Cobblers comments

Cobblers Comments
NOVEMBER 2002

ozz at 22:09:26 Saturday November 30 2002
hows the cricket going.?

Mark Too at 22:04:30 Saturday November 30 2002
Having read on the Official site that we didn't have a shot on or off target can anyone who was at the game confirm this? Surely this is a first, to not have a shot a goal at all?

Anon at 21:44:28 Saturday November 30 2002
RDFC 2 BRISTOL R 1

Macc Cobblers at 18:43:18 Saturday November 30 2002
Remember the name Mr.Kaye - if he is ever brave enough to visit Sixfields remember to give him a very, very warm welcome. He's done this to us before - and if we are not careful he will do it to us again!!!!! He seemed to set out with the intention of sending Gabbi off - and whilst Gabbi did present the ideal opportunity with a poor challenge borne out of sheer frustration, Gabbi was actually more sinned against than sinner, as all the rough treatment handed out by the Wigan players went totally unpunished. After Gabbi was sent off we get Stamp booked for the audacity of heading a Wigan players boot - have to look that one up in the rule book ! Today we played very well defensively with Sammo and Burgess outstanding, and whilst at times Wigan played the ball around they never really looked all that threatening.

Anon at 17:08:46 Saturday November 30 2002
FT. Wigan 1 Northampton 0 Roberts 37

Anon at 16:32:23 Saturday November 30 2002
Wigan 1 Northampton 0 Roberts 37

Anon at 15:45:40 Saturday November 30 2002
score?

9224 at 13:17:04 Saturday November 30 2002
More on the defence. Paul Wilkinson, not playing David Seal, not playing Mickey Warner, Paul Wilkinson, releasing David Seal, Potter from WBA, not playing Chris Greenacre, Paul Wilkinson, selling Woody, selling Razor, hoof, ruining Ali Gibb, Laurens ten Heuvel, the Yank from Carlisle, Paul Wilkinson.

Shock-Headed Peters at 09:54:25 Saturday November 30 2002
Now they were a great band.

Shock-Headed Peter at 09:24:58 Saturday November 30 2002
I love ricicles. They are twice as nice as bicycles.

LH at 08:52:31 Saturday November 30 2002
We were getting him on a months loan to cover for Rickers right mid , but he looked at McGregors hair & realised he couldnt compete.

Anon at 08:16:07 Saturday November 30 2002
What David Beckham rumour?

David Rennie at 08:14:11 Saturday November 30 2002
It's all my fault!

Defence at 21:56:45 Friday November 29 2002
Let's start preparing the case for the defence. I'll begin with:- Paul Wilkinson, the 'stars and stripes' relegation kit, not playing Mickey Warner, Paul Wilkinson, Potter from WBA and most other loan signings including ten Heuvel, the Yank from Carlisle, Paul Wilkinson. Any other ideas? (With that lot alone he owes us double what we owe him.) Anyway, if I got sacked for being crap, I wouldn't get payed my wages for ages afterwards. Bastard!

Anon at 19:05:01 Friday November 29 2002
Representing Atkins in court is Giovanni Di Stefano

amionthewrongsite at 17:24:52 Friday November 29 2002
lest get back to talking about the cobblers and less bitching.....i read on the Wigan FC site that their manager feels its the biggest game of the season for them....lets hope we can play at our best unlike last seasons trip which was most forgettable. Come on lads !!!!!!!!!!

Anon at 17:02:25 Friday November 29 2002
I'd be very surprised if KW is bitter.

Anon at 12:56:15 Friday November 29 2002
what is this court case all about? i seem to have missed something somewhere

Anon at 12:02:01 Friday November 29 2002
Nice to see that Ian Atkins' court case is being backed by the LMA!!! Who is top-dog in the LMA? John Barnwell! Not that this case is two bitter, sacked, ex-managers trying to get revenge instead of seeking an amicable solution - when does Kevin Wilson join them?

Anon at 11:21:00 Friday November 29 2002
when did Ted do that post?

LH at 11:13:08 Friday November 29 2002
Ted. Congratulations , for a) A sensible post . b) Not mentioning the Trust !

Black homosexual asylum seeker at 07:55:12 Friday November 29 2002
Ted, look i still love you,cheeky

Anon at 07:50:30 Friday November 29 2002
i go to 23 home & away games a season + any cup games george. Surely that entitles me to some "cheaper" tickets more than you.

Full house at 22:54:32 Thursday November 28 2002
Ted, just shut up.

Ted at 22:35:22 Thursday November 28 2002
Brilliant-I'll say one more piece on the subject.I detest people like you much more than blacks, browns, yellows,asylum seekers,gypsies, gays,lesbians,transexuals,transvestites and hermaphodites.If that makes me a bigot,so be it.

Anon at 22:28:26 Thursday November 28 2002
In many ways Ted is right (there I said it). We do not want discimination in this society - equal opportunities for all - white, black yellow, fat thin or even Ted shaped.

Brilliant at 21:54:42 Thursday November 28 2002
Brilliant Ted, you start off well enough by saying your not going to dwell etc and then use the rest of your last post proving what a nasty racist homophobe you really are so the homesexual community are all deviants are they? Walter Tull was only recognised because he was black was he? I suppose you would prefer a nice white war hero like Edgar Mobbs wouldn't you? The facts are there for everyone to see in your posts. Your a nasty little bigot. It's a fact

Full house at 21:52:43 Thursday November 28 2002
Hey Ted, how about single mothers. Should they receive benefits in front of economic migrants, or should travellers have priority? The disabled don't exactly contribute much either, should we cut their benefits too? If the firemen carry on striking, the doctors and nurses can have a pay cut as all the potential patients will burn and be beyond treatment

Is it a plane? Is it a bird? No, at 20:52:19 Thursday November 28 2002
It's a fact! Ted says.

Dimba Stards at 20:50:52 Thursday November 28 2002
Ellis is not right for this club. Who is then, you ask? The next bidder - until he makes the bid that is, then he's not the right one. Admit it, this begging bit's more us than finacial stability, isn't it?

Ted at 19:45:19 Thursday November 28 2002
I'm not going to dwell on this subject as you are right,this is a football site.However I do need to put the record straight for those on here who take political correctness to the extreme,and are so quick to label anyone who doesn't raise the red flag.I repeat I am not a racist.I welcome anyone in this country of any colour or race who is being persecuted or is in danger in his own country,and is prepared to integrate in our society.However there are many people here who shouldn`t be here and have no intention of integrating in our society,infact they are here to exploit it.These people are invaders,equivalent to the invaders that my ancestors so bravely fought against in the war.Regarding homosexuals-Homosexuality is a deviance,however I am not one to cast the first stone.Nevertheless no person should get preferential treatment for being a deviant, and that is what is happening in many left wing controlled councils .It's a fact! Finally with regard to Walter Tull,no I'm not in favour of the memorial.Not because of my denial that he was a hero,but for the fact that he has been singled out just because of his colour.This is discrimination against all the other brave men who fought for our country.As I said yesterday,many who are so quick to accuse people of racism actually create racism by their false perception of a quote.A dangerous thing to do,as people in the middle ages were burnt at the stake for heresy on the evidence of a perception of a quote.

Anon at 19:17:55 Thursday November 28 2002
George Bucks: Also my '2 friends' spent a bit on food and merchandise etc" The club make no cash from food/drink etc. couldnt they have bought 2 scarves each instead?

Stamp at 18:22:37 Thursday November 28 2002
Not the rubber one but Darren. I think we should give Stamp a start on Saturday, I know Wigan is a tough one but he seems to be in good form if the reserve game is anything to go by. Perhaps given his recovery he should just play the 1st 45mins. Whatever happens I feel he must play a part in the Cambridge game as he will be our unknown quantity. with 11 men and Gill at right back we should beat Cambridge and beat them well we let them back into the game in the LDV clash and we need to learn not to sit back and let them come at us. Must say I agree with Dyl and others re Ted, he gets on my tits as well.

cle verarse at 18:03:15 Thursday November 28 2002
Dimba Stards, no but they would have done if he had come up with readys. their decision not to sell was not based on any moral dilemma or desire what to do what was best for the club but because Di Stefano was a crook and they did not wan't to hear of it until he tried screwing them. Ellis looks a different kettle of Fish and I think we should be more hopeful, but the clubs lackies should not try and reinvent history, particularly when it is so recent.

Irregular poster at 18:00:19 Thursday November 28 2002
They didnt sell to GDS because he never came up with the cash - and I suspect thats the only reason.

LH at 17:57:03 Thursday November 28 2002
I see Cambridge had a couple sent off last weekend , does this mean they are suspended for the cup game ?

Dimba Stards at 17:55:13 Thursday November 28 2002
United Front - Did they sell to Mr Di Stefano then? I must have missed that.

RUBBER DUCK at 17:49:06 Thursday November 28 2002
Back to football on this football site about N.T.F.C. I notice Stamp got 2 goals for the res in a 3 1 win and Luton had 2 sent off more good news! !

Dyl at 17:43:57 Thursday November 28 2002
Wish I'd read Who Do We Trusts comments b4 posting my last msg. Sorry for the repeat.

Dyl at 17:41:56 Thursday November 28 2002
Not multi-racial? What do you think the hyphen in Anglo-Saxon denotes? This country has always absorbed influxes of people from outside its borders. Some were conquerors Angles, Saxons, Normans, Vikings. Others were refugees such as Hugenots. Others were migrant labour ie Flemish lacemakers in Bedfordshire. From the creation of the British Empire there was a significant population from the colonies and even before that in cities like Bristol and Liverpool there were significant black populations as as result of the slave trade. Viva Ted, you show your ignorance by seeming to equate multi-cultural with black/asian. The fact is that this country was, even before ww2, a country with a significant ethnic mix. Yes people were fighting for their families and for themselves. But the reason why huge numbers voted Labour in the 1945 election was that they wanted a better country to emerge from the ashes of war. They wanted social justice, opportunity for all. It's easy for people like Ted to ignore the facts, but the fact is that Britain is and was multicultural, and racists like Ted need to face up to it and learn to live with it. Up the cobblers! F**k racist scum!

Dyl at 17:41:55 Thursday November 28 2002
Not multi-racial? What do you think the hyphen in Anglo-Saxon denotes? This country has always absorbed influxes of people from outside its borders. Some were conquerors Angles, Saxons, Normans, Vikings. Others were refugees such as Hugenots. Others were migrant labour ie Flemish lacemakers in Bedfordshire. From the creation of the British Empire there was a significant population from the colonies and even before that in cities like Bristol and Liverpool there were significant black populations as as result of the slave trade. Viva Ted, you show your ignorance by seeming to equate multi-cultural with black/asian. The fact is that this country was, even before ww2, a country with a significant ethnic mix. Yes people were fighting for their families and for themselves. But the reason why huge numbers voted Labour in the 1945 election was that they wanted a better country to emerge from the ashes of war. They wanted social justice, opportunity for all. It's easy for people like Ted to ignore the facts, but the fact is that Britain is and was multicultural, and racists like Ted need to face up to it and learn to live with it. Up the cobblers! F**k racist scum!

