins' khyber he needs an aqualung. I think that Peer should be let go because this season he has summed up the Cobblers - slow, awkward, occasionally excellent but otherwise very mediocre. Wilkinson could maybe have a role here as assistant manager if Kevin Wilson leaves but on reduced wages and we may as well offer Chris Lee a year's contract to prove himself and if he fails we could ship him out. Seal and Francis haven't really done well this season and they should be shown the door. I don't think we really need a striker seeing as we already have Carlo, Steve Howard, Kevin Wilson (assuming he stays), Chris Lee and Andy Morrow. Jamie Forrester would be a good buy but I think we'd need to sell a player first to avoid upsetting the balance. So, if I was Barry Stonhill I'd do this: Keep Mickey Warner, Colin Hill, Chris Lee and Wilson and let the rest of the players out of contract leave. I would also pay off Wilkinson's contract up front because then we'd be rid of him forever and Ian Atkins wouldn't be tempted to play him. Ever. I would also transfer list Richard Hope, Duncan Spedding, James Hunt and Sean Parrish to reduce the squad and trim the wage bill. I would also force Yan Brummiekins to buy Jimmy Glass and play him upfront with Carlo. Let's face it, he's more prolific than most of the others put together...
Yogi Bear at 20:52:2 Sunday May 16 99
I can't see how some people can hype over who's going - Savage is mentioned earlier but he's still got a contract for next season. So has Carlo and Atkins rates Chris Lee so he won't be going unless its for money.Why keep speculating look at the real prospects, those without contracts - Wilkinson. Wilson. Clarkson. Hill. s for new singings Atko's looking for a keeper he's tried out two different ones in the last two reserve matches, but which one will he take ?
Spam-hating Cobbler at 20:26:21 Sunday May 16 99
Hey Ray / Sid. Has the 'spam' started arriving from Freecall yet ! Hahahaha .... trust a pair of Cobblers believe in a pile of sh*t.
Seen the light Cobbler at 20:22:56 Sunday May 16 99
What ?? We've been relegated ?? Aw sh*t !! That does it, I'm off to watch some decent football at the Posh next season
Stupid Cobbler at 20:20:43 Sunday May 16 99
We can still do it. We can stay up. We MUST stay up. COME ON YOU MIGHTY COBBS!
David Nikel at 19:21:38 Sunday May 16 99
POSH are just worried cos they know we're gonna take six points off em'
NTFC at 17:56:3 Sunday May 16 99
All of the 2 year YTS have been released !!! apart from Brad Piercewright has has a 3 month contract
CHOPPER T MR ANGRY at 16:42:54 Sunday May 16 99
HOW YOU DOING MICHAEL D. AND YOUR BROTHER MARK! TO MR POSH AND ALL YOU OTHER BORO CLOWNS!! STOP ABUSING THE COBBLERS WEB SITE WITH ALL YOUR BOREING CHAT, AND MAKE YOUR OWN SITE WHICH YOU PROBABLY HAVEN'T GOT, COS YOUR SAD GITS! AND PREPARE FOR A BEATING ON AND OFF THE PITCH. PS HAVE YOU EVER BEEN TO WEMBLEY!!!! TO ALL OTHER COBBLERS FANS, LETS ALL BUY A SEASON TICKET NEXT YEAR COS WE ARE THE B E S T AND NOT ALL TURN INTO PLASTIC MAN U FANS JUST BECAUSE THEY WIN EVERYTHING. COBBLERS FOREVER!!!!
Sid at 15:7:59 Sunday May 16 99
I am still not convinced about the 4-4-2. The tpye of players we have may suit the formation, but from what I have seen it's not very good. The central midifeld seems weak, but has anyone noticed about when Atkins plays a 4-4-2?? He seems to think the back four is 4 centre backs. This is why i dont favour him playing this IF he carries on with 4 centre back tactics.
Robert Dunkley at 13:3:17 Sunday May 16 99
Chris Lee IS NOT A FREE AGENT, mercifua=lly he is under 24, therefore if he does not agree a new contract, and someone wants him they will have to got to a tribunal, you never know if they do the average of offer and Atkins valuation, we might get £300,000.
Speaking about strikers we coudl do a lot worse than signing Gerry Creany, who has finished a contract at Notts County.
Morthampton Gas, Savage will stay a Cobbler, unless you have at least £400,000 to spare, Savage probably only cost £80,000 as he may have been out of contract this summer with Millwall.
Maybe we could get someone to say that Wilko should retire, I would rather see Lee ahead of Wilko. We must play a 4-4-2, do you understand Atkins and play our younger players, like Cambridge
Sid at 12:34:51 Sunday May 16 99
I think everyone is being really negative here. I don't think the club are looking to sell anyone. Everyone seems to be worried about the shortfall, but i still think they meant the 400k would be lost over the SEASON. This only meant trimming the suqad and possibly selling one other player, if any at all. I think the clubs financial situation is strong. And I VERY MUCH DOUBT that Hendon and Savage will leave, Hendon especially because he has just arrived for £25k.
Corazzin wants to stay (or thats the impression i get) and Warner, well, he could be on his way, but dont be surprised if he doesn't go. As i said, my four to leave are Wilko, Seal, Francis and Clarkson, with possibly Peer, aswell. RALPH, (sorry about the caps, just grabbing your attention) I suspect Monday or Tuesday the list will be out. (thats the impression I got off the club when i e-mailed them)
If we do get rid of the obvious choices, then i feel a Quality Keeper and a Top class striker (e.g. Jamie Forrester) should be brought in. I feel the squad is very strong anyway, so only the weaker positions need to be thought about.
Sid at 12:27:4 Sunday May 16 99
I have had some news on the FreeCall thing. Be careful, it may be a scam.
Luton Cobbler at 11:44:59 Sunday May 16 99
Eternal Optimist - I hear Atkins is looking at two young prospects called Matthews and Finney, although he's doubtful as to wether they're old enough, experienced enough or tall enough. Probably best to let them mature a bit first (also know as rotting in the reserves).
Eternal Optimist at 11:37:59 Sunday May 16 99
Anyone got any ideas who Atkins was referring to when he said he had his eye on 2 to bring into the squad?
Ralph at 11:29:15 Sunday May 16 99
Well I hope the retained list IS published Monday to put all the speculation behind us. The game is all about opinion and it seems Peer and Wilkinson are at the top of most people's list. I wonder how much time is left for Sammo?
Nosey Parker at 11:25:45 Sunday May 16 99
I told you weeks ago about Oldham offering £35.000 for Seal and it was turned down ...now he goes for bugger all!! Next is Chris Lee who Q.P.R. offered £50.000 for and was turned down and he will be on a free in a couple of weeks? Nice business sense Atkins?
Is this a dream at 11:25:16 Sunday May 16 99
Warburton back as player coach. Surely that can't be true! Watch this space.........................
Ray at 10:45:59 Sunday May 16 99
You have to be sad to stay up until 2:30 to come out with such wit.
Ian at 2:33:47 Sunday May 16 99
Gutted you wankers, you're going back where you belong. I expect we'll never play you again. Shame! I hope you keep Atkins, he's done a great job. BRISTOL ROVERS FOREVER!!!! Keep it blue!
Anon at 1:12:50 Sunday May 16 99
I have a feeling Peer will stay, as he is Atkins' brother-in-law.
Northampton Gas at 0:59:48 Sunday May 16 99
Regarding retained list. It would not suprise me if several players are given free transfers and the REST of the squad are open to any offers. I cannot see how you can cover a £400k shortfall by getting rid of players, EVEN the Cobblers do not rate. Do not be surprised if the Gas offer to releive you of at least one player - come in Lilly your time is up at 6fields.
Northampton Gas at 0:55:5 Sunday May 16 99
Been away for a few days, but notice the comments regarding Freecall. I would treat this service with some caution, nobody knows who this company is or where they are registered. There is a strong feeling that the company is mearly inviting customers for other companies to send out trash mail. I think people would be better off trying Tempo, although you have to transfer your BT account to another company to receive the free phone calls to the internet over the weekends and at night on weekdays. Just trying to be helpful - as always *s*
Pendragon at 0:18:48 Sunday May 16 99
You're right Cobblers Last - The fans deserve something in the form of a statement of intent from the Club when the retained list is announced. If that statement is that flair players must go to balance the books then that means that the Board have gambled all in the fight for survival and have not considered the possibility of relegation (which has been looming almost all season). That makes them culpable as the fans have know for a long time that Atkins is pants. If Peer & Wilkinson stay and any combination of Hunt,Carlo,Hendon & Savage go, then we will be facing mid-table mediocrity at best. There are 2 names at the top of the clear-out list and they are Atkins & Wilkinson.
Sid at 0:15:29 Sunday May 16 99
I don't think Hendon or Savage will be candidates, He doesn't usually sell players that quickly. He will stay with the 5-3-2, but the problem with this is he doesn't get men up the wings enough. I remember one game where he told the full backs (who were Gibb and Frain) to push up as much as possible, and from the off it was superb to watch. Now if he does this when needed i have no problem with the 5-3-2, but i have not been convinced that the 4-4-2 works yet, because when it has been played, we have had big trouble in the midfield.
From the Cobbler's Last at 23:32:27 Saturday May 15 99
The retained list is out soon and I fear some transfer releases as well as some expected clearouts. I predict that Clarkson and Wilson will stay. Hill will go for disagreeing with Atkins, so too will Warner (big mistake but why should Atkins keep him - he won't accept he has ability), Francis will go as he was only here for cover anyway.
Peer will stay because Atkins won't part with him (another big mistake as he is well past his best before date and offers no future). I fear that transfers may be on for key players as the finances are crucial if we believe Stonhill. Savage, Carlo, Hunt, Hendon are all candidates as they will fetch good money. Lee will stay as Atkins is still one of his few fans. I doubt Wilkinson will go on the list as Atkins is convinced he is the target man to solve out problems. Next problem, there is little sign that Atkins will go and even if the board keep him, should we not have a statement from Atkins to say how he will approach next season? Are we finally going to adopt the 4-4-2 attacking option he keeps promising, or stick with the same old 5-3-2..... or get even more 'forward thinking' by going 8-1-1. If Atkins is staying, we need to know and we need to know how he will approach the new campaign. UP THE COBBLERS!!!!!!
Finbar Saunders at 22:48:2 Saturday May 15 99
Back headline in today's Chron reads "WOODY FEELS FOR COBBLERS" Ower! fner! fner!
ColUMan at 21:53:25 Saturday May 15 99
Well well. Atkins carefully guides you to the playoffs then back to D3. You really should get shot of him 'cause he's pants. He was pants, with Colchester and he's still pants with you. Never mind sunny Rochdale for you! HA HA HA HA HA!!!!
Anon at 21:3:13 Saturday May 15 99
I remember sloshing down the ale in Chevy's afterwards to the oft repeated tune of 'cheer up Barry Fry' and 'Wemberleee, Wemberleee' etc. etc. The sight of the Gas fans sitting shell-shocked (I was in West Stand seat 10ish) as we gate crashed their party in style is still etched in the memory. The 2nd half was totally awesome. The atmos in Chevy's this season has been flat with few drinkers, funnily enough, the best night (apart from W.Ham) was after the last game! We can re-live those play-off days again - I want the queue at the bar for beer in Chevy's to be as it was, a real pain to get served because the place was full of deliriously happy Cobblers. UP THE TOWN.
Norwich Cobbler at 20:35:24 Saturday May 15 99
OK everybody its just 12 months since we were staring Div.1 in the face - now we're back in Div.3 I think its about time that we cheered ourselves up with a bit of reminiscing of that wonderful match against the Gas.I can remember an atmosphere of nervousness but a belief that we could do the business -fair play to Atkins he talked a good fight in the lead up to that match and really wound the crowd up.
Did everbody leave the match that night with a sore throat?It was only lots of post match beer that helped to soothe it!
The first goal from Heggs set the pattern for the night the feeling was then that we were going to win -the supporters were up for it and so were the team.But still an incredibly nervous half time.Out for the seocond half and that sublime bit of Johann Cruyff skill from Heggs to cross the ball for Clarky - GOAAAALLLLL!!!!
And of course the mighty one to wrap it all up - Razor!!!!
The celebrations afterwards were something else - did we all have the feeling that we were unstoppable?Div.1 was just 90 mins.away with the prospect of Birmingham,Wolves,Sunderland,WBA and Ipswich coming to little Sixfields.My own cherished dream was to watch the mighty Cobblers at Carrow Road.Sadly that has been put off a few years.
How would we have done in Div.1 - there were rumours of big money coming in if we got up -didn't do Bristol City any good did it?
Wonderful memories though of a wonderful period in our history.A history that clubs like Rochdale and S**tborough would kill for.
Lets here some more memories of that great night and cheer ourselves up for the assault onthe 3rd Div.You never know we might just do it again!
Up the Cobblers!!!
Slim Shady at 20:25:7 Saturday May 15 99
Message to Ian Atkins: Sell Carlo Corrazin and your dead! (Not a real death threat)
West Haddon FC at 19:21:24 Saturday May 15 99
http://nip.to/whfc
David Nikel at 19:2:44 Saturday May 15 99
SID, I've had an e-mail back from freecall, they say I'll get my a/c details in a "few weeks". Hmm....
Pendragon at 18:52:29 Saturday May 15 99
Wilkinson has 12 more months and is one of the top 2 paid players at the club (per last night's Chron). If we put him up for a free do you really see any takers? He would have to take a massive wage cut to go to another club and he won't jack (Atkins hasn't). Giving a player 2 years at that age was a major misjudgement by Atkins & the Board. It wasn't as if he was playing well at Milwall and they must have been laughing up their sleeves when Atkins came calling!! I am also unable to fathom why a number of people are so anti Steve Howard. OK he hasn't scored yet but he hasn't played all that many games for us and our front line have certainly looked stronger since his arrival (8 goals in 3 at home). I would prefer to see Ali being the young player going to R & D with us offering a contract to Warner AND actually playing him. It seems that we are stuck with Atkins and this is the first mistake of the new campaign.
Robert Dunkley at 18:15:16 Saturday May 15 99
Sid, Warner is 25 and therefore can go on a Bosman. Mickey is lucky as he has a degree and I would suspect that if he does not get a new club/ contract he may well move into work in business as he has a business studies degree and he would move into non-league circles. This is a waste as he should be held up as a good example, he put off his career to go to Uni, and played non-league whilst he did thta.
Indeed he played with Atkins at Redditch United. However, if someone comes in for Gibb, who knows.
Chris Lee though is not entitled to a Bosman. I would suspect that he is in Atkins plans, remember 96/7; Chris still could be a star.
Robert D at 18:9:54 Saturday May 15 99
Rushden are launching their own ISP for Diamond Club Members and have signed MArk Peters on a free from Mansfield
Bez at 17:5:59 Saturday May 15 99
If selling James Hunt means that we can keep Carlo then I reckon that is what we should do. No disrespect to Hunt but in the 3rd Division we can only really afford a squad of 20-23 tops. This basically means 2 players for each position. So for instance we need a new goalkeeper and also need to get rid of a number of 'strikers' or wastes of space as they've mainly been this season. Of the players we MUST keep if we are to go back up next season Tony Dobson, Ian Hendon, Carlo Corazzin, Ian Sampson, Dave Savage, John Frain, Roy Hunter, Lee Howey and (even if he is unpopular) Steve Howard are essential. We need a new goalie that is certain Francis is not up 2 much anymore he should be replaced by Jimmy Glass who will cost £50000. Lee must go he is not a league standard footballer, Warner should leave for his own good as he is too good to spend his career as an understudy to a player younger and less talented in Gibb. Seal and Hill have upset Atkins so will go, Wilkinson is awful and also should leave. The other signing to be made is one I have harped on about for years Chris Allen a quick, skilfull, LEFT SIDED crosser of the ball AND available on a free from Port Vale. Peer should stay he is valuable as a ball winner and comedy value has to be remebered as we are a 3rd Division side again.
Judge Pickles at 15:57:52 Saturday May 15 99
It is James Hunt R&D are after - they also have had the nervr to suggest a reduction in the fee (originally around £130,000) if we take Heggs back.
Sid at 15:42:37 Saturday May 15 99
Ray, have you got an e-mail back from FreeCall yet?
Sid at 15:41:31 Saturday May 15 99
My View is that Francis and Wilkinson seems definites to leave, then it will be Seal, Clarkson and Peer. HOWARD and SAVAGE will stay. Michael Warner is the young player that will move. If he does, for himself, it will be a big mistake. I dont think it will be for money. (is Warner out of contract?) I feel Hill may stay and Carlo is looking to fulfil his contract, so i hope he stays.
Ray at 15:23:23 Saturday May 15 99
Well if Carlo does go, this will be the third season running we will have lost our previous season's top scorer.
Ray at 15:22:15 Saturday May 15 99
Thanks Sid... just one more needed.....
Eastander at 14:59:1 Saturday May 15 99
Who is it R&D are after trying to read between the lines its a young player obviously under contract who might attract a six figure sum, the only player that springs to mind is Andy Morrow who has undoubted talent and who may be worth much more if he continues to progress, I hope its not cause I feel he will be a real assett next season if he`s given a chance in the first team.As for the retained list Wilkinson must go, even my aged mother in law is faster than him and I wouldn`t give her £2K a week. At £3K a week Carlo must be put on the list or his contract re-negotiated. Seal will go because Atkins hates him. Hill will go because he`s too much of a threat to Atkins. Peer should go cause he`s crap. Warner will probably go so we can keep Savage and we`re well covered for midfielders once Hunters fit. I can`t see a place for both Hendon and Clarkson but Clarkson comes from Brum so thats a difficult one to call, and finally a couple of less known reserve players will also be released.
Sid at 14:51:42 Saturday May 15 99
Ray, I have used your name for the FreeCall thing.
Ray at 14:0:59 Saturday May 15 99
See a master at work? Whos going to be there then? :-)
TRB Mark at 13:33:7 Saturday May 15 99
Yup!!! Just think, this time last year and the year before we had the play-offs to look forwards too. In 96 we had Euro 96 so this summer is going to be the most football free zone -ever! Well, since 95. Still,I may get some work done and believe it or not, I amalready working on Christmas cards. If any Cobblers fans want to come and see a master at work, then come to my exhibition at Rushden Hall, 9-6.00pm. Details on my website http://www.pacan.com. Thanks for the plug Ray! (and you now know what to do next Saturday!)
Ray at 11:8:9 Saturday May 15 99
Is it just me or are Saturdays REALLY boring?
Ray at 11:7:39 Saturday May 15 99
Thanks David and Pendragon. I'll let everyone know if it works when I get another couple of people.
David Nikel at 11:0:40 Saturday May 15 99
Ray, thanks for the info, I have used your name as my referrer at freecall
YOGI bEAR at 1:9:56 Saturday May 15 99
There's always someone slagging some player off. I'm reminded of the bloke on the hotel end who took great pleasure in slagging Mickey Bell off, and we got money for him. Leave the players and manager alone. Lets wait to see what happens in the first half of this season. The past is history, lets hope we can regroup and advance again.
gammon at 0:8:14 Saturday May 15 99
If Norwich Cobbler is right, I find it amazing that so any players are so anti Atkins, after all he signed practically all of them. They should have known what sort of regime they are joining. Obviously the atmosphere at any relegated is going to be tense to say the least, but if we, as supporters (in general), and the board, seem to be prepared to unite with Atkins for the first part of next season, the last thing we want is players to undermine it.
Pendragon at 0:5:54 Saturday May 15 99
Ray, I have mentioned your name re: freecall. Thanks.
From the Cobbler's Last at 23:34:4 Friday May 14 99
Interesting debate the fate of Atkins. Will he go or stay. I say GO. UP THE COBBLERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ray at 23:25:16 Friday May 14 99
There is a new scheme to allow you to acces the Internet with a freephone number. All you have to do is trot along to http://www.freecall-uk.com/ and sign up. Could the first 4 people to use my name please indicate here so someone else can have the benefit of other people signing. Thanks.
Norwich Cobbler at 22:23:39 Friday May 14 99
SBJ- No it was'nt me at the Burnley game -I had decided to make Colchester the last game of the season knowing what may happen.I didn't want to subject my 10 year daughter to relegation at first hand.So we had the tears in front of the TV instead.Anyway I thought my claim to fame was that I was the only NTFC supporter in Norwich is there anybody else?
I had a very interesting chat recently with a person who sees what happens at Sixfields at close quarters;Atkins is hated by most of the players and by a sizeable number of the back room staff,apparently there is a queue to 'stick one on him'.The players have lost the togetherness of previous seasons and now go out in cliques rather than as a large group.Definates to leave - Seal,Warner and Lee.Hodgson may be back but a quote attributed to him of "I'm a far better player than Ray Warburton" does not endear him to me.Speaking of the almighty one he's watched a few of our games recently and may be tempted back in the near future but only if Atkins has gone.Atkins man management skills appear to depend on him shouting at players and if anyone crosses him they are dropped -in some cases permanently i.e Seal!The atmosphere from this account is pretty bad but emanates from just one man - Atkins.He should be given until Xmas and if we are not in pole position by then for promotion he must go.It all left me feeling extremely worried for the future of NTFC.TCMP please make sure you stand up for us fans.
UP THE COBBLERS!!!
Cobblers Barmy at 21:58:53 Friday May 14 99
Anyone been to the Div 3 Message board yet? Plenty of banter and general slagging off .... plus loads of cobblers messages ... leave your messages and make it a Cobblers zone.
www.insidetheweb.com/messageboard/mbs.cgi?acct=mbmb98653
Pendragon at 21:16:3 Friday May 14 99
Gaz - true - and if you are an away fan then unfortunately the club doesn't get any money from you - the Premier League saw to that. I'm not saying that the voucher system is perfect, and would never suggest that one fan is more 'loyal' than another. I'm only trying to respond to Andy C's comments of earlier re the Gillingham fiasco and what they could introduce for the future. Any allocation system will discriminate against someone but I reckon the voucher system is probably as fair as we could get to. Unless someone knows different? ps didn't mean to post previous message as Anon.
anon(again) at 21:6:40 Friday May 14 99
gaz, I cant agree with you. I dont live in Nothampton any more, so this means I only get to about 10 or so games a season. Although it takes a lot of effort to get to the games it was my choice to move, so I can't complain when others get tickets to the big games - it was my choice to leave. If I still lived in town and an outsider got a ticket over me I would be seriously pissed off. Anyway dont forget the club dont benefit financially from away ticket sales (I think). One consolation though, The Cobblers got the same number of points away from home as they did at Sixfields, so it must say something for our "away" support!
Tash at 17:48:35 Friday May 14 99
I hope that next season Ian Atkins gets rid of
Dean peer,Ali Gibb,Paul Wilkinson(DEFINITELY),
David seal,Chris Lee,Steven Howard(UNLIKELY)
and himself.We need to get a new manager ,
new season and new players.
James Bond at 17:46:19 Friday May 14 99
Don't say I told you but the "spies" page is currently at http://jya.com/mi6-list.htm
gaz at 17:22:53 Friday May 14 99
Anon-- like Phil A I have been in the position of not being a valued supporter due to living hundreds of miles from home. In 1997/8 I went to 16 away games and 5 home. this meant that I was at the back of the queue for play-off tickets, yet if you clocked up how much I spent on ticket and travel I spent way more than most 'home games only' fans. i would have loved to have pumped more of my cash into the club, but when a home game costs nearly 40 quid to get to you have to be realistic. Much is made of our fantastic away support, but if you are predominantly an away fan you don't get any tangible sign of thanks from the club.
NTFCam at 17:8:56 Friday May 14 99
Stonehill mountain goes to Mohammed?? Friday 14th, 12.40pm - seen from no.74 bus: Stonehill and Hancock outside Harrods carrying large swag-bags. What goodies have they in store for us?
MooseMan at 17:0:46 Friday May 14 99
RE : Stan the Exile - Put a statue up of yourself
James at 16:35:0 Friday May 14 99
Please could you all put where you live after your name, so i can try and get in touch with someone that lives near me,Thankyou
For example:James(oxford)
Lindsey Blason at 16:28:48 Friday May 14 99
Let's hope Dean Peer is not around next season to give the ball away in mid-field!
Anon at 16:19:38 Friday May 14 99
Good point Phil - but I suppose the line has to be drawn somewhere and the club will construe 'loyalty' as how much a person spends through the turnstiles (at home) to expand the coffers. There was no discrimination over the face-value of the tickets (West/North/East) unless special offers (kid's a quid) were excluded.
james at 16:10:56 Friday May 14 99
do any of you cobblers fans live around oxford if so let me know!!1(please!)
phil a at 16:5:42 Friday May 14 99
I think it's a bit harsh on us exiles to say that all true supporters go to the home games to get the vouchers. Some of us live a fair way away, have to use public transport, work until it's impossible to get to night games in time or work some weekends (or all four in my case). That makes it inefficient to buy a season ticket as I'm not going to see enough games to make it worthwhile. Straight away that puts you to the back of the queue for big-game tickets (no safari jokes please). I saw us away more than at home this season. And I don't think you could say that someone who e.g. travelled a couple of hours to 10 home games and half the away games in any given season was less committed than someone who drove 10 mins from Duston for all the home games. And surely the people stuck at work staring agonisingly at the internet/teletext, boring their mates to death (so I'm told) with Cobblers talk are just as true fans as those whose lifestyles make it easier for them to get to games. Gotta go, my soapbox is creaking under me. Or is it the Conference trapdoor creaking under Mr Posh and his pals?
PS don't forget to mail your top 10 all-time cobblers to ntfcfame@excite.com and vote in the manager poll at www.angelfire.com/co/bblers Cheers all.
Andy C at 15:35:39 Friday May 14 99
James. What's happening couldn't be described as enlarging, more upgrading. The main stand and Rainham End (the covered end for those who know Priestfield) are being replaced to bring us up to League requirements. I think we might end up with a slightly larger capacity - by using up spare room either side of the current main stand - but not much. And in the meantime we'll be down to around 5,500-6,000, which is significantly less than our average gate this season.
Andy C at 15:29:51 Friday May 14 99
Paul Scally said he expected season ticket holders to know other regular fans and get them tickets with their extra allocation. This is unusual naivety, to say the least. "Loyal supporters" tend to be self-defined but I'd suggest you could find a common pattern: people who attend more than half the home games in a season, or those who attend fewer but not through choice (eg distance, work/family commitments, money); many of these would also fall into the category of those who went to Carlisle on wet Tuesdays in the early 90s, or who saw every away game in the 18 months we didn't win on our travels.
Of course, anyone can boast, falsely or genuinely; I agree that we need some kind of check and as our matchday programme is so poor most people don't even bother to buy that.
James at 15:29:20 Friday May 14 99
Andy C, what do you mean about half our ground being knocked down in the summer?, is it being largened( i doubt it!),Also are there any cobblers fans out there from oxford if so let me know!!!1
Pendragon at 15:26:2 Friday May 14 99
What I failed to mention is that on the reverse of our 'vouchers' is usually a voucher for 2 Whopper meals for the price of one! I guess many young (and older) supporters have had a dilemma with this. Play off or scoff....that's the question.
Stan the Exile at 15:21:36 Friday May 14 99
TRB Mark, thank goodness someone agrees with me about the poxy stars and stripes kit. I've just received my '67 replica shirt from TOFFS and it is just like the strip the immortal ones used to wear and it's cheaper than the poxy crimplene official shirts. Can we all start a petition to get back to the original strip? On a different note, when I win the lottery I'm going to buy the cobblers. Can I have (sensible and printable) suggestions as to the first things I ought to do when I take up residence at Sixfields?
Andy C at 15:12:13 Friday May 14 99
Thanks for the info, again. I'm not sure what the situation is with ticket stubs - whether we even issue tickets for pay on the day people. With half our ground being demolished in the summer, we're hoping the chairman will realise the need to make proper provision for the loyal supporters.
TRB Mark at 15:5:25 Friday May 14 99
Dartford Cobbler. The thrust of my last peice (which I'm sorry if I did not make it clear) was that the fans and players , acknowledge we did not perform well enough on a game by game basis. The other problems exacerbated, but were not the sole reason for our relegation. I would like to hear IA say the same. But at the risk of breaking the nucleus of a good squad up, and with more adventurous tactics (and I agrre with all that you said in that respect) we are capable of returning to Div 2 quickly. My caution was against expectations being too high. Ther quickest out of the trap is not always first across the line, just ask Stoke. I was trying to make the point that we could be in the bottom third in October and still go up as Champions. We, the fans have been amazingly patient but if the boat gets rocked too early, then I think it will be to the detriment of the rest of the season. I may be wrong, and I enjoy the brinkmanship of it all, and you may be right that we should bin IA close season. Maybe we could meet back here at Christmas and either one of us say "I told you so!" And if I'm right , I will expect you to purchase 1,000 Cobblers Christmas cards!...........