Who do we Trust? at 17:17:23 Thursday November 28 2002
good point united front, the board of course (with the exception of TCMP)said that they would sell to Di Stefano so its a bit rich for them to cite that particular moment in the clubs history as reason to trust them on this. If anything it is a huge insult to Andrew Ellis, didn't BS say he was a good proffesional busnesslike individual as well? and why the official site chose to use the term "completed in 7-10 days god only knows, I think they need to shake up there PR machine. Anyway I hope they don't screw up on this one Ellis seems a much better proposition, it would be good though to hear what the Trust's view is, perhpas thay are waiting until they have some news? By thye way "Viva Ted" we have been a multi racial society since 1066 probably before we are a mix of angles saxons from germany (including the queen) Romans, Vikings and Celts people who talk about the term multi racial only in a black/white sense reveal there real agenda which is one of white supremacy and lets all have a dig at Johnny Foreigner, If we should go easy on Ted it is not because we agree with him as he is a serial tw*t, but because he is an endangered species and needs protecting i think the latin term for his elk is "Alfgarnettiterous littleenglandereximus" if his great grandfather grand father and father all fought in the war/s he is indeed remarkable!! his great grandfather must have had his father very early in his life and both must have served before/between 1911-15 and his father during WW2! all were bloody lucky to have fathered children and not become victims of the sort of hatred and inhumane tyranny and facist vitriole that he now esposes. they must be turning in their graves!!

United Front at 16:39:51 Thursday November 28 2002
Some interesting responses by the club on the "Questions for the Club" section on the official site. For example, when asked about Andrew Ellis they said that there may be scope for additions to the playing staff in the near future. However the funniest (unintentional) answer came when someone asked about his background and history and the club responded that the Directors would never sell the club to anyone without the best interests of NTFC at heart and that, as they had shown with Mr Di Stefano (!), if the deal was not right for the club they wouldn't bale out and leave us "high and dry". Talk about revisionist history!

LH at 16:36:52 Thursday November 28 2002
I think Teds comment's are childish & a bit pathetic. If you dont like the Trust or what it stands for fair enough , every one is entitled to there opinion , but to suggest there is a connection with with Black asylum seekers is plainly ludicrous . The comment is that stupid I didn't know if I should comment further !

Viva Ted at 16:33:52 Thursday November 28 2002
Dyl, you really are pushing your credibility when you say "they fought for a tolerant multi-racial Britain". In case you'd forgotten, Britain was not a multi-racial society before, during or after immediately after the Second World War. Unless they had a tardis like insight into the future then this was not why they went to war and this was certainly not on my grandparents' minds at the time! Indeed, my grandad often says that had he known that multi-racism had been on the agenda, he'd have been a Conch.

Dyl at 16:11:30 Thursday November 28 2002
Poor understanding of racism? If using black asylum seekers as a stick to beat the Trust with isn't racist, god knows what is. It's not on a par with racial violence or throwing bananas at players, but it's from the same camp.

Ted supporters Club at 15:36:44 Thursday November 28 2002
I dont know who Ted is, but you lot are making too much out of his comment, you are in fact carrying on racism by your poor understanding of racism by your ill informed comments, there are worse people on this site; ANON etc.

Poppycock at 13:30:00 Thursday November 28 2002
Thanks Bazza, as you say this is a football site and I wish people like Ted would stick to comments about football. But unfortunatly he always has to stick in the odd snide and nasty remark. Racists have used football as a vehicle for their bigotry for years and I think what I and Dyl and many others are saying is that lets stick to the football lets celebrate what we achieve and enjoy every thing we have in common and when people go over the top and post trash (like observers Kosavan Poem on Sids site) and like Ted's rants, then lets act collectivly to tell them where to get off. Oh and please Ray when they get offensive please remove the posts.

Bazza at 13:14:10 Thursday November 28 2002
DYL & POPPYCOCK, Sorry, I didn't realise the depth of feeling on this. I still say that this is a football forum not somewhere for people to make political points. Much of what you see on here, although offensive to anyone with a brain, is written purely to provoke a reaction. The more angry, reactionary replies there are, the more offensive posts there will be. I agree with your qoute from, Edmund Burke, 'For evil to triumph, good men do nothing'

Poopycock at 12:49:24 Thursday November 28 2002
No, Bazza they have wound me up and I do think it is important that we challenge them whenever they surface or else we just get used to accepting their nonsense and damaging the image of the club as a result. This site is visited by a lot more people than simply those who contrbute and I for one want them to know that we are not all right wing bigots. "All it takes for evil to triumph is that good men do nothing"

Dyl at 12:47:34 Thursday November 28 2002
To Bazza; Ted's use of language is that of someone who believes what he is saying. Yes he may be saying it to provoke a reaction from 'lefties' but the fact that he is saying it at all gives him away. Racism is pernicious and it must be countered wherever it arises. I fail to see the logic behind Ted's claim that the people criticising racism are the real racists. His use of language is not far off that of the BNP. They too use cheap counter-claims about 'the real racists', they too cite their proud heritage (I'd be interested to know Ted in which wars your father, grandfather and great grandfather fought!) and they too try to use arguments about democracy and freedom when they would deny those rights to others. People in my family fought for this country too Ted. But they fought for a tolerant multi-racial Britain, not your nasty little-minded view of what this country should be. Thank God you are in the minority.

George Bucks No1 Cobbler at 12:32:39 Thursday November 28 2002
I got my 'free tickets' by paying for them on an internet site. And as I go to about 15 home games a season I think i should be entitled to the odd cheaper ticket. Still, why cant they get their act together and why was I the ONLY 1???? How about next time you go, go and sit with a complete bunch of strangers and tell me if the atmosphere etc is as good. Also my '2 friends' spent a bit on food and merchandise etc

Bazza at 12:26:18 Thursday November 28 2002
POPPYCOCK, Have you thought that someone might be diliberately trying to wind you up and your reaction is exactly what they are trying to acheive?

Poppycock at 11:46:13 Thursday November 28 2002
Ted, when you wear your poppy with pride do you think of Walter Tull? and the role he played in "fighting for the freedom of this country" Does your pride extend to the countless Gay men who have fought and died on behalf of our nation? and as Colin Powells family were asylum seekers to the USA do you think he shares any less a sense of pride for his adopted country than say any other white american? Yes this is a football site and at the moment there are more important issues to discuss than Teds bigotry, but many of us true supporters feel ashamed of the constant racist rubbish that appears on this site and on Sids. Those responsible should have the courage of their own convictions and identify themselves so we can all tell them excactly what we think of their views.

Such A........ at 11:17:52 Thursday November 28 2002
Ted, your such a tw*t.

Steve at 11:15:47 Thursday November 28 2002
West Stand Woman - Having watched the Cobblers pretty regularly for 37 years, and having visited Nene Park for the first time on Tuesday evening, I'm sure you'll agree there's little doubt as to where my loyalties lie.

Hot Off The Press at 09:53:51 Thursday November 28 2002
CHART-TOPPERS Blazin' Squad are to appear at Sixfields Stadium Northampton tomorrow (Friday 29th Nov) as part of a tour to promote their debut album and support the "Cobblers" SOS Campaign.Band member Flava said we love the Cobbs as a lot of our family live on the Easterns and keep on at us to lend a hand. The Band play at Rushden today but have stated that unless those responsible for the Fields Of Green CD can guide them to the top they will continue to play to toothless Grannies and Phil Baron "Sports SuperSnapper" as they both make them feel they have a chance.Fields CD Mentor Roy "Sitar" "Punjab" Ashwee has been quoted as saying that there is more heat in a Chicken Korma Deluxe from the very down market Star Of India.Ashwee is of course renowned as the only individual to have sorted out 2 Belly Busters with Chips from Midwest after sorting out a personalised Family Super Supreme avec Garlic Bread from Pinnochios on the way there.Wanting to keep his familiar low profile Aswee had only this to say .... Bbbuuuuuuuurrrrrrrrrpppppppppppppp.....

Bazza at 09:50:57 Thursday November 28 2002
DRILLING, Great to have the dilemma of which in form player to drop rather than which stiff will make fewest cock-ups.

The Drilling Cobbler at 09:27:50 Thursday November 28 2002
A forward line of Stamp and Gabbadini with maybe Forrester playing in a deeper role could well be the best solution for Saturday. Asamoah can then be used as the ace card towards the end of the game, running at tired defenders which is what he is best at. Like you say Bazza, Wigan are a physical team(as well as being a very good team) so we need to make sure we can at least compete with them. Alternatively play 3 centre backs and go with a Stamp/Gabbs forward line with Harsley, Trollop and Hargrieves in midfield. With 4 players now back, Broadhurst at last has different options. A trip to the top team in the division is a tough one to call tactically - do we go there with the same team that performed so well against Port Vale or do we alter it in an attempt to snuff out better opposition? Personnally I would go with a back 3 at the expense of Delboy, replace Jamie with Stamp, and attempt to frustrate them before unleashing Forrester and DelBoy towards the end if we are losing. Grinding out a result is what it is all about on Saturday - the fanciful stuff that we have witnessed against Port Vale, Luton and Colchester can be reserved for ALL home games and selected away ones when the opposition is not the best!

Danny at 09:18:25 Thursday November 28 2002
Sorry you're honour :)

Bazza at 08:53:53 Thursday November 28 2002
I'm confused, I thought this was a message board for Cobblers supporters to discuss football, not politics. Good news about Stamp. I think he may start on Saturday, when we played Wigan in the Worthless Cup they were a very physical side, all big lads who as much as anything else intimidate the opposition. It reminded me of us under Ian Atkins! We will need someone big and physical at the front, not sure who to drop though, maybe Asa?

Wigan Magistrates Court at 06:50:52 Thursday November 28 2002
WARNING: to Danny of Wellingborough, after your conviction you are bound over to keep the peace, so please do not upset George!!

Danny at 00:19:01 Thursday November 28 2002
George, well done on bringing "2 friends to support the SOS etc" but you seem to have undone that good work by only paying for one ticket!!!!

Black homosexual asylum seeker at 23:01:15 Wednesday November 27 2002
i love Ted and now i love Redscouse toooooooooooo,thank you you have a very balanced mind ps r u both Black homosexual asylum seekers like meeeeeeeeeee or just sad middle englanders

Black homosexual asylum seeker at 22:57:59 Wednesday November 27 2002
cheers for the money

Redscouse at 22:42:51 Wednesday November 27 2002
Not much on here again .......apart from sticking up for Black homosexual asylum seekers........when they have come here in their millions and you can't afford the taxes this goverment will charge you for paying for all their relatives to join them and house and feed them then perhaps you will see it in another light you TWAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Don't worry at 22:17:23 Wednesday November 27 2002
I've fixed Mr Ellis' computer so he can't get to this board. If he read it he'd be off like a shot. I'm sure he wouldn't fancy putting money into a club supported by twats like you.

TED at 20:54:40 Wednesday November 27 2002
SEE I TOLD YOU SO -It's people like you who are the racists mate,because you create racism when there isn't any there.It's politically correct tw**s like you who are ruining our country.You can't say this,you shouldn't say that, well bollo**s to you mate and your lefty cronies. My father,grandfather and greatgrandfather fought for the freedom of this country.I wear my poppy with pride.Do you? RULE BRITANNIA BRITANNIA RULES THE WAVES BRITAIN NEVER NEVER NEVER SHALL BE SLAVES

SEE I TOLD YOU SO at 19:18:09 Wednesday November 27 2002
You see Ted you have proved your detractors right, you can't get through a past without having a little dig at the Trust, as to your not being racist, sorry mate I disagree. You may not think you are racist but the ease at which you use the term Black Homosexual Asylum Seekers in your post to make a futile and juvenile point shows clearly that hatred for anyone outside your own viewpoint of the world comes naturally to you. Its ingrained in you alongside your hatred for the Trust, why deny it just come out and say what you think, no one will feel any less about you as a result, that would not be possible as your popularity rating already starts at a low level.

Ted at 19:10:54 Wednesday November 27 2002
Believe it or not,I'm not racist and I don't hate anyone.However what I do adhere to is to be able to say what I really think.This is called free speech,and if you take away that you remove one of the principles of democracy.Now there's a word used quite frequently in the voice of the Trust!

west stan woman at 19:09:10 Wednesday November 27 2002
steve what are you a cobblers fan or a direones fan???????????????? make up your mind

Keen at 18:57:48 Wednesday November 27 2002
It seems Andrew Ellis was at this afternoons reserve fixture against Luton (we won 3-1 and Stamp got 2) If he was there last Saturday and there again today then we have to take it that he is very keen and this time it just might happen.

9224 at 17:46:28 Wednesday November 27 2002
Read this - http://msn.skysports.com/skysports/article/0,,1-1071878,00.html

Ellis at 14:21:05 Wednesday November 27 2002
I will wait until I hear from TCMP and the Trust on this one, they have been spot on in the past re Fash and Di Stefano and it will be interesting to hear what they say on this one, Ray can we have another TCMP Q&A session?

Anon at 13:43:12 Wednesday November 27 2002
George Bucks, how do you "order" complimentary tickets? Bit harsh to have a dig at the club when you are getting 2 free tickets and as we all know the ticket office is not controlled by the club. Also if someone in the ticket office had made a mistake and sold the tickets elsewhere what else could be done other than offer alternative seats? Next time just pay for all the tickets and you probably won't have a problem.

9224 at 13:33:44 Wednesday November 27 2002
Danny - tell me about it! I sometimes think that I'm the only one alive in my bit of the West Stand (just to the right of the home dugout as you look at the pitch). The far South is loud but the more North you go the quieter it gets.

George Bucks No1 cobbler at 13:14:50 Wednesday November 27 2002
Please excuse my rather crap spelling and grammer.

George Bucks No1 Cobbler at 13:13:39 Wednesday November 27 2002
Want to know what the problem is with the cobblers - Ill tell you. A week Friday I ordered 3 tickets for saturdays game against PV. 2 of them were complimentary and the othe I was paying for. I went get my tickets and was told that they had been booked in anothers name,and my seats were not available. I ended up another row forward and 20 seats along. No real apology or anything.I had brought 'two friends' with me in order to support the SOS etc and this is how I get treated. Furthermore, I was the only one oit 4,500 supporters that this has happened to - which P***ed me off even more. It was all due to the system error. And then they wonder why the club is in shit. I didnt get offered anything (except alternative seats). Thank God we played well, but once again the Ref was shit

black homosexual asylum seeker at 12:48:57 Wednesday November 27 2002
i love Ted

black homosexual asylum seekers at 11:02:05 Wednesday November 27 2002
Ted, your latest racist jibe just about sums you up old boy, I would imagine there is only one group you hate more than foreigners, and thats those in the Trust. You are obsessed and unable to get through a posting without passing some cheap throw away line in about what the Trust might think or you are having a go at individuals within the Trust. You never have anything good to say about anyone or anything!! You are a sad man Ted a loser and most probably a loner. I admit at times to find your rants a bit funny, almost warped but when you revert to cheap racist comments then I am afraid I lose patience.

Anon at 11:00:55 Wednesday November 27 2002
Don't think Steve's remarks were out of order, I watch other local teams just as I watch football on TV. Nothing wrong with enjoying any game of football and although I want the Cobblers to beat whoever we are playing and get added satisfaction if we beat a local rival that wouldn't stop me from watching a game at Nene Park, Kettering, Rothwell etc.

Steve at 10:09:07 Wednesday November 27 2002
GoPP - Your points are well made. Certainly Ray has done a brilliant job on this site and deserves every recognition that comes his way. The number of hours he devotes to maintaining it must be massive. Yes, you're quite right. My earlier posting is possibly inflammatory and probably unwise. It's just that I get so fed up with the dross and also with the (and I'm going to sound SO pompous here) staggering childishness of the 'we hate Peterborough, Rushden & Diamonds' stuff, I thought I'd just stick to fingers up to the wasters and say that you can have a good time watching other teams. To be honest, last night I was secretly hoping for a draw, just for the fun of penalties, but it was not to be. The bit about 'bulls' and 'china shops' escapes me!

Vince at 10:06:29 Wednesday November 27 2002
... sorry, that should read next weeks AGM Thursday 5th December at 7.30pm for 8.00pm - Sixfields Stadium)

Vince at 10:03:28 Wednesday November 27 2002
Just to confirm that Andrew Ellis will be asked if he can be at be at weeks AGM. If he can attend than an announcement will be made as quickly as possible.

United Front at 09:49:11 Wednesday November 27 2002
I agree with Ron Manager regarding inviting Andrew Ellis to the Trust AGM next Thursday. It would give us all a chance to ask him about his plans for us and see what the man has to say. BTW, does anyone know if it is just Ellis involved or is there some kind of consortium?

GoPP at 09:37:56 Wednesday November 27 2002
Steve I think you may have missed the bell yourself. No problem with your comments but until you're prepared to sacrifice yourself don't attempt to become a martyr. Your type are the sort that would encourage the juvenile element to respond, this board has lately become the reasonable forum it's founder/developer created and one that could well become the jewel in the crown it once was.CC was and still is the original Internet base for Cobblers based comment if it weren't for Ray Clements the Web based NTFC would be non existent.He started the entity and I don't see any recognition, I suggest we start a campaign on the Official Site to have NTFC recognise his pioneering efforts. He is deserving of recognition and the likes of S.Church and co should not throw bulls in china shops.Who put the Official NTFC Site on the Internet??????

Danny at 09:11:35 Wednesday November 27 2002
Steve, a friend of mine knows a bloke and his son who are Dire fans who went to watch Cobblers v Port Vale. They both said that if Cobbs were playing Direones, we'd have won by 6 or 7 easily. They said there is a huge difference between what they see week in week out and what we see. When I went to Nene Park to watch the Southend game, Ru$hden fans cheered when they scored, sang you're not singing any more and sat down and shut up. Have to agree with you on the souless Sixfields, the lads are playing good football (98% of the time) and we're cruising to wins at home at the moment, but if you start a song people stare at you as if you're some kind of lepper!!!!

LH at 08:32:49 Wednesday November 27 2002
Ian Holloway says its 'his worst ever moment in Football ' . Thats funny I thought he had that a few years ago !

Steve at 08:11:29 Wednesday November 27 2002
By the way - Sean Parrish was rubbish - totally anonymous.

Black homosexual asylum seeker at 08:09:35 Wednesday November 27 2002
You mind your words Mr Ted

Hotel Ender at 08:04:12 Wednesday November 27 2002
I like Mr Ellis' comments about taking control of the facilities as Sixfields without including mentioning buying the ground. If the facilities at the ground can be turned into money making facilities then far better the money goes to NTFC rather than to some anonymous management company, also Mr Ellis does not appear to be making any outlandish comments. My only concern is that he has previously tried (and failed) to take an interest in QPR - presumably cos his dad was involved there, why has he turned to the Cobblers? he's from Bedfordshire and has a "soft spot" for us he says.

Steve at 07:57:18 Wednesday November 27 2002
Had an enjoyable evening yesterday and went to watch R & D v Kidderminster with my lad. One or two observations. Great ground, friendly stewards. One I spoke to is a Cobblers supporter and advised us we'd be safe standing behind the goal with the home supporters. The R&D supporters could give ours in the North stand a lesson or two about effective singing/chanting all the way through. One thing that amused me though was their choice of words for "The Fields are Green ....". Adapting the good old socialist anthem of "We'll keep the red flag flying", they substituted it with "We'll keep the WHITE flag flying". I've never heard supporters singing for surrender before, but there you go. The game itself made me realise how far the mighty Cobbs haver progressed. The moaners would do well to take in the occasional 3rd division game. I went expecting the standard to be pretty well up with ours, but was amazed how poor Kidderminster were and how ineffective going forward R & D were. OK - the defence was very solid, with Hunter and Peters winning everything in the air(except for the Kidderminster consolation goal). R & D looked pretty competent, but not much more than that. Maybe they had an off day. Certainly Cambridge looked better against us the other week. I now await a ritual slagging off for putting money into the enemy's coffers, saying nice things about their ground, stewards and supporters. Come on then, where are you? Let's have it. Let's see how hard you are! Oh I forgot. The kids are at school.

Anon at 00:26:38 Wednesday November 27 2002
I understand that Mr. Ellis has many names of players from the former Czechoslovakia which he has passed onto manager Kevan Broadhurst in case he would like to buy them. Sandy, Bedfordshire. -2C

Anon at 23:49:03 Tuesday November 26 2002
RDFC 2 KHFC 1.

Bloke with a twitch at 23:32:24 Tuesday November 26 2002
We've been here before, only Mr Hodder seems a bit quieter this time, and the two weeks is already only 10 days. Excuse me for being cynical, but I'll believe all this takeover stuff only when it has happened.

CP at 23:18:19 Tuesday November 26 2002
I dont see where people on here have been slagging him off, just some posts with a bit of informative history. I think we all realise that the situation at QPR is / was a lot different to ours. If Mr Ellis puts enough money in to secure our immediate future then all well and good, there will be an awful lot of water to pass under the bridge before we should start to worry about the slim possibility that he may have another agenda. Thankfully he hasnt come out with glib statements about reaching the Prem in the next few years either.

Redscouse at 22:05:32 Tuesday November 26 2002
Just a thought,That Italian twat has been charged with laundering money in his native Italy..I bet it was the million he said would help buy the club .......but hey! he would have been the one to save us ..........I ask you!!

Ted at 22:01:25 Tuesday November 26 2002
It's called the Trust inquisition.Let's face it no one is going to be suitable to take over the club in the eyes of the Trust,unless he's a black homosexual asylum seeker.

Who cares!! at 21:54:36 Tuesday November 26 2002
What you twats on here think about anything, real Cobblers fan dont come on here this is Romper room, your comments have no impact, but you knew that!

Last women executed at 21:53:28 Tuesday November 26 2002
Ellis!!

Z CARs at 21:53:08 Tuesday November 26 2002
Ellis that is!!

Z CARS at 21:52:49 Tuesday November 26 2002
Some one was on Z Cars with same name

Redscouse at 21:43:55 Tuesday November 26 2002
You know I just can't believe you lot!We are on the brink of real shit and someone comes along to bail us out of the mess and all you can do is find something to complain about for christ sake!So the man has not come along with countless millions , but he will help us save our club and who knows just might get us going in the right direction! All I ask is give the man a chance before you start loads of untrue rumours ......but there again you just won't have anything to moan about will you?

Tom Barry at 20:06:55 Tuesday November 26 2002
I'm still here if it all goes tits up.

Mr Realist at 19:11:17 Tuesday November 26 2002
The negativity of some of you is truly astounding. My only concern is that things could not be kept quiet until the ink was on the paper.

Ron Manager at 19:10:46 Tuesday November 26 2002
Has the Trust got another open forum shortly? Can we invite Ellis please?