Andy C, is you chairman that ex Mill wall geezer, Scally? If so, he is a tosser for what he has done to Gills fans. Gillingham are alot like Northampton in terms of our respective histories and to treat a large hard core of fans withsuch contempt is disgusting. There were a few moans here, especially in respect of the Worthington tie against Spurs but I think this was down to poor planning rather than a deliberate disrespect of the fans. Say what you like about barry Stonhill and Co but I feel they at least listen to the fans , even if, for whatever reason they don't do exactly what we want. Hence we have frozen season ticket prices (and I shall be re-newing mine) for next season and a climb down a while back over a proposed price hike.
Anon at 14:41:52 Friday May 14 99
Andy C. How can a someone prove they are loyal supporters withour tangible evidence of going to games i.e. receipts?
Yogi Bear at 14:40:50 Friday May 14 99
Just read todays C&E - and they're only guessing the same as everyone else. They reckon the Rusty Dim Ones are after one of our young players ????? Who ????? doesn't say. Wilkinson is on his way - YES good news at last. Is Carlo on the market ? perhaps but the club are keeping quiet at the moment as he still has 12 months of his contract left. Finally could Clarkson be on his way ? Here endeth today spectulations as derevied by Andy Roberts & Co.
MooseMan at 14:31:52 Friday May 14 99
Thank you all for tolerating my spelling - my brain can't keep up with my body - just like Dean Peer.
Anon at 14:0:46 Friday May 14 99
Larry Grayson`s comin` backto haunt ya !!!
Seeyou next season..........Cheltenham Town,,,,,,
MooseMan at 13:58:58 Friday May 14 99
Give Howard a chance. I personally believe he can do a good job next year and when you compare him to our targetman - Wilkinson -then there can be no comparison. But we should open a book as to whether he will score or get sent off first. What are people's opinions on John Gayle ?- I thought he was pants, others amonst the moosemans friends think we missed him all season. Thanks Phil A for noticing the Monets - I thought I had got away with that but we did finish bottom the following season after Shrewsbury. I do believe we scored more goals in that season - and probably every toher season - than we did in 98/9. Weirdo Beardo is available - llets get him..
Dartford Cobbler at 13:56:46 Friday May 14 99
Andy C - Good Luck in play-offs. you,ve had a great season even managing to drop 3 points at home to the mighty town.
Dartford Cobbler at 13:54:32 Friday May 14 99
I am upset as the next cobbler that we are relegated, but I cannot agree with all the moaning of referees, injuries, freak results and the Oldham/Stoke game. These are just the excuses that IA kept ranting on about. We have gone down solely on the back of our own performance throughout the season. Yes we did play well in a couple of games but never enough. I agree that our squad is the best we have had for years but all too often the footballing talent needed remained either on the bench or in the reserves. We lacked the confidence all season to put together any consistant run due to the negative tactics (all back for corners, failing to defend 1 goal leads when we should kill-off the opposition etc) and have paid the ultimate price. Opposition fans have constantly bemoaned our style of play and if we were honest we have to agree. As much as I love the cobblers and want them to win I also want them to win in style. Ask yourselves do we want this to continue.
IA took over in desperate times and did a great job to turn the club around and for that we are all grateful. But his managerial skills are limited to a style of play which is not suited to long term sucess. Although down we are not now in desperate times and must build for the future. I do not believe we can achieve this with IA. TRB says wait until Christmas to see where we are. Why wait until half the season has been lost and if we do get promoted next season with IA do you honestly think he will suddenly discover the technical ability to prevent a repeat of last year because the board will not dismiss him in that scenario. He MUST go before the start of next season to give his successor the time to select his team.
Sorry to go on but we must stop blaming everyone else.
Finally good luck to Charlton on sunday.
Pendragon at 13:51:44 Friday May 14 99
P.S. I bought a season ticket to ensure a seat at Sixfields when we were promoted to Div. 1 this season!!!!! (But don't worry Barry S as I am going to renew it).
Pendragon at 13:47:22 Friday May 14 99
Andy, just to add to the comments below, the voucher system has worked extremely well, commenting as a person who benefitted for both play-off home leg and also the Leicester City F.A. Cup game (away) last season. The first time it was used it was not printed on the tickets or announced in advance (if my memory serves me correctly) but I did notice that it was printed on all tickets from then on. AutoWindshield tickets aslo counted . I have a season ticket this year but would imagine that the Club would have kept this up and loyal fans would have again benefitted for the W.Ham & Spurs games. Well done COBBLERS!
Carl at 13:16:35 Friday May 14 99
Ray, is the web tracker thingy supposed to be a link just under the visitor number box, if so it's quite interesting where everyone comes from, if not errrr.
Paul S at 12:55:51 Friday May 14 99
Andy & Ray - it was sort of announce in advance - I think it was on the Monday after the first game that counted. I have to say it all went quite well and I didn't hear any complaints.
Ray at 12:44:41 Friday May 14 99
Andy - the attitude of your Chairman is diabolical. The way it worked here (the second time I hasten to add as the first was a fiasco) was that season ticket holders had first pick - but only one per seat, next in line were people with stubs for the previous 8 games. I'm not sure if this was announced in advance or if it was actually printed on the stubs - being a season ticket holder I never actually saw any. I certainly don't remember any announcement.
PHIL at 12:32:17 Friday May 14 99
PLAYERS I THINK SHOULD BE RELEASED : WILKINSON,GIBB,PEER,HOWARD(i no it wont happen),LEE,FRANCIS,HOPE,
Jacks at 10:19:20 Friday May 14 99
Re: the comments on Clarkson =- he might 'aspire' to play in a higher division - who wouldn't???? Whether he is up to it - I doubt. MUST hang onto Savage.
Andy C at 10:9:22 Friday May 14 99
Thanks Nat. Were these ticket stubs from ordinary games? Were fans warned in advance that they might need to keep them (rather than tear them up and throw them in the air when the teams came out!)? Our season tickets holders were allowed to buy four each, not necessarily their normal seats either, and the rest went on general sale - before the advertised time, so people who turned up at the right time were at a disadvantage. No attempt to reward those who've been to a lot of games or whatever. Our chairman has admitted his only concern was to sell all the tickets as quickly as possible. Not surprisingly, some of our loyal supporters are a bit fed up.
TRB Mark at 10:8:26 Friday May 14 99
Mr Mooseman has beaten me to a point I was going to make re our Champions elect tag. We all agree that player for player, we have the best squad for ages but the parts obviously don't equal the sum of the whole, otherwise we would still be in Div 2. If we go into next seasons campaign with the mentality that we are too good to be in Div 3, then we will be in for a rude awakening. No-one is going to make way for mighty Northampton and we wer'nt exactly all conquering before we got out of it and I can't see our style of play being too different before promotion. I am prepared to give IA until Christmas to prove that he has the nous to guide us into a reasonable position. On the other hand, we should all keep our heads if for instanace we are in the bottom third come end of October.
As the season unfurled, we have had cause to bemoan our "luck". Poor goalkeeping , poor team selections and injuries cost us dear. Topped of with some freak results (who would have thought that Wycombe would beat Man City away?) diabolical reffing and our rivals playing reserve teams put the tin hat on it. I can only think of two goal threatening incidents that went our way. But as we have debated thesae various points, both here and in the email group, at seasons end, everyone and including the players, have said that basically, we threw away points when we should have won and you have to judge the WHOLE season. The home game defeat v Macclesfield was no-ones fault but our own. The point I want to make is I've yet to hear our manager take a overview of the season and instead he is still bemoaning ref's injuries, small squad and wrong planentary positions,. I personally blame the starry shirts and Clarence.
Ray at 9:50:3 Friday May 14 99
The site was original hosted by IP Globalnet in Switzerland - if you want to start there.
Mr POSH at 9:42:37 Friday May 14 99
If it's spies you want try doing a search on Richard Tomlinson MI6, you should eventually find the site........why am I being nice to you guys....enough of this....you're s**t and you know you are etc etc
mark at 23:36:35 Thursday May 13 99
spynotcatcher- so whats the address anyway?
Nat at 23:34:33 Thursday May 13 99
Andy, last season season ticket holders had first dabs for about 2 days, then the supporters trust and people with 8 ticket stubs, then 7 ticket stubs all the way down, then released on general sale (That's roughly how it went, sorry if it's not exact). I think they learnt their lesson from the previous year which sounds a bit like your situation, queues for hours
Good luck in the play-offs, up the cobblers!
NAT at 23:22:32 Thursday May 13 99
I agree with the others when it comes to putting money in the trust. Although is it possible for the trust to set up an separate account for different aspects. For example following Carlo's fan club idea on a pitch, the trust could set up an account at Nationwide(to show our loyalty to them)and they could hold fundraising events to get the money and by advertising the fact people may be more willing to give money. At the moment I personally think not many people are willing to contribute as, although they are aware of the trust, not sure about leaving donations.
Am I just waffling? up the cobblers!
spynotcatcher at 22:38:1 Thursday May 13 99
I've just spent half an hour tryin gto find that MI5 site - no luck
Ray at 22:10:1 Thursday May 13 99
Somedays I just hate HTML.....
Ray at 22:2:32 Thursday May 13 99
Phew.....
Sid at 22:1:52 Thursday May 13 99
Ray, it's perfect now.
Ray at 22:1:1 Thursday May 13 99
Well - is it OK now? I've checked it in both IE and Netscape and it all looks the same to me.
mark at 21:49:36 Thursday May 13 99
i know its not really relivant, but does anyone know the address of the site with all spies listed on it? i want to know if any of the gits i went to school with are on it?
Sid at 21:44:12 Thursday May 13 99
Ok, the players who are going to be released by NTFC will be announced early next week, the club confirmed.
Sid at 21:39:55 Thursday May 13 99
The first game is on August 7th, and Yes Ray, the font is still bold. I think it is just the browsers, but it is annoying.........
Anon at 21:30:36 Thursday May 13 99
errrrr: the type...well, its all in bold serif now, but when i asked before, half the site (the top half) was in plain serif, and the bottom half in large and small sans serif..twilight zone?
Anon at 21:29:29 Thursday May 13 99
as far as i know, the first game of the season is on 8th August...not certain though...
Big Roy at 21:28:25 Thursday May 13 99
Are you coming to the gig tomorrow night Ralph?
Big Roy at 21:22:54 Thursday May 13 99
Ray - I'm back online but also getting same bold text as Ralph and Sid. Speed OK now.
Ralph at 21:18:18 Thursday May 13 99
It's still in BOLD!!!!
Ralph at 21:8:27 Thursday May 13 99
On the subject of Heggsy - I always felt his temprament a little wayward. I always remember Talbot saying he'll score goals for us, he did I suppose, two wasn't it? Heggsy was not a goal scorer, at best a goal maker and not a bad super-sub. Wifey loved him but I was not sorry to see him go and I thought we did well out of the deal. Razor? That's another story, but it has been done to death. It will be interesting to see where Heggs ends up though.
Ralph at 21:2:16 Thursday May 13 99
Ray - I was having real problems with speed earlier, around 6.30pm. It was taking an age to delete any typo's and I was typing faster than the comment was appearing. All seems fine now apart fron the BOLD TYPE!!!!!
Ray at 21:0:38 Thursday May 13 99
OK - no more fiddling for at least 30 minutes.... lets have a few reports just to make sure its now working OK please.
Ralph at 21:0:12 Thursday May 13 99
No problems with speed, need some grass though man!
Ray at 20:59:38 Thursday May 13 99
It looks just the same as it always did...... is it different on yours?
Ralph at 20:59:31 Thursday May 13 99
Now me messages are not being posted!!!!!!!
Ray at 20:58:43 Thursday May 13 99
Bold? It isn't bold on mine... (apart from the when/when bit)
Ralph at 20:57:26 Thursday May 13 99
RAY - We appear to have changed typefaces to a bold serif now! Stop fiddling man! :-)
Ray at 20:55:56 Thursday May 13 99
OK - is that any better? Is anyone having problems with speed?
Sid at 20:55:39 Thursday May 13 99
Ray, switch off the bold text please! What's happened??
tash at 20:55:27 Thursday May 13 99
I think the Bournemouth fans should shut-up and
The Burnley fans for that matter.They'll all be
laughing when cobblers win Div three and they go
down and we'll be saying.BYE BYE BYE BYE BYE BYE!
Anon at 20:29:35 Thursday May 13 99
is it just on my pc, but am i right in thinking that the typeface has changed, as well as the size?? ray?
Cornish Cobbler at 20:19:6 Thursday May 13 99
Does anybody know when in August the first league game is ? Hopefully after the 14th as I'll still be on me hols.
Anon at 20:14:17 Thursday May 13 99
Max should have payed more attention to what Talbot did at kettering before taking him on. As well as being a poor manager he is not a very nice man.
as for Heggsey your wrong he is not useless he just lacks any self discipline. No manager - Molby, Atkins or Talbot have tapped the resource yet.
Anon at 20:12:7 Thursday May 13 99
Max should have payed more attention to what Talbot did at kettering before taking him on. As well as being a poor manager he is not a very nice man.
as for Heggsey your wrong he is not useless he just lacks any self discipline. No manager - Molby, Atkins or Talbot have tapped the resource yet.
RUSHDENSHIRE at 19:26:46 Thursday May 13 99
At least Atkins has taken you out of Div 3 before, our bloke Talbot hasen't got the faintest idea how to manage a football team.
Do us a favour and buy Heggs back off us, he's bleedin useless!
Hippocrates at 18:37:50 Thursday May 13 99
Mr Mcrirrick,
I tried to organise a similar scheme to what you propose in Macclesfield with very good press but otherwise mixed results, E-mail me if interested. We (only) raised £2000 in total over five months.
Ralph at 18:27:45 Thursday May 13 99
And another thing . . . I also think that the support for Kevin Wilson is misplaced. I saw the team train under Kev's guidance during the black spell just after Christmas. I was majorly disappointed with the lack of tactical advice on offer, most of the comment was of an industrial nature. The only player at that time who appeared to have any form or confidence was Dave Savage and we know how long it took for him to get back in to the first team. My preferance would be Colin Hill but that seems highly unlikely. I think Colin will have moved on before the opportunity presents itself. I think we are in for more of the same next year.
Ralph at 18:21:51 Thursday May 13 99
I think we are in danger of becoming a wee bit presumptious on who will be on the retained list. One factor that has not really been discussed are those player's that might choose to leave, under contract or not. Clarkson has cited in the past his desire to play at a higher grade of football. I believe that the retained list has been put off for a week or so.
Ian at 17:30:12 Thursday May 13 99
In response to John M below, if you want to give money to the club, do it through the Trust. Then the Trust gets shares for it,the money goes to the club and the supporters voice in the future is assured.
Andy C at 16:12:46 Thursday May 13 99
And you may well lose me from this board next season, but no promises. If we sign any of your players I'll keep you updated on their progress (or otherwise).
Andy C at 16:10:8 Thursday May 13 99
Just wondering...How tickets were allocated for your home play-off game last year. The reason I ask is that some loyal Gills fans have missed out, supposedly to glory-hunters. All our tickets sold out in under two days: 9000 for the home game compared to an average home attendance of just under 6000 (if you believe the official figures, 6500-7000 if you don't!). I presume NTFC would have been in a similar position with regard to demand outstripping supply; was it a free-for-all or did certain groups of supporters get priority?
Ray at 16:7:43 Thursday May 13 99
Phew - thank the Lord for that. It was my fault whilst I was fiddling with the header for the new advert for sponsorship - technically I hadn't closed off a font command - I told it - it should have known what I meant! Bloody computers - always take things too literally.
Carl at 16:4:16 Thursday May 13 99
It's fine cheers! What was it!!!
Andy C at 16:4:6 Thursday May 13 99
It's OK now Ray. Thanks for the e-mail.
Ray at 15:50:32 Thursday May 13 99
That it?
Bill at 15:39:9 Thursday May 13 99
Hi Ray
Ray at 15:27:1 Thursday May 13 99
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Ray at 15:24:40 Thursday May 13 99
Could someone please say YES or NO so I can go back to sleep?
Ray at 15:0:46 Thursday May 13 99
Is it OK now??
fulham cobbler at 14:55:15 Thursday May 13 99
just read proposals for a london group of fans...great idea, count me in
Carl at 14:20:30 Thursday May 13 99
Has anyone elses Comments page gone rather large after Ray's last message?? The font on my P.C. is huge, but only after the message posted at 1:23.
Pendragon at 13:44:43 Thursday May 13 99
IMO - a good point from Mooseman - whilst thinking positively and looking forward to the battle ahead we didn't excel against lower div/non-league opposition last term so triumphalism is a bit premature. The Hendon/Howard signings have strengthened the squad but we don't yet know the retained list and the strength we will have in depth as a result. I reckon that a fit Hunter is the key. I like the look of Angry's 1st XI with Hunt/Hope also seeing plenty of action. I feel that, of all the injuries last season, Clarkson's had the most bearing on our demise. Good to see him playing well in the reserves but he may now be a victim of circumstances (out of contract/Hendon is his spot). Does anyone know if the retained list will be published on the Club's site?
phil a at 13:40:8 Thursday May 13 99
To be fair, Mr Mooseman, after Shrewsbury we never were in that position again. And I hope we DO do a Brentford next season. Particularly if we get to sign Woody. http://www.angelfire.com/co/bblers
The Big Banana at 13:37:45 Thursday May 13 99
Realistically, what are the chances of IA going?? Unfortunately(for us), he appears rather good at getting teams out of Div 3.... What once proved effective may sway people to keep on with the same tactics...
The Shropshire Cobbler at 13:12:28 Thursday May 13 99
Our glorious revival will start the day that Atkins departs. As regards his replacement, I'd like to see Kev Wilson given a chance; mind you, almost anyone would have done better than IA this last season.
Mr Saatchi at 12:38:54 Thursday May 13 99
We should sell the monets asap, my brother says they are worth a bob or too
Griff at 12:32:51 Thursday May 13 99
On behalf of Oldham I would just like to say......'Goin down'. You deserve everything you you get, you wingeing Brummie over-spill.
PS Don't buy Shane Higgs-he's poop
Mooseman at 10:26:58 Thursday May 13 99
I am just fed up with the stupid comments emanating from the club over the years and hope that no more are forthcoming . i.e "This won't happen again" -after Shrewsbury. or. " We are far too good to do a Brentford " - after Wembley 98/or. "The club is financially sound " - McRitchie . We may have a good chance of promotion but going around saying we are certainties for automatic promotin will only backfire as other clubs try harder against us. As for giving more monet if the board hadn't sanctionaed the signing of countless shite defenders and loan players over the past two years then we would have more of it to start with.
Mooseman at 10:26:58 Thursday May 13 99
I am just fed up with the stupid comments emanating from the club over the years and hope that no more are forthcoming . i.e "This won't happen again" -after Shrewsbury. or. " We are far too good to do a Brentford " - after Wembley 98/or. "The club is financially sound " - McRitchie . We may have a good chance of promotion but going around saying we are certainties for automatic promotin will only backfire as other clubs try harder against us. As for giving more monet if the board hadn't sanctionaed the signing of countless shite defenders and loan players over the past two years then we would have more of it to start with.
Ray at 1:23:33 Thursday May 13 99
I think the point that most people appear to have missed with regard to ticket prices is that although Season Tickets will NOT be increased - pay at the gate is being increased across the board. With regard to contributions, may I suggest that the Trust is as good a place as any in which to place money.
John Mcrirrick at 23:12:15 Wednesday May 12 99
It was good to see the open letter to the fans on the official site. I think it was overdue, and neccesary, but nonetheless appreciated. It was also pleasing to see season prices frozen, this was also neccesary, if only as a gesture towards the fans that have suffered throughout this season. The price of tickets is quite an interesting point. I'm personally more than happy to contribute towards the future of the club through increased ticket prices. It's obviously the clubs primary source of revenue and we get very few chances to make a difference. I appreciate that not all fans are in a position to do this though. I would be more than happy to give the club an extra £20,£40,£50 ish, but it's silly to suggest trying to contribute by just forwarding the money. Wouldn't it be a good idea to set up a pre and post match site where fans can contribute into a supporters transfer kitty, I know other clubs have done this. As long as the board have published transfer budgets, and there was a guarantee that anything raised would be extra onto that budget, then I think people would contribute. The board could encourage donations by promising to match or even double anything raised by the fans. I'm sure if this was promoted properly we could raise maybe £3-5000 per home game. It would give a great oppurtunity for fans to make an extra commitment if they wanted to, and could afford it.
The Real Mr Posh at 23:8:10 Wednesday May 12 99
With reference to EX BAD LANGUAGE comments on my birth place, I can go one better than my mate the other Mr Posh. Im sorry to say I was born in Northampton at the Barrett.***UP THE POSH***MR.POSH.
Yogi Bear at 22:47:24 Wednesday May 12 99
Can't say I agree with all this rubbish about Posh being our local rivals. They're haven't been in the league for 40 years yet. It was always Coventry who were our hated local rivals - and we had songs about them too. How many of you can remember them ? Oh yes - and I'm not using a zimmer frame either.
Yogi Bear at 22:46:31 Wednesday May 12 99
Can't say I agree with all this rubbish about Posh being our local rivals. They're haven't been in the league for 40 years yet. It was always Coventry who were our hated local rivals - and we had songs about them too. How many of you can remember them ? Oh yes - and I'm not using a zimmer frame either.
Mr Posh at 22:45:32 Wednesday May 12 99
Re EX BAD LANGUAGE - sorry to disappoint you but I was born and have always lived in N**thamptonshire.
Yogi Bear at 22:39:49 Wednesday May 12 99
I agree with Ray (10.33) there is no need to print foul abusive language. We try to be respectable and should not drag ones self into the gutter. We're not Millwall - we're cobblers and proud of it.
Ian at 22:37:7 Wednesday May 12 99
Thanks TCMP for your comments we will be glad of an official view of what is going on. I'm afraid a lot of the comments on the e-mail group have been exteremely banal, it is easier to read the "Comments" for a change!
Nat at 22:34:20 Wednesday May 12 99
Why did Anon come up when I typed my name?
Anon at 22:30:6 Wednesday May 12 99
Does anybody know when the season tickets are being sold?
Also, I know the board are freezing season ticket prices, does that include the "early bird" bonus?
Ian at 22:24:4 Wednesday May 12 99
Ken has a good point, we spent too much time this year worrying about our wealthy opponents and looking for a point. The back five has to go and we have to go into games looking to win against opposition that will be the poor cousins with the poor ground in most cases. We will be the "big" club with the "expensive" players and the great ground next season and we need to start playing like it from the off. Let the other teams worry about us.
Pompey Cobbler at 22:13:7 Wednesday May 12 99
SBJ - I'd definitely be interested in your London Cobblers thingy.
Portsmouth's a fair way out I know but sometimes I need to get
away from Portsmuff fans mithering about Southampton.
I tried to send you mail but not sure it worked - if not can you
drop me a line ? Ta. Are there any other Cobblers fans around the Portsmouth way ? Didn't I once see something from the Fareham Cobbler ? I'm a bit worried about Orbital Ganja. Relegation and unrequited love can mess with a man's mind. Perhaps some sort of 'Uncle Ray's 'agony column is in order for next season.
Pete at 22:10:51 Wednesday May 12 99
It would be terrible to loose Savage- but I suspect he is far too good for Div 3. Billy T had his chance and let in some very soft goals. A defence sadly cannot survive with such unpredictable back up. Four great games cannot compensate for 12 points lost. Sadly BT cannot survive as the future Div 2 keeper. I am puzzled by Angry feeling that Clarkie ought to go- his come back in the reserves was impressive. I think his link play with Hunter was what we missed in the right midfield. John F is not a player for the future- I think he will pick up more and more injuries as matches get tougher for him. A great player for the club, I think he deserves to be allowed to avoid being ground into chronic injury. Mickie Warner I see as a better long term bet than Ali , he is far tougher...but will he stay to be insulted? Otherwise, I am roughly in agreement with Angry. With such uninimity... we are sure to see the opposite happen as not much sense has been shown all year.
Anon at 22:4:32 Wednesday May 12 99
i agree with Ken, back five HAS to go, no matter what else happens, ie Atkins stays or not, that is one thing that has got to be on the way out. i think we should start the next season with the idea of improving the standard of our football, i mean, our tactics might work in some games, but its definately not good to watch & can easily be outplayed....if we bring some new faces in, they need to be young players on their way up, not ancients like Wilkinson who do f*** all (that count as bad language??!)
Eternal Optimist at 21:58:12 Wednesday May 12 99
At left back that is!
Eternal Optimist at 21:57:2 Wednesday May 12 99
Why is it that Frain is metioned so often in lists of players who should leave? I cannot understand it especially when you look back over the years and see how many dodgy players have 'played' there. I agree with Ray - Frain is Go(o)d
EX - BADLANGUAGE COBBLER POSH HATER FC at 21:49:6 Wednesday May 12 99
OK - OK I apologise for some of the comments that have been made. My language has only served to emphasise the anger and distress that I have felt for the sake of my beloved COBBLERS - PLEASE FORGIVE ME !!! POSH can I just ask one more question regarding your birth rights??.................................WAIT FOR IT..............................POSH - Are you old enough to have been born in this GLORIOUS county of ours - NORTHAMPTONSHIRE - or have you always suffered the embarrasment of coming from C*BRIDGESHIRE????????????????
Angry at 21:29:30 Wednesday May 12 99
My best team for next season XI: (4-4-2) Turley, Hendon, Frain, Sammo, Howey, Hunter, Warner, Savo, Carlo, Howard, Spedding. And my released list would be: Peer, Wilkinson (aaaaaaaah! crap player), Parrish, Seal, Gibb, Francis and Clarkson. And Dave Savage is the mutts nuts.
Ken at 21:0:6 Wednesday May 12 99
18 draws = 18 points and div 3 football. Different tactics could have given us 6 wins, 6 draws, 6 defeats =24 points and div 2 football. surely its time for 5 at the back to go.
Ray at 20:38:10 Wednesday May 12 99
Frain is GOD!!
Anon at 20:16:43 Wednesday May 12 99
Canary cobblers, the players U named to sell i'm not sure we should get rid of all of them...
Gibb = should get quite a lot of money 4 him,
Spedding = should keep, but play in midfield (like he did at Southampton)
Peer = no-one would buy him off us
Frain = need to keep for psychological reasons if nothing else, getting rid of another captain will take us to the conference
Turley = with more experience, should be a fine goalkeeper, on excellent form since he replaced Francis
Dobson = quite good in the air...not sure about him
Richard Grey at 20:0:11 Wednesday May 12 99
Grayson is god, but why has he a fairly poor scoring ratio with you? did he play out of position? I look forward to the short journey from near cheltenham.
canary cobbler at 19:56:36 Wednesday May 12 99
As a Norwich City supporter of 25 years , 5 of which i have been living in Northampton i was very saddened by the relegation of THE TOWN.
I go to most home games and some away when possible.
But this season from stand's out from previous seasons due to Atkins team selections and choice of tactic's.
I think that Atkin's MUST go and the board get rid of all the "dead wood" player's such as Gibb,Spedding,Peer,Frain,Turley,Dobson and a few other's and just start next season afresh.
A new manager and some new face's will hopefully change the way that we play football (maybe keep it on the ground).
There are plenty of good manager's out there who like a challenge and this club is one of them.
So Stonehill if you are reading this take note.
And whoever is in charge next season may we go up as Champions.
Cobbler Chris at 19:52:17 Wednesday May 12 99
I have a suggestion regarding the potential £400K defecit for next season. We can merge with Rushden & Diamonds FC. This way we can benefit from the huge financial muscle of Mr Griggs, buy Sixfields and expand to 10K capacity in preparation for our return to Div. 2, have the best training ground in Div. 3 (Rushden) etc. etc plus pick up an additional 20 or 30 supporters in the process. Regarding a name for this new club I would suggest a merger of the 2 names, for example 'Northampton Town' from us and 'Football Club' from R&D. To be fair to R&D we would give them first billing in the nickname & take 'The' from R&D and 'Cobblers' from us. OK?
Anon at 19:46:14 Wednesday May 12 99
Steve Howard - before he was suspended, he played neat, intellegent balls, setting up Corazzin and Freestone brilliantly....so, what happened? well, in my opinion, , a new start probably brought out the best in his game.......he's lost confidence after the suspension also, the position he's been playing is wrong. He just doesn't suit the role Atkins has been playing him in....should be a target man....like Jonny Gayle last season, instead of being forced to play as a striker because Wilson is playing. i just want to make people who say sell him, to remember how he was. if he puts in a lot of training on getting shots on target, he should be a valuable part of the squad....remember he is still very young & needs confidence and experience (not experience as in Wilkinson though)
carlo's fan club at 18:41:2 Wednesday May 12 99
Thanks Dave, I think I speak for many cobblers fans when I say we are looking forward in renewing our aquantainces with Sir Neil Grayson.