Bazza at 19:01:12 Tuesday November 26 2002
Anouncement about Ellis only made today and already people are slagging him off! Give the man a chance, It's a lifeline, be positive. I suppose at least pessimists are never disappointed. let's see what he has to say.

Anon at 18:42:31 Tuesday November 26 2002
Vote for Ray as next Trust Chairman.

Ted at 18:37:21 Tuesday November 26 2002
crawl under-Do I take it then that you are actually in favour of this Mr Ellis? I want the SOS appeal to continue,but without those bloody begging buckets.There's some great initiatives going on. Auctions , Gigs and even with the carpark scheme you are getting something for your money,but begging, I ask you!

crawl under at 18:27:14 Tuesday November 26 2002
crawl back under your stone Ted, your just too predictable with your anti trust crap and slagging others off and anyway Andrew Ellis has said he wants the SOS campaign to continue? so the buckets will still be there with his blessing, so do you still hold to your last comment or will you just change your mind/opinion like you usually do. what a muppet.

Ted at 18:22:56 Tuesday November 26 2002
Perhaps even in his cupboard.

Ted at 18:21:38 Tuesday November 26 2002
Well Mr Ellis has my approval.Anyone who can remove those buckets from Sixfields is a friend of mine.I can picture Riches & co at this very minute scouring the internet in the hope of finding skeletons on Mr Ellis's cupboard.

LH at 16:59:09 Tuesday November 26 2002
I agree with the last couple of posters. Ellis's ideas seem to make commercial sense . It's up to him to make the figures add up. Give the guy a chance to explain what he wants to achieve and judge or pass comments after that. BUT at the end of the day if the majority shareholder wants to sell who will stop the sale ?

I agree at 16:18:16 Tuesday November 26 2002
I agree with most of what you say "another view" apart from the fact that you are being a little unfair on Steve Riches. I feel the communication from the Trust throughout this whole affair has been spot on and if we ask TCMP and others on the Trust for a view I am sure that they will oblige. The only negative comment is that whoever wrote the clubs press release needs sacking, after everything that has happened in the past to use a phrase like " completed in 7-10 days" was just plain stupid and or incompetant, why not just say conversations are continuing and as soon as there is any conclusive outcome we will inform the media? What is important is that the SOS stuff continues and we don't count our chickens too soon

Another View at 15:38:14 Tuesday November 26 2002
I have been supporting the cobblers for enough years to know that you dont believe anything unitl you see it, and obviuosly there is always going to be worry witha new face coming into the club. Taking into account the worries about MK, Sa**nts etc i feel like others this needs to be supported but the only way this will be done is by listening to this bloke and see what his views are, not building up rumours into facts through message boards like this. I am sure steve riches is busy digging up any potential dirt, and making sure his bid to become the next leader of the tust is kept safe. The bottom line is that if we dont give him a chance we may not have a club in 3 months time anyway. The reason he wanted to move from london is high costs, OK this is not a good footballing reason but maybe he sees potential, and that there certainly is in this town. The support shown by the people of the town (Ie the recent 4,000 crowds) show that barring a miracle (ELlis) we are up a creek without a paddle. I plead with people please listen before shouting off at a man who appears to want to help the club, lets juts hope Stonhills 10 days are shorter than hodders 7 days (IE 12 months ++++) The club needs new blood, no offence to mr stonhill he has seen us through very difficult times, but we will be in the same position in ten months time if new ideas are not accepted. Thanks for listening,

Ellis at 15:32:40 Tuesday November 26 2002
my understanding is that Ellis was simply at the same meeting as a bloke called Pete Winkleman who raised the MK issue re QPR but Ellis never backed it, perhaps we should find out more from QPR? I also think we should give Ellis a hearing before we go about deciding what he is or is not about.

9224 at 14:57:45 Tuesday November 26 2002
Let's not get carried away here. Remember there is a HUGE incentive to get a Football Club out of London whereas there isn't that desire to leave Northants. Rents are high, there is a lot of local competition and transport links are awful. We have a stadium with space to develop, excellent transport links, good parking, superb surrounding facilities, a good, large catchment area with no significant local competition for fans. We could also compete with Franchise FC for the fanbase on the history ticket.

LH at 14:52:07 Tuesday November 26 2002
TCMP. Have you any comments to make . I know there are probably confidentiality agreements but you advised your feelings on GDS . Do the Trust have a position on proposed takeover yet ? Is it all fresh news to the Trust as well ?

Nicky at 14:30:27 Tuesday November 26 2002
Remind me to read further down the board before I post

Nicky at 14:04:19 Tuesday November 26 2002
Below is what I have posted on the QPR board if you go to http://boards.rivals.net/default.asp?sid=925&p=16&style=2&forumId=3672&action=1&replytoid=2137717543 , you will see the QPR view of Ellis, and what he tried to do there.

Nicky at 14:01:39 Tuesday November 26 2002
From what I can gather this Ellis bloke basically tried to do a Koppel and move QPR to Milton Keynes, at the moment it seems that our club are grabbing at anyone who comes along flashing a bit of cash. First there was John Fashanu and his promise of Nigerian backing to take us to the premier league. He made all the right noises, spoke to all the right people, was photographed sitting in our stand. He went on Radio five and announced to the world that he expected the take over to go ahead in 2 or three weeks. Us supporters dared to hope.... could this finally be the money we have always dreamed of to start to build something really good. But then, lo and behold Koppel gets the okay to move the dons to MK and it all suddenly goes quiet on the Fash front. Surprisingly enough the cynical amongst us began to think that if Koppel had not got the go ahead, would we have been merged with Wimbledon anyway?????? Next we had De Stefano, Italian Lawyer and friend of most of the major dictators and warlords this side of the moon. He again promised us the earth; he was going to buy the club for his son. He was going to buy the ground from the council and make us Division One within 2 years. He went a different way to Fash and started to befriend some of the fans, he freely posted his email address and mobile number so we could call him up. He posted all his plans on the offish site message board, and again some dared to believe. Not all though, Tony Clarke MP who is our Fans rep on the board said that the day GDS walked into the club, he would walk out. Yet again our hopes were crushed when, after much delaying, GDS offered a £50,000 investment. We said no, he buggered off and once more we resigned ourselves to our fate. Then it was announced that we had a £500,000 shortfall to make up by January. The directors dug deep, the fans are raising money left right and centre in the hope that our beloved club will not die. Now we have this Ellis bloke. He can't be wanting to sell the ground, as we don't own it the Council do. I am just worried like you said, that he wants us to merge with Franchise FC when they come to MK. Failing that will he buy the ground, sell it to Koppel from under us and leave us to share with the Saints at Franklins Gardens. This is something that we cannot contemplate, if the Dons came to Northampton instead of MK then we might as well kiss our beloved club goodbye. So I will wait once again to see what will happen to the club that I love. I, like everyone else would love to see us do well. I would love us to finally, after over 100 years, own our own stadium, I would love to see us climb into the upper echelons of football and rub shoulders with the big boys. But if that means merger, moving, or God knows what else, I am just not so sure.

Northampton Gas at 13:49:16 Tuesday November 26 2002
I've been hiding, in view of my clubs abysmal performances. *s* However I note with interest Andrew Ellis has shown an interest. Wasn't he connected with talks of QPR going to MK. Are you sure that MK will not have two teams shortly?

M at 13:20:02 Tuesday November 26 2002
Ditto 12:46 comment

Anon at 12:46:49 Tuesday November 26 2002
Lets hope that Ellis doesn't fall off horses, fails to find banking arrangements exciting, isn't funded by a tribal chief, isn't on the rebound from Coventry, doesn't haved a complicated family trust, isn't pals with a pretend vicar, doesn't socialise with the worlds terrorists and is just a normal bloke who loves football.

Anon at 12:41:38 Tuesday November 26 2002
worth a go though, we aint filling those buckets quick enough and he cant mortgage the ground away.

what QPR fans have to say about Ellis at 12:39:01 Tuesday November 26 2002
anyone know anything about this chap? about to buy northampton town and rescue them from the brink of administration. i gather he was on your board for 12 years and is the son of peter ellis. apparently he tried to engineer a move away from loftus road but you lot told him where to go. can we trust this man? IP: Logged VarcRanger Posted on 26/11 11:54 Email this Message | Edit | Reply re: andrew ellis -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rescue, would not be a word that we would genrally associate with the Ellis family. I think people like Ingham, may be best answering this one for you. IP: Logged VarcRanger Posted on 26/11 12:17 Email this Message | Edit | Reply re: andrew ellis -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Borrowed from QPR1st at the time we were in trouble last season: A name which keeps cropping up in the press as interested in buying QPR is estate agent Andrew Ellis, son of ex-chairman Peter. But details of Andrew's plans for the club are sketchy and the result of guesswork at best. So far, he has kept his cards close to his chest - and that includes having made any sort of contact with QPR 1st. So it was a big surprise then to find Andrew at the Queen Adelaide standing alongside Pete Winkelman and putting the case for QPR moving to Milton Keynes. A move of course that will leave Loftus Road empty. There were about 50 fans present, largely from the LSA. Each of them would take a lot of convincing that relocating halfway up the M1 was the way forward for QPR. It needed a powerful argument and a first class presentation. What followed was a shambles. If these are the sort of people holding the future of QPR in their hands, then we really might as well all pack up now and read the last rites for our beloved club. Except of course they don't, and we will ensure they never do. The meeting lasted for just over an hour. The microphone kept cutting out - which at least spared the assembled audience some of the drivel that was being spouted in the name of rescuing QPR. Andrew Ellis took the stage first, and explained why he can't bid for the club by himself, as he hasn't got the financial clout. He said that the guys from Milton Keynes had come along to give their views on why they feel a move could be beneficial to everyone, and asked the audience to hear them out. Andrew was backed by Mick McCarthy, who introduced himself as a founder of the LSA, said a few words about the situation at the club, and how none of us want this move, but at least let's listen to what they are proposing. Pete Winkleman took to the stage. He explained why he and his consortium feel such a move for QPR would benefit QPR and QPR fans, because they guaranteed the club would prosper. Milton Keynes is ideal for a Football League club as the nearest ones are a full 30 minutes away. As convincing arguments go, it wasn't exactly up there with the best. He wasn't helped by a faulty microphone... or the fact that half his audience were chatting amongst themselves or getting up to replenish their drinks. It seems that for this gallant display of white knightery, the Milton Keynes Stadium Consortium are willing to pay £2.5m. That this kind of sum wouldn't even get them to the table is perhaps an indication of how safe it is to dismiss the notion of QPR relocating to the part of leafy Buckinghamshire that has concrete cows and a nightmarish roundabout system. It's a mickey mouse bid, from a mickey mouse consortium, with mickey mouse ideas. And the only insult in that verdict is to Walt Disney. He then showed a video of the Milton Keynes bowl and the surrounding area. It's the surrounding area that's earmarked for QPR. Currently fields, a new ground will be built as part of a five-year plan, with QPR moving in two years' time and playing at the Bowl until the new stadium is built. In the interim, funding would be made available for QPR from the consortium for transfers, and running costs. If we haven't got that quite right, then that's because trying to watch a soundless video on a 14" television screen mounted on a table on a stage isn't that easy. Meanwhile, back in the real world, if there's a proper business plan to all this, it wasn't waved about - not even for effect. Apart from a three-minute video, it wouldn't surprise if the whole thing was sketched on the back of an envelope. All the same, Pete Winkelman asked those present to go away and think about it. Without laughing, presumably. Chris Leach, a QPR fan and relative of Mick Leach, took the mike, thanked the Milton Keynes consortium for coming along, and made a brief statement to the effect of, "If we have to stay a small club, then so be it. Our roots are West London and that's where we want to stay. I think the general feeling is thanks, but no thanks." IP: Logged Ingham Posted on 26/11 12:28 Email this Message | Edit | Reply andrew ellis -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Don't know much about Ellis but that would make me refuse his offer of help. There were quite a few who had opinions when a "takeover" of QPR was mooted a year or so ago, one comment being to note that he had no money. I feel your posting Chronecho takes the right stance. Why should you trust him? What do you know about him? Can you read his mind? Can you believe what he says? Who stands to lose if he gets it wrong? Whose money will he be spending? How much have you lot invested in your club over the last century? How much will he put in? What qualifications has he for the job? What guarantees will he give you (this one is important because usually they ensure that you give them guarantees, in the form of a charge over your stadium, so that, once they have made all the decisions and the whole thing is a disaster, they can walk away several millions, or even tens of millions, richer than when they arrived). No? Brighton? And not just them. Look at West London. Chelsea, £100 million in debt. QPR run by a board that tried to kill it off a year or so ago. Brentford, doomed to lose Griffin Park now. Wimbledon - demoted, what, 7 divisions, the league "club" playing to an empty ground, the real club playing in the Combined Counties League. These characters don't need any money of their own - because they can raise a lot on the security of your ground. But the ground will be sold to pay it off, they don't need to put their hands in their pockets if things go wrong. Meanwhile, the constant flow of cash from the supporters pays the overheads, interests and so on. Remember Brighton. Ask them how it works. Our Council supports us otherwise we would have been history 40 years ago, 15 years ago, and 18 months ago. What is your Council's position? But ask yourselves a more important question. Do you need this man? When it will be your money that pays for everything, what has he to offer? If you want your club bankrupted with loans, why not borrow the money yourselves? At least you will be making the decisions yourselves. Our former chairman began lending us his own money, made all the decisions (or allowed his henchmen to make them) himself that caused the money to be squandered, and then demanded the money back. We now have a £20 million liability and no money and all the people in place who took the club into administration, our ground mortgaged to some offshore outfit we know nothing of. What was the money for? To save their limited company, not our club. We would have survived, even in the Combined Counties League, but had Loftus Road plc gone bust, they would have been dead and buried. How much of that £20 million was invested in the club? Well, the manager got less than £1 million of it. Good business eh? These people know what they're doing. We have been run successively by Richard Thompson, one of the richest men, or richest families, in football, and Chris Wright, a multimillionaire many times over. Thompson took us out of the Premier League just when the big money began. Wright took us out of Division 1 just when the bigger money arrived. Think carefully. Your Supporters Trust bloke who addressed our fledgling Supporters Trust 18 months ago gave an absolutely superb speech. Think about it. Who really cares about Northampton Town FC? Who will be there even if it all goes wrong? Ellis? Why? Good luck, and keep us posted - fascinating to know that he is still pottering around. I am trying to remember if he had something to do with the Milton Keynes business. They wanted us to go there (well, not us, there would have been no QPR). I wonder. There sits Koppel, master of all he surveys, in someone else's empty stadium (uniquely, this is on match days) with his Milton Keynes proposals. Could it be that Ellis is his frontman? Acquire Northampton Town, promise them anything - riches, glory, the Manchester United of the Midlands (sorry, that's Fayed), move to MK, merge with QPR/Brentford/Fulham/Wimbledon, play in big stadium (doesn't exist does it? Don't fall for that one), All you need to do is hand over yours and then ........... all the problems will start and you'll be homeless and someone else will be rich, as with Brighton. When is Koppel proposing to move now? I don't say that this is what Ellis intends, but there is no knowing a person's private intentions. You have everything to lose if you get it wrong.

LIVING NEXT DOOR TO ELLIS at 12:28:40 Tuesday November 26 2002
Who the F&*K is Ellis

9224 at 12:07:12 Tuesday November 26 2002
to Anon - I believe he is worth another year or two at most - three would be a gamble unless there was some link to coaching and qualifications etc.

Dyl at 11:35:01 Tuesday November 26 2002
The Chron says "Cobblers chairman Barry Stonhill, who maintained a sceptical stance throughout recent takeover talks with a consortium led by John Fashanu and a deal put forward by controversial lawyer Giovanni Di Stefano, believes the Ellis deal is likely to succeed." Is this the same Barry Stonhill who refused to admit that Di Stefano was the dodgiest conman to come to Northampton since McRitchie?

Anon at 11:06:28 Tuesday November 26 2002
http://www.northantsnew.co.uk/ref/sport_football_cobblers.asp?ID=14401

Anon at 11:04:34 Tuesday November 26 2002
http://www.northantsnew.co.uk/sport/pages/football.asp

Anon at 10:43:37 Tuesday November 26 2002
Saturdays attendance was down to 3 home games in 10 days. We have 3 weeks before our next home game, if we can get some sort of result in he away league game and again in the FA CUP I would expect at least 6,000 to be in attendance at the next game, esp if we pull out a plum tie in the 3rd round.

The Drilling Cobbler at 10:32:24 Tuesday November 26 2002
So its a case of 'here we go again'! In some ways I give credit to the club for informing the supporters the likelyhood of a takeover, but IF it doesnt go ahead the momentum of the SOS appeal is likely to be lost. And we all know what happened the last time 10days was mentioned! At least in the meantime it puts the club in the media spotlight - and judging by Saturdays attendance it is needed.

Anon at 10:31:40 Tuesday November 26 2002
No doubt any deal will need Ted's approval before it goes ahead

LH at 10:27:57 Tuesday November 26 2002
All sounds interesting . Maybe you could create an arugument that the buyer has the Club at heart & wants to buy in ASAP .His first concern is securing the Clubs future & not screwing everybody down to the 11th hour. Maybe he is a GENUINE buyer with GENUINE intentions for once. But I wouldnt put the buckets away yet lads.

United Front at 10:19:54 Tuesday November 26 2002
Wouldn't it make more sense for a prospective buyer to wait until one week before the January 31st deadline when the maximum amount of money has been raised for the SOS appeal? Then they could takeover with many of the creditors already paid off and save aome of their money.

Rubber Stamp at 10:15:42 Tuesday November 26 2002
I'm ready.....

United Front at 10:07:45 Tuesday November 26 2002
Perhaps Di Stefano has made a better offer (only joking!). Seriously though wouldn't it be better if we were told when (and if) things are finalised, rather than being given the familiar deadline of 10 days?

News Just In at 09:57:23 Tuesday November 26 2002
Northampton Town Chairman Barry Stonhill has made the following statement to the club's supporters."Discussions regarding the future of Northampton Town Football Club have been taking place with an interested party over the past 2 to 3 weeks. Those discussions have been harmonious and fruitful and there is a good chance a deal will be concluded within the next 10 days."

M at 09:51:47 Tuesday November 26 2002
Official site says we may have a buyer, will know more in 10 days. Please let it happen ?

KettCobb at 23:13:04 Monday November 25 2002
Right CC is good yes,a bright prospect but i can pretty much bet my life he wont go to Spurs! There are much better prospects than him around,someone getting a bit carried away methinks! A Blinding thought tho eh! Chris Lee,our £1million player is probably a hairdresser or something of such stature.

Macc Cobblers at 22:48:35 Monday November 25 2002
I find it amazing that all these rumours of takeovers and players leaving, all arises again just when the team starts playing the best football for a long while - you just wonder who the sources are. Lets get behind the team - and carry on supporting the SOS appeal - and forget about takeovers and players leaving for large sums. Have we learnt nothing from the takeover fiasco - and also where is our ex-player who was to be our first £1 million sale.

ron rumourshite at 22:37:16 Monday November 25 2002
Just heard Celtic have offered £2,300,000 for jamie,oh shite sorry that was on LMA manger!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Deepcut Cobbler at 21:35:06 Monday November 25 2002
Slightly late but reminded by the comment about Jamies goal viewed from the West Stand. The BBC/Sky camera(s) for the FA Cup v Boston were positioned on the East Stand looking towards the Main West Stand. Why did they change and didn't the ground look better from that side?...COME ON YOU COBBLERS!!!

Vince at 21:18:30 Monday November 25 2002
Begging!!!, the vast majority of fans have donated with a smile and have often gone out of their way to make a donation, many have said a payment for parking which benefited of the club should have been made before. The buckets were used after a few games by "popular demand" from fans who were not using the car parks but wanted to donate. To suggest it is begging insults those who donate as well as those who collect. All of those collecting and donating are doing it because they want to help the club which is presumably why you donated.

Anon at 20:31:23 Monday November 25 2002
9224, me thinks Gabbs is playing for another 3yr contract at 5k a week, but will he get it? should he get it?

Ted at 20:21:34 Monday November 25 2002
TRB Mark-I like you! We have something in common,we are both artists.I have not for one moment ever said the fund-raising should stop.I don't like the buckets though,it's begging.I have no problem with the many events that are taking place.I have even contributed to the car-parking scheme.I honestly believe that the true supporters have become more unified with what is taking place.Nevertheless I think we have a right to be suspicious,and my views are not without substance.

Mr Realist at 20:21:12 Monday November 25 2002
I would forget all this speculation about Carruthers. The kind of rumour that goes around on a dull Monday. Nothing is done until it is done (remember Fashanu and Di Stefano)and true supporters will continue to do all they can to keep our club alive.

Ted at 20:06:58 Monday November 25 2002
What Hypocracy!!-Are you another T**t or the Same T**t?.The point I am trying to make is that what's different to how we were 10 years ago.The buckets are back,the clubs in turmoil and the true fans have no real say in the running of the club.Surely the Trust has failed in its objective of 10 years ago, to bring stability to the football club.Let's face it,the only time that the club has been run with any sort of professionalism is when we were in administration.I want this club to go forward,and it most certainly will not in its present form.

TRB Mark at 19:55:15 Monday November 25 2002
OK, so we do nothing until the dosh for CC comes in......like we waited for the Di Stefino/Fash take overs which were going to solve all our problems. The bottom line is we need £500,000 by the end of Jan one way or another. Yes, we may be bailing out this person who cocked that up but all the recriminations in the world won't stop the taxman kicking down the door, if he wants. If we want a club that we are all supposed to support to still be here then we the fans have to focus on the job of raising as much money the best we can. OK, a winding up order may never happen but I for one don't want to say I didn't do my bit should it go belly up.

MK Cobbler at 19:50:31 Monday November 25 2002
Ted - why don't you put up £50,000 to become a director, sign a guarantee to the bank as further risk for the overdraft and then you may be taken seriously.

What Hypocracy!! at 19:39:44 Monday November 25 2002
Ted how can you expect anyone to take you seriously when you come out with comments like "The fans know no more now than they did 10years ago." poppycock!! What inflated ego's? who are you talking about? everyone I have spoken to from the Trust seems pretty sensible to me, I dont see them as in it for any alterior motive but, if you know better then name them don't just hide behind generalism's, and your wrong not any one could be voted onto the Trust Exec as they would need to get support from the fan base and I know one person not a million miles from this conversation who true fans would never want any where near a decision, and thats you mate. which bit of "what abouts" post made you think he was a T*%t? and why do you think so many posters on here label you with that very identifier? What a knob you are.