"LARRY, LARRY"
Dave O'Brien at 18:35:36 Wednesday May 12 99
Can I just send my deepest sympathy at your unfortunate relegation from Div. 2. As a Cheltenham Town supporter, I was pleased to recieve messages of good luck from the club when we promoted, I just wanted to reciprocate the sentiment. Look forward to seeing you at Sixfields and Whaddon next year, cheers.
Carlo's fan club at 18:34:23 Wednesday May 12 99
Matt it was only an idea, but glad to see some people interested. By the way did anybody see the C&E today and read the article about the Saints pitch? Sorry to nick ideas and that but is there a possibility of selling some of the pitch to fans and the money raised could go towards a new pitch, any good?
SBJ one last time today at 17:47:5 Wednesday May 12 99
I posted this to the e-mail group a few days back: I'm looking at the idea of having a supporters group for Cobblers fans based in London or thereabouts. Most non-London teams have such groups - check out the APFSCIL home page at http://www.apfscil.u-net.com/ for an idea of what these groups do. Benefits can include cheaper travel to games, socialising, inter-club football games etc. Still not sure what I intend to do about a Cobblers group, but figured if there's enough of us interested it might at least be worth having a think about (I had 6 positive responses from the e-mail group, including some from just outside London - so far none of the Londoners I've seen on this site have been in touch though). Let me know if you think it would be worth setting a group up, or if you can think how to let non-web-users know about this idea.
SBJ at 17:40:25 Wednesday May 12 99
Jo: it was the 2 gorilla suits in the Burnley end that really caught my eye, but the guy in the dress was certanly a bit of a looker too. Not my type really though. Norwich Cobbler: are you the guy who was at the Burnley game with one ticket going spare? Or, were you the guy I sold my spare ticket to at that game? Both blokes said they were from Norfolk (odd coincidence) - was either of them you?
SBJ at 17:38:44 Wednesday May 12 99
Turn my back for a day and there's hundreds of messages to wade through. Belated congratulations Ray on the 100K mark. Good to hear Mr Posh's comments about rivalry / banter - everyone likes a bit of that, and we're sure to see more of it between our teams' fans next season. Will we lose the comments from people like Andy C and the Gas fans now they're above us?
'Keeper Supporter at 17:30:12 Wednesday May 12 99
Thanks for your reply Dont Quote and no I am not BLT
Don't quote me on this but... at 15:47:21 Wednesday May 12 99
Sorry "Keeper Supporter", (re: posting below) but no more news on that I'm afraid. That's all I know. You're not Billy Turley himself are you ??
Matt at 15:11:38 Wednesday May 12 99
By the way Mr. Po*h, on my last visit to Shoddy Road (last season in AWS), you have got one decent stand. Before you slag sixfields off again, which is continually gaining top marks for it's facilities for disabled, access etc. Also it conforms under the Taylor report for being all seater. You should consider your own ground which clearly just looking at needs some helluva doing up before you gt in the same league as us regarding stadias. That old shed you call the Moys end well the only decent thing about it is, it's got a roof. Oh one last thing "CHAMPIONS!!!" you'll wait till next season, up the cobblers!
'keeper supporter at 15:5:20 Wednesday May 12 99
Dear "don't quote me on this but..."
more news please
Matt at 15:3:13 Wednesday May 12 99
In reference to "Carlo's fan club" that doesn't sound like a bad idea at all, i'm for it show me where to sign and i'll make a contribution
P at 14:48:2 Wednesday May 12 99
meant 'deduced' below.
Pendragon at 14:47:26 Wednesday May 12 99
p.s. to clarify my earlier posting - I am also totally pro the banter between fans with the sprinkling of f£$* words but NOT the x shagging y personal stuff which can escalate to the media etc.
p.p.s. Talking of personal - I didn't realize tha PW had a 2 year contract (deducted from the TCMP list). This I do find depressing. I am sure he means well but 2K/week for another season is 25% of the defecit BS has mentioned.
Ralph at 14:5:40 Wednesday May 12 99
I'm all for a bit of banter but senseless cussing and meaningless expletives do nothing for anyone. Unfortunately it's become a bit like reading the Sun lately.
Ralph at 14:0:39 Wednesday May 12 99
Carlo's Fan Club - It's only worth having a new pitch if we are going to use it! Otherwise I would suggest an investment in some sky and clouds may be of better value.
The Cobbler Formally Known as Exel at 13:53:33 Wednesday May 12 99
Still quite choked at being relegated, but lets face it most of us had resigned ourselves to the obvious back in March after losing to Preston. Atkins and co seem to blame everything from referees to Stoke Reserves for our demise but not that we were crap for 38 games this season. I do believe that we will come straight back up and some of the comments from the likes of Savage and Carlo seem to indicate that the better players may well stay, but I shall not hold my breath. Finally I'm sorry your love dreams did'nt work out Orbital but such is life.
The Big Banana at 13:52:49 Wednesday May 12 99
Personally speaking, I do not wish to see the demise of Mr. Posh, albeit some of his thicker "friends" yes. Banter between fans is what it's all about, in between the more serious discussions on the club. As long as the site is not overrun with rubbish, what's wrong with a bit of winding up....?
Pendragon at 13:42:12 Wednesday May 12 99
Bournemouthy boys....good luck in the play-offs. Oh sorry, I'm a bit behind with the news. Ray, I am signing up to your clean language bill (not that I was ever a hardened offender). If Mr Posh is a bit lonely then I personally don't mind him posting on our site - but does it have to be 10 times a day? Unfortunately, as long as people can make anonymous postings the libel/gutter language will continue. I don't think Mr (clean language) Posh would stand in the middle of the North End chanting his mantra! A lot of damage can be done behind the veil of anonimity & that is why most people (in my opinion) respect the postings of the regular contributors who keep the same name (even if they totally disagree with said opinion).
Mr Posh at 13:15:48 Wednesday May 12 99
Why stop there, why not collect some money for some new stands and an Academy set-up. I'm sure contributions would also be welcome into Mr Atkins pension/pay-off fund and for some decent players.
Carlo's fan club at 13:10:3 Wednesday May 12 99
In reference to the pitch, How much would one cost because that pitch has been down for 5 years now. Anybody can see that we need a new pitch. I know before we got relegated that we were having the pitch dug up and new turf laid down (my friend knows the groundsman). But we can't afford it now that we have been relegated so, and this is just an idea, could cobblers fans get together and collect some money for a new pitch? Or any ideas about what should be done about it. Up the cobblers!
Ray at 13:3:33 Wednesday May 12 99
Whatever happened to the interest we were showing in Jamie Forester(Scunthorpes top scorer - now out of contract)? I see that big John Gayle managed 12 yellows and 2 reds last season.
SUNDERLAND COBBLER at 10:54:44 Wednesday May 12 99
Well done Ray.............
TCMP you make very good points. We need to have a wage bill and playing staff that will not bleed the club dry but one which will allow us to come straight back up with a new manager. I see Neil Adams has been freed by Norwich. He would give the midfield some bite I think! Neil Wainwright at Sunderland would also be a good buy for about 60,70,000. The new boss needs to build up a mixed aged sqaud which can pass the ball around and score at the same time.
Bye for now.
Mr Posh at 10:53:30 Wednesday May 12 99
Could I please point out Ray, that I am the original Mr Posh aka "In the know" from last year. Actually, a lot of the stuff I posted as "In the know", in fact all of it, was a fair assessment as I saw things at Sixfields whilst I was contracted to do some work there.
I am of the "old school" who considers NTFC to be Posh's main rivals, although the rivalry has lessened in recent years as Posh seemed to play C*mbridge more.
I am sure that there will be a lot of banter during the coming season as we renew old rivalry's both on and off the pitch on here.
Cheers.
PS I'm mighty chuffed you were relegated.
The first (original) Mr Posh.....accept no substitutes...in the know as you know, Hartwell Cobbler.
Ray at 10:33:49 Wednesday May 12 99
It grieves me to say this, but I have to agree with Mr. Posh - I have never had to delete one of his postings. This is a free forum and quite frankly I think we and the club are big enough to take criticism and comments from elsewhere but I will not allow language of the gutter, libelous statements or anything else of a like nature - no matter which club they support.
Phil at 10:6:55 Wednesday May 12 99
Did Twatkins not keep his receipt for Howard im sure we could at least get a credit note for him
Phil at 10:2:29 Wednesday May 12 99
Can anyone give me the address of one of these message things for the posh scum. i feel like showing how foul i can be
Jacks at 10:0:39 Wednesday May 12 99
Atkins never did come on-line did he? Probably because he 'doesn't care what anyone else thinks'.
Now don't quote me on this but....... at 10:0:2 Wednesday May 12 99
...I have heard a whisper from the inside that Atkins is releasing none other that Howard, Savage & Turley. I was reassured that this was not a wind-up.
bournemouth boys at 9:59:32 Wednesday May 12 99
don't worry boys you can go to Rochdale, Brighton, Torquay, Hartlepool etc etc. Hours of fun!
bournemouth boys at 9:57:1 Wednesday May 12 99
unlucky!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
at last Divvy 2 has got rid of a team which think kicking the ball 100 foot in the air will help them get somewhere.
bye!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
hope we never play you again
James at 9:56:25 Wednesday May 12 99
I also agree with Rishton Cobbler, I live in Oxford and can`t get to the midweek games!!
dyl at 9:24:17 Wednesday May 12 99
Orbital, drop me an email about that drink
Jo at 8:43:24 Wednesday May 12 99
I agree with Rishton Cobbler a notice board for lifts would be a great idea for fans scattered around the country. Also if there are any West Country based Cobbler fans drop me a line on jl_crisp@hotmail.com because sometimes I feel very lonely here!!!
The Real Mr Posh at 0:2:40 Wednesday May 12 99
Damn & Blast wheres the spell checker on your site.
The Real Mr Posh at 23:57:57 Tuesday May 11 99
Now with both teams playing in the same division next season you must except that there will be more Posh postings on your comments page. As a genuine Posh fan I'm proud so say that my mate or my mates mate, or my mates mates mates goldfish etc have never used foul or abusive language on your site. My intention as many of you may of gathered by now was to add some humour and create some general banter between both sets of fans. I'm afraid having complete idiots whose only vocabulary consist of F this & F that with nothing constructive to say about your club such as DAV COBBLER ETC only drag your club through the dirt, all I can say on this matter is your welcome to him, maybe when he grows up he will realise what a complete Pratt he has made of himself. If you want me to leave your site I will, but it would have been nice come next season to share some constructive comments between both of us. Sorry I'm not my cheerful self tonight, but I thought what I wrote need saying.***UP THE POSH***MR.POSH.
CH at 23:42:6 Tuesday May 11 99
I'm going then, Goodnight all, up the cobblers!
Craigy H at 23:36:2 Tuesday May 11 99
Is there anybody there?
Godzilla at 23:32:17 Tuesday May 11 99
I have just eaten Hippocrates, did no-one tell him bad luck always comes in threes?
The big monster at 23:32:15 Tuesday May 11 99
DOH, Losing that role in the next box office smash hit film was nearly as bad as getting relegated. I'm going to cry, look for my name in future !!!
Craigy H at 23:28:28 Tuesday May 11 99
If that comment is for real, then i'm sorry and thanks in that order. If not sarcasm is the lowest form of wit!
Hippocrates at 23:26:46 Tuesday May 11 99
Mr. H., I am from sunny Macclesfield, and I seem to have been relegated and lost my employment in the same week, so I feel a bit sour. I did not wish the Cobblers to be relegated, as you seem such decent folk.
The Big monster at 23:25:22 Tuesday May 11 99
I don't eat Cobblers fans! But nice fat blokes who can't fit into any jumpers who suffer from dodgy hearts sounds tempting!
Craigy H at 23:22:50 Tuesday May 11 99
Hippocrates are u from the blue side of the Nene?
Hippocrates at 23:19:52 Tuesday May 11 99
I am sorry, the part includes eating the hilarious Craigy H while he sings his funny songs, its a bit demanding. We've given it to Brian Cant. (Ex Playaway)
Craigy H at 23:19:23 Tuesday May 11 99
That would be a darn good show! I'd watch it anyway
THE BIG MONSTER at 23:17:32 Tuesday May 11 99
Would I have the starring role in Godzilla 2 if so let's start filming darling!
Hippocrates at 23:16:50 Tuesday May 11 99
I believe Craigy H is to have a hilarious new sitcom on BBC1 based on his daily life and thoughts.
Craigy H at 23:14:49 Tuesday May 11 99
WE ARE COBBLERS SUPER COBBLERS WE ARE COBBLERS THRU' AND THRU' WE ARE COBBLERS THE MIGHTY COBBLERS NEVER 'BORO' ONLY TOWN
Big Roy at 23:12:27 Tuesday May 11 99
Big Monster? Nothing to do with me, honest!
Hippocrates at 23:10:10 Tuesday May 11 99
And now there is a big monster - is this the set for Godzilla II?
The Big Monster at 23:8:19 Tuesday May 11 99
WHY would we want to get rid of our darling Atkins? He's proven that he can be a success in the third.
"Ian Atkins claret and white army"
Hippocrates at 23:8:5 Tuesday May 11 99
You have now killed the team and put Mr Ganja on a stretcher. This site is consumed with violence.
Big Roy at 23:7:4 Tuesday May 11 99
Oh dear, here we go again!
Yogi Bear at 23:3:22 Tuesday May 11 99
Roy Evans - good 'evans - no - Barry Fry's favarite, he's been sniffing round sixfields enough just lately.
MATT at 23:0:8 Tuesday May 11 99
Hmmmmmmm, just saw on sky sports news that Roy Evans is after a job and he doesn't care what level football as long as they have the passion for winning. Mind you wecouldn't afford him.
THERE'S ONLY ONE IAN ATKINS
Big Roy at 22:57:10 Tuesday May 11 99
Winterburn that is - not Orbital!
Big Roy at 22:56:13 Tuesday May 11 99
Yes, he looked a right bloody mess when he was stretchered off.
Hippocrates at 22:55:4 Tuesday May 11 99
Another thought, Mr. O. Ganja is on work experience at the moment, I think what he really may need is bromide in his tea and a touch of national service.
Yogi Bear at 22:54:5 Tuesday May 11 99
Just hope Winterburn OK though.
Yogi Bear at 22:53:0 Tuesday May 11 99
Tut Tut Dav Cobbler one must not lower ones standards to that of the gutter rat. One must maintain dignity even if the battle has been lost and we are down. The war is not over. We'll be back up next year. Keep a stiff upper lip old boy - oh yes and go get your farmers gun cos you know what we'll do to the scum!!!!!!
Big Roy at 22:51:28 Tuesday May 11 99
I really don't care who wins the Premiership but well done Leeds for playing tonight's game in the right spirit. Pity the same couldn't be said for Stoke last week! Am I the only one getting completely bored with all these anti/pro Posh postings?
Hippocrates at 22:50:23 Tuesday May 11 99
Killing the team seems a bit harsh.
YOGI BEAR at 22:49:14 Tuesday May 11 99
Well, after talking to Atko today it seems a tour of the west country is planned for something possibly like 20-24 July. Taking in Tiverton, etc. I wonder if we'll last years record number of friendlies and once again kill the team before the season begins.
A mate of Mr Posh at 22:45:47 Tuesday May 11 99
"Hmmm . . . . We seem to be overrun with empty-headed foulmouths with much to say about nothing" ....... I think thats unfair and very harsh on your fellow supporters Ray. Some Cobbler fans have made some valid points recently. Can't remember any at the moment but I'm sure there must have been some !!
Angry at 22:41:13 Tuesday May 11 99
Mr Pish sorry Posh you are a total Richard the Third. Stop talking out your khyber and go elsewhere. The only reason that anyone on here tolerates your b*llocks is because we are all thinking about the six points and ten plus goals we'll get against you next season because you're crap. At least we were in Div 2 last season and where were you? Not even winning a crap division. If you're that good, why aren
't you in the Prem or something? Go back to the ditch opposite London Road where you live.
Ralph at 22:28:20 Tuesday May 11 99
Hmmm . . . . We seem to be overrun with empty-headed foulmouths with much to say about nothing. Still that's freedom of speech for you.
John Mcrirrick at 21:42:37 Tuesday May 11 99
Has anyone noticed the high illiteracy rates from Posh fans
Pete at 21:25:41 Tuesday May 11 99
...no more trialists? What about the keeper in the Luton reserves match, meaningful?
PUFC THE MENACE at 21:20:41 Tuesday May 11 99
I see you are back where you belong ! welcome back to reallity !! I bumped onto a gobblers fan in Spain recently , god was He boring moaning about the pitch ,the manager, the refs ,the team,that stupid excuse of a ground,or is it a morgue?worst home record in the league says it all about your support, still I suppose anyone with any sense in scumthampton goes and watches the rugby ? it always looks full to me on the tele and at leist they make some noise !! different to you lot. see you at a real footee ground next year LOSERS!!!! ha ha ha
Ralph at 20:39:4 Tuesday May 11 99
RAY - I found the away travel quite useful, trouble is I know where most of the bloody ground are for next season! Oh and hearty congratulations for the 100k a fine tribute to an excellent site. Whilst I do not know any of you personally it is wonderful to be able to make your feelings known and to have made contact with so many like minded people. Here's to the next 100k and keep up the good work - Thanks Raymond!
Rishton Cobbler at 20:38:5 Tuesday May 11 99
Living in the wilds of East Lancashire and working in Manchester means that I have not been able to get to many Sixfields games from up here in (Wet and Windy) exile. I want/need to get to more games next season than I have managed previously, and I am certain that there are some (many?) East Lancs/Blackburn based Cobblers exiles who are in the same position. If you are reading this and are share the same dilemma drop me an e-mail to rishton_cobbler@hotmail.com, and perhaps we can make arrangements to share driving duties and or petrol costs.
Could this be a feature of this site for next season, a notice board so that lifts can be offered/begged for so that fellow exiles can make similar arrangements
Its a shame that we will not be going ont’ Turf next season as I gain more satisfaction from three easy points there as almost any where else. By the way, I am not surprised that the Burnley away support seemed a bit "strange", they are all like that from round there!
Any road up I am pleased to see that there are still other people like me who cannot, and will not, forget their first love, N.T.F.C.
P.S. Olney Cobbler…….are you Fred Finch? If not, next time you see Finchy in the Brewers give him my regards! (My God this is getting very parochial!)
Norwich Cobbler at 20:0:52 Tuesday May 11 99
Well done Ray -just think how many more postings you would have had if we'd have stayed up -none from S**tboro' though.
I've been supporting the Town since '74 - success is not something we hang on to for very long -if supporters want constant success then sod off and support Man.U!I had to explain to a very upset 10 year old that supporting NTFC is not about going to Wembley every year and beating West Ham every season.This is reality.the bottom line is that our results put us down -we had all the opportunities in the world to get ourselves out of the mire and we didn't.
OK Mr.P**Head and the rest of his Sh*t for Brains cronies will rub it in but as the Cobblers always do we'll come back fighting and go for promotion.
Remember 97 -Cobblers promoted Turdborough relegated!!!!!
One of the best laughs I've ever had.
Our squad is good,our support is the best,we have one of the best stadiums in the lower divisions and we are not in financial doodoo
We can come straight back up and we will come straight back up
UP THE CLARET & WHITE!!!!
UP THE COBBLERS!!!
SH*T on POOBOROUGH!!!!
UP THE COBBLERS!!!!
Mr Posh's Mate's Mate at 19:26:48 Tuesday May 11 99
Well its nice to see you are missing the comments from us. The more you write about us the more we'll write. Terry visit the Cherry Tree before the game and take your pictures.(Xray maybe) I am not looking forward to going to S**tfields next season, I thought the cow shed at Scumbridge was bad enough. Its nice to see so many of you cobbler fans coming over to the Posh I don't blame you, You'll never see a proper game of football at Northampton. It's Hoof it up and run. (The other way)...........UP THE POSH.........
ORBITAL Ganja love(loved) at 19:17:49 Tuesday May 11 99
This will be my last love(loved) posting (for this season). TO THE BRUNETTE: We finally spoke saturday, but you broke my heart when you told me you already had a boyfriend. But were you telling me the truth? The way you looked at me with your angelic eyes on Saturday as we parted company on the hill, suggested that you felt something. I could see that S was being very protective of you, which is understandable as a mate, but if you both though I was the typical getting what I wanted and leaving older guy. Then you are wrong. If things don't work out for you and this boyfriend of yours, then give me a call the number is stated on April 30 at 10.00am. Call me anyway and we can go for a drink sometime. If I don't here from you or S then I will see you sometime next season. P.S. You may think I am a desperate idiot, but the only thing I am desperate for is your heart.
ORBITAL Ganja at 19:16:39 Tuesday May 11 99
I am logging off now as it is way past the time I was meant to be home.
Dyl we might have to meet up and go for a drink in the CSA bar.
If anyone sees the Brunette tell her the details that I will print above.
Remember think positive. We're going up as champs next year!!!!!!!
Plus we will send the POSH down to the conference.
DAV COBBLER POSH HATER F.C. at 18:56:15 Tuesday May 11 99
To : THE POSH FAN. Why OH why do you lot spend so much time on this site ? Obviously you dont have a site like this but why you attempt to intrude onto a football club comments page confuses me somewhat. Any response ?
Uther Pendragon at 18:51:25 Tuesday May 11 99
I am as apprehensive about the retained list as I was on Saturday morning before the match. Ray - any chance of the 'goals on video' for next season (although I don't have a clue a to what technology is involved/whether the club would agree)?
Sid at 18:42:14 Tuesday May 11 99
Northampton are also not taking in any more trialists now they have been relegated!
TCMP at 18:41:27 Tuesday May 11 99
TRB Mark, as soon as we have a date for an Open Forum I will annoumce it on the net. The problem at the minute is that we are still going through the motions of electing a new chair. At the close of nominations there are 4 candidates Roly Jordan, Dave Linnell, Niel Morrell and Tom O'Riley. Ballot papers will be sent to trust members at the end of this week and as soon as possible after the count a meeting will be held with the new chair present. Ballot papers will include a statement from each candidate, and as per previous elections there will be a single transferable vote ( ie voters list in order of preference 1,2,3,4. To win, the succesful candidate must have 50% of the vote, if this is not achieved first time round the bottom candidate drops out and the second preference of those who voted for him is added on to the totals of the other 3, this continues until one candidate reaches 50 %)Hope that explains it !! I would expect the Open Forum to be held at the end of May/start of June.
Sid at 18:41:15 Tuesday May 11 99
I can confirm that Northampton are looking at the possibility about buying a new keeper. Shane Higgs, from Worcester City, played in the reserves against Tottenham on Thursday. Isn't he on some sort of police charge??
Sid at 18:32:25 Tuesday May 11 99
The NTFC Unofficial End Of Season Poll is up on my site now, and if you go to http://members.xoom.com/cobblers you can vote on many things like Best away Ground, Donkey of the Year and the three players you would most like to buy. This is in conjunction with Gavin Morgan's poll, but with a few more questions. all answers will be e-mailed to him. NOTE: Netscape users cannot use the form on my site, so if you would like a copy in e-mail form, please e-mail me at the above address. HAPPY VOTING!
ORBITAL Ganja at 18:31:35 Tuesday May 11 99
Yes there was a hint of handball
Sid at 18:27:33 Tuesday May 11 99
Firstly, Congrats Ray! I missed it, but 100,000 is miles away from mine! Secondly, Orbital, that Doncaster Rovers game was the BEST match i have seen, along with the GAS semi final. It was so gripping and i went mental when we scored. Superb games back then. 25 min delay for rain, Brandwood the ref decided to let us play, and i am glad we did. I am still adamant that it was a handball by Cramb for their third!
ORBITAL Ganja at 18:23:8 Tuesday May 11 99
I don't study at Cranfield University. I am on work experience at the moment there. Which includes 4 weeks beginning next monday. I am still on campus at the moment. Where are you?
Dyl at 18:13:5 Tuesday May 11 99
Orbital, sometime back you let slip where you study, and today I saw a car there that made me think....
ORBITAL Ganja at 18:9:52 Tuesday May 11 99
DYL : YES THATS ME WITH THE RUSTING OLD METRO. hOW DO YOU KNOW THAT?
TRB Mark at 18:5:52 Tuesday May 11 99
For those that remeber the Bill Dogin days in the mid 70's, sad news. Andy McGowan (42) died following an operation. I'm sure all Cobblers fans would like to send thier condolences to his family
TRB Mark at 18:3:6 Tuesday May 11 99
Tony CMP, would you keep us informed as to when the Trust meetings are as the Chron don't seem to mention them, only retrospectivly and if something is afoot! I personally think there ought to be an end of season trust debreif to give the supporters a chance to have thier say. (Not to have a go I hasten to add, I have always felt that an end of season debrief, irrespective of league postition would be a good idea.)
Terry Hawes at 17:46:48 Tuesday May 11 99
Ray :
How about adding S***boro 2000, a trip back in time instead of
in the future, maybe you can contact Mr.Posh and the two of you
can get together in the pub for pictures!ha ha!
Nice to get more pictures this year too!
Anon at 17:45:7 Tuesday May 11 99
if U ask me, all these 'people' who claim to be going to support the Posh this season, are probably all one sad individual making up support for his/her pathetic point of view.
dyl at 17:37:19 Tuesday May 11 99
Orbital, do you have a greenish car (metro?), that's battered and has a cobblers sticker in the back window and a mini kit in the side window?
PoshFan at 17:37:12 Tuesday May 11 99
David Nikel, I know who I am which is more than can be said for those Cobblers fans who seem to be always up the EWES backsides or all those sad individuals who have ALLEGEDLY switched allegiance from the POSH to the Cobblers. Who do they think they are kidding.
ORBITAL Ganja at 17:30:18 Tuesday May 11 99
This will be my last love(loved) posting (for this season). TO THE BRUNETTE: We finally spoke saturday, but you broke my heart when you told me you already had a boyfriend. But were you telling me the truth? The way you looked at me with your angelic eyes on Saturday as we parted company on the hill, suggested that you felt something. I could see that S was being very protective of you, which is understandable as a mate, but if you both though I was the typical getting what I wanted and leaving older guy. Then you are wrong. If things don't work out for you and this boyfriend of yours, then give me a call the number is stated on April 30 at 10.00am. Call me anyway and we can go for a drink sometime. If I don't here from you or S then I will see you sometime next season.
P.S. You may think I am a desperate idiot, but the only thing I am desperate for is your heart.
ORBITAL Ganja love(loved) at 17:17:3 Tuesday May 11 99
This will be my last love(loved) posting (for this season). W
ORBITAL Ganja love(loved) at 17:17:1 Tuesday May 11 99
This will be my last love(loved) posting (for this season). W
TCMP at 16:45:10 Tuesday May 11 99
Just logged on for the first time since Saturday, the truth is that until now I couldn't face up to it. As soon as the news went round that Oldham were 2-0 up on Saturday we knew we were doomed. It's difficult to add to comments as to why we took the drop,and how we can recover but I thought that Steve (Monday) John McCririck (Sunday) and Ralph (Sunday) made some excellent comments. It's just a pity that people continue to post garbage under the cowardly cover of an anon posting. For the record let me repeat what was often said by Brian when he was on the board, the current board of directors are loyal supporters of the football club who only have it's best interests at heart. Yes it would be nice to have more cash available, but not at the cost of losing everything we have gained in bringing true partnership and democracy to the boardroom, and certainly not at the expense of creating a new frankensteins monster in the likely form of the Micheal McRitchies of this world. So on to the facts. 1) We have been relegated 2) We have to cut our cloth accordingly. 3) The current squad is too big. 4) A number of players are out of Contract. 5) We lose £100,000 alone from the drop in league status.
I personnally believe we should be looking at retaining a squad of around 20 players plus YTS, trialists etc. At the moment Ian Clarkson, Steve Francis, Colin Hill, Chris Lee, Dean Peer, David Seal, Micheal Warner and Kevin Wilson are coming to the end of their contracts (June 99) I would not be revealing any secrets if I were to say that there are players within that group that we would like to retain. However supporters must accept that it is not simply a question of us wanting to keep a player, they are all free agents and will have thier own view as to where they see themselves playing next year. We also need to ensure that the wage bill drops. At a trust Open Forum earlier in the season directors were open about the budgeted £1.4 million players budget for last season, this was added to, with the monies recieved from the West Ham game. The wage bills of our fellow 3rd Division clubs is much lower. Now for a bit of good news, Season Ticket prices for next season have been frozen at last seasons prices (see tonights Chron). This is a gesture to our core support and I would remind those that currently pay on a match by match basis that season tickets can be purchased through the Nationwide scheme on a monthly installment basis throughout the season. The more season tickets we sell the better we will be able to judge our income level. Matchday tickets will have to be increased by 50p across the board. Finally I would just like to thank our fan base for their understanding over the past few weeks, the support for the team has been tremendous, and I for one have little doubt that our continued support will be a very important factor in our promotion/championship drive next season. As always I will try to answer any questions that are forthcoming.