Ted at 19:29:51 Monday November 25 2002
What about?-That's typical,you think because the Trust has a representative on the board Trust members are told everything that goes on within the club.The fans know no more now than they did 10years ago.I've been to those meetings and most of what you hear is just spin.I don't hate the Trust,but I do dislike some prominent members who take it upon themseves to be the voice of the fans and boost their own ego's.I know you'll come back on here in a few minutes and say that anyone can be voted onto the Trust executive, well they can if their face fits ,and they agree with Twa*s like you.

what about? at 18:48:07 Monday November 25 2002
What about the money owed to the bank Ted? or the Tax Man Ted? or to the PFA Ted? or to the unknown individuals who have lent the club money Ted? or to plug the gap left by the ITV digital fiasco Ted? or even to plug the gap left by falling gates Ted? what about the money needed every month to pay the wage bill until it reduces Ted? Don't you think someone would notice if the directors pocketed any windfall from selling CC Ted? Dont you think the Trust director might have something to say about it Ted? Oh, I forgot you don't like the Trust do you Ted? Its because you know best Ted, isn't It? Sounds like you spout a load of bollocks to me Ted, doesn't it you?

Ted at 18:38:59 Monday November 25 2002
The way I see the situation,is that the directors who have put the 100k into the SOS appeal have a nice little insurance policy with the CC move.Perhaps not such a brave move after all!The figure is a little less than 500k from Spurs.

explain? at 18:19:01 Monday November 25 2002
how are we "bailing Stonhill out" Ron Manager surely we are all bailing the Cobblers out because so far we have not sold anyone havent yet had a big pay out from the FA cup etc, perhaps Stonhill and the other directors and the trust should just not bother and take back their £25,000 they have put into the SOS appeal, or are they just putting that in to bail themselves out?

Ron Manager at 17:55:26 Monday November 25 2002
I never said how much Spurs were paying for him I just said they were buying him. If the 'January window' had not been in place he would have already gone and Stonhill would not be able to get us to bail him out to this degree. Just watch what happens in January that is all I am saying......

Anon at 17:19:57 Monday November 25 2002
forresters goal was exactly thre same as one of leicesters. anybody see it?

New Stratford Wobbler at 16:48:56 Monday November 25 2002
To Anon if you think Teds an arse that makes you his ring piece, you are consistentlty the biggest Barclay Banker Ive ever come upon

Steve1960 at 16:31:39 Monday November 25 2002
LOTSWTC present a Motown/Northern Soul night at the Sporting Bar Sixfields Stadium on Friday 29th November from 7.30-12.30. Admission £4.00 all monies raised will go to the SOS appeal. Lets have some "bums on seats" folks.

Anon at 15:46:04 Monday November 25 2002
.

Cobbler abroad at 15:12:45 Monday November 25 2002
I'd like to see the Trust organise town centre collections on the Saturday mornings before Christmas. That would be more effective than tapping the car park each week. I'd help, but I'm a little far away for the next 4 weeks.

TRB Mark at 15:00:08 Monday November 25 2002
Those of you in the Anglia reason, make an effort to watch the goals tonight. Jamie's goal looked absolutely awesome from the West stand camera view, much better than from my position in the North Stand. If that had been scored by Beckham, the national media would have been frothing at the mouth! Danny, thanks for your offer, I've emailed you.

Kiss of Death? at 14:01:01 Monday November 25 2002
A win or draw at Wigan could see Broads take Manager of the Month.

LDB at 13:54:36 Monday November 25 2002
It's good to see the boys on 'abit' of a run - keep it going! we are only five points off the playoffs !!!!!

Anon at 13:51:57 Monday November 25 2002
V good Judge Pickles and United Front.

9224 at 13:21:25 Monday November 25 2002
I think the extension of Gabbiadini's contract is a must given the form he's in. Also Forrester. If we can really publicise the Gabbiadini Effect he's the sort of player who will put bums on seats. The Chron suggested a Gabbas Goals video and I reckon videos could be a decent fundraiser. We could start with last season's video, then get the fans to vote for the 100 best goals they've seen at Sixfields and have Sammo present them -as he's been here for them all. How about a Woody & Welchy Greatest Saves tape, or sell the complete Wembley matches and the Rovers semi. We could have a 'Funny Moments' tape - McGregor copping one in the knackers and the big fight after that Preston game (Sixfields Strangler) spring to mind!!

United Front at 12:53:34 Monday November 25 2002
After doing a bit of searching about Andrew Ellis who tried to take over QPR, it seems that his plans may have included moving the club to Milton Keynes. What implications for us? (I know this is wild speculation but humour me, I'm bored at work).

Judge Pickles at 12:12:41 Monday November 25 2002
Anon - the Ellis you talk about - hopefully it is not a member of deadly Dougs family! - however if he is the Ellis involved in an aborted take over of QPR - (actually a wealthy estate agent) then that could just be interesting - however far to many false dawns so I'll still be sticking my £2.00 in the bucket!

United Front at 10:52:21 Monday November 25 2002
I don't know what to make of the speculation that CC might be lined up for a big move, but if he does get bought by a Premier League club surely there must be a case for him to stay with us (on loan) to continue to develop. I am a big CC fan, but he still has a lot to learn about the game. However, judging by his performance on Saturday he is learning very quickly. In the first half he kept getting caught out by the pace of McPhee and looked to be struggling with his foot injury, but in the second half he got tighter and seemed to get stronger as the match progressed.

Tony at 10:51:20 Monday November 25 2002
Oh right... just got back from the US, and was still thinking college Cheerleaders.

Anon at 10:49:27 Monday November 25 2002
They were 10 year-old cheerleaders Tony!

Tony at 10:45:37 Monday November 25 2002
Let me get this strait... 10 years of going to Sixfields and seeing just about every game.... the only rare game I miss (Port Vale) and we had Cheerleaders for the first time????

The Drilling Cobbler at 10:19:14 Monday November 25 2002
Prior to this season, I constantly questioned everything about Gabbs contribution - his inflated wage packet,his lack of fitness, his goal count, how many chins he had - and could only see him getting worse, putting on more weight, scoring less goals, and tracking back even less. How bloody wrong could I have been? He once again looks like the Darlington forward who single handedly ripped us apart almost 3 years to this day. His link up play with Forrester is at time breathtaking - is it a coincidence that the two look most potent when Asamoah is playing on the right hand side, forcing panicking defenders out wide everytime he has the ball? It must be realised however that away from home a different stance does need to be adopted at times due to the fact that we are likely to have the ball less. Something that Broads got spot on recently at QPR. Lets not forget at Notts County, the 3 of them played and whilst I accept that our attacking play was excellent, when we lost the ball the defence couldnt cope. It is hard to change a winning team, but away to Wigan on saturday I would argue a case for a Stamp and Gabbadini forward line, Stamps fitness of course permitting. When opponents back off like Port Vale did on Saturday, we will take them to the cleaners - but when we are up against a big physical 'in your face' team like Brenford - we do not always have the personnel to cope. Neither Gabbadini, Forrester or Asamoah can provide an outlet for the long, panicked hoof up front because of their lack of height. Height wasnt necessary on Saturday because the ball was played to feet, but away from home we need more of a physical prescence. I genuinely believe that next season when Broadhurst has a squad of players who have signed for 'him', a promotion push can be maintained providing we have reasonable luck concerning injuries. The current squad minus a few of the 'crocks' but with muscle added to it would enable Broadhurst to pick a team capable of playing and beating any division2 opposition.

Anon at 09:50:30 Monday November 25 2002
Russell was at the match on saturday...... has he won the lottery???

Anon at 09:41:27 Monday November 25 2002
Ellis. Remember the name. He is not a footballer. He was at the match on Saturday.I'm told we are going to be hearing alot more of him, probably by the end of this week.

Danny at 09:10:35 Monday November 25 2002
TRB Mark, perhaps a good idea would be to try and sell some cards on the three supporters buses. Drop me an e-mail and we can arrange getting to sell on CISC.

song meister at 08:39:50 Monday November 25 2002
to the tune "its amore" ....... "When the ball hits the goal, its not Shearer or Cole, its our Marco" .... repeat ad infinitum!

Anon at 00:20:37 Monday November 25 2002
I see Ted the Whinger is back in all glory. What an arse.

9224 at 23:48:40 Sunday November 24 2002
Just read the Port Vale website - www.port-vale.co.uk, who described Gabbiadini's performance as 'eclisping' and 'ten out of ten'. They said he was everywhere, making a last-ditch tackle inside his own area with an hour gone. I believe at the moment he is worth the admission fee alone.

perhaps at 22:58:22 Sunday November 24 2002
perhaps Ted the board and the trust are saying, I know we will fleece the supporters and make the match day expierience "less enhanced" by asking our fellow supporters to save the club from going under because we have no other ideas and we are activly stopping anyone coming in to save the club? what makes you think they would not welcome someone coming in with the ready's (except Di stefano of course)? You moaned about the trust moaning about Di Stefano, then you moaned about the board not taking his money. when he was proved to be a joke you then moaned about Di Stefano. and now you are moaning about keeping the club alive? break a habit of a lifetime Ted, give us a name of any one person who you feel has had the club at heart over the past few months and who you will not moan about? I challenge you.

MK Cobbler at 22:42:33 Sunday November 24 2002
Ted - "the campaign should be focused on a business plan including the Stadium". ??? That is the future not the present. The campaign is about those that care keeping the club out of administration. BTW if you have read TCMP's comments since the GDS fiasco you will know that he has been given ideas about the development of the stadium (including a motel I think) but it takes big money and with buying the ground I doubt that there would be much change left from £10 million. We have to live with raising £500,000 to be around this time next year. After that who knows.

Lemmie at 21:59:07 Sunday November 24 2002
I am a big Chris Carruthers fan, ever since he turned in a match winning performance v Bristol City away last season. He has what it takes to become a good footballer at a higher level, can pass, has pace, sure he lacks positional sense (experience) but what he has in abundance is self-belief and a certain arrogance (in the nicest possible sense). Did you see how he pushed Gabbi out of the way yesterday to take control of the ball? Love it!! To suggest he is just another Cobblers player exposes a shortfall in your appreciation of young talent.

Ted at 21:44:09 Sunday November 24 2002
Mrs Goggins-I agree with most of what you say,but the bucket collections don't exactly enhance the match-day experience.Will all the other delights that you have mentioned it's nothing short of a disgrace for the money you pay.This is exactly why the campaign should be focused on a business plan including the Stadium.

Deepcut Cobbler at 21:32:05 Sunday November 24 2002
Many a footballer has been signed for silly money before he has had the chance to prove himself at the top level. And anyway one or two million these days is nothing to the prem clubs. Scouts get paid to give informed advice on emerging talent. I know that the club (supposedly) has been keeping him out of the open shop window but if Spurs are willing to purchase, now is the time to make other clubs aware. Nothing inflates a price more than a bidding war. And it would only be to our benefit, he will go eventually anyway although this will be quicker than the majority of us were hoping for. I for one have yet to see him start a game, I was hoping to see this great new Cobblers talent first hand. If his selling saves the club then lets play the game and get as much as possible..... COME ON YOU COBBLERS!!!

Paul at 21:23:04 Sunday November 24 2002
CC has only played a handfull of games for us where he has been anything other than another Cobblers player. He may turn into a great player, I hope so, but saying he is worth £500k right now is crazy. Maybe this time next season with a full season's play and more experience, then maybe worth £250k...

Mrs Goggins at 21:22:09 Sunday November 24 2002
TED - Were you a sniper in the last war? To suggest that 2,000 fans stay away because they don't want to contribute to the bucket collections is laughable. £17 is a bunch of cash that most don't have at this time of year, stick a putrid pie and a warm flat bottled coke on top and you just spent several aunties worth of Christmas presents. A more plausible reason why fans are not turning up might be that chuffing lake on the footpath from the North car parks. It is a bloody disgrace and the club ought to sort it out. I for one have seen many get soaking wet feet and I have heard many say (particularly after crap performances) I ain't coming up here to watch that and then have to traipse through mud. moan .. moan .. moan..

Lemmie at 21:14:12 Sunday November 24 2002
Interesting to see the comment below about Chris Carruthers going to Spurs. I heard this several months ago from a reliable source, Graham Carr scouts for Spurs and regularly watches our games and on his recommendation CC will sign for them. I hope we get a bunch of cash for the lad and that he goes on to emulate Phil Neal.

Ted at 20:58:16 Sunday November 24 2002
Maybe- Before you call me negative my son,take a look at what a certain Mr Riches wrote in the latest Trust News.I quote." By the time you read what I have written the club could well have already fallen into administration and we could be propping up division 2.The only certainty is that the future is uncertain" I'll say one thing,I wouldn't have wanted to be next to him in the trenches!

well done at 20:54:23 Sunday November 24 2002
well done Vince and the Trust keep up the good work, whilst people like Ted are sitting on his arse moaning about the SOS campaign not achieving anything people like you are out proving him wrong, my view of the Trust as a result has risen tenfold

Deepcut Cobbler at 20:51:17 Sunday November 24 2002
Ron Manager...IF and thats a big IF, CC is going to Tottering Hotsh@t for a decent fee (assuming over the 500K) does that mean the drive towards SOS is now on hold? Dangerous to put that about when so many people are working their butts off to save the club. A rumour like that WILL reduce the commitment however much we say to the contrary. COME ON YOU COBBLERS!!! We have been let down on promises in the past... Anyway, from all of the reports, CC is worth at least ten times that.. Thats cash up front please not related to how many games he plays... Don't forget the sell on percentage as well whoever is doing the deal

Vince at 20:49:55 Sunday November 24 2002
The bucket collections continued this afternoon at Sixfields for the Badgers game - £839.88 was collected and thanks to anyone who donated and to Ant Collett who did the collecting. Total collected this weekend was £2558.18 bringing the total for the scheme to £14,099.02

maybe at 20:46:28 Sunday November 24 2002
Maybe Ted, that people are negative because people like you are always negative, and yet despite the doom and gloom merchants, the board and the Trust are doing what they can to keep the club afloat, if they pull it off or get someone to invest, will you be quick to say O.K I was a prat I should have trusted them all the way along? I think I remember you having a dig at the Trust for speaking out about Di Stefano, or would you like us to forget that? get behind those who are doing thier best or clear out i dont care which.

Man from the east at 20:39:00 Sunday November 24 2002
If you think you can get to the top of the tree on Bullshit, then good luck to you Stratford Wobbler.

Ted at 20:31:54 Sunday November 24 2002
Ron Manager-Remember you have to take season ticket holders out of the equation,so even at a gate of 5000 there are are only just over two thousand paying customers

Bert Backache at 20:25:07 Sunday November 24 2002
What I want to know is, why do fools fall in love?

Ron Manager at 20:23:39 Sunday November 24 2002
Ted. Stonhill said in his latest confession that if we get a gate of 5k (which is what they have budgeted for) then we get an income of 18k for the club so thats £3500 for each 1k of spectators. Doesn't sound very clever to moi.

Ted at 20:19:25 Sunday November 24 2002
When in a hole-for your information I have contributed freely to the car-parking scheme and in many other ways to the SOS appeal.However whats the use of collecting say £1,500 from the diehards,and losing at least 1000 paying customers each game,amounting to more than £10,000?.Let's face it, it's not working! Since the rallying call for help came,less people have turned up for the games.

New Stratford Wobbler at 20:18:17 Sunday November 24 2002
Ted is right, but his philosphy about Northants people fits with everyone, no one wants to be associated with losers, all this negativity associated with the club puts off people attending games, the Chron and Echo wants to get its priorities right, it needs to get behind the club (they might work out that if the club does well then maybe more people buy more papers to read about the Cobblers), but thats the press, they only like Bad news. In terms of R&D best of luck to them, but their days are numbered, they will sink back at some stage to non league or go bust, the money needed to sustain them will dry up, its so obvious (after all a business man is behind them, not like the Cobblers we survive on dreams), and whatever level of funding that they have now would have to be increased if they do go up, they just have not got a fan base, and they wont do a Wimbledon, they just arent SEXY enough to be a marketable item. Irrespective of whether we are about to sell a player, the Cobblers will survive, our debt would be welcomed by 60+ clubs outside of the Premier League, its miniscule. Best of luck Jamie, you are doing OK at the moment, but you will never be the great player who scored for fun at oldham away and at Cambridge, as for Gabbi, he always has had class, all the time he has played for us, it was the other players who were not reading the same script as Gabbi, unfortunately Gabbi looks great in a competent team, when we were shit he looked bad at times when we were clueless, we had another player of much lesser ability now at Oldham who only scored when we played well, when were struggling he had mystery viruses, Gabbi never hides, one of the greats!!! as for Old Cobbler get that Plastic surgery and become a New Stratford lovely like me!!!

Ron Manager at 20:11:06 Sunday November 24 2002
Chris Carruthers is going to Tottenham in January.

when in a hole at 20:06:00 Sunday November 24 2002
MK, the trouble with Ted is that he always has something to say about everything and everyone and none of it is ever positive and he has the gall to call steve riches and the trust? did you put towards the £20,000 they donated Ted

Toe Poke at 20:05:56 Sunday November 24 2002
On wednesday afternoon against Leyton the flood lights were onall afternoon . The only asset we have is the players , let them play at night and feel that some poeple care by turning up to watch and not playing in front of an empty stadium.

Ted at 20:03:57 Sunday November 24 2002
I can also tell all you good people that regardless of whether the 500K is reached,the club will not fold.(is that positive enough for you) How do I know this? because a fee has already been agreed for one of our players. I'll leave you to guess who!

NLP at 19:46:30 Sunday November 24 2002
And when we play you very soon you will be featured as well.

NLP at 19:42:28 Sunday November 24 2002
Every team that leaves the conference, get a match report the following season in the NLP. If the team is doing really well the NLP keep the reports going. The NLP are proud to see the ex conference teams performing well, as indeed the Diamonds are doing at this present time.

Diamond Bastard at 19:35:25 Sunday November 24 2002
Old Stratford Cobbler, I wouldn't know - haven't read the Non-League Paper since about June 2001. I can understand why Cobblers fans are showing an interest in reading it now though - who knows what league you'll find yourself in when the money runs out?!

Old Stratford Cobbler at 19:16:59 Sunday November 24 2002
Check out the Non League newspaper that comes out on a Sunday- it's got match report on Dustbin and Liners' match yesterday. Says it all doesn't it? "Non League, you'll ALWAYS be Non League"!!!

MK Cobbler at 18:50:13 Sunday November 24 2002
Much of what Ted writes is the truth but he ignores the relaity of the present situation. The club is in deep trouble and there is nor sign of a money bags. Therefore, we have to deal with the immediate crisis and survive this season off the pitch. This means the supporters digging deep. On the pitch the side played brilliantly yesterday and more performances like that and the stadium will soon see bigger gates.

Anon at 18:45:25 Sunday November 24 2002
And do you think your comments are positive Ted?

Steve at 18:07:12 Sunday November 24 2002
More Gabbi adulation stuff - he's also cut out all the diving and falling over. He's patently enjoying every minute of his football, and it shows.

Steve at 18:04:58 Sunday November 24 2002
I used to post loads of times, but, like a lot of people, I'm totally hacked off with the all the mindless drivel. But - I have to say, yesterday's performance was simply great - in all departments. God knows what's happened to Gabbi this season. If only he could have shown this sort of commitment in his first couple of seasons. His play was sensational. He tackled back, he passed with instinctive accuracy, he takes people on going forward (you can see the defenders visibly panicking) and his goals - well, they are top drawer quality. I've been trying to think of players over my 35 years of watching who've shown such all round skill, and I'm really struggling. O.K., Hill and Morley were class players, but I just think those who aren't turning up at the moment should get down to Sixfields and watch, just for the privelige of watching a top footballer at work. They should get down there soon, cos he won't be around forever. One worry - what would we have been like without Gabbi. He's going to get injured soon. Then we'll see if we're a one man team. It's amazing when you think that, at the start of the season, before Stamp got injured, the club virtually announced that Gabbi's legs had gone and that he be mostly used as a super-sub.

Ted at 17:22:17 Sunday November 24 2002
Mark-I'll tell you why people aren't coming, they know what they'll find beggers and begging buckets.I've got nearly half a century of experience dealing with Northamptonshire people.They don`t like parting with their money unless they get something in return.As I said earlier the club needs a complete shake-up,it needs investment and nobody in their right mind would invest in just a football club.The stadium must become part of the deal for the club to have a future.It's in a popular part of the town with regard to leisure,and something should be happening at the stadium every day and night of the week.The club needs to be seen to be moving forward.Every night in the Chron it's "cash strapped Cobblers"and telling people that if the 500k isn't raised it's the end of the club.Well people look at what has been raised,and they see that the club is dying.People want to spend a saturday afternoon getting away from all their troubles and woes,not paying good money for more.Mr negative Riches doesn't help,almost enjoying martyr status.This is the trouble!

TRB Mark at 16:14:25 Sunday November 24 2002
We are looking for backers, donations, handouts etc etc. But the bottom line is we need to sell the product that is what this club is all about, that is, the matches! Yesterday we could have easily accomodated 2,000 more people which would have bought in about £30,000. I think the club ought to look at ways of getting people through the turnstiles and converting more of the locals into fans or getting old fans back. Maybe it's worth doing a survey to find out the reason why people don't turn up or why supporters lapse.

A Childs View at 14:27:24 Sunday November 24 2002
Stuck at bloody work today waiting for IT people to get their life together!! Fantastic performance yesterday - the league form is excellent at the moment. Yesterday's team was the best we can put out at Northampton - KB - don't go and change it when the likes of McGregor, Stamp, Spedds and Frain are fit again - if it ain't broke don't attempt to fix it! Carruthers and Hargreaves work well, Gilly and Asa are nicely balanced. Trolly and Harsley look good as a pair and Gabbs and Jamie are, as predicted many season a go, looking like a useful partnership provided we play football and don't just hoof it. Jamie's lob was great - the picture on Goodlad's face as he watched it, in slow mo, drop over his head was brilliant!! Great stuff - we've gone on a level over recent league games (we'll forget the cup) - long may it continue!!

Ted at 14:27:19 Sunday November 24 2002
Cynic- Your dead right!With all the good will in the world,the SOS fund is not going to save the club.It might delay the inevitable,but we need someone to come in and run the club as a business,and that must include the stadium.Kevan is doing wonders with the team.What a display yesterday!Pitiful crowd to watch it though.

of course at 14:00:48 Sunday November 24 2002
of course it would bugger up the SOS appeal but do think Atkins cares whether it closes down the club or not?