James at 16:26:37 Tuesday May 11 99
Is there anyone out there that travels to lots of Northampton games from anywhere around the Oxford area, (say about 20 mile radius), If so could you give me an e-mail as i would like to discuss if possible travelling with you up to the matches, It is not possible to watch midweek games as i cannot get back from sixfields using the current trains or buses as they do not run that late.If anyone can help me i would appreciate it very much.
Chiswick GAS at 16:2:20 Tuesday May 11 99
3-1 and we f*&ked it up..
3-1 and we f*&ked it up..
3-1 and we f*&ked it up..
..
..
pk at 15:47:31 Tuesday May 11 99
"As of May 10th we begin a promotion year" - what were they doing on Sunday then?
Carlo's fan club at 15:13:34 Tuesday May 11 99
No, 100,172 not bad i suppose, oh by the way Mr P*sh it's about time that record was changed! I think you know what I mean
Sing along to the chorus of 3 lions:
"6 points for the Town, championship is gleaming, stick that up your a*se, no, I am not dreaming"
Colt at 14:51:48 Tuesday May 11 99
After Saturday, you may want to get away from local football for a while, so i suggest you relax by going to www.surf.to/lbcc and sign the guestbook.
P.S. All going cheltenham clap your hands!
SUNDERLAND COBBLER at 14:14:11 Tuesday May 11 99
Did anybody see Nationwide Extra last night? IA made wonderful comments about the season. Injuries and bad refs. But what about his team tactics fellow cobblers. Long ball to the target man does not work well! You also need to play the right players as well. For the love of god just go Ian or I will come down to your house and shoot you right between the eyes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ray at 14:12:23 Tuesday May 11 99
We can always start from "1" again and see how long it takes for the second 100,000.
The Dog at 13:55:36 Tuesday May 11 99
Oh bugger, missed the 100,000. Ray, any chance of 'clocking' the counter so I can have another go at being 100,000? No, OK I'll settle for 100,128
Mr Posh at 13:38:36 Tuesday May 11 99
1986 - The last time you beat the mighty Posh, thats over a decade ago, can't see you changing that record next season.
Toby aged 7 at 13:34:48 Tuesday May 11 99
sum nasty man has stole my last messidge to this site annd i am unhappy and its not fare and my mum says that we have got to go to peetuburu on saturday to do some shoping. thats not fare on me either cause my dad says that lots of peedofyles hang round the london road area and im scared.last time we went to peeterbru to see my team (the mighty Cobblers) i was even smaller than i am now as we have been in a much higher divishun for nearly all my life. i dont mind two much corse my dad says that we will get all 3 points at both games because peterbru are absolute doggy doo doos. bye bye for now as i have got to go back to skool.
David Nikel at 13:27:15 Tuesday May 11 99
http://nip.to/whfc
David Nikel at 13:26:10 Tuesday May 11 99
IF YOU'RE ALL GOING BORO' CLAP YOUR HANDS....
David Nikel at 13:20:0 Tuesday May 11 99
Oh look, one of Mr. Posh's groupies. Wont be the same as playing Cambridge ? Who do you think you are ?
PoshFan at 13:16:54 Tuesday May 11 99
Welcome to Division 3, thats 6 points in the bag for the Posh.
Won't be quite the same as beating the mighty EWES from Scumbridge but you'll have to do for one season until we get promoted. Knowing my luck the mighty EWES will get relegated before we get the chance to humiliate them.
UP THE POSH
ORBITAL Ganja at 13:14:48 Tuesday May 11 99
A penalty in injury time I my add!
ORBITAL Ganja at 13:11:7 Tuesday May 11 99
Top 5 games of the season.
WEST HAM (H) - Great atmosphere, brilliant performance as we beat the premiership highflyers.
BOURNEMOUTH (H) - Good friday game, superb atmosphere. come back to win after going 1-0 down. Plus the Brunette eyed me up at this game.
WEST HAM (A) - Excellent Defensive display sees us go through to round 3.
MAN CITY (A) - Battling performance saw us collect a point at Maine road.
BRISTOL ROVERS (H) - WE LOVE TO BEAT THEM!!!!!!!!!
I didn't include the 3-3 draws. Because they are nothing compared to the 3-3 Doncaster game that we played around 4 seasons ago.
Game delayed for 25 mins due to rain. Cobblers go 2-0 inside 15 mins.
Woody saves Don penalty. Don score from another Penalty. HT 2-1. Don equalise. Colin Cramb's superb looping shot puts us behind. Jason White scores from a penalty to give us a share of the spoils.
David Nikel at 13:6:17 Tuesday May 11 99
Ray, yYou've got Wembley 97 and Wembley 98, how about SPOTLAND 99 ?
David Nikel at 13:2:42 Tuesday May 11 99
Sorry Ray, my fingers slipped, that was only supposed to be on there once !
David Nikel at 13:1:49 Tuesday May 11 99
Well Done Ray, 100,000 pairs of eyes ! Bit better than my West Haddon FC site (BLATANT PLUG !) with only 720 hits.
David Nikel at 13:1:31 Tuesday May 11 99
Well Done Ray, 100,000 pairs of eyes ! Bit better than my West Haddon FC site (BLATANT PLUG)
David Nikel at 13:1:29 Tuesday May 11 99
Well Done Ray, 100,000 pairs of eyes ! Bit better than my West Haddon FC site (BLATANT PLUG)
Cobbler Down Under at 12:48:28 Tuesday May 11 99
Ray,
How about a "Rogues Gallery" page for the regulars to send in pictures of their ugly mugs so we can see who we're talking to.
Johnny B Cobbler at 12:39:12 Tuesday May 11 99
I'm afraid I don't understand your comment "1986", Mr Posh. Is it a) the top crowd at London Road last season b) the weight (in pounds) of Barry Fry or c) the number of useless comments that you have posted on this guestbook ?
Ian at 12:37:2 Tuesday May 11 99
Cogratulations Ray (and congratulations Tara). Seems like only yesterday we were watching the counter crawl towards the "big" 10000!! Things happen faster now.
Mr Posh at 12:16:17 Tuesday May 11 99
1986!
ORBITAL Ganja at 11:57:15 Tuesday May 11 99
videos are good but I need to be out AND ABOUT AROUND THE COUNTRY.
3 MONTHS AND WHAT ELSE IS ON IN THAT TIME.
WELL I WILL TELL YOU
GLASTONBURY - OH YES!!!!!!!!!
Ray at 11:43:52 Tuesday May 11 99
Well - you could always trot over to the shop and buy some videos.
ORBITAL Ganja at 11:22:4 Tuesday May 11 99
The season only finished on saturday and the withdrawel symptons have already begun. 3 months of waiting for the championship season. and just over 2 before the friendlies start. What am I to do?
Ray at 11:5:3 Tuesday May 11 99
Colt - there is already a prediction competition - check out the Oz Cobbler site. James - Yes - I will be updating the away travel section ready for next season - if anyone would like to supply details for grounds they have visited then please email me. I would ask Mr. Posh about grounds he has visited but I suspect there aren't any.
ORBITAL Ganja at 11:0:5 Tuesday May 11 99
sorry anon
james at 10:59:35 Tuesday May 11 99
Ray, could you possibly update the away travel section for next season?
ORBITAL Ganja at 10:58:21 Tuesday May 11 99
It finally happened on saturday, we went down to my displeasure. In my heart I was hoping for a bit of luck but in the end, our four leaf clover didn't appear.
But still we now have to look foward and think of our one stop in division three next season. Still though this season hasn't been a complete failure, and we will
come back with a vengence next season. This season has though conjured up a lot images which will stick in my mind. 1. Greasy chips at Macclesfield. 2.
Atkins laughing at Fulham, when some fans were chanting "Out, Out". 3. The Brunette (MMMMMM Nice!!!) 4. Ian Wright trying to get into a new sex
position with Sammo at Upton Park. 5. Old seats at Man City 6. Sodje 7. Clarence 8. Snobs at the spurs game 9. The Brunette's shoulder perfect place to cry
on at 5.00 on saturday 10. The pile of sick at 11.45pm on saturday night after drowning my sorrows.
Anon at 10:57:29 Tuesday May 11 99
It finally happened on saturday, we went down to my displeasure. In my heart I was hoping for a bit of luck but in the end, our four leaf clover didn't appear.
But still we now have to look foward and think of our one stop in division three next season. Still though this season hasn't been a complete failure, and we will
come back with a vengence next season. This season has though conjured up a lot images which will stick in my mind. 1. Greasy chips at Macclesfield. 2.
Atkins laughing at Fulham, when some fans were chanting "Out, Out". 3. The Brunette (MMMMMM Nice!!!) 4. Ian Wright trying to get into a new sex position with Sammo at Upton Park. 5. Old seats at Man City 6. Sodje 7. Clarence 8. Snobs at the spurs game 9. The Brunette's shoulder perfect place to cry on at 5.00 on saturday 10. The pile of sick at 11.45pm on saturday night after drowning my sorrows.
Mr Posh at 10:44:7 Tuesday May 11 99
1986!
Colt at 10:43:29 Tuesday May 11 99
I'd like to see a prediction table introduced, where people predict and win prizes for the most predictions right. All right so it needs a bit of fine tuning, but it's a good basis of an idea. Fantasy football?
Ray at 10:40:51 Tuesday May 11 99
OK - the close season is upon us and now is the time to start letting me know what you would like to see on this site next season. Please drop me a line with suggestions. Does anyone use the "away travel section"?
Ray at 10:39:2 Tuesday May 11 99
Thanks Rowland - if you have any special items you would like advertised then just drop me a line.
Rowland Jordan at 10:35:32 Tuesday May 11 99
The used programme stall at Sixfields has now produced its new catalogue of sales. Any collectors wanting one, then let me know.
ORBITAL Ganja at 9:59:23 Tuesday May 11 99
It finally happened on saturday, we went down to my displeasure. In my heart I was hoping for a bit of luck but in the end, our four leaf clover didn't appear. But still we now have to look foward and think of our one stop in division three next season. Still though this season hasn't been a complete failure, and we will come back with a vengence next season.
This season has though conjured up a lot images which will stick in my mind.
1. Greasy chips at Macclesfield.
2. Atkins laughing at Fulham, when some fans were chanting "Out, Out".
3. The Brunette (MMMMMM Nice!!!)
4. Ian Wright trying to get into a new sex position with Sammo at Upton Park
HANG ON I HAVE TO JUMP ON ANOTHER COMPUTER THIS WILL BE CONTINUED.
Jo at 9:37:44 Tuesday May 11 99
Yes 'Northampton Gas' I suppose I should be grateful for small mercies!
'Horsefield' I thought the same as you at least we wont have far to travel to some of the matches next season!!
'SBJ' so was it the men in dresses that you were impressed with?!! or the teletubby in the Burnley crowd! Either way don't get any ideas!
Johnny B Cobbler at 9:13:17 Tuesday May 11 99
Well I'm no 1000016 ! I am very surprised at how well I took it all - one very loud cry of "B*stards" at the radio as I went to a wedding reception in Fakenham at the weekend (very inconsiderate planning)and largge amounts of alcohol later, and I can almost look forward to next season (especially the victories against the Posh). The Cobblers are a far better side than they even were last season, and whilst it would be a shame to see Carlo, Warner and Hill go I hope that we can sort out the rest of Div 3 in some style. If the boys are winning at home regularly, I doubt that the gates will dip all that much. Is it definite that the ground will not be extended for next year ? A championship challenge will surely attract the Wembley 40,000 into the ground.
T. at 7:33:12 Tuesday May 11 99
It's Miss 100,000 from now on. Yipee!!!!Something to celebrate, I thought it would be gone over night.
Ian at 1:1:18 Tuesday May 11 99
Well Tara I hope you're gonna be up early tomorrow or it will happen around 9am when you will no doubt be away from a computer and I will be asleep! Good luck!
The rest of Div 2 at 23:21:8 Monday May 10 99
Good ridance to bad s**t
Ray at 23:16:28 Monday May 10 99
Only 148 to go!
Ray at 23:14:37 Monday May 10 99
That should of course have said "youngsters" and not whatever it was wot I wrote.
Ray at 23:13:43 Monday May 10 99
OK - I've done a bit of "blue pencilling" - prod me in the ribs if theres anything Ive missed. If your posting is missing - ask your self why - this site is read by youndsters as well as oldies - and I have followed the now standard policy of deleting complete postings which contain anything untoward - if you must swear then at least use *** or the like for missing letters - OK?
Northampton Gas at 22:34:10 Monday May 10 99
Jo, so you have been getting some stick from Gas Heads and S**t Heads. I bet you gave out plenty after the second leg of the play offs in 1997/98. It's not the end of the world, NTFC are not in the same position as Portsmouth or Crystal Palace financially. Remember Brentford came straight back up, it CAN be done, provided the WHOLE club are prepared to pull together.
horsefield@horsefield.eurobell.co.uk at 22:28:23 Monday May 10 99
Having followed the fortunes of the Cobblers for 44 years the main lesson I have learnt is to always see the positive side .Living in the West Country at least I will be able to attend three matches next season .Like my eldest boy said oh no I remember the first match yo toof me to, Torquay v Northampton and you told those boys off for swearing.Memories like those do not come cheaply .
Carlo's fan club at 22:23:13 Monday May 10 99
I agree with what steve wrote, i've been on quite a few times today (to make up for me sleeping hrough my hangover yesterday)
I hope we can do a Brentford however what everybody seems to forget so easily is that we haven't got the money unlike Ron Noades F.C. I hope they do well they've certainly got enough money to do well and a decent goalkeeper. Oh by the way at Wembley i didn't see many Saints fans there and if all you could here us singing was Northampton tra la la, then i'll have to ask "WERE YOU THERE OR WHAT FISH HEAD!"
As obviously that is not all we doing we were singing (toooo many songs to mention)clapping and many of us stayed until you had gone singing "we luv u cobblers we do!" After watching the game again, in fact all i can hear is Northampton fans singing!
NORTHAMPTON TRA LA LA LOL!!!!!
Piss off Grimsby shit at 21:48:49 Monday May 10 99
Like you lot are going to do F£$% all but get relegated from the 1st this coming season. I mean how can you survive in the big leagues with 5,000 fans.
Eternal Optimist at 21:46:8 Monday May 10 99
I suppose the price we have to pay for a decent forum like this is that idiots contribute. I think that the Kingsnorth comments should be removed. IA may have many faults but he wears his heart on his sleave and this experience has hurt him (& so it should). I honestly believe he cares for the club and should be backed, at least until we see the team play a few time in the basement.
Dwayne Doos at 21:44:20 Monday May 10 99
I was a Peterborough fan this season but now that the mighty Town are in our piss poor league (which we can't do shit in) I am now supporting the Cobblers!!!! That takes the fans at London Road down to Mr Pesh and his split personality.
Dom from Grimsby at 21:43:44 Monday May 10 99
Well well well. Funny how things turn out isn't it. less than a year ago this site was awash with snobbish greater than thou mentality comments about how you lot deserved to win the play-off's last year just cos 40,000 poncy sorts turned up at wembley in green and black rugby jerseys and politely applauded the players, merrily chanting 'northampton, tra la la' Well, I think that results since only serve to confirm the point, that no matter how much you paid that ref that was no way you people deserved to take 1st division football to your lego + breezeblocks stadium, and now it looks like you never will. Hope you all enjoy your trip to Cheltenham next year, you never know, you might be able to take in the races before the game, how jolly.
Pendragon at 21:23:12 Monday May 10 99
p.p.s. has anyone changed to screaming.net for the free calls and is it fast enough/any good?
Pendragon at 21:13:2 Monday May 10 99
Good points from Steve which ever side of the fence you are on. And I agree with the comment about the Steve Pitts write-up in the Chron. being well written. I guess the 100K will go to Mr Posh but probably under one of his 'cobblers fans leaving' entries. That would be most unfortunate. p.s. Ray, I still think the Kingsnorth posting should be deleted. This is grossly insulting to IA.
Steve at 20:50:46 Monday May 10 99
Right - hello again you lot. It's about 4 months since I contributed anything to this Guest Book. I'm now going to bore you all with 'What I Think', and it goes like this..... Here are the reasons we've gone down. Over a season, we didn't win enough games. We didn't win enough games because (in reverse order of importance)(a)some decisions went against us (b) we had some unlucky breaks (c)we had some injuries (d)some players didn't 'perform' - namely Spedding and Wilkinson. These are reasons, but you'll notice there's not much 'blame' in there. That's because it's not necessarily anyone's fault. Just because something goes wrong, why does everyone always cast around for blame? The easiest thing is to blame the manager. This is nonsense. What the Atkins-haters seem to forget is the biggest factor of all ...... money. It's not Atkins' fault that the Cobbs haven't got any readies. Do they realise that Burnley spent 750,000 on a central defender this season? Do they realise that Wigan spent at least 500,000 on 2 players (each)? Do they look at what Al Fayed has spent on getting Fulham up? The truth is that the money just ain't there. Atkins has generally done well with the money made available. Dobson has been a 'rock' since returning from injury. Hope is a great prospect. Corazzin has done all that can be expected, given the inadequate service he's received. Hendon is a fantastic player. Howey has proved to be a snip at 50K. O.K. Spedding and Wilkinson have disappointed. But generally speaking the new buys have turned out well. Getting rid of Atkins wouldn't be as clever as some people seem to think. Who would you replace him with? Colin Hill? Kevin Wilson? Colin Addison? Chris Waddle? There are dozens of possible names, but none of them have Atkins' track record. He MUST be given another chance. The third division looks weak for next season (mind you, doesn't every division when you're first relegated into it?). Promotion should be straightforward (I didn't say a doddle). If anyone can get us back, Atkins can. That's the end of the rant. If you want a more reasoned argument than mine, read Steve Pitts in tonight's Chron.
It's gonna go tonight! at 20:42:15 Monday May 10 99
yes, it is!
John (another fed up posh fan) at 20:14:15 Monday May 10 99
Paul, i feel exactly the same way, they have got NO ambition at London road, and i'm afraid if i want to see a team win the championship it looks like i'll hop aboard the sixfields wagon and become a member of the claret and white army!
******************UP THE TOWN*************
Carlo's fan club at 20:8:55 Monday May 10 99
Thanks dav cobbler, Here's a song: (sing to the tennessee wig walk? i don't know but my told me they used to sing it in the 1970's, i'm a bit young for that but he sayshe thinks that how it went)
"I was walking down Gold street singing a song, along came a boro fan and asked whats wrong. I kicked him in the balls and i kicked him in the head, now that boro' fan is dead"
DAV COBBLER POSH HATER F.C. at 19:45:16 Monday May 10 99
MAJIC ??????????????????????
DAV COBBLER POSH HATER F.C. at 19:44:48 Monday May 10 99
As this site nears the majic 100,000 mark what better way to achieve this wondrous milestone by filling the site with the good old S^££^B$£O songs and jokes. There are now less than 300 hits required a I for one know more than 300 songs and jokes about the ETERNAL SHITE from PISH. Get you lyrics and humour in NOW to reach the big one on a topical note - COBBLERS INVASION 99 / 2000
Carlo's fan club at 19:43:13 Monday May 10 99
298 to go, How many of what to go? can somebody pleease tell me thanks!
Paul (peterborough fan) at 19:28:51 Monday May 10 99
I've seen so many cobblers fans leaving to join the Boro' however there isn't that much here to get excited about, and i fact i was actually thinking about joining the claret and white barmy army, at least you get exciting matches and games that go to the last game of the season. You even have a decent chance of getting out the basement next season unlike these dickheads at London Road. Yes i've made my mind up i'm now a cobbler. COME ON COBBLERS
298 to go! at 19:25:33 Monday May 10 99
oooooohhhhhh!!!!1
MattC (Madrid Cobbler) at 19:12:49 Monday May 10 99
I agree with Ray's comments about fickle fans leaving the sinking ship, although I can understand the frustration. As a (nowadays) "virtual" Cobblers follower most of the time, I've only had to endure the pain of actually watching Atkins' tactics on a handful of occasions. But real fans don't change allegiance. I certainly won't be!! I hope our best players don't go as is feared, but I'll be willing to accept it if the money is used to pay Atkins off. Atkins has brought in good footballers, but has no idea of what to do with them. ATKINS OUT!!!
Terry Hawes at 19:11:57 Monday May 10 99
I don't think the world has ended for us Cobbler fans! The decade of the 1990s has been typical of our history, win trophies, get promoted and get relegated...its never dull!
If Atkins is kept, hopefully we'll play just like we did for the last nine games this year, we can say a lot of stuff about him, but it comes down to the players...Atkins is not out there playing!
I think next year is wide open in the division, although Barry Fry picked Posh to win the title this year(sorry wrong!) but it will be fun to play them...so we can kick their ass!
Hope the fans still come out next year...GO COBBLERS!
paul. at 19:7:25 Monday May 10 99
As one who was unfortunate enough to catch Nick Kingsnorth's comments, I just wondered if it is libellous to describe him as a complete tosser? Arsenal are welcome to him. Sixfields wouldn't give him house room.
Big Roy at 19:3:47 Monday May 10 99
I'm pretty sure all of the idiots deserting to P***bro' are a figment of Mr. Posh's imagination but if they are real, they'll be the best thing we've sent there since the floodwater of Easter '98! Good to see you back Pendragon. It's almost as if you've never been away!
DAV COBBLER POSH HATER F.C. at 19:1:40 Monday May 10 99
I apologise for the tone of this note but I must ask whether I am reading the comments of true COBBLERS or a bunch of BAND WAGON CHASING TOSSERS?.......So we have been relegated .....it isnt the first time and wont be the last. If anyone feels strongly enough to abandon the COBBLERS after this relegation then maybe they shoul PISS OFF now and take their comments elsewhere............I for one have followed my club through thick and thin for many years and will continue to do so until I die........I YOU FEEL THAT YOU SHOULD DESERT THE COBBLERS THEN PLEASE PISS OFF NOW AND SAVE THE TRUE COBBLERS FAITHFUL THE NEED TO READ AND LISTEN TO YOUR CRAP !!! GOODBYE................................. A COBBLER TILL I DIE
Pete at 18:53:21 Monday May 10 99
I see that IA is again blaming the refs for our relegation. Do we get more duff decisions than other clubs? Actually I suspect we might...but how much of this can be blamed on the fact that our manager has one of the worst reputations in the leagues for attempting to intimidate refs? If I was a ref I would want to show IA that he could not intimidate me. The backlash is totally understandable.
NTFC at 18:40:55 Monday May 10 99
Stay loyal to Atkins he kept us out of the Confrence in the first place - I would much rather be where we are now than where we were 4 years ago - remember John Barnwell !!! Nice passing football - shit results
Peer, Clarkson, Franics, Warner, Seal & Hill will be released
Lee Howey should be made Captain
The Real Mr Posh at 18:22:42 Monday May 10 99
Regarding Carlo's fan clubs remarks on "Simply The Best" being played as you left S**tfields on Saturday, I thought the song "Get Back To Where You Belong" by the Beatles or Down Down Deeper & Down by Status Que would of been more appropriate. Can anyone tell me whats happening to all your so called loyal fans, is it a case of rats leaving a sinking ship? (P.S any chance of a ticket for the derby game at Sixfields next season).***UP THE POSH***MR POSH.
Midland Mariners at 17:52:6 Monday May 10 99
Do you really think you`ll be good enough for the conference? The only dissapointment in you going down is that it secures another season in the league for Hull Shitty.
SBJ at 17:39:27 Monday May 10 99
Why not play some recordings of the 40,000 at Wembley? I'm sure there must be some suitable stuff on tape at the club.
Carlo's fan club at 17:28:17 Monday May 10 99
In reference to "simply the best" as we left Sixfields on Saturday, i feel the song as hey came out of the tunnel for kick-off should have been Hot chocolate - "you sexy thing" Why? you may shout at your computer screen, the lyrics are very appropriate.
The first line of "You sexy thing" "I BELIEVE IN MIRACLES!!" Now that would have been more fitting!
common the town!
Carlo's fan club at 17:14:43 Monday May 10 99
Just read the C&E, Atkins is going all out for promotion next season, and so he bloody well should. He seems to think we are keeping the same players and getting rid of ones he don't think are suitable. That means the end of Seal, Warner, Hill and possibly Francis. We're making a loss of about £400,000 (according to Barry Stonhill) by getting relegated and by selling just those three players we won't have enough money. Where is the rest of the money coming from? By selling our quality players, which if we do i don't think we'll have much of a chance of promotion. But if staying in the third division comes before the 1993 crisis i'll take it!
up the cobblers!
Cobblers Diehard at 17:6:39 Monday May 10 99
Stay loyal to Atkins, and we'll be in the bloody Conference in a year's time. The writing was on the wall at Xmas. The reality is that we've been playing Div 3 standard football for most of the time (with about 10 minutes quality passing stuff each game, the rest hoof & hope), so we can't grumble. To keep going on about refs & injuries & complaining to the FA etc is just a bunch of excuses. We have an excellent bunch of players, we need a new manager - don't wait until we're bottom of the 3rd to get rid of him. Disgusted.
SBJ at 16:35:37 Monday May 10 99
Actually Jo I agree with you: it would have been nice if the players had taken a quick tour of the pitch afterwards to thank the fans for our continuing support. I was up near the South Stand on Saturday too (N20 in Upper West) - they were an unusual crowd to say the least (spent much of the time chanting about Blackburn's demise), though I liked the end-of-season fancy dress some of them went for.
Another made up person from Mr Posh at 16:32:21 Monday May 10 99
I agree with a lot that has been said, don't get fooled by the defections. If your going to do that go and support a good side in the Premiership or Italy for that matter.p.s. what the hell was that bloke going on about seeing arsenal for 50p more, I suspect he is talking complete poo.p.p.s. That 93rd minute at wembley was worth this relegation.
Jo at 16:3:24 Monday May 10 99
I've been reading the other comments & I do think it is sad that people feel they want to support another team. Personally I feel I don't have a choice. I'm a Cobblers fan always was & always will be!! Living in Bristol now you can imagine the shit I have been getting today as I am sure other Cobblers fans have been getting. But wasn't it good to see us all there on Saturday!! I was absolutely gutted at the end. One thing that I thought was a bit off is that the team left the pitch v.quickly at the end of the game & didn't even thank the crowd. (I will probably get slagged off for saying that but that is how I felt) especially as we all made an effort for that game & espeacially for us who had to sit near the Burnley fans (were they tossers or what!). Anyway I wont go on!! Up the Cobblers!!!
Bolton Cobbler at 16:0:4 Monday May 10 99
Re: Simons comments......Simon, a fan of ten years or so and a season ticket holder for four, vows he won't be back to Sixfields until Atkins is sacked. Well I can certainly see his point of view, but unfortunately I must be some sort of masochist, I hate the way the manager carrys on more than most, yet despite it all I will be back next year to witness more Atkins shit. Such is the lot of a football supporter. However, people like Simon ought not to be riduculed, many diehard fans have stopped going because of Atkins, I know of many, but they will still be cheering them on long after the gloryseekers have had enough with Atkins. PS Everybody who told me I should wait to see if Atkins kept us up before calling for his head.......ATKINS OUT! HE IS THE FOOTBALL ANTICHRIST.
phil a at 15:37:58 Monday May 10 99
If Ray will allow me the platform (thanks Ray) can I inform any Cobbs fans not on the mailing list that there's still a week left to get your entries in for the Planet Cobblers Hall of Fame. All you have to do is to select the club's top 10 players of all time in your opinion and mail them to me at: ntfcfame@excite.com I've already had a lot of entries and it should be a good list. The top 10 will go into the Hall of Fame, a page on my site, with further players added at regular intervals after that. Full details on the Hall of Fame page at www.angelfire.com/co/bblers Why not have a look at the site anyway (after you've finished helping Ray get the 100K) Up the Town!
robert mcculloch at 14:50:57 Monday May 10 99
on sat the 8th of may i was at Blackburn v.Nottm forest, (i am studying in blackburn but support the cobblers) I was gutted and extemely upset to go down. But this club has been though worst and
survived and i believe we will storm division three next year and be a better team,we have a brill management team and directors.
I am proud to support the cobblers and i love the team
Wobbler at 14:41:48 Monday May 10 99
I agree with SJB, after being 90 minutes from Division 1 football and then back to the basement all within 12 months, I like everyone else am totally gutted and feel that we should never have let ourselves get into that position after all the hard work put in over the last few years. We all felt that our affair with Division 3 football had gone for the forseeable future at least, but at the end of the day and for all the glory we have enjoyed lately, we have got to start all over again. But I will be there next year, home & away because win or lose, watching the Cobblers (as taken from a great quote in the WALOC fanzine, "It's what I do".
SBJ at 14:19:51 Monday May 10 99
Some short comments: Saturday: mediocre sort of performance, relegation obviously very disappointing but not really surprising. Other fans' comments: mostly oblivious to this, it's a free world. Next seasons' chances: too soon to guess until we know who's staying and going, but I would think we'll be a top half of the table team rather than a struggler. Peterborough: a bit of local rivalry always spices up a season - I'll look forward to a good couple of games with Posh. Atkins: mixed views, but on balance I think we ought to keep him on till Christmas at least. Our fans: if they want to jump ship, let them go - there will always be a faithful core, maybe as many as 4-5,000 of us next season? Me: already booked my weekend off for the start of June so that I can travel up from Wimbledon to buy my first Cobblers season ticket - well worth the money in my opinion, and very much looking forward to a new challenge in division 3, regardless of who's playing / managing / lining up against us on the pitch. For me, like many others, it's a case of 'Cobblers till I die', and that's the end of it. The only question I have for any once-Cobblers-season-ticket-holders who are moving on to another club or sport is Can you let me know your seat number (if it's in West / Upper West) so that I can reserve it for myself? Ta very much. Roll on the pre-season friendlies . . . .
Carlo's fan club at 13:58:39 Monday May 10 99
If he leaves i guess i'll have to change my name. Got a very very sore head, just getting up after Saturday night, it's a good job i've got a week of work.Haven't read the board for a whole day and it looks like Mr P*sh has found a few more imaginary friends to make it lokk like shittyboro are a well supported club LOL!!!
Can somebody please tell me how many more what? to go
Ohhhh when the town go marching in.........
see ya next season scum
Thrapston cobbler at 13:56:56 Monday May 10 99
good idea oundle cobbler, think i'll join ya.
David Nikel at 13:38:32 Monday May 10 99
Simply the Best ? No suprises ? Surely Gary Glitter would have been more appropriate, "Hello, Hello, it's good to be back..."
Atkins said on Saturday night (BBC N'ton) "one or two players are out of contract and I'll be glad to see the back of them". Stonhill then said this morning on BBC N'ton that there are many players out of contract and there'll have to be some serious talks and meetings with Atkins to sort them out.
OK then, WHAT'S GOING ON ?
Fed Up With Fickle Fans at 13:36:33 Monday May 10 99
Why do all these "supporters" claim that they will now watch the Pish? Is it because they hope to see Premier League standard free-flowing football? Is it because they want to go to the Mecca of English Soccer - London Road, or is it because they never were true supporters but bandwagon jumpers in the first place who couldn't get a ticket to Man Utd, despite being "fans" of theirs for years....
Oundle Cobbler at 13:35:34 Monday May 10 99
I can't take anymore of Atkins' shite. I'm not going to renew my season ticket and I'm not going again until he's gone. Next season I'm gonna ground hop league/non league all over the county.
David Nikel at 13:9:26 Monday May 10 99
Swansea will NOT win the play-offs.
Budweiser Boy at 12:24:31 Monday May 10 99
Bye Bye you useless tossers ha ha ha
TRB Mark at 11:28:17 Monday May 10 99
I'll say to any Swansea Jacks what I said to Gashead. It was worth getting relegated for that moment at Wembley in the 93rd minute when John Frain scored that winner. You will never be able to take that away from us, even if by some fluke you do get promoted. ............Ignore those comments from so called supporters jumping ship. It is just a wind up because if anyone who supports the Cobbs deserted, it would be to Diremonds, not Pooh. Which brings me on to Mr Posh. God, have we really got to put up with his schoolboy ravings all next season? Can we not completely ignore everything he says inthe vain hope that he gets bored and clears off elsewhere?
If Gills do play Man C in the final, it will smash the attendance record for a Div 2 play-off, probably be a full house. Sid, how about a GTA????
Another Gashead at 11:16:27 Monday May 10 99
Well I'm another one who's not sorry to see the back of you lot. A victory for football I think! I know that it isn't the fans fault that Atkins is such a dreadful long-ball cheating loud mouthed.... but you weren't so quick to slate him a year back were you? I'd like to think that we'd have never put up with his tactics in the first place. Anyway, enjoy Division 3 and please don't come back before you've learnt how to play football.
Bill at 11:11:24 Monday May 10 99
Ray, I would just like to say that it wasn't me who put that i would now not support the cobblers - and i would like to know which b@$tard did. I'm sticking with them thru' thick and thin, like i always have. Re: "simply the best" at the end of the game - Wouldn't "No Surprises" by Radiohead have been more appropriate?
Andy C at 11:5:28 Monday May 10 99
Not much to add, other than thanks for the good wishes from a few of you for the Gills' play-off efforts. We're pleased to have avoided City so I'm a little more optimistic now, and the whingers from Bournemouth missed out in hilarious fashion to cheer us all up. (Sorry Mac-B if you see this.) I would probably feel sorry for York, slipping into the bottom four for only the last seven minutes of the season or whatever the statistics are, but they've been doing the Great Escape for years and it was only a matter of time. Burnley, Oldham and Wycombe were down there last season and this so the chances are they will be again next year, as mentioned by someone way down. PS If the Gills do happen to lose at Wembley I'm totally confident we'll end the infamous sequence, provided our best players don't desert us. All the best for next season.
The Shiteboro' COBBLER at 10:53:58 Monday May 10 99
COME ON THE COBBLERS!
Let's get behind the lads next season and thrash the P**H both home and away next season...
I can then go into work happily wearing my COBBLERS shirt.....
Alan (A. Lemming) at 10:39:57 Monday May 10 99
London Road sounds like a good idea. I've tried to be patient with the Cobblers for the past 7 years, we went up then back down again, they are not good enough for any other division. HOW MUCH DO WE HAVE TO PUT UP WITH! WHEN ARE THEY GOING TO GET IT RIGHT!. I'm going to see the Posh next season and compare. I think there will be alot of people who feel the same as I do. At least I have the courage to say so. See you at London Road lads. ...................................UP THE BLUES.......................
Jacks at 10:34:1 Monday May 10 99
A call to all REAL Cobblers fans - and Ray, no-one with any true sense of passion for their team are purile enough to bolt off and jump on some other bandwaggon simply because of relegation to Div. 3. So we have gone down - of course we are all devastated but it is a fact and all we do now is concentrate on automatic promotion. I pray we do not lose the likes of Savage, Hill, Warner, Carlo - but we might. All these pathetic comments are from one rather sad individual who can only be pitied. Savage called to hold the team together - let's hope with a new supportive and creative manager - Mr Atkins you have to go, we will. The point is he has lost all interest in Northampton Town his poor tactics and bizzare attitude has relegated us and because of that, he will not be of benefit to OUR club to remain. Look at Saturdays Cron. "I don't care what anyone says we have missed Paul Wilkinson" EXACTLY he doesn't care. To the players - thanks - I hope to see most of you here next season - we will be back, of course we will. Come on supporters this club is ours and we're proud of it and anyone else who isn't - we don't need you.
Anon at 10:10:48 Monday May 10 99
Yahhhoooo. Have a nice day out at Cheltnham next season.
The Jacks ARE going UP (This Time)
...from a Swansea fan.
Arfurjob at 10:7:12 Monday May 10 99
I believe that you've just been relegated. AAAAAAwwwwwwwwwww.
There's a shame! NOT!!!!!
Have a nice day at Cheltnham next season.
The Jacks(Swansea City) ARE going UP!!! (...This Time)
Gareth at 9:49:49 Monday May 10 99
We've gone down. It isn't the end of the world but it is a shame to have undone the good work of the last few years. We stuck with Atkins all this time because although the football wasn't pretty, it got the job done. When the tactics failed, Atkins had no ideas what to do about it. As a consequence we are down. yes we were unbeaten in 9 at the end, but so what? If Atkins had been able to forge a strong defence and hadn't clung to his naive defensive tactics maybe we would have won rather than drawing. As for this season's refs... I don't remember them ever being this bad in Div 3. When people say that things even themselves up over the course of a season, they obviously didn't have a season ticket at Sixfields. Game after game we suffered at the hands of refs. Apart from the recent spate of dubious penalties, what about the own goal ruled out for offside? The list could go on. Anyway, the season is over, I'll be getting a season ticket next year (whoever the manager is), LONG LIVE THE COBBLERS!
Stan the Exile at 9:8:40 Monday May 10 99
It's always difficult to bounce straight back - unless you get a new manager with a different style of play - but let's live in hope. It was a good improvement in form but too late, hopefully it will continue into next season. To GASHEAD: Don't shout too loud, you could easily pass us going down as we go up next season.
Ray at 8:48:56 Monday May 10 99
I think some people need to realise what being a supporter means....
T. at 6:49:46 Monday May 10 99
I'm about for the big 100000 Ian
Cobbler Down Under at 5:37:58 Monday May 10 99
Sorry I forgot so as not to cause offence I should have inserted IMHO at the front of last posting.
Cobbler Down Under at 5:36:19 Monday May 10 99
It's not about winning,losing or drawing it's about the Mighty Ones.All that needs to be said is that if you've followed the Cobbs for long enough then you would definately deserve a refund but the point is you would never think about asking for it.Div 3 Champions next year or Conference Champions the year after it doesn't matter because every other team in the Football League is sh*t and they are not the Mighty Town. If you don't want the heartache that follows Cobblers Fans then piss off and follow the twats below to shiteboro.
Ian at 1:35:50 Monday May 10 99
700 to go, tomorrow or Tuesday? Tara are you going to be there or is it a free for all?
Simon at 1:13:44 Monday May 10 99
Well I've seen enough crap football this season to last me a lifetime and I've had enough, I'll not be back until Atkins goes. I don't know whether the other messages are genuine or not, probably not, but at least Posh are apparently trying to play decent football so I might end up watching a few matches there. Don't bother wishing me good riddance Ray, I've been a regular for over 10 years and a season ticket holder for the last 4, so I don't need a pompous lecture from you on how and where to spend my hard earned money. Tosser.
Anon at 0:56:47 Monday May 10 99
Ray, I think you'll find it's all the same person, the very same no lifer, no mates from somewhere just east of Northampton, the very same sad individual who has to enter comments from his own 'imaginary friend of Mr Posh', just to convince himself that he has a mate.
Ray at 0:46:20 Monday May 10 99
I've just about had it up to here with all the so called fans who reckon they are clearing off to other clubs. Well quite frankly if you are then you were never fans in the first place and quite frankly its good riddance.
Pendragon at 23:52:2 Sunday May 9 99
Still on line for the forseeable future £££!!! (Thanks Ralph & Big Roy for caring - much appreciated). I see that Mr Posh has taken over our site with his own and nom de plume postings. If the Posh U21's are so great how come the first team can't even make the playoff's? Get off the pot and know that if you ever produce a decent player he will be sold to sustain the pie bill. Freddy Fulham....except at your own hovel of a ground this season (I,ve seen better construction in Serbia) you have singularly failed to overcome the tactics you are so scathing of. When Mo realises that you cannot purchase a passport he will pull out & you will soon return to your rightful place. Nick Kingsnorth's posting should be deleted immediately as it is libelous. Gashead, who has to type in capitals, - TRB Mark covers it all. That night I was in the West Stand near the away end (seat 10ish). I have never seen a bunch so shell-shocked in all my life and I actually felt a little sorry for you. Hope you recouped the cash for the Wembley shirts you had printed. Take a leaf out of Northampton Gas' book - he is OK. You brought in Tommo so that you could understand how we did to you what we did. YOU HAD/STILL HAVE NO SPINE. Tommo may teach you how to have some balls when the chips are down (I assume he showed you how to have Hendon sent off). Have I covered everything?
TRB Mark at 23:34:46 Sunday May 9 99
I feel the same Richard although I am just getting over last nights hangover. I'm just glad the season is over and I hope Atkins is true to his word that he has learned something from last season ("Kick off" today). I think the writing has been on the wall all season and too late did the fighting spirit return to the side after Woody and Razor's departure which seem to take the heart out of the side. But that is history now. We MUST keep the nucleus of the side together (if Carlo want s out then he can go) as despite the playing style, we have the players at this club. I think on reflection, despite all the injuries, the bad luck, crap refereeing , in-fighting, etc etc, the most frustrating thing about this season is that we have the players to be a good Div 2 side and too late Atkins loosened his iron grip on players expressing themselves
TRB Mark at 22:47:58 Sunday May 9 99
3-1 and you f**ked it up! Even going down was worth it for that night at Sixfields
GASHEAD at 22:39:37 Sunday May 9 99
HI IM A GASHEAD AND I REMEMBER MAY 1998 AT SHITFIELDS.WHAT A LONG 12 MONTHS YOUVE HAD WITH LOSEING TOMMO TO THE GAS.ITS BEEN SUCH A SHORT TIME THAT WEVE KNOWN YOU,AS WE MUST SAY ALL GOOD THINGS COME TO AN END.DIV 3 NEXT YEAR, CONFERENCE THE FOLLOWING YEAR, WHERE WILL IT END IS THIS ANOTHER MAIDSTONE YOU ARE FOLLOWING,BECK WOULD MAKE A GOOD REPLACEMENT FOR IA{AS YOU SEEM TO BE DIGGING THE KNIVES IN}HE SUITS YOUR STYLE OF PLAY.MAYBE WITH ALL THAT LONG BALL STUFF YOU ARE BACK WHERE YOU BELONG.
RICHARD at 22:36:53 Sunday May 9 99
IK'CIWT: Yes, I know 'cause I was there. But, frankly, a report of the match, humorous or otherwise, is superfluous. What's done is done; we can't bring it back or change a thing. The trials and tribulations of a season too far have had their part to play in differing ways for each of us; for some, the time has come to reassess; for others, looking forward is the only palliative. As for me, well, I can't believe how sanguine I am about the whole thing; I thought I would be distraught, taking out my anger and frustration on anyone, anything. But it didn't come. Instead, I felt a strange, calming relief that, at last, the awful waiting was over. Time to move on now, to pick up the pieces of the shattered dream and mould them into another form, a better future. We have the will; we have the way; we may even have the wherewithal. But, above all else, we have the Mighty Cobblers.
Bill (Sad Cobbler No. 4) at 22:32:36 Sunday May 9 99
After reading the postings earlier of Ian, Darren and Phil, I'm in total agreement with them. I've called it a day at Cobblers, I've had enough. I'm off to pastures blue.
FREDDY FULHAM at 22:32:12 Sunday May 9 99
I thought it only proper in the circumstsnces to wait a while before
sending my condolences . Your contribution to the division 2 experience will be sorely missed by the many admirers you have aquired amongst supporters of rival clubs .
The friendly greeting meted out to visiting fans was remarkable and the quality of your unique brand of football was legendary .
The prevailing attitude of sportsmanship and fairplay as personified in your manager I . Atkins has resulted in Northampton Town becoming forever synonymous with the methods he has employed .
I am sure I speak for most div 2 fans when I say that I hope you continue your journey next season and by season 20/21 you will be playing football at your proper level .
758 to go at 22:24:41 Sunday May 9 99
getting closer.....................!!!!!
Sid at 22:23:33 Sunday May 9 99
Kevin, I happen to think Howard is quite a good player. He takes his fair share of stick for not scoring yet, but take yesterday for example. Howard had a great one-on-one chance, but the keeper managed to save it to his left. Now, i know for sure (and i assume you will agree with this, knowing your dislike for Wilko) that Wilko would have never had a hope in hell of reading a through ball like that, let alone even have a shot!!! For me, Howard does a hell of a lot to link up with the play, and surely this must account for something, even if he doesn't score! I think Howard has the potential to be excellent, but he will never be a 20 goal a season man, under any management. Thank god Wilko hasn't been playing otherwise who knows where we will have been!
Kevin Simons at 21:41:30 Sunday May 9 99
Sorry Sid, I must also disagree, if only because Atkins constantly talks bollocks. Take last night's Chron for example, when he cited the success of his targetman theory and quoted stats to support it. I did my own checking this afternoon: on the assumption that by "targetman" Atkins means Wilkinson and Howard, these are the stats (league games only, where they were in the starting line-up). Wilkinson, P12,W3,D4,L5. Howard: P12,W3,D6,L3. TotalP24,W6,D10,L8. hardly promotion material,eh? extraploated over a full season we'd have accumulated no more than 56 points. Interestingly, the goals tally for these 24 games was For 29, Against 30. The dynamic duo managed the grand total of ONE goal between them. Even more interesting, for those who saw all these games, you may recall the 30 were nearly all conceded from corners and set pieces where said targetman were pulled back to defend. So Ian, not only do you not know much about attacking football you can't f*&^%ing well add up either! Now here's a positive suggestion: pay the buggers on goals scored (I think Atko wasn't informed by the Nationwide League of the change from goal diff).
A Mate of Mr Posh at 21:37:52 Sunday May 9 99
To : DAV COBBLER POSH LOVER FC Who do you think you are .... "Insider" or "In the know" ? What makes you think that BFB bought Posh then? There a popluar saying that a little knowledge is a dangerous thing as you keep trying to prove.
100 000 at 21:19:36 Sunday May 9 99
Premature CONGRATULATIONS RAY. Oh and THANKS
DAV COBBLER POSH HATER FC at 21:17:35 Sunday May 9 99
Looks like POSH really is the eternal FAT TWAT BARRY FRY as I am certain he made comments about the financial state of shitb%$o when he paid an arm and a leg for them. Face it POSH SHITE you were possibly born in NORTHAMPTONSHIRE and disgarded as a reject so never mind you mathematical prowess just get youself ready for the CLARET INVASION.
Mr Posh at 20:46:55 Sunday May 9 99
Glad to hear your yoof's won a prize Ray, what league was that in the Wellingborough Sunday Combination? While your second class kids are playing crap competition, ours are playing the likes of Liverpool and Man Utd and beating them. Four came through to our first team last season, another three this next season...all valued at over a million. We will absolutely piss div three next season, average age this season 20...yes 20...we knew we wouldn't go up this season, next season though, no one will live with us as you slip quietly into the Conference.
817 to go! at 20:36:51 Sunday May 9 99
See above!
Sid at 20:35:43 Sunday May 9 99
John, Don't worry about it. I think IA is a little bit suspect with the things he comes out with. The main thing with him is that he makes some superb signings this season, Corazzin, Savage, Hope etc. but he has a knack of playing tactics to suit him, rather than the team. Now the kick up the backside has been applied he has started to play Savage in a more free role, hence six goals. I think IA has been surprised at the way the team can play when he modifys tactics a little!!!
The Real Mr Posh at 20:18:4 Sunday May 9 99
Just a quick reminder,lets just look at the facts, I know I may not be the best mathematician in the world but does this really add up. Four home wins all season + Ian Atkins as manager = Division Two football next season, I dont think so. They think its all over, it is now. Welcome to 'DIVISION THREE'.***UP THE POSH***MR.POSH.
Mr Al-Fayed at 20:10:42 Sunday May 9 99
Thank god you went down you pile of crap. I am off to count my money and find a manager to win me another promotion!! Oh and - youll never play us again!!
Born Again Bill at 18:42:19 Sunday May 9 99
Well, i've had all day and all last night thinking about yesterday, and i've come to the conclusion that we could really take the basement by storm. Look out div. 3! Whether it is with or without Atkins, i don't know. And i'm fairly convinced that we will whip somme 'boro ass
Cllr T. at 18:1:14 Sunday May 9 99
Wey, hey I'm back, bloody Freeserve mucked up my settings, I've missed you all. Ray thanks for your help but I managed to sort it, it will only take me about 3 hours now to read all the old messages. Boy, my phone bill will start to rise again! Be happy everyone. Any new contributors while I've been away, back just in tome for the big 100000!!!!!!yipee!!!!!!!!!!
Pompey Cobbler at 17:24:4 Sunday May 9 99
So,farewell then Division 2 with the lovable rogues of Millwall,
the modest fans of Fulham and the finest team in Europe - Wycombe
steeped in their rich football league history.
Let us not forget the beauty of Saltergate - but let us look forward
to London Road and three points.
Ian (Disillusioned Cobbler Fan No. 3) at 17:9:5 Sunday May 9 99
After reading the comments from Darren and Phil, I am in agreement. London Road looks more promising than Sixfields now. Goodbye Sixfields and HELLO! London Road!
Mr Poshs mate at 17:7:38 Sunday May 9 99
Sunderland Cobbler : If you don't like the condition of the pitch stop scrounging off the council and get your own. Why should Cobblers be given a free ride ?
Anon at 16:37:45 Sunday May 9 99
Its all gone a bit pete tong!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Northampton Gas at 16:11:5 Sunday May 9 99
I love all these comments about the board paying money out of their own pockets to get rid of IA. This is absolute RUBBISH as are all the other comments by people in the "know". The TRUE position is that the board passed a letter to IA from the clubs solicitors, setting out what he had to achieve in a set number of matches. I can add no more to these comments or what subsequently happened, as it would be traceable back to a certain club official. Remember I was the first to tell you Tommo was leaving, long before it was admitted by the club OR printed in the local rag.
Rumour Machine at 15:59:16 Sunday May 9 99
I 've heard in Chevy's before the game thatr IA is going to be replaced and his successor has already been chosen. They would not give a name (sworn to secrecy) but added that IA has been paid off.
Carlo The Greedy Git at 15:59:13 Sunday May 9 99
Carlo Corazzin, HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!
Sorry nothing against you guys going down, just one greedy Canadian scumbag. You watch, he'll be away from your club faster than shit of a stick.
Good luck next season.
TRB Mark at 15:36:0 Sunday May 9 99
I know this is irrelevant in the greater scheme of things, but whose bright idea was it to have "Simply the best" blaring out of the speakers as we trooped off to Div 3. Talk about sullying the memory of Wembley. Some people have no sense of occassion. I suggest that they drop Gary Glitters "Leader" in favour of "Hello' Hello, we're back again." Things could be worse poor old Yorkie fan who abused this board last week must be gutted!
SUNDERLAND COBBLER at 14:53:25 Sunday May 9 99
IAN ATKINS for the love of god go now. Mr Atkins you have cost this great club of ours its Div 2 place. Long ball does not work any more you Brummie git. Pay him off now members of the board. We should be able to raise the money from other sources rather than sell most of the better players. Carlo may have to go, but we could get a nice sum from his sale at least.
On the manmger front, I will say again who we need to get. Alex Miller or Tom Hendry from St.Mirren. Hendry did good jobs at Berwick and Alloa on small resources. We must also look to sign some Europeans on Bosmans as well. The council can also help by giveing us a pitch to play on. I think we stand a good chance of getting back up in one go. But we need a new manager please!
COME ON YOU COBBLERS.
Anon at 14:49:14 Sunday May 9 99
ok, i can't keep this to myself anymore. rumour has it that, after the Macclesfield game, an emergency board meeting was held. Barry Stonhill, called for Atkins' resignation, and said he would pay him off out of his own pocket. The rest of the board, refused this offer and Atkins was given another chance. a coincidence to the sudden improvement of form? i think not
DAV COBBLER POSH HATER FC at 14:46:30 Sunday May 9 99
Once a COBBLER always a COBBLER.............Once a POSH always a TOSSER................A COBBLER TILL I DIE
Judge Pickles at 14:0:58 Sunday May 9 99
We do not need any more debate on "go or stay".
IA will not be manager at the start of 99/00.
Whilst his man managment is clearly poor, on balance he has made a positive contribution to NTFC - so thanks and good luck with the new job at ......
John Mcrirrick at 13:44:51 Sunday May 9 99
Sid- I certainly didn't mean to offend you. My point is, and this is just my opinion, that their is a kind of blind faith behind the majority of Atkins supporters. The majority claim that the only way to be a loyal Cobblers fan is to never question anything that is going on at our club. Personally I accept that there are certain fans that have considered the teams performance, and Atkins's and can see a way forward that includes Atkins but I too constantly get offended with remarks from Atkins supporters telling fans that a little more loyalty would have seen us survive. To appreciate Atkins's errors this season you had to watch alot of games, certainly we looked a useful side for the last 9 games and were unlucky, but I'm pretty certain that that change wasn't initiated by IA. At other times we've looked useful, but we got relegated because over 46 games we were poor. My point was that too many part time fans are living on IA's past achievments. I'm more than happy to accept a point of view if it is explained, I might not agree, and as I said I don't think that many people will cahnge sides on this one now, but the majority of pro Atkins remarks on this page aren't explained or argued, just chucked down from their perceived moral high ground.
Sid at 13:29:8 Sunday May 9 99
John, I am quite offended by the remark that the people who want IA to stay, the "pro Atkins brgiade" have been sitting at home. I want Atkins to stay, but if he does not do well at the start of next season, e.g. The first 10-15 games, then i will rethink my ideas I certainly have seen my fare share of matches, maybe not as many as i would have liked, but i also believe Atkins has been poor in his tactics and team selection. I wanted him to go after the Preston match, but ever since he got a vote of confidence by the board, we have not lost, and that has swayed me. It seems someone has had a word in his ear and the tactics have changed, hence the results. Ok, it was too late, but lets see what happens next season before we jump to saying anything. If Atkins went today, i'm sure many people would come out and say it was the wrong time for him to leave, because of recent results. I dont think he is the best manager, but i dont think he should leave.
Phil (Another Sad Cobbler Fan No 2) at 13:17:49 Sunday May 9 99
In response to Darren, I feel the same, do you want to share the travelling to London Road. At least there we might see a better class of football. Anything has to be an improvement on the Cobblers. Signed Depressed of Northampton......
Anon at 12:56:58 Sunday May 9 99
Richard Nelson is correct. Luton are staying up tossers.
John Mcrirrick at 12:52:9 Sunday May 9 99
In my opinion the future of the club hinges on what the board do with Ian Atkins. I've listened to the flood of support for Atkins over the last 24 hours but quite simply a very stubborn man caused us to be relegated. The pro Atkins brigade labelling themselves 'loyal support', to me quite obviously didn't get to too many games. I think they are the loyal fans that sit at home or go to the Saints. My fear is that due to the cost of disposing of Atkins and this school of thought that despite his poor performance this year Atkins is the man best placed to get us back to Div 2, the board will stick with him. There is no doubt that this squad is good enough to bounce straight back BUT if Atkins stays the nucleus of the squad won't. It is no secret he is despised by the players, it is only over the last 2 months when the players decided to take matters into their own hands that performances improved. Atkins's authoritarian dictatorship style seemed to work while the results were going our way but it had the opposite effect when things turned against us. When the players needed support and encouragement it was sadly lacking. This lost Atkins his respect among the players and this more than his negative tactics lead to our downfall. On top of that he is so bloody minded that he refused to pick the best players if they dared to disagree with him or looked like gaining the respect of the rest of the team. Pro Atkins supporters should remember that, he constantly put his pride and ego before the good of NTFC. He also applied for the Wolves job, FACT, so lets not go overboard with the loyalty, he was more than prepared to bail out. All that said, I have alot of symathy for the man, and respect him for what he has done. I think the next few months will see the pro/anti Atkins debate rage on. Your'e either for him or against him, I don't think anyone is going to change their mind on that now, and I don't think it will be that relevant to what the board decides. I think they want rid of the man but have the real obstacle of the cost. I for one don't really understand the criticism of the board. Sure they got rid of Heggs/Warburton. Atkins surely had the ability to veto this if he felt they were part of his plans, he didn't so they went. Heggs has been dissapointing and Warburton has hardly played, sure they wouldn't have been my choices to offload but the board have made more and more money available to strengthen the team, it just seems that Atkins has squandered it, buying players that he then doesn't utilise. I think that the board have been nothing more than supportive to NTFC's cause and shall continue to support their decisions. I think the key to success next season is retaining Savage, Howard, Hunt, Hunter, Hope, Howey, Hendon, Matthew and Spedding. I think it is inevitable we've seen the last of Carlo, we probably couldn't afford him even if he was prepared to stay. Much as I would love Warner to stay I think he'll go, he's been treated so badly he's got every right and I for one will wish him all the luck in the world, it will obviously prove to be a big mistake as he is one of our players who definitley will play at a higher level. Seal will go, and if Atkins stays the oviously Hill won't. Maybe we should also strip away some of the older dead wood. I for one will be renewing my season ticket and hope that all you lot will also. I would urge caution though on claims of winning the title next season, if Atkins stays we'll struggle to make the playoffs.
ernie england at 12:49:37 Sunday May 9 99
bad luck lads
Diamond Lil at 12:42:4 Sunday May 9 99
What's the betting that next season the gates at Nene Park will be bigger than those at Sixfields? On many, many occasions. Don't laugh. It will happen. You'll see.
The Insider at 12:11:59 Sunday May 9 99
According to Barry Stonhill, the pitch will not be relaid this close season because the council do not have the money (but can afford god knows how many thousands on a memorial to Walter Tull). He also said "they" are trying to "do it on the cheap" and yet they are still plans to play 9 local cup finals at Sixfields in the next seven days despite the pitch resembling a Yorkshire pudding. We'd be better off re-opening discussions with Keith Barwell - the pitch couldn't be any worse after sharing at the Gardens, we'd enjoy the benefit of a capacity increase and we wouldn't have to suffer Pall Mall/Granada any longer. You never know, Barwell might even be willing to inject some cash. The Council could then hold as many Mickey Mouse matches at Sixfields as they wish.
paul at 12:2:14 Sunday May 9 99
if my sister charlie reads this, please phone me. Also,ralph has written a lot of sense.
Richard Nelson at 11:48:30 Sunday May 9 99
YOUre going down hahahahahahahahahahahahah! Luton are staying up tossers.
Judge Pickles at 11:42:53 Sunday May 9 99
Out Ian Atkins
In Peter Taylor
Darren (Sad Cobbler Fan) at 11:24:28 Sunday May 9 99
I can't support them any more, its too depressing I'm off next season to follow The Posh. Anythings got to be better than what I have seen this year.
PLUMBOB at 11:21:42 Sunday May 9 99
AT LAST A SENSIBLE COMMENT ON THE SEASON REFRENCE WHAT THE BOARD SHOULD DO. WELL DONE RALPH .
Anon at 10:52:14 Sunday May 9 99
This myth about the directors bailing out the club in times past is a load of bo**ocks. The fact remains that the club went into administration with the agreement of the creditors which did not involve any of the directors dipping into their pockets.
Expectant Cobbler at 10:28:48 Sunday May 9 99
Having promised to keep us up and having failed has Mr Atkins done the honourable thing and resigned yet?
Den at 9:49:44 Sunday May 9 99
For what its worth I will add my thoughts on the season. I think it can be suumed up thus. Poor team selection and tactics. I am of the firm belief that our manager approaches each game with a "we must not get beaten attitude" rather than "we will go out to win". We have proved in the last few games that we can play football. Our long ball game has been replaced and has brought out the best in players like Savage, Hunt and Parrish (who has played his best football of the season). Injusries have also cost us dear. According to the C&E 15 players have undergone operations this season, which is incredible. Finally when we needed the rub of the green in the last few games we didnt get it. All of the penalties awarded against us in the last 3 home draws have been proved on TV to have been very poor decisions by very poor referees. I have just watched yesterdays on Sky and the Burnley player slipped on the wet pitch (even the commentator agreed and they showed it a second time). These decisions have effectively cost us 6 points and safety. However the main reason for our relegation is the managers lack of adventure throughout the season. Yes he got us to Wembley twice which I as a Cobblers supporter for 39 years thought I would never see and will be eternally grateful for, But now he must resign. Sorry to ramble but I have had the chance to sleep on it and tried to look at things logically and leave my emotions out of it whic is hard. One last thing, Mr POSH why dont you grow up you pathetic little creature, just because your season has been a complete waste of time (again) the only thing you have got to crow about is our relegation. I dont hate the Posh I just feel sorry for them in having supporters like you.
COMPOST CORNER at 9:45:6 Sunday May 9 99
Never mind Shamus.Just think of all them lovely pints we will win next season.Also how nice it will be to thrash the arse off them Posh barstards and Barnet (Who are ya?)
COMPOST CORNER at 9:42:4 Sunday May 9 99
Never mind Shamus.Just think of all them lovely pints we will win next season.Also how nice it will be to thrash the arse off them Posh barstards and Barnet (Who are ya?)
Ralph at 9:39:15 Sunday May 9 99
Yo Big Roy! What a lovely morning - Just off to put the nets up - Rumour has it I'm upfront this morning, I have a good feeling about today's game. Just time for me cider vinegar, honey and cod liver oil.
Big Roy at 9:26:55 Sunday May 9 99
Morning everyone! (I'm typing as quietly as I can)
Happy Rabbit at 2:19:10 Sunday May 9 99
Awww, we just had a great day and still there are sad neo-Brummie shoeshaggers leaving spiteful sour grapes bad loser messages on the Wycombe website. As if we care. We don't think we're better than you - we know it :-)
Say hello to Cheltenham for us....byeeee
The Dog (pissed) at 1:12:20 Sunday May 9 99
Well I hope u all appreciated my score updates earlier (more than the Premiership-never-been-to-a-game-idiots in the AOL football chat room). Lets hope we don't give frees to too many players - although I can think of a few... Interesting to hear Atkins mention Wilkinsons (pre-season) injury in his pre-match 'excuse'. And give a good mention for Chris Lee - would anyone like a bet he retains these two?
Ralph at 1:3:11 Sunday May 9 99
Too much Light & Bitter and Jameson's tonight, I'm having real trouble focusing. I keep having this reoccuring dream that Dean Peer is made skipper for next season and now I'm too scared to go to bed. What a life!
Ralph at 0:57:11 Sunday May 9 99
PENDRAGON - Sorry to hear about the repossesion, I will miss your lucid comments. Hope it's not too long before you get back on-line.
John Frain Fan Club at 0:55:13 Sunday May 9 99
It is so funny the way the likes of Wycombe, Burnley and Oldham think they are any better than us (some very heavy defeats, at home! spring to mind). To be honest they try to kick the ball further than us anyway and next season they will all be floating around the bottom of the 2nd. This time it won't be us saving them from the drop!!!
Ralph at 0:53:47 Sunday May 9 99
Well apart from a few sane comments, I can't wait until the 'my dad is bigger than your dad' brigade sod off back to play school and leave the rest of us to cogitate over what has been a dire season. I would council against calling for the heads of Barry Stonhill et. al. Some of you have very short memories, without the loyalty and financial backing of Stonhill and Barry Hancock and a few others we all might be watching our football at Kettering or, God forbid, Nene Park. That said they know and we know that they probably cannot take the club much further and I think they too would be quite relieved to hand over the reins and let someone else have a bash. But remember finding money men is not easy. Trying to find honest, decent and caring money men is nigh on impossible. We do not need to panic, we do not want another McRitchie scenario and if you want to know more about having a bent benefactor pop along to Brighton and Hove Albion's web site and ask them. All I ask is that they quickly decide what is going to happen, tell us and then get on with it. I do not want to hear rumour after rumour and uncertainty dog the pre-season. It is vital that we return at the first attempt but not at the expense of destabilsing the club and running up debts. Been there, done that and never want to do it again!
Kevin Nightingale at 0:46:49 Sunday May 9 99
A dissappointing result v Burnley. However a 9 match unbeaten run bodes well for next season. Let's hope the manager stays and I,m sure we'll be celebrating this time next year. Cheers.
Pendragon at 0:41:17 Sunday May 9 99
Atkins has got to go. We must retain Howey, Howard, Hill, Hunter, Warner, Hendon, Hunt, Savage & Hope. As for the rest,we could keep Parrish, Lee, Seal Clarkson & Sammo as squad players. The rest can go, thus giving our new manager (Peter Taylor) a little bit of cash to build the squad. Big respect to Atkins for his past achievements, but we are now back to square one, he has lost the respect of the fans (6-9 months ago), and we need a clean break. The Board of Directors have got to get off their backsides and try to gain additional sponsorship to cover the potential £400K defecit. If they aren't planning to meet Sunday/Monday to kick off this process then they need a good kick up the arse. The supporters are the only people who can look back with satisfaction - we're all a bit flat but can at least hold our heads high for the support we have/will give. This is my very last posting as my computer is being reposessed tomorrow, however, GOOD LUCK NEXT SEASON, I'LL BE THERE TO SEE US AS DIV. 3 CHAMPIONS. GOD BLESS ALL COBBLERS FANS.
Sid at 22:47:35 Saturday May 8 99
Sour Grapes Burnley Fan!!!!!!!! Just cos you cant beat us home or away!!!!! along with Oldham and Wycombe fans!
Burnley fan at 22:41:32 Saturday May 8 99
Corazzin is pants, just beacause he has a foreign name and scores penalties doesn't make him good or even capable to score goals in the 1st divison
Marc from Canada at 22:36:14 Saturday May 8 99
So the Cobblers are toast, eh? Do you think Corazzin will stay, or will he be sold? No offence, but he really shouldn't be playing div 3 footie at this stage in his career. Canada needs him to be playing in the first division. Anyway, good luck in Div. 3.
Laughing Claret at 22:34:47 Saturday May 8 99
Cheerio
Cheerio
Cheerio
Off to Div 3 You Go
Just Got Home From Your
Shit Ground
No Fans
Byeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
Sid at 22:31:46 Saturday May 8 99
We are in the Chat room now if anyone wants to come in. It is at http://members.xoom.com/cobblers
A happy Burnley fan at 22:31:10 Saturday May 8 99
AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH you long ball d@#£ heads.Back down to the 3rd divison where you belong.
Ray at 22:29:30 Saturday May 8 99
.... and why does Mr. Posh keep on about our youth policy when the whole crowd today saw our youth team being presented with the trophy for WINNING their league....
RESPONSE TO DIV 3 at 22:26:58 Saturday May 8 99
Hey Div 3 - HE DID TAKE US TO WEMBLEY TWICE !!!
Predrag Vragovic at 22:26:25 Saturday May 8 99
I am from free Yugoslavia.I am your fan.I hope so that whe go in second division.WE ARE THE BEST!!!
MI SMO NAJBOLJI!!!!(on Serbish)
DAV COBBLER POSH HATER F.C. at 22:25:22 Saturday May 8 99
If any COBBS would like to respond to any of POSH SHITES comments then please feel free to do so at the following E address : mr_posh99@hotmail.com I am certain that he would look forward to receiving your comments just as we have enjoyed the absolute shite that he has posted on this board. POSH SCUM - do you wish that you never posted you E address or what ? COBBLER TILL I DIE
The Colombian Cobbler at 22:19:8 Saturday May 8 99
...now isn't that just the post a lot of us would have loved to have seen an awful long time ago?!
Ian Atkins at 22:17:51 Saturday May 8 99
I thought I'd let you supporters know first, as I've always valued you all. I have resigned as of 4:45. I hope you all have a nice summer, I'm off for my hols now while my application to Notts Forest is considered. Bye bye.
Division Three... at 22:9:34 Saturday May 8 99
Atkins took us to webley twice, Atkins took us to webbley twice.. shut up you narrow minded wan&%rs who keep going on about past glory! It means as of now so little that it might as well not exist! For gods sake, lets sack the brumy fu%*kw*t while we still have a squad! ANd if I hear anyone say that he took us to wembley, their as much of a wanker as he is!!
charlie at 22:8:58 Saturday May 8 99
I'm afraid Mr Posh has left me quite confused. Who are these ridiculously overpaid superstars he writes about? And why would they want to head off if their contracts are so generous?
Division three is a hole, but it's one that we will sit in for a lot less time than s..tboro'. This wonderful academy you have didn't seem to produce players to get you out of div. 3 this time round.
Super Stripey at 22:7:18 Saturday May 8 99
Ummmm,well what happened then? I thought youse were coming up past us
as we dived back into DIV 2. Got that wrong then!!
Cobblers why not gain some respect from others by dumping Mr Atkins hoofer, doofer, magican of the pathetic longsters.
Finally MR A a message from the East Coast. "You can shove ya 40,000 up ya back passage."
"U.T.M"
chat room special at 22:5:45 Saturday May 8 99
IS ANYONE GOING TO THE CHAT ROOM TONIGHT ?
Mr Posh at 22:3:5 Saturday May 8 99
Welcome poor sobbing little cobblers to the shite hole that is division 3 as exclusively predicted by my goodself way back in October...hang on...what's that...SLAM...oh, it's only the trapdoor closing. Prepare to say farewell to your ridiculously overpaid superstars as they head off to pastures new and get ready to welcome such lumineries as Andy Saville (loike) from Scarborough. Alternatively you could give some of your youngsters from the Academy a go, but oh, you can't can you 'cos you haven't got an Academy 'cos wonder boss Atkins thinks yoof players are a waste of time. HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA poor little cobblers.
From the Cobbler's Last at 21:53:49 Saturday May 8 99
Well the writing has been on the wall for a long time and despite our recent good run 9 matches since defeat, we have never really got this season together. Even the last nine has only seen three wins. Good form, but not that good. Atkins post match comments smack of the same complacency as the rest of the season. He's been saying that we won't go down, now we're down, we are already 'champions elect' for the 1999-2000 Division 3. It shows how much he has lost the plot. He still had the same excuses and failed to reveal why any decisions he made are not to blame. Savage 6 goals in the last three weeks, why was he not playing before? Wilson has only been at the club for 2 years. He has played more times since April 1st than any of the previous 23 months. He has been a revelation and has changed the fortunes on the field. Hill, a NI international, still couldn't make the squad today and he has been missed in the heart of the defence. Peer, everpresent, even when injured. Hunter, played while injured and out for the season, never really getting back to form. Wilkinson'S loss, according to Atkins tonight, was a major blow. How many of us share that view? Warner, a notable but skillful absentee, when such a player was needed. A constatly changing forward line, unsettled defence, and non-existent midfield as it was constantly by-passed. As for playing tactics, well until the recent spate of attacking play we have been dire. We turned into April with less that 30 goals scored this season. We have scored a quarter of our goals in the last month and that has to be a reflection on the real state of our season and should give little doubt as to why we are going to Division 3. Listening to fans comments on the radio was a bit surreal. So many still thought Atkins was doing a good job and that he should be given longer.... How much longer does he need? He has had all this season to get it right and just 10 wins, only 4 of which were at home.. shows that he has had all the time he needs. The Board have backed him when most wanted his head. People were saying he hasn't had money. Wembley proceeds, West Ham cup money etc have been his for players. He has paid good money on players this year and we are still going down. Why is it not his fault? What more does he really want? He has to go. The sooner the better so that we can get ready for the next long slog to escape the pit from when we came two years ago. Enough said for now......UP THE COBBLERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Countyground at 21:42:32 Saturday May 8 99
Lets have some honesty from the Board, they must shoulder the responsibility for the mess the Cobblers are in again. They should send Atkins on his way, back to Brum where his tacktics might be understood. Please,Please can some one give a full match report. Many thanks to those of you who trouble to write sense on this page, it is very much appreciated. Also can someone scan onto here the C&E monday comments PLEASE. UP THE COBBLERS.
DAV COBBLER POSH HATER F.C. at 21:23:38 Saturday May 8 99
A few points if I may....................1. WE ARE DOWN - 2. POSH ARE SHITE - 3. I AM PISSED OFF - 4. POSH ARE SHITE - 5. ATKINS PLEASE GO - 6. POSH ARE SHITE - 7. LONDON ROAD IS FULL OF TOSSERS - 8. POSH ARE SHITE - 9. DIV 3 CHAMPIONS SOUNDS SO GOOD - 10. POSH ARE SHITE.............A COBBLER TILL I DIE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! PS.........................POSH ARE SHITE !!
Uncle Richard at 21:23:35 Saturday May 8 99
I'm afraid I must disagree with Paul , Atkins has had the most money to spend on players than the last ten managers put together , he has pissed it up the wall by buying donkeys & crocks then blames injuries and inexperience , the board must shoulder some of the burden , for underwriting this shambolic shopping spree , we got to wembley on the back of years of prudence & hard work , by lesser players proving a point rather than seasoned pros eeking out an existance until they are found out. If Atkins is to stay he must have a spending freeze , so he has to work with what he has brought to the club , he'll soon get fed up and leave us alone , ATKINS OUT
SAJ at 21:17:57 Saturday May 8 99
Paul - Wake up.
A consoling Oldham fan at 21:17:47 Saturday May 8 99
Stoke's narrow win against a pathetic Walsall outfit vindicates your complaint to the Football League, oh boo hoo. While you're at it, Reading & Lincoln were shite today. Why not send a deputation to UEFA Headquarters & demand a wild card entry into the European champions League by way of compensation.
The Olney Cobbler at 21:14:28 Saturday May 8 99
A strange feeling tonight. This is only the third time I have seen NTFC relegated. It is a great shame we are going down but the many people I spoke to before the game today had been predicting this since October. Even after the wonderful result against West Ham, many of us said that deep down we would have swapped it for a win in the league. Looking back on the season in the cold light of day it is no surprise we have been relegated. We have won fewer games than anyone in Division Two. Many of our best players have not been selected for reasons only best known to our manager. Michael Warner, Colin Hill and Dave Savage. You will note that two of those players are internationals. There are a lot of things that stick in my mind about the last nine months, like being 3-0 down at Notts County and defending with 11 players for instance. But the two things that really hurt are the Yeovil defeat and that dreadful game against Macclesfield. At Yeovil I had gone to so much trouble, time and effort to get there. When I got in later that night I said to the Mrs that I thought IA should go. It was the first time I had said that. It was a truly awful afternoon. I have no problem with the players, it is with the negative tactics that they have been forced to perform. My biggest worry is that some of these excellent players are going to get shafted on the retained list. I fear that Michael Warner will be gone. What a waste. David Seal. Do you remember him? A natural goalscorer who was asked to defend more than attack. What about Colin? Let us not forget that he played for his country this season. In spite of his age, he definitely has another season of GOOD football in him. I hope I am wrong and the Board announce their own retained list ASAP. The first name on that list is Ian Atkins. Good luck next season Cobblers and I hope to see Mr Hill in charge on Monday (dream on?).
paul at 21:10:47 Saturday May 8 99
Well that's that for 1998/99. I/m afraid I don't have much time for the sack Ian Atkins lobby. We must remember he has taken us to Wembley two seasons running, and while there have undoubtedly been tactical mistakes this time round, I hope that the club will show some loyalty to him.
As for all the Wycombe fans writing in to gloat, I suppose that's fair enough. I thought that Wycombe were by far the poorest side I saw this season and lets hope we overtake them next year as they get relegated on their way to returning to the non-league.
Big Roy at 20:59:18 Saturday May 8 99
I don't think playing "Simply The Best" over the PA as we filed out of the ground was the greatest of decisions but let's stay positive. As things stand at kick-off on the first day of next season, there will be nobody above us in Division 3. Let's keep it that way!
MK Cobbler at 20:57:55 Saturday May 8 99
A message to Barry Stonhill and the rest. Just you try selling our best players in the summer. You've played a big part in our relegation this year with the Heggs/Razor debacle. Put your hands in your pockets or get out.
Angry Season Ticket Holder
Anon at 20:50:1 Saturday May 8 99
SACK THE BOARD!
Anon at 20:46:33 Saturday May 8 99
The millstone round this clubs neck is Barry Stonhill.
Big Roy at 20:38:29 Saturday May 8 99
I didn't catch all of the post match radio interviews but full marks to Dave Savage for at least trying to sound positive about the future. However, he couldn't hide his displeasure at not being given a chance earlier in the season. By contrast, Barry Stonhill sounded very depressed and, as Ralph mentioned earlier, he is now concerned with finding ways to cover the £400K deficit due to reduced sponsorship etc. The sale of some of our finest players seems inevitable I fear.
ian at 20:20:54 Saturday May 8 99
it might have been worse shitboro could have been promoted. just remember these words for next season WE HATE BARNET & WEHATE BARNET !
Bill at 20:17:47 Saturday May 8 99
You might have heard me on the phone in on Radio Northampton this evening - making a complete pillock of myself. Basically i dread to think of another season with Atkins - but hearing him on the wireless i couldn't help but feel sorry for the bloke, i suppose he tried his best towards the end.
Mr Poshs mate at 19:58:19 Saturday May 8 99
Well I WAS pleased to see that Cobblers are back where they truly belong until a couple of recent messages jogged my memory. Looks like the 3rd are going to be priviledged to see the boring Northampton long ball 'artists' in action again. Oh god NOOOOOOOOO !!
Ralph at 19:55:27 Saturday May 8 99
Could we also have some twiglets and peanuts on the bar and perhaps some of those little siver onions too.
Pendragon at 19:47:5 Saturday May 8 99
What we need for next season: A re-laid pitch with additional drainage. An improved P.A. system with a new announcer. A new theme tune.
What we don't need: Clarence or any replacement, Mr Posh. I think that covers everything.....or does it?????????????????
WYCOMBE, WYCOMBE!!! at 19:44:42 Saturday May 8 99
You've been voted as the team in Div 2 that played the worst, unattractive football. Good to get rid of then, I suppose.
Wycombe Fan at 19:32:50 Saturday May 8 99
HA HA HA HA HA HEE HEE HEE HEE HEE HO HO HO HO HO
You really are crap, aren't you?
Back where you belong now - at least they all hoof the ball like you do. I see the best team prevailed in the end!!! Oh, thanks Paul Emblen! Now get out of our division!!!!!!!!!
Diamond Lil at 19:31:42 Saturday May 8 99
Anon: I've just opened a nice bottle of Double Diamond to celebrate. Cheers! Ooooh ent it bin a lovely day!!!!!!
LAUGHING CLARET at 19:25:21 Saturday May 8 99
HARD LUCK YOU DIDNT THINK YOU WOULD BEAT US TODAY DID YOU
Ralph at 19:21:25 Saturday May 8 99
Andy is also another one of those not very good referee's. He disallowed a perfectly good goal of mine once. I'll never forget it!
Ralph at 19:19:48 Saturday May 8 99
Well it is Saturday night and this is not going to stop me enjoying the evening, what's happened has happened, no use in sulking. What I expect is some positive action from those in charge. Back or sack the management, let's get the retained list published and get that new shirt in the shop before Easter PLEASE. Why is it we never get our new shirts in time for the summer holidays, answer please Janet!
Ralph at 19:15:10 Saturday May 8 99
JADE - If you are that loyal why weren't you at the game?
Ralph at 19:14:10 Saturday May 8 99
Also interesting to note the comments made by Barry Stonhill after the game on Radio Northampton. It will cost us about £100,000 in lost sponsorship money from the Nationwide League dropping in to Division III and after a little ready reckoner Stonhill thinks we could actually be facing a defecit of some £400,000. He will sit down over the next few weeks to decide how we can salvage some of this loss. I suppose it could be done one of two ways, bin some fringe players and save on the wages or sell one or two of our better players. We will be under a lot of pressure as the wage bill is higher and the gates will not match this seasons, mainly down to away fans. Remember the current board, whilst wealthy in everyday terms, do not have the cash to splash.
JADE - Wycombe Fan at 19:12:21 Saturday May 8 99
Well, you thought we'd go down today, however it appears Paul Emblem saved the day! So up your arse!!! We're still going strong, and looking forward to promotion. Coming from a loyal Wycombe fan, you should keep your Manager Atkins, and you'll soon be in the Conference!
The fat lady has sung, shame it wasn't for you!
Ralph at 19:4:38 Saturday May 8 99
CLARENCE - One thing is for sure nobody, but nobody, can put any blame for this seasons debacle on the fans. We have been brilliant this season. We have supported the team through thin and thin, home and away. Anti-Atkins some may be, anti-Cobblers never. I think that it is nothing short of remarkable the restraint shown by the fans this season. If there is to be change for next season let it begin by binning that effeminate, lop-eared, twot of a mascot that has done nothing but brought bad luck. I reckon it's a green and yellow albatross.
farry bry at 19:2:18 Saturday May 8 99
hahahahahahaha
Clarence at 18:49:16 Saturday May 8 99
maybe if some of you anti-atkins twats got behind the team they might be playing division 2 footy next season when will you learn!
Nyaarmozoan at 18:39:53 Saturday May 8 99
How do people generally feel about the chances of Corazzin, Savage, Howey etc. staying?
SAJ at 18:34:11 Saturday May 8 99
Atkins, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, GO NOW.
Ralph at 18:29:14 Saturday May 8 99
. . . and then Stoke go and beat Walsall!!!!
SIMON WWFC FAN at 18:29:13 Saturday May 8 99
OH DEAR ME !!!!!!! WHAT A SHAME
WELL LADS ENJOY YOUR SELVES DOWN THERE
TRB Mark at 18:20:28 Saturday May 8 99
Atkins, pre season Chron headline : WE WON'T DO A BRENTFORD.
Atkins, pre next season Chron headline WE WILL DO A BRENTFORD. Woody has done Brentford and must be laughing all the way to Div 2
Sid at 18:8:9 Saturday May 8 99
ooooohhhhhhhhhhhh bloody hell. well that's that then. WE ARE DOWN. Again, a SHITE decision from the ref. i have just seen it again on Anglia news, and it was DEFINITELY NOT a penalty. Anyway that was academic. Thanks Reading, fat lot of good you would have done if we had won, and Lincoln. Great support in the crowd, but it wasn't our day, season, year whatever...................
Ralph at 18:7:26 Saturday May 8 99
Just listening to Ian Atkins on 104.2 and he is still harping on about refereeing decisions and penalties that weren't. Does it matter? Apparently he was asking the referee to look at the video of the penalty incident, why? That's another referee that will have a reason to hold a grudge. For Chrissakes there is so much more that needs looking at. I'd start with game plans.
Carlo's fan club at 17:59:39 Saturday May 8 99
DIVISION 3 WATCH OUT *THE COBBLERS ARE COMING*!!!
This time next year we'll all be singing "champions, champions" and "Boro's staying down"
I don't think Atkins should go he got us out of the third two seasons ago and i'm sure with the players we've got (as long as they stay) there shouldn't be a problem in gaining promotion next season. Atkins can't be blamed for everything that has gone wrong this season, i agree he has made a couple of dodgy decisions regarding tactics etc but lets all get behind them next season like we normally do. We'll be alright, up the cobblers
Philip Hudson at 17:56:6 Saturday May 8 99
SHIT!!!!!! I've been crying ever since their 2nd goal went in. If it wasn't for 3 shit referees in 3 consecutive home games we would still be in Division2. Its partly Atkins fault (hopefully he'll go now)- he plays shit tactics, sells good players. The only positive thing is that we'll be champions in division 3 and also an away trip to the Posh scum.
!!!!!!!SACK ATKINS!!!!!!!
A WWFC Downunder at 17:43:53 Saturday May 8 99
Enjoy Division Three lads. You deserve it for he way your players got Steve Brown sent off earlier in the season. We're staying up - you're not!
Steve at 17:42:19 Saturday May 8 99
well I suppose it had to happen, and once the fans face up to it the better.
They weren't good enough thanks to the board and no one else.
Don,t blame everyone else and cause violence .just look at your chair people who sold everyone who was any good.
This is coming from a none cobbler fan, steve warburton
GUTTED at 17:33:46 Saturday May 8 99
our worst nightmare has happened, back in the 3rd division, on a positive note there`s a big differance between 2nd and 3rd division football and if we keep most of our strong players we will return to our rightfull place in div 2 either through auto promotion or the play off`s, during the closed season we`ll wait with baited breath to see what changes will be made players or management? i believe atkins will stay and get us back up! i think seal will go with chris lee and possibly a few surprises, o`well here`s to a long hot summer.
Diamonds Supporter at 17:27:6 Saturday May 8 99
Well well look how the tables have turned. Just imagine this time next season we could be passing each other as you go down again!!
Tada then
THE FAT LADY at 17:26:44 Saturday May 8 99
I'm singing pretty loudly now!!!!!!!!!!!!
Anon at 17:26:9 Saturday May 8 99
Well at least we can look forward to taking 6 points off sh@tborough next season.
Return of the Dog at 17:3:28 Saturday May 8 99
Damn, my mates a Wycombe fan and they've fluked it. Lets continue that old Wembley-Relegation-Promotion trend. Im off to watch Cricket for 4 months...
Depressed teletext watcher at 16:58:47 Saturday May 8 99
It's all over......................... Bring on the mighty Mansfield.....
Anon at 16:40:40 Saturday May 8 99
SHIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
TomG at 16:29:41 Saturday May 8 99
I ment 'BUGGER'
TomG at 16:28:46 Saturday May 8 99
Oh Buggere. We're going (gone?) down.
The Dog at 16:12:42 Saturday May 8 99
Right, no more from me unless Reading decide to score
The Dog at 15:54:15 Saturday May 8 99
Howard clean through, 1 on 1, shot at keeper....... Half time, no change to scores below
The Dog at 15:43:39 Saturday May 8 99
Sounds like Savage is having a stormer - Hendon sounding lively aswell
Mr Poshs mate at 15:37:4 Saturday May 8 99
I hear the Fat Lady singing "Oldham 2 Reading 0......". Let me be the first to welcome you to DIVISION THREE.
The Dog at 15:34:1 Saturday May 8 99
Nooooo Oldham 2-0 up
The Dog at 15:28:34 Saturday May 8 99
About 20 mins gone - scores still:-
Town 1-0
Oldham 1-0
WW 0-0
The Dog at 15:23:30 Saturday May 8 99
104.2 reckon were playing OK. Come on Reading, knock one in..
The Dog at 15:14:14 Saturday May 8 99
Town 1-0 (Savo)
Oldham 1-0 though
6 mins gone
The Dog at 14:39:39 Saturday May 8 99
Team news: Parrish in for Peer, Hendon starts, Gibb on bench
The Real Mr Posh at 14:18:6 Saturday May 8 99
Just a final word before the big kick-off. On behalf of myself and other users of this comments page, the likes of Sid, Ray, Ralph-mouth etc, one thing I'm sure we could all agree on is come 16.45pm what ever the outcome from our matches, could you please refrain from using bad language, I'm sure there are many young 'Wobbler' fans along with many other genuine fans who read these postings.***UP THE POSH***MR.POSH.
Ralph at 14:0:23 Saturday May 8 99
Lots of 'hits' in the past few days but not much being said. All seems a bit handbagish on the part of the visiting supporters. Still it will be interesting to see Ian Atkins team selection today, a game we must win, in ninety minutes, no extra time or penalties. I bet bloody Dean Peer plays. Burnley score goals, so we must have a team that can out score them. If we try and defend a 1-0 lead we will be in trouble, I believe Burnley will score. Flat back four and four in midfield is my prognosis. Savage has got to play central midfield not as he did, wide left, at Chesterfield. We need a decent selection on the bench too. Anyhow time for the talk to end and plug in me radio. I'm not looking forward to the game one bit and admit to feeling massively aggrieved that we find ourselves in this position, so easily avoidable, more of that later I am sure. Sing your hearts out Cobblers fans, any awards going out today should really come to US ALL. Well done!
Shakespearean Cobbler at 13:59:50 Saturday May 8 99
Go, gentlemen, every man unto his charge: Let not our babbling dreams affright our souls: Conscience is but a word that cowards use, Devised at first to keep the strong in awe: Our strong bodies be our conscience, legs our law. March on, join bravely, let us to the pell-mell; If not too heaven, then hand in hand to hell. What shall I say more than I have inferred? Remember who you are to cope with all.
King Richard's Oration to his army. Richard III Act V Sc iii
Shakespearean Cobbler at 13:9:48 Saturday May 8 99
You are going to win today lads. I know it.
Eastander at 13:4:54 Saturday May 8 99
My players to be released next week, Wilkinson (donkey),Seal (wil never be allowed to play with IA in charge), Hill (as for Seal),Francis (well past his sell by date),Peer (can`t pass the ball,but that may be OK in div3),maybe even Warner (as for Seal & Hill),but thats next week, today we must all get behind the lads and WE MUST WIN no maater what happens elsewhere.COME ON THE TOWN!!!!!!!!
CARLO'S FAN CLUB at 12:51:10 Saturday May 8 99
Yeah but you did the double over us last season, sooooo what goes around comes around and someday you'll get yours, ohhhhh and it looks like todays the day NTFC, THE CLARET AND WHITE AND PROUD!!!
UP THE COBBLERS!!
Claret on tour at 12:45:29 Saturday May 8 99
Remember last season, when old Atkins wasn't very complementary about us? He said we deserved to be down the bottom of the league! Well we survived.......but you won't.
Down you go, down you go, down you go.............
CARLO'S FAN CLUB at 12:39:20 Saturday May 8 99
Just woken up from my nice sleep dreaming about how we stayed up and the post match celebrations.
Anybody read "The Sun" this morning by the div.2 tables there is a picture of catkins and underneath
it says "In Atkins Northampton crisis" that's it but a bit of publicity. Also in the same paper Quite a big picture of Woody with Ron "mr millionnaire" Noades. Thats it on that too!
Going to start getting raedy today, making ticker tape etc lets make one helluva noise COME ON TOOOOWWWWWNNNNNNNN.
Phil Baron at 12:25:31 Saturday May 8 99
If we stay up today all the lads are going to the Newt & Cucumber for the biggest players piss up in history so be there!!!!
Anon at 12:22:1 Saturday May 8 99
cobblers stayin up
Fat Lady at 12:13:46 Saturday May 8 99
I don't think I'll be singing 'Cobblers staying up', do you?
Ray at 11:55:6 Saturday May 8 99
I can hear the fat lady doing a few scales to get her voice into trim, the sun is shining and I don't know whether to wish the time would pass slower or quicker until kick-off. Does anyone happen to know who the ref. is today? Are we going to get a fair crack of the whip? Will all our bad luck this season suddenly turn? Who knows - all we can do is hope and sing our hearts out this afternoon.
Strangely calm and serene person. at 11:50:28 Saturday May 8 99
Have been convinced since the Gillingham game that we would go down(BTW..I also appreciate Andy C's comments, good luck to the Gill's today), but anyway, slept well last night, and woke up convinced the results will -at last- go our way.Let's hope I'm actually right for once!
John Mcrirrick at 11:22:7 Saturday May 8 99
Todays the day. Today will go down in history, we'll tell our kids we were there, just like Gay Meadow 6 years ago. Lightening does strike twice. It's going to be a great day. 3-0 to the Cobblers. Cobblers are staying up.
The Real Mr Posh at 10:51:13 Saturday May 8 99
Lets just look at the facts, I know I may not be the best mathematician in the world but does this really add up. Four home wins all season + Ian Atkins as manager = Division Two football next season, I dont think so. They think its 'NOT' all over, it is now. Welcome to 'DIVISION THREE'.***UP THE POSH***MR.POSH.
Anon at 10:28:20 Saturday May 8 99
C-O-BB-LERS STAYING UP! Sing it,C-O-BB-LERS STAYING UP! Sing it,C-O-BB-LERS STAYING UP! Sing it,C-O-BB-LERS STAYING UP! Sing it,C-O-BB-LERS STAYING UP! Sing it,C-O-BB-LERS STAYING UP!
SING IT TODAY AND WE WILL SURVIVE
SUNDERLAND COBBLER at 10:13:13 Saturday May 8 99
We can do it. Just you wait and see. The curse of poor next season, when you loose the div 2 play off final the season before will not send us down today. Sing your hearts for the boys today at 6fields.
COME ON YOU COBBLERS.........................................
COME ON THE TOWN! at 9:54:9 Saturday May 8 99
COME ON TOWN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Bill if you read this ring me before 12
Peterborough are crap, we are not at 9:53:8 Saturday May 8 99
Mr Posh, you really are more stupid and ignorant than we thought aren't you? We have several good young players coming through (Andy Morrow, Garry Hughes) that will become first teamers sooner rather than later and the only overpaid player we have is Paul Wilkinson. Unlike you lot down London Road - every single one of your players is ridiculously overpaid - If I was that fat bastard Fry (which I'm not THANK GOD) I'd pay them about 1p each. Anyway, enough about the scum, I think we'll cane Burnley today and stay up. Oh yeah, I'm going to cut up a few sheets of A4 and throw them at the start of the game. COME ON TOWN!!!!!!!! BTW Bill ring me ASAP
John Frain Fan Club at 9:0:15 Saturday May 8 99
London road is burning down, burning down, burning down. Well if it isn't it should be!!!!!
John Frain Fan Club at 8:56:15 Saturday May 8 99
Come on the Town!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!message ends....
Mr Posh's Mates mate at 8:55:34 Saturday May 8 99
Do you really think you have a chance. You have to face the facts lads, Div three is where you are going and the conference is where you belong. BYE... BYE.... BYE....If you really get that depressed you can always visit London road next season to cheer you up.......anywhere would be better than where you are now.........BYEEEEEEEEEEE The Trap doors waiting for you so jump in.....<<<<<<<<
Lady Luck at 8:33:53 Saturday May 8 99
I'm sorry, but I'm not coming back, I've deserted you for good.
Anon at 8:20:59 Saturday May 8 99
maybe just maybe we can survive the drop. Get behind them all the way and ignore phony radio reports of other scores!!!!
The Sceptical Cobbler at 8:6:54 Saturday May 8 99
I'm looking forward to the game today, but i'm really not looking forward to the few minutes between final whistle at 6-fields and when i find out how Wycombe and Oldham did. I'm bringing spare underpants in case. COME ON TOWN!!
Dave at 8:1:34 Saturday May 8 99
just had a look at burnleys web site (through the soccer links)
If yoyu were thinking of looking DONT BOTHER ITS SHIT latest scores etc 97/96 season ~(and thats the best bit there)
The China Cobbler at 6:57:21 Saturday May 8 99
Oh dear, scratch that previous message - not the best of weeks then, maybe ignorance was bliss after all. Ah well, sod it - even if we'd won at Saltergate anything other than a win today wouldn't have been good enough if either Wyc/Old manage to scrape a win. Can't believe the way the results have gone lately, when whoever it was posted that 50 points would probably be enough I agreed.
Let's just hope it still might be. My Dad will be there today but obviously I can't be, for me it looks like an unbearable evening listening to ear-splitting crackles interspersed with broadcasts about the re-scheduling of the Asian Table-Tennis Championships (or 'The World Service', for those who don't have to put up with it).
I can imagine it now... James Alexander Gordon'silky voice intoning 'Northampton Town 1' then disappearing into the ether before I can tell whether or not those false-Clarets managed to put one past sport Billy.
Ah well, I guess it's my own bloody fault.
COME ON TOWWWNNNNN!!!!!
The China Cobbler at 5:31:57 Saturday May 8 99
Well, living so far away from home I'm writing in ignorance of crucial results this week for Oldham and Wycombe - I've also got no idea what happened at Chesterfield. It's agony. But, whatever happened, everything will be decided later so...
COME ON COBBS!
alan at 2:41:0 Saturday May 8 99
good luck for saturdays survival game from an expatriate now living in the usa!
El Cobbler Colombiano at 2:4:29 Saturday May 8 99
Give us an NNNNNNN
give us an OOOOOOO
give us an RRRRRRR
give us a TTTTTTT
give us an HHHHHHH
give us an AAAAAAA
give us an MMMMMMM
give us an PPPPPPP
give us an TTTTTTT
give us an OOOOOOO
give us an NNNNNNN
...and who's staying up?
carlo's fan club at 1:16:53 Saturday May 8 99
i've been on foor quite a while now i'll see if i can get to sleep and have lovely dreams about tomorrow and the celebrations that see us stay up GOODNIGHT MY FELLOW COBBLERS FANS GODBLESS HOPE THE COBBLERS BED BUGS BITE THE SITTYBOROS ONES
SING UP FOR THE TOWN, THE TOWN R STAYING UP........
Cobbler Down Under at 1:14:55 Saturday May 8 99
Come on the TOWN!!!!!! Sweet dreams Ray I'm just off to the Pub!!
carlo's fan club at 0:59:18 Saturday May 8 99
it says that my browser isn't suitable whatever that means! Needs to be java or something
carlo's fan club at 0:56:9 Saturday May 8 99
it says that my browser isn't suitable whatever that means! Needs to be java or something
Ray at 0:52:15 Saturday May 8 99
Try using a name that u know is gonna be unique...that may be your problem.
Ray at 0:43:46 Saturday May 8 99
Well Sid and I are there at the mo ..... try again.
carlo's fan club at 0:43:14 Saturday May 8 99
Just tried to get in chat room and it won't let me in TYPICAL! I'll try one last time
Cobbler Down Under at 0:41:50 Saturday May 8 99
Hey Sid when I try to get in to your chatroom it keeps telling me to piss off! So it has been raining heavily Ray what do you think the chances of the game being called off are?
Sid at 0:38:22 Saturday May 8 99
that should be http://members.xoom.com/cobblers
Ray at 0:15:40 Saturday May 8 99
Just go to Sid's site at http://members.zoom.com/cobblers and follow the link to CHAT....
CARLO'S FAN CLUB at 0:13:14 Saturday May 8 99
Arrrrrgggggghhhhh, Still can't get to bloody sleep how do i get into the chat room?
Yogi Bear at 0:5:54 Saturday May 8 99
Who keeps praising David Seal. As a regular at the stiffs he has lost heart and doesn't care. He knows he's on his way out but I wonder where to ? He was crap again at St Albans Thursday night - five yards off the pace and after an hour was subbed. I used to think he was worth keeping but I'm sorry to say I'll be glad when he's gone - wewant winners at this club.
Ray at 0:3:25 Saturday May 8 99
Yes Sid - and answered it....
Sid at 0:3:16 Saturday May 8 99
Anon, i will be there in a mo......... Anyone online come to my Chat room at http://members.xoom.com/cobblers!!!
Anon at 0:2:18 Saturday May 8 99
Come on - I just gotta talk to someone.......
Sid at 0:2:16 Saturday May 8 99
YAAAAAYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!! First posting on the day where the mighty Northampton Town pull one out of the bag!
Rowland at 0:1:31 Saturday May 8 99
See you all at Sixfields tomorrow. A new programme sales catalogue is out, come and visit us it may your last chance in this division for a while. I hope not. Good Luck lads and we can only hope that Wycombe and oldham fail to win and we pick up 3 points.
Sid at 0:1:27 Saturday May 8 99
Ray, got my mail??
Anon at 0:1:2 Saturday May 8 99
I cant stand it anymore !!!! Im off to Sid's room to see if anyone is there.....
Sid at 0:0:44 Saturday May 8 99
Thankyou for getting in your GTA's, if there are any outstanding, send them before 3pm tomorrow to the above address!
Ray at 23:58:39 Friday May 7 99
I don't think many of us can sleep Yogi!
Sid's Final Comments at 23:57:41 Friday May 7 99
Well, here we are........ after 8 months of having a go at just about anyone that put a foot wrong at Town, the time has finally come to sing like you have never sung before!!! Can i just plea to all fans to forget about Atkins, and other problems connected with the club, and look at the good thing. We have a two year deal reaching six figures with Nationwide, Dougie Hodgson may be back, we are ona eight game unbeaten run, and most important WE ARE NOT DOWN AND OUT YET!!!!!! For god sake, will everyone at the match sing, regardless of whether you never sing or sing all the time, the only thing that will get us out is to raise the roof, (aswell as throw around those little bits of paper that make it look like a South American atmosphere!) and just support everything thast happens. I dont care if we go 1-0 down. We will win 2-1 if you support loud enough! I would like to thank all those that have been on this site, and all the others (including mine) for making it the most tense day in NTFC's history. I dont want to see anyone moaning at any of the players if they make a mistake, it HAS to be an atmosphere like the Play Off final. PLEASE SING UP, and remember, if the unthinkable happens, just look back at what we have achieved. COME ON TOWN! Lets think back to what it was like at the end of the last two seasons..... if past form counts, we are due a huge slice of good fortune, like we usually have at the end of the season! COME ON COBBLERS, lets sing the ROOF OFF!!!!!! COOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMMMMEEEEEEEEEEEEE OOOOOONNNNNN TTTTTOOOOOWWWWWNNNNNNNN!!!!!!!!! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOORRRRRTTTTTHHHAMPTON NORTHAMPTON NORTHAMPTON!!!!!!!!
Yogi Bear at 23:57:12 Friday May 7 99
What on earth is going on normally i'm the only idiot on here at this time of night. Still never mind at least with Sh8tborough losing to Scarboro we won't have to worry about Michael Knighton and his apceships next season.
Fat lady at 23:54:11 Friday May 7 99
Ive been asked to get ready to sing tomorow, i have already made an appearance for macclesfield and diremnds and tomorrow i will be singing at wycombe lincoln & ?????????????????????????/ o i do hope its not at sixfields COME ON COBBLERS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
We are coming to get ya posh at 23:47:27 Friday May 7 99
Of course, it was meant to read Number one
steve at 23:45:35 Friday May 7 99
sitting here its hard to believe that on top of two fabulous seasons capped with the wembley trips we are in this situation ,
but im sure we will survive good luck tommorow to the mighty cobblers
TRB Mark at 23:44:13 Friday May 7 99
I am to staying in tonight (although it is really dragging). I have decided that when we stay up tomorrow, I can go out and get bladdered and if by some chance we go down, then I can go out and get bladdered.
The Colombian Cobbler at 23:43:25 Friday May 7 99
The Cobblers (clap clap calp) ? Sounds like a trip to the general to me!
TRB Mark at 23:41:42 Friday May 7 99
To fans of all other clubs. You can see why we hate the annoying little T**Ts from fenland can't you.
We're coming to get ya at 23:39:52 Friday May 7 99
When I was just a little boy....I asked my mother what should I be? Should I be boro, should I be Town, this what she said to me; "Wash you mouth out son and go get your father's gun. I'll shoot all the boro scum, Town are No one. THE COBBLERS (clap clap clap) THE COBBLERS
Mr Posh at 23:39:46 Friday May 7 99
That's the original Mr Posh, you know, in the know, ask Hartwell Cobbler. Well my little Cobblers just a few more hours to go before YOU FALL THROUGH THE TRAPDOOR, back to where you almost belong. I say almost because you really belong in the Conference, and you know you do. Yes, my friends, the happy hunting grounds of Rochdale (don't smash the Cemetery up again you morons), Exeter, Chester, Carlisle (maybe) and Hartlepool all await. We might of course pass like ships in the night, although somehow I doubt it as Fat Baz is about as good as IA loike. Say bye bye to all your over paid players and get set to welcome the signing of 32 year old cloggers from such wonderful teams as Darlington and all because you didn't invest in yoof loike HA HA HA HA HA HA the end is nigh!!!
The Colombian Cobbler at 23:37:8 Friday May 7 99
AMAZING! It turns out that the "Real Mr.Posh" is in fact a 1"penis'd sodomite virgin who lives with his Mum. It kind of explains why he's got nothing better to do than write to a Cobblers page. Mr.Pish - go play with your train set, or won't mummy let you. Did you kill Dando?
CARLO'S FAN CLUB at 23:35:53 Friday May 7 99
While not being able to sleep, i've been looking through a football song book and came across a song that could be adapted to our great friends on the other side of the Nene, are u ready!!. Sing a long to don't cry for me argentina!
"DON'T CRY FOR US PEETERBOROUGH, THE TRUTH IS WE CANNOT STAND YOU, ALL THROUGH OUR WILD DAYS, YOUR MAD EXISTENCE, WE'LL TAKE YOUR MAIN STAND WITHOUT RESISTANCE"
COMMON TOWN!!!
Freddy Krueger at 23:25:21 Friday May 7 99
The nightmare has only just began. Once down in the basement there is no escape. Sweet dreams 'Wobblers', sweet dreams.***FREDDY KRUEGER***
Cobblers staying up, Peterborough staying down, business as usual. at 23:9:21 Friday May 7 99
My team for the nailbiting relegation decider tommorow v Burnley at Super going to be expanded Sixfields: (5-3-2) Turley, Hendon, Frain, Sammo, Howey, Hill, Savo, Wilson, Seal, Howard, Hunt. Subs: Lee, Warner, Dobson. My prediction: Cobblers to win 5-1 with Savo bagging a hat trick and Lee Howey getting the other two. Then Lincoln v Wycombe will be a draw and Oldham will get stuffed by Reading who have been training in the Artic Circle to get acclimatized to Boundary Park (which is f**kin' freezing). COME ON COBBLERS - BTW Bill if u read this before 12pm tommorow give us a ring.
carlo's fan club at 22:56:7 Friday May 7 99
sooooo worried about tomorrow i can't sleep is there anybody else with the same problem?keep the faith we CAN still do it, UP TH COBBLERS, THE MIGHTY CLARET AND WHITE!
The Real Mr Posh at 22:55:30 Friday May 7 99
It seemed a good idea at the time, all my mates were doing it, just one game they said, I could handle it, but no one game and I was hooked, I had to suffer again and again, why did'nt I listen to Mr Posh and take his advice. Ian Aktins really screws you up. (Remember! just say 'NO' to NTFC)***UP THE POSH*** MR POSH.
C&B at 22:52:6 Friday May 7 99
Well I For One Will Not Bother If We Lose, As Long As Oldham Go Down. See Ya At 3pm Tomorrow Lads And GOOD LUCK.
CLARETS FOREVER
David Seal at 22:10:5 Friday May 7 99
Please play me Atkins.
Uncle Richard at 21:55:45 Friday May 7 99
O.K. the season isn't over yet and there is still everything to play for , but this is after I was resigned to 3rd div football after the Preston (non)performance , so our unbeaten run in has been a pleasent distraction . Unfortunately my season was cut short so I've missed the Wigan & C/field outings and will have to listen to BBC commentary for Burnley (at least it wont be disrupted by reports of saints or dimones - they can't win anything so no-one is interested in them).
All I can do is cheer the Town on in spirit (and pain!) and hope they put in a performance that we long suffering fans deserve. Whatever the result is tomorrow , one thing is certain , we must get rid of Atkins , I see he is blaming Referees , but they can only disallow goals if we stick the ball in first ! I'm afraid my anger and frustration at being relegated was vented weeks ago , I only hope lady luck proves me wrong for being premature , good luck Town , stuff it up them , and ATKINS OUT
james curley / york cobbler at 21:32:9 Friday May 7 99
I might be wrong, but wasn't there some suggestion that there might be a trophy for winning the tipping competition? Who won it anyway? (sorry to boast). Anyway, the winner of the tipping comp is tipping the cobblers to stay up. We're safe.
james curley / york cobbler at 21:28:24 Friday May 7 99
Sad to see York City fans having a dig at the Cobblers - they have no reason to. Their claim that York try and play nice football is a bit rich. I was a season ticket holder there from about 1985-1993, and I can't remember more than three passes being strung together in a row ever.
All we can do tomorrow is win, and then see what happens. I think we'll be alright.
Carlo's fan club at 21:22:51 Friday May 7 99
How come Ray graydon win manager of the month for april, Surely Ian Atkins was a candidate for manager of the month we went a whole month unbeaten and climbed out of the relegaton zone. Walsall lost at least one game that i can remember does anyone else agree?
carlo's fan club at 21:18:21 Friday May 7 99
I'm sooooo nervous about tomorrow i haven't been able to think about anything else for the past month now and the past few days have been dreadful thinking about all the possible outcomesand how we still have a good chance of styaing up, anybody go any tips for relaxation?
Not many people been on tonight considering the the game tomorrow, sing your hearts out for the lads!! common cobblers!!
Fat Lady at 21:13:56 Friday May 7 99
I am not sure were I am meant to be tommorrow, I believe the air is good for singing at Sixfields?
ian at 20:31:26 Friday May 7 99
come on cobblers you can do it !
phil at 20:22:41 Friday May 7 99
Good luck the lads. If the worst comes to the worst at least we won't have to suffer Rushden and Diamonds next year. Maybe we were a bit hasty with Woody..... Them 12 or so points would have made all the difference.. Sing up for the lads tomorrow !!!
Norwich Cobbler at 20:18:0 Friday May 7 99
Here I am probably the only Cobblers supporter in Norwich (apart from my daughters) and I've been amazed with how many people have wished MY
team good luck today.I think most predictions about Lincoln & Oldham cancelling each other out are about right lets just hope that Reading are up for it.We've got to concentrate on beating Burnley and then worry about everyone else the sad thing is that we've had so many chances to have picked up those elusive 2 points we've only really got ourselves to blame.
My Prediction - Lincoln 1 Wycombe 1
Oldham 1 Reading 1
Cobblers 2 Burnley 1
COME ON YOU COBBLERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
WE CAN DO I!!!!!
WE WILL DO IT!!!!!!
Mr.P*sh - bollocks!
james/Kingsthorpe at 20:15:27 Friday May 7 99
Can someone tell me the frequency for the radio commentary of the game, please?
John Mcrirrick at 18:17:26 Friday May 7 99
Come on everyone, it's not over untill the fat lady sings. This sea of resignation and acceptance is all a bit early. Yes we're favourites to go down BUT when we beat Burnley tommorow we'll have a chance of staying up. Seize that positive and carry it with you until 4.45 tommorow. The biggest game ever at Sixfields. NTFC needs every one of you. Few people thought that we would overcome the 3-1 defecit last year, it seems few people think we'll get out of this one. Lets do it. See you all tommorow.
nick at 18:15:20 Friday May 7 99
if anyone has any tickets for tommorrow please e-mail mwe at nick6ix@hotmail.com my brother is realy pissed that it was sold out when he went to get them!!!!!
Mr Posh's Mates Mate at 18:14:38 Friday May 7 99
Well! Even thought I haven't been in the country for a while what news to come back to. The cobblers are going down The cobbler are gooooing down. HA! HA! The trap door is open just waiting to swollow up the cobbler scum. I won't welcome you to the third as WE still have a chance to get in the play offs. So enjoy your religation party.............UP THE POSH FOREVER.............
DEBORAH at 16:54:51 Friday May 7 99
COME ON YOU COBBLERS I WILL BE PRAYING TOMIGHT!
p at 16:44:48 Friday May 7 99
goals?
Ray at 16:11:2 Friday May 7 99
2,034 to go!!!!
Ray at 16:10:16 Friday May 7 99
Can I also join in in wishing the Gills the best of luck in the play-offs. I remember a year or two back when both our clubs were going through decidedly shitty times how the supporters of each club gained much from each other and at least if the worst happens and the Cobblers do go down I will feel a little bit of satisfaction watching Man. Shitty get stuffed.
Sid at 15:49:50 Friday May 7 99
Dont forget your GTA's aswell......
Sid at 15:49:28 Friday May 7 99
Come ON!!! Lets have more messages of support from all the Cobblers fans!!!!!! (and away fans aswell!!!!!)
Sid at 15:44:59 Friday May 7 99
My site is now updated. http://members.xoom.com/cobblers
Barry Fry at 15:43:45 Friday May 7 99
Yas Mr Posh's mate....but what you found out when your wife awoke you was that it was a wet dream. COME ON YOU COBBLERS.
Anon at 15:40:58 Friday May 7 99
Diamond Lil - enjoy the trip to Carlisle next season. Ooops...forgot you guys only go to home matches (and then only when you are winning).
Reading Fan at 15:12:27 Friday May 7 99
Just a quick note to say GOOD LUCK on Saturday. Hope we can beat Oldham for you and that you stay up.
See you next season......
Andy C at 14:56:12 Friday May 7 99
TRB Mark, thanks for the good wishes. You're probably the only non-Gills supporter in the country hoping we make it! I'm no more confident than any of you lot but we'll give the play-offs our best shot and won't be found wanting for commitment. One other thought on the Stoke business: surely all you can expect of a manager is that he does what he thinks is best for his team. That's what Brian Little did, with an eye on next season. It's unfortunate that this didn't correlate too well with the line-up he's picked throughout this season. But if the League insisted he had to choose from certain players, that might (conceivably) prejudice Stoke's chances for next year - and more worryingly it would compromise the League's independence. As Gary says, the team that played at Priestfield showed no stomach for a fight so I don't think they'd have fancied it much against Oldham's desperate troops. I can't help feeling that if you go down there are plenty of other people you should accuse of neglect of duty before you get to Brian Little. You know who I mean.
BIG JOHNNY GAYLE at 14:18:12 Friday May 7 99
THE TOWN ARE STAYING UP, THE TOWN ARE STAYING UP, WE KNOW YOU DONT BELIEVE US WE KNOW YOU DONT BELIEVE US WE KNOW YOU DONT BELIEVE UUUSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS THE TOWN ARE STAYING UP OI!
Dyl at 14:13:51 Friday May 7 99
Wycombe are non-league pretenders. Oldham are Manc rejects. Only the mighty Cobblers deserve to stay up!
FA person at 13:55:30 Friday May 7 99
Two years time.
Another person at 13:53:21 Friday May 7 99
When are they going to amalgamate division 2 and division 3 into two semi pro north and south divisions anyway so we don't have to bother with any of this shite?
Bill Oddie at 13:37:56 Friday May 7 99
Northampton town centre will be a nice place for a drink on saturday if we go down!!
The Big Banana at 13:24:16 Friday May 7 99
Wycombe - footballing kings......ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha......
Burnley, the worst team ever to wear the mighty claret...
No, time to wake up.... the Cobblers will win, Wycombe will lose but unfortunately, Oldham will win by default against Reading when immovable sh*te means unstoppable crap.
David Nikel at 13:11:29 Friday May 7 99
Gaz, same here, I'm getting nothing done at college and would much rather go to QPR than P****borough and Rochdale.
Gaz at 13:5:21 Friday May 7 99
I can't concentrate at work today. I really don't want to have to go to Darlington and Rochdale etc again. Itried to describe what I'm feeling to a colleague, but I can't find anything to compare this with. The closest I have come is that pre-first-date feeling. UP THE COBBLERS!!!
Jacks at 12:37:10 Friday May 7 99
I'm scared and the tensionSaturday it going to be electric. But - remember the point is - we CAN still do it - it isn't over yet. We will - simple see...........................
Johnny B Cobbler at 12:37:3 Friday May 7 99
I'm as nervous as everyone about Saturday, and although I know its not very positive thinking, surely the Gay Meadow experience cannot happen again. If the worst happens and Oldham beat Reading (how can they fail to after the display Reading put up against us at the Madejski ? - Wycombe and Lincoln will draw, by the way) then at least we can look forward to a season in a division where we should be a class above the rest - maybe a repeat of 86/87 is on the cards - Steve Howard is the new Trevor Morley, Ian Hendon could be the new Eddie McGoldrick, and with Lily playing the way he is, can he not be compared to Richard Hill ? Let's go for the new points record in Div 3 next season it shouldn't be too hard for the "Chaps" ((c) Luca Vialli) to get the 105 or so we would need. Still, I'd rather we were in Div 2 ***UP THE COBBLERS - WIN ON SATURDAY***
Northampton Gas at 12:17:0 Friday May 7 99
Is the rumour correct, that Gurmit Singh is saturday's ref. If so' I feel sorry for you.
Wishful thinking at 11:21:16 Friday May 7 99
TRB MARK: Don't shed a tear? Can't help it I'm afraid.
COLT: I'd add COME ON COBBLERS!! to you're last message.
For everyone else feeling down (but not out), just think of the joy
if we do stay up!!! Thats more like it!!
Division 3? Not on your COBBLERS!!
anon at 10:53:9 Friday May 7 99
how I long for those wembley days
Staying Up at 10:34:7 Friday May 7 99
Yerkshire, Yerkshire, Yerkshire!!!!!!!!
Person at 9:41:54 Friday May 7 99
Good luck Cobblers, we need it. Even though I am anti Ian Atkins main style of play I think we should try and keep him if we go down to the third, as I think he's probably one of the best managers to get us out. Relegation is nothing new to Northampton and thankfully recently, neither is promotion. Therefore the various taunts of Yerk, Oldshite, Whycome and pisspoor united are pathetic. See everyone next year.
Person at 9:41:42 Friday May 7 99
Good luck Cobblers, we need it. Even though I am anti Ian Atkins main style of play I think we should try and keep him if we go down to the third, as I think he's probably one of the best managers to get us out. Relegation is nothing new to Northampton and thankfully recently, neither is promotion. Therefore the various taunts of Yerk, Oldshite, Whycome and pisspoor united are pathetic. See everyone next year.
Colt at 9:40:3 Friday May 7 99
Come on Reading and Lincoln
That is all
Mr Poshs mate at 1:46:10 Friday May 7 99
"Come on you Cobbs. We can do it. We will survive. We .............. arrrrgggh." (elbow in the ribs) "Wake up dear you're DREAMING again... "
Wildy at 1:43:53 Friday May 7 99
Aawww, did that nasty Brian Little upset you then? Poor loves, you go and write a letter to those nice men at the football league, they'll make it better.......YOU SOFT BASTARDS!!!!!
We would have stuffed Stoke whatever side they put out 'cos they're shite, just like you in fact. Piss off back to Division 3 you whining southern ponces.
Oldham forever.
Sid at 1:29:41 Friday May 7 99
Is anyone actually going to do Guess the Attendance for Burnley?? I have had only about 12 guesses............ arrrrrgggghhhhh!!!!
Sid at 1:2:48 Friday May 7 99
God i am optimistic for Saturday now after reading today's comments. We have had soooo many clubs come to slag us off. But come on, we have resigned urselves to relegation long enough. WE WILL SURVIVE........... you just wait and see.......!!!
Yogi Bear at 0:36:41 Friday May 7 99
Full teams were..
Cobblers: Higgs. Michael Warner. Brad Piercewright. David Theobald. Gary Hughes. Adam Hancock. Richard Butcher. Chris Greenacre. Paul Hough. David Seal(Thompson 60). Terry Bowes.
Spurs: Espen Baardsen. Ledley King. Clive Wilson. Moussa Said. Justin Edinburgh. John Scales. Ruel Fox. Stephen Clemence. Paul McVeigh. Jose Dominguez. Andy Sinton. Subs all used - Paolo Tramezzani. Peter Crouch. David Lee.
Yogi Bear at 0:31:17 Friday May 7 99
Well at least there were four cobblers supporters at St Albans tonight. 1-0 up at half time through Chris Greenacre and stuffed 6-1 by full time.
Cobblers fielded two trialists Higgs (Worcester) in goal and Terry Bowes (Ipswich) No11. apart from Warner the rest were kids.
Spurs meanwhile fielded players such as Ruel Fox. Andy Sinton. Jose Dominguez, Moussa Said and John Scales to name but a few so its no wonder we lost.
Anon at 0:5:19 Friday May 7 99
Well even if the worst happens and we do go down Diamond Lil - at least we won't be playing you lot...COME ON YOU POPPIES!!!
LOZNTFC@aol.com at 23:11:5 Thursday May 6 99
How I remember Shrewsbury!The only consolation if we go down is that at least we will be back even if its via the play offs.
Diamond Lil at 23:3:59 Thursday May 6 99
Won't be long darlings before you're put out of your misery.........
TRB Mark at 22:58:39 Thursday May 6 99
Nice of the Burnley fans to gloat when they consider themselves a big club but have spent eons bobbing up and down between the bottom two divisions. Anyone can fill our away end, it's small enough but you only fill Turfmoor when you have an end of season dog fight to stay up so it must make a change for it to be the opposition for a change (not forgetting your spawny win against Plymouth). CMON Cobblers. Keep you heads up until it's all over. We the fans have nothing to reproach ourselves about. How many clubs would take away the amount of fans we do, knowing that we will (usually) watch such sterile stuff? How many of the new , or recently converted to all seater stadia do you get the home fans singing from all 3 sides? We might head back to Div 3 but the measure of the great strides NTFC have made in the last 5 years will be if we can come back up before another decade elapses. So if the worst comes to the "worst", shed no tears and let no blood. I pesonally would like to see Gillingham get promotion because it would make Andy C happy and his visits to this message board have been much appreciated.
DAV COBBLER POSH HATER FC at 22:4:51 Thursday May 6 99
I am sorry to say this Cobbs but i fear that we are doomed to a season with the Posh Shite !!! I would like to praise fellow Cobbs supporters for the way that the team has once again been supported through thick and thin this year. I am really pissed at having to miss the last game through work commitments though my thoughts will be with everyone in any way involved with NORTHAMPTON TOWN FC - THE COBBLERS - and the true CLARETS. GOOD LUCK
Ian Atkins Again at 22:2:42 Thursday May 6 99
If we go down I will resign.
Anon at 21:13:1 Thursday May 6 99
York City Fan - to support York City, you deserve to be shot in my book
realist at 20:18:52 Thursday May 6 99
Not much hope really but by 1500 Saturday I will believe otherwise. Remember Shrewsbury!!
The Olney Cobbler. at 19:44:12 Thursday May 6 99
TCMP. I'm trying to send you an e-mail. However, it keeps getting returned. Can you mail me back please with your e-mail address?
Canadian Fan at 19:35:20 Thursday May 6 99
As a supporter of Cdn players abroad, I have followed your team since Carlo's arrival. Best of luck on Saturday from western Canada.
Gary at 19:20:19 Thursday May 6 99
Apologies for the result the other night, but seriously if we had played the team that lost at Gillingham on Saturday we would have been beaten 5-0 by Olham. Another thing, how can you say that Stoke are crap ?? We're not the ones who could be going down !! Personally I would prefer it if you stayed up, it was really good putting 6 goals past you and taking 6 points off you (we needed them), once again don't slag us off for you inability to play decent football !! UP THE POTTERS
Anon at 18:40:34 Thursday May 6 99
York fans - Yeah! we're donkeys & long ball hoofers whereas York Shitty's bunch of misfits have really been setting the 2nd Division alight. You're the only team in Div 2 with more players than supporters.
NTFC HELP NEEDED !!! at 18:36:12 Thursday May 6 99
To everybody who has been carefully keeping your voucher numbered tickets this season,Get down to Boots at Sixfields at 1pm on sat as they are exchanging 10 vouchers for 2 VIAGRA capsules.
Atkins and the boys would appreciate all donastions
ITS OFFICIAL* ITS OFFICIAL*
Nyaarmozoan at 18:33:29 Thursday May 6 99
Will there really be any tension on Saturday? Even if we do win, which won't be easy, I can't see both Wycombe and Oldham failing to do so. I'll be taking what I think is the least painful course of action - expecting relegation as soon as I wake up on Saturday. Just this once, I think being the eternal pessimist that I am will cushion the blow somewhat.
York City Fan at 18:31:20 Thursday May 6 99
To be called "donkeys" and "long ball hoofers" means you deserve to go down in my book.
Andy at 18:29:16 Thursday May 6 99
Thanks very much Dave.
dave at 18:25:24 Thursday May 6 99
yes mate match will be on radio northampton 104.2 &103.6 fm for certain
Wycombe Boy at 18:20:57 Thursday May 6 99
I hate to say it Cobblers but your going down after Saturday to where your lot belong. The Third Division is full of long ball hoofers so you'll feel more at home down there whist us decent footballing teams can carry on serving up decent football.
You've got no chance as we WILL beat Lincoln but even if we don't Oldham will win so bye bye Cobblers!
Andy at 18:20:22 Thursday May 6 99
I can't go to the game on Saturday. I'm told it'll be on the radio. Can anyone confirm?
City fan at 16:43:58 Thursday May 6 99
You deserve to go down. At least York try and play good football. You are donkeys, get to division three. Come on Burnley!
Ali Gibb at 16:25:31 Thursday May 6 99
hello everybody i am ali gibb the cobblers winger. look i know im shit but ive got nicer hair than any of you bastards.
Pendragon at 16:21:32 Thursday May 6 99
Good to see Nationwide sticking by us (Official page news). We will repay their faith in the medium term. Depending on how you read Barry Stonhill's comments it looks as though he has already thrown in the towel this season. (Still no criticism for being a realist).
Surrey Cobbler at 16:15:23 Thursday May 6 99
Oh well, i am nervous as hell and am really not looking forward to the tension on Saturday. It is possible but if the worse does come the worst i guess we will only have ourselves to blame, as we really haven't helped ourselves. I predict if the worse does happen then Atkins will be given until Christmas, and then if not step up Mr Wilson or whoever...bring back Thommo? Well we have sod all luck all season it's about time we got some...how about on Saturday?
scared at 16:5:54 Thursday May 6 99
Who was it who two-thirds through the season said that 50 points
would see us safe? Close, but no cigar. Anybody seen the odds at the
bookies? No, didn't think you'd torture yourself like that.
(STAY) UP THE COBBLERS!!
john phelan at 15:43:24 Thursday May 6 99
See you at the shay next season becouse your crap
johnphelan_7@hotmail.com at 15:39:48 Thursday May 6 99
See you at the shay next season
Carl at 15:32:8 Thursday May 6 99
Stay up or go down, I know for one that I will be there next year. To all you gloating tossers from other clubs, if we do go down have no fear WE'LL BE BACK!!!
Ray at 15:29:20 Thursday May 6 99
I don't expect anything concrete to come out of the complaints to the League regarding Stoke - the maximum thye can expect is a fine or perhaps just a ap over the knuckles. One thing that does bother me though is that it is rumoured that Reading will be fielding what is effectively a Youth side against Oldham this coming Saturday - now this isn't sour grapes - all we want is a fair crack of the whip.
The Sceptical Cobbler at 15:9:18 Thursday May 6 99
Hello there, it's me, Bill, under a different guise. I just thought I'd point out that I believe that Atkins was just clutching at straws when he went to the FA about Stoke - I don't think that they will do anything at all, and i'm getting prepared to cry on Saturday. Whatever happens, i'm sure that the lads will do their best to keep our part of the bargain to stay up - but will Wycombe and Oldham keep theirs by losing? i'm feeling ill already thinking about saturday, our D-Day. COME ON TOWN!! (please!)
Andy C at 14:45:41 Thursday May 6 99
Sid Soolo, your travelling fans must have put on a lot of weight recently if you're going to fill up Sixfields, as Priestfield's away enclosure was decidedly empty when you came to town. Maybe you've been eating chocolate to cheer yourselves up after seeing all those goals flying in at Turf Moor. (Super Bob etc.) I wouldn't gloat too much if I were you: surely Burnley will slide through Mr Posh's infamous trap door before too long.
Andy C at 14:41:0 Thursday May 6 99
Ray, I know that it's still theoretically possible. Perhaps someone (old?) call cite an occasion when a team scored 15 in a League game, or scored one third as many in one game as they managed in the rest of the season. However, York usually score and that would leave you needing 16, which might just be beyond you. Sorry.
SID SOOLO at 14:35:11 Thursday May 6 99
BYE BYE YOUR GOING TO SCARBOROUGH, YOU MUST BE WORRIED ABOUT SATURDAY WE ARE UNBEATEN IN THE LAST TEN ITS TOO BAD THAT YOUR GROUND IS TOO SMALL TO FIT ALL OUR AWAY FANS IN, STILL THE NICE THING IS WE WONT BE COMING FOR AWHILE AS YOU ARE BACK WHERE YOU BELONG!!!!!!!!
UP THE CLARETS!!!!!!!
NICKDONNELL at 14:26:24 Thursday May 6 99
YOUR GOING DOWN !!!!!!!!!!!!!
LOTS OF LOVE,
A BURNLEY FAN (SEE YOU SATURDAY 3 POINTS TO THE BURNLEY)
Terry Hawes at 14:21:26 Thursday May 6 99
Noticed that Carlisle is rock bottom after Scarborough's win last night,if we do get relegated, at least some satisfaction will be to
see Shitborough miss the playoffs by failing to beat Boro on Saturday.
I noticed that Carlisle has like a 20,000 seat stadium, I found it funny that in 1994/95 when Carlisle breezed to the third division title, Knighton(who was chairman at the time) stated in Shoot Magazine that 'we'll be in the Premiership by 2003!'
Actually it's still possible if Carlisle get promoted four years straight if they go down to the Conference, isn't that something, a
20,000 seat stadium in the Vauxhall Conference...ha ha!
To Mr.Posh, Boro is missing the playoffs because Barry Fry
will be too hungover and you'll miss the game because you have to flip burgers at MacDonalds or are you smart enough to get a job there!
ha ha ha ha ha ha ah that's better!
GO COBBLERS!
Burnley at 13:40:22 Thursday May 6 99
We'll be there on Saturday, watching you lot go down.
Arfurjob at 13:32:35 Thursday May 6 99
Going Down, Going Down, Going Daawwwn! - Going Down, Going Down, Going Daaawwnnn! - Division 3 for YOU - Boing Boing
From a Swans Fan.
Won't be seeing you there though.
David Nikel at 12:31:42 Thursday May 6 99
SEAL ? Why ?
Anon at 11:59:36 Thursday May 6 99
SEAL, SEAL, SEAL
Pendragon at 11:10:35 Thursday May 6 99
Northampton Gas@8:5:28 - We want to give Burnley a good shagging on the pitch, not in the changing rooms before the match!!!!!
Pete at 11:6:46 Thursday May 6 99
I asked the Doc about the viagra to help keep the team up- he said he has been providing it most of the season, until nine games ago... which might be the problem. He tells me he is now using it himself , for medicinal purposes only , of course, to keep his spirits up. He is a very bad loser. Carlo it appears is doing well and back home- watch out for him on Saturday- he will be the one on crutches off the field.
Ray at 10:44:4 Thursday May 6 99
Sorry to be REALLY pedantic but if Wycombe win, Oldham lose, York lose without scoring and we win and score 15, then both Wycombe and the Cobblers will stay up with York, Oldham , Lincoln and Macclesfield being the relegated teams.....unlikely I know but still possible.
Andy C at 9:32:38 Thursday May 6 99
Great result for us last night - Wembley here we come (maybe). But I don't rate your chances now; I think it's likely either Oldham or Wycombe will win and in any case Burnley have a longer unbeaten record than you and won't just roll over. BTW, FtCL, Reading might hope both you and Wycombe stay up but it's mathematically impossible. Sorry to be pedantic.
Northampton Gas at 8:5:28 Thursday May 6 99
The answer to staying up is simple. A viagra tablet in each players cocoa before the game should do the trick.
Ralph at 7:53:0 Thursday May 6 99
I don't want to go to Scunthorpe!
Ian at 4:25:7 Thursday May 6 99
From the "Electronic Telegraph":
Stoke could face a Football League inquiry after they played a mixture of reserve and youth team players against Oldham, who won 1-0 to move out of the Second Division relegation zone on Tuesday. Stoke manager Brian Little, whose side have nothing to play for, made seven changes and fielded an almost unrecognisable team. "We look at teamsheets as a matter of cause(sic) and if Stoke fielded an understrength side we will respond," said a League spokesman.
I expect they will tell them not to be naughty and don't do it again. It may send a message to Reading though.
Sid at 0:54:38 Thursday May 6 99
Can you PLEASE guess ofr the last GTA of the season, v. Burnley. i have had only 10 guesses so far!! Please e-mail me at the address i have given.
Sid at 0:19:4 Thursday May 6 99
Hey, Mr Posh, that was actually a very constructive comment, and funny to! Oh dear, Wycombe beating Wigan just sums up our luck this season. Right from the Wycombe away game, i dont think one result has gone our way. It looks like we DO have to rely on other teams this weekend. I am hoping for a Wycombe - Lincoln draw this weekend, and Reading to beat Oldham. Oh, and the main thing...... WE HAVE TO BEAT BURNLEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!
From the Cobbler's Last at 0:10:16 Thursday May 6 99
Things look a bit gloomy tonight. Now is not the time for blood-letting.After saturday many if us will send in our true feelings about this season. No mattter what the result on Saturday turns out to be, we'll be there and behind the players all the way. We will win Saturday, we must make sure we get our points. Then the rest is out of our control and we need one of those really good Saturdays when results go our way. Lincoln need the points and I fear they will take Wycombe down with them. Perhaps Reading will prefer that Wycombe and us stay up because we give them a good gate... Who knows... stranger things may happen. At least Reading won't do a Stoke and field the reserves.. the League may tell them as a result of last night's fiasco at Oldham. As for Oldham, when things get into your own hands, its surprising how the pressure increases. Oldham aren't that good as they would not be where they are. Keep the Faith.....UP THE COBBLERS!!!!!!!
Anon at 23:29:13 Wednesday May 5 99
I hate to say it Mr posh but you may just have hit the nail on the head!,
God help us - hopeing reading will win to keep our league div2 status
Still we did beat Burnley away , perhaps we can finish this season by doing the double over them?
you never know
Big Roy at 23:22:0 Wednesday May 5 99
I think I'll be dusting off the valium not my tranny!
Ray at 23:12:20 Wednesday May 5 99
COME ON LINCOLN! COME ON READING!!! Guess we will all be dusting off our Nationwide trannies for Saturday.....
Paul at 23:11:19 Wednesday May 5 99
I watched some gutless and shite cobblers perfomances this season, on our travels, at home. I have seen us defend when we go a goal in front, instead of pushing to get the second goal in front. (When was the last time we were 2 ahead of the opposition). I have watched us back off oposition players and let them shoot to score. I have seen us concede stupid goals. While I am a Cobblers fan, and DONT want to see us go down. We have no one to blame but ourselfs! (Well, maybe lets just blame Ian). Forgive me for this prediction, as I hope I am wrong. However, we will be relegated this Saturday, and guess what ... Ian Atkins will still be in charge next season while we are in a low spot in Division Three , loosing money, with most of our good players gone!!!!
Big Roy at 23:2:48 Wednesday May 5 99
I'm going to High Wycombe tomorrow on business. Any messages you would like me to take with me?....
Ralph at 22:57:43 Wednesday May 5 99
I'm looking for some succour guys!
Ralph at 22:55:30 Wednesday May 5 99
Nice to know we are not the only ones to suffer from dodgy refereeing decisions, it also happens in the prem. Man U 2-0 up at Anfield and coasting it. Step in David Ellary, gives a dodgy penalty, 2-1 and then sends Irwin off for a tame second bookable. (kicking the ball away will cost him a cup final place). Liverpool go on to equalise through Ince in the last minute. Chortle, it couldn't happen to a nicer club. Does that sound a bit like sour grapes? Good!
Ralph at 22:51:8 Wednesday May 5 99
I meant Mr Posh's comment.
Ralph at 22:49:50 Wednesday May 5 99
I'm afraid that's almost funny.
TRB Mark at 22:48:29 Wednesday May 5 99
Our luck is summed up tonight. A knackered Wigan play one of our rivals and lose. If we had played them tonight and Wycombe had pplayed them last week, then things may look slightly different. It seems that many things have conspired against us at crucial times and not just on the pitch. We had a similar season right up until half time at Gay Meadow six years ago........
The Real Mr Posh at 22:41:27 Wednesday May 5 99
Stop Press!!! Reports from London Road this evening suggest that the Football League have launched an investigation into match fixing at Sh*tfields. It was rumoured that Ian Atkins has put out a weakened side for most of the season.
Paddy Cobbler at 22:9:31 Wednesday May 5 99
Saturday's Forecast : Lincoln 2 Wycombe 1 , Oldham 0 Reading 2 & Cobblers 1 Burnley 0. Put a few quid on it , You'll see.
Norwich Cobbler at 21:59:22 Wednesday May 5 99
OK things look bad but they could be a whole lot worse - our manager could be a meglomaniac called Knighton and we could be staring the Conference in the face - at least we'll have no long Tuesday night trips to Cumbria!
Its not over yet - Atkins may still escape by the skin of his teeth.
Keep the faith!!!! Up the Claret & White!!!!
WE LOVE YOU COBBLERS - WE DO at 21:52:20 Wednesday May 5 99
ALWAYS LOOK ON THE BRIGHT SIDE OF LIFE.....................
sunny at 21:51:36 Wednesday May 5 99
If we all wish hard enough there must be a god somewhere!
sunny at 21:47:19 Wednesday May 5 99
What I ask were they(wigan) doing tonight???? Never any help around when you need it!!
Ralph at 21:45:47 Wednesday May 5 99
What now?
Ralph at 21:44:45 Wednesday May 5 99
RESULT: Wycombe 2 Wigan 1
wiganer ? at 21:20:1 Wednesday May 5 99
WIGAN - WE WERE ONLY JESTING WHEN WE COMMENTED THAT YOU WERE A CHEATING BUNCH OF LANCASHIRE SCUMBAGS. IN FACT I WOULD GO AS FAR AS TO SAY THAT I WOULD LOVE YOU TO WIN TONIGHT.
Ralph at 21:14:5 Wednesday May 5 99
It's all gone quiet over there . . . It's all gone quiet over there . . . Oh it's all gone quiet, all gone quiet, all gone quiet over there.
PS - PEPSI COLA at 21:11:21 Wednesday May 5 99
Just seen the new Pepsi ad - thats me of Pepsi for life then !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ralph at 21:6:22 Wednesday May 5 99
Regarding Stoke: Apparently the players performed so badly on Saturday Brian Little dropped half the side and replaced them with stiffs. So what can the FA do, they ain't gonna ask them to replay it are they! Possibly a fine, big deal. But you can't blame the manager for dropping prima donnas for not performing.
Ralph at 21:3:13 Wednesday May 5 99
Well just to keep you informed it's Wycombe 2 Wigan 1.
The Barnsley Chairboy at 20:25:35 Wednesday May 5 99
Would rather be there than stuck up here "watching" it on the net.Feel quietly confident though the Blues are gonna do it. Pity you can't stay up as well as this is a top site/message board...too good for the 3rd Division.
Eastander at 19:51:10 Wednesday May 5 99
Like everyone I hope we do it but who`s going to score the goal(s) on Saturday
The Olney Cobbler at 19:20:25 Wednesday May 5 99
Just read the last 24 hours postings. Ralph I love your weather report! I also hope that a nice sunny spell happens on the Hill!
Anon at 19:14:49 Wednesday May 5 99
about this Stoke thing on the official site.....are they suggesting match fixing or what??
John Frain Fan Club at 18:59:7 Wednesday May 5 99
Wycombe will get beaten tonight, their shit style has no chance against Wigan who are really up for it, come on Haworth stick a couple past the Chairboy scum!!! Cobblers to win on Saturday and Oldham to lose or draw. It's about time Howard scored a couple.
James Boddington at 18:39:24 Wednesday May 5 99
Cobblers staying up,
wycombe going down
Rushden & Diamonds you think you are big but you are staying down 2-1 to the kettering
Anon at 18:28:11 Wednesday May 5 99
......you're going down with the.....erm......Macclesfield
Wycombe Boy at 18:22:58 Wednesday May 5 99
What a shame we'll beat Wigan tonight and then our destiny will be in our own hands. An easy 3 points a t Lincoln and it will be bye bye Cobblers and in my opinion good bloody riddance to long hoof-ball scum!
Terry Hawes at 18:5:50 Wednesday May 5 99
It's a certainty that Wycombe will either lose or draw Wigan,
which means that (say they draw) it would be :
Oldham 48, Cobbs 47, Wycombe 46,Lincoln 45
and I think that Lincoln and Wycombe will spend so much time
with the fear of losing that they will draw and screw themselves both
over, leaving the scenario of a Cobblers victory and an Oldham
draw or loss to keep us up...we deserve to stay up since I think our team is actually not bad, if we played the last eight games
the same as the rest of the year.
It would be good to stay up because I really believe we have a chance to do well, Brentford, Cambridge and Cardiff or the other team that comes up will have problems I think...and Bristol City, Oxford and either QPR/Bury would not be as bad as Man.City, Stoke(although they are crap) and Fulham!
ANYWAY GO COBBLERS!
PS: Is Oldham's ground crap?
Gaz at 18:5:8 Wednesday May 5 99
When Oldham one last night I thought it was just typical of our bad luck, but I am afraid that nothing can excuse Stoke's actions. They should have realised that it was an important match for a number of clubs. Their actions rank alongside the couple of times this season when the opposition haven't returned the ball after being put out for injury. So we are now in a cup final situation. COME ON COBBLERS FANS, however much Atkins has screwed up this season, it is now up to us to sing and chant and shout as loudly as possible when we play Burnley. Remember Bristol Rovers last year? Now magnify it by 10. Sure our fate is in other teams' hands, but let's just make sure the Cobblers do their bit of the equation!! A WIN ON SATURDAY COULD STILL BE ENOUGH!!!!
Simon Scaldwell Aka The Cobbler at 18:2:45 Wednesday May 5 99
Cobblers are Staying up i don't can't what happens to the Cobblers i am still going to support them no matter what
GOOD LUCK COBBLERS!
Gaz at 18:1:16 Wednesday May 5 99
When Oldham won last night I thought it was just typical of our bad luck, but I am afraid that nothing can excuse Stoke's actions. They should have realised that it was an important match for a number of clubs. Their actions rank alongside the couple of times this season when the opposition haven't returned the ball after being put out for injury. So we are now in a cup final situation. COME ON COBBLERS FANS, however much Atkins has screwed up this season, it is now up to us to sing and chant and shout as loudly as possible when we play Burnley. Remember Bristol Rovers last year? Now magnify it by 10. Sure our fate is in other teams' hands, but let's just make sure the Cobblers do their bit of the equation!! A WIN ON SATURDAY COULD STILL BE ENOUGH!!!!
Yogi Bear at 17:18:12 Wednesday May 5 99
It doesn't matter what side Stoke put out Oldham have got the 3 points on the board. We get the crap refs (Bill Jordan)v Wigan. and only 1 point. With Oldham at home to Reading on Saturday I am now feeling that we are the proverbial lamb on its way to the slaughter and that even a win on saturday may not be enough. Still St Albans tomorrow to see the stiffs. I'll be there.
Ralph at 17:16:53 Wednesday May 5 99
Bugger it all, I'm going down the pub!
Anon at 16:56:38 Wednesday May 5 99
No comments on Wycombe/Lincoln's site
Sid at 16:53:56 Wednesday May 5 99
Re Stoke in trouble...... Well Done NTFC. It is about time we stood up for ourselves in this fight.
Anon at 16:36:47 Wednesday May 5 99
Looks like stoke may be getting in some shit over the weak team of last night!
SBJ at 16:19:21 Wednesday May 5 99
Check out the official Cobblers web site for today's press release: the club expresses its concern at the apparently under-strength Stoke City side which capitulated to 10-man Oldham yesterday. Nice to see the club getting some spine, not that I think the league will take any action in this case.