9224 at 13:51:54 Sunday November 24 2002
What's the IA dispute? Is he sueing us? How much for? On what grounds? Will this bugger up the SOS Appeal?

Anon at 12:19:10 Sunday November 24 2002
we know

Atkins at 12:17:51 Sunday November 24 2002
The Atkins case is at the start of December, the details were in the Chron, apparantly TCMP is showing up in court as a witness for the club. Sparks should really fly. Now if we can get Atkins and TCMP in a boxing ring to settle the issue, then that would make a fortune for the SOS appeal what would the odds on each of them be?

welchy at 11:55:29 Sunday November 24 2002
Torquay United have signed former Northampton Town and Tranmere Rovers goalkeeper Keith Welch on non-contract forms.

Anon at 10:54:24 Sunday November 24 2002
yes, i would just love persimmon homes to be interested in buying us for our ground, like they are up there

Cynic at 09:43:06 Sunday November 24 2002
Well done to all who want to save NTFC , and well done on the LOWEST gate in the second division yesterday. Not a bloody snowball in hells chance to save the club looking at it in the cold light of day.WE NEED A BACKER NOW. We cant do it all on our own. If someone does come along then the council MUST sell the ground because that is what is putting people off, just look at the mess pooboro' are in but they have someone interested, all because they own the ground!!!!!!

Anon at 08:50:27 Sunday November 24 2002
I think we should concentrate on the positive for once. Best performance in a long time. Goals class.

Anon at 23:04:21 Saturday November 23 2002
No - we nearly fell into our typical "cruising" trap.

Anon at 21:45:43 Saturday November 23 2002
I am the only one but if we hadn't sat back for 20 mins in the second half we would have scored at least six today.......

great win at 20:47:25 Saturday November 23 2002
Ok... so i meant Exquisite!!

Great win at 20:44:52 Saturday November 23 2002
Port Vale managed to scrape 358 fans,pretty meagre considering its only just up the M6.....or the M1 and A50 if you like. According to their website "Forresters goal was equisite" i didnt see Robbbie (w*****) Williams there!

Vince at 20:34:20 Saturday November 23 2002
Total revised to £1718.30 thanks to late donation of £25 - new total is £13259.14

rashkú the basher at 20:21:50 Saturday November 23 2002
simple ask youself what when and how it happens i can't understand why the goal was allowed to stand when it was all ok with the man in the middle how can that happen in todays society feeling one must eat ones words again not the same as agreeing with the article present i hope the enjoyment of the game today was not destroyed by the final injustice lets hope it will happen to a nice holiday for him he should be ok.now you know my feeling on this matter!!!!!!!

Vince at 20:19:42 Saturday November 23 2002
£1693.30 was collected before todays game with Port Vale bringing the total collected so far to £13,234.14. Thanks to everyone who made a donation and to those who collected

Tarquin at 19:40:29 Saturday November 23 2002
'Anon at 12:18:59 Saturday November 23 2002' oh laddie i bought several council houses and i am still buying them,it so easy to make a few readys,i buy um of council tenants then rent them back to more council tenants for 4 times the price,which means every one or two months i can buy another one or two it such a life,ha ha ha ha ha ha!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

west stand woman at 19:22:30 Saturday November 23 2002
what a result two good goals from Marco and Jamie i thought that Stamp probly needs a bit longer to recover but played okay i also think that Gabbi deserved man of the match i think that the whole team had a good performence and played well together i hope that they can do it every week

TRB Mark at 18:06:37 Saturday November 23 2002
Those stay aways missed a great performance from the Cobbs today. Two classic goal, the first from Gabbi and Jamie with the third, both chips/lobs over the goalie. Were getting good at scoring like that! Thanks to all who bought and helped sell the Christmas cards *(especial tthanks to Rob Marshall). A tad over £100 raised today with the total now standing at £273. Cheers!

Anon at 17:51:41 Saturday November 23 2002
Maybe the nonsense has gone over my head here but didn't Kevin Wilson get us into the 2nd? yes. that day at wembley meant nothing

Anon at 17:51:04 Saturday November 23 2002
250-300 tops

Deepcut Cobbler at 17:14:41 Saturday November 23 2002
Again not a big crowd. How many did Vale bring?

Anon at 17:13:07 Saturday November 23 2002
3-0 final score, Gabbi x 2, Jamie the other

Anon at 17:07:11 Saturday November 23 2002
Final score 3-0 (Forrester got the third). We are up to 12th - top half!

Anon at 16:45:49 Saturday November 23 2002
What`s the score?

Anon at 16:21:01 Saturday November 23 2002
2-0, Gabbiadini 56

Anon at 16:05:51 Saturday November 23 2002
1-0, Gabbiadini 38

nsb at 15:25:33 Saturday November 23 2002
can anyone tell me whats happening at the game?

Anon at 12:18:59 Saturday November 23 2002
Tarquin-I bet you bought your council house though didn`t you?

tarquin at 11:54:25 Saturday November 23 2002
Atkins like that evil old witch i've heard it all now,please go and have a lie down Ted,

Ted at 11:05:34 Saturday November 23 2002
Ian Atkins did for the Cobblers what Maggie Thatcher did for this country.He woke the club up from it's slumber,showed us a way forward and brought us success.Unfortunately just like Maggie his success went to his head, became stubborn and had to be ousted.End of story!

Rob Dunkley at 10:25:24 Saturday November 23 2002
Yes, but a) we had one of the best teams b) Kevan was assistant manager and we all know what happened when he left to our results. The regard Wilson is held in the game is reflected by being out of work for a year and ending up quitting full time football management.

Ralph2. at 10:05:53 Saturday November 23 2002
Maybe the nonsense has gone over my head here but didn't Kevin Wilson get us into the 2nd?

Anon at 08:22:15 Saturday November 23 2002
er and got us back there again it was Twatkins,foolboy>>>>>>>>

Anon at 02:59:02 Saturday November 23 2002
yeah, but we're in division 2 now. under barnwell we were in the 3rd and going down. now who was it who got us there again?

Anon at 02:51:17 Saturday November 23 2002
ATKINS FOUND GUILTY. Notorious Birmingham imposter and fraudster, Ian Atkins, was found guily at Northampton Crown Court yesterday on a charge of murdering the beautiful game. He has been sentenced to a life of watching videos of Oxford United. Jurors spent several days reviewing forensic material but could find no evidence of a ball. There was however overwhelming circumstancial evidence of foul play. His attorney had pleaded on defensive grounds of diminished responsibility.

Whos the twat at 22:08:10 Friday November 22 2002
Balancing up a Twat's view at 13:07:03 Saturday November 16 2002 'You forgot to mention two Wembley appearances, a win a Wembley, one win away from the first division, dumping a premiership side out of the league cup, winning promotion, and getting the highest league gate at Sixfields, and the highest ever club attendance at Wembley'.ER YOU FORGOT ABOUT HIM BLEEDING THE CLUB DRY ARSEHOLE SO F*CK OFF WITH YOU ATKINS LOVING VIEWS TO OXFORD.

TRB Mark at 18:42:41 Friday November 22 2002
Danny, the cards are £4.00 for ten with £3.00 of that going to the SOS. Rob Marshall will be selling them between 2.00pm and at start of the game at the bottom of the Stairs. I havn't asked the club shop (nor they me) cos the problem is that a chunk of the money ends up getting paid as VAT. The cards have been pretty successful as I donated about £1500 to the Trust in previous years as well as about £100 to Macmillan Cancer and the club have also made a few hundred from what they have sold through the shop. One year I sold about 100 cards to Leeds Utd supporters club MK branch! If nothing else, it help spreads the word cos when was the last time anyone ever got a Christmas card from another club?

Bazza at 18:35:24 Friday November 22 2002
Perhaps Mr Atkins would like to donate whatever we owe him to the SOS fund?

Anon at 18:18:38 Friday November 22 2002
Apparantly there is some problem with the continuing payment of Ian Atkins' contract. How long a contract did we give him?!

Bazza at 18:14:00 Friday November 22 2002
I heard today that Lazio is up for sale and interested parties include the Gadaffi family and Henry Kissinger. No mention of dodgy italian lawyers though.

Danny at 15:57:57 Friday November 22 2002
Thanks for clearing that up Jim. TRB Mark, i'm sure as Christmas comes ever nearer more and more cards will go. What are the prices?

Santa at 14:44:43 Friday November 22 2002
Well done TRB Mark, if every Cobblers fan raised that amount the SOS target would easily be exceeded.

George - Bucks No1 Cobbler at 13:14:22 Friday November 22 2002
Keith Welch has signed for Torquay United on a short term deal. Hes covering their two injured keepers.

United Front at 13:01:50 Friday November 22 2002
Apparantly there is some problem with the continuing payment of Ian Atkins' contract.

9224 at 11:33:07 Friday November 22 2002
Kettcobb - My Dad and I would like to sponsor you for when you sit on our seats in the West Stand - could you email me and send me details?

9224 at 11:30:07 Friday November 22 2002
What court case? - TCMP?

Anon at 10:36:52 Friday November 22 2002
Well done Drilling - good luck with that.

the drilling cobbler at 08:16:24 Friday November 22 2002
To anon late last night - I am personnaly in the process of trying to generate a sponsor for the Trust - ironically the 5-10k that you mention is the kind of figure we are hoping to get. A letter is in the process of being written(it should have been done last week but my own work committments have not allowed me to finish it yet) which will be initially sent out to a hit list of local large business's - I will then be following up those letters and attempting to sell them the benefits. If anyone has any appropriate contacts who potentially could be interested please email me.

Anon at 08:12:32 Friday November 22 2002
Anon to Anon: I think the bigger questions is what exactly has our Chief Exec been doing about approaching the bigger companies in the area.

stupid question at 07:35:56 Friday November 22 2002
wot court case

TRB Mark at 00:37:33 Friday November 22 2002
At the Sixfield travel club AGM, Barry Stonhill (to answer someone's question) said that the Atkins v NTFC court case was happening in December. Maybe we ought to sell tickets or run a book on the outcome! Then have a bare knuckled re-match at the Derngate...last one standing wins, as long as it's BS. The Christmas card total stands at £174. A piddly amount in the greater scheme of things but I like to think that those who have bought them feel that they are contributing to the cause..and getting something in return. Barry Stonhill asked the question why no-one, apart from the faithful was bothering to help. I think the reason is that people like to be associated with success and handing out the begging bowl doesn't give that image. In some respects we are more successful as a club, compard to 10 years ago/last crisis. The hardcore of fans has doubled, we have a new ground, been to Wembley twice (and look how everyone wanted to be associated with the club then) and (I think) are currently enjoying our longest period (if you discount the year we spent in Div 3) in 30 years, out of the bottom division. But as we are from Northants, lets be constantly negative.

Anon at 00:02:36 Friday November 22 2002
you know what i dont understand? all this lot having a bash at the trust. im not a member of them but we're all on the same side. we all want professional football in northampton in the year 2003 so why have a pop at them? i dont expect an answer as they that have a go dont seem to have any reasons as to why they do it, but i just dont ubderstand it.

Anon at 23:53:26 Thursday November 21 2002
To anyone from the Trust - has the Trust approached companies like Barclaycard, Nationwide and Carlsberg to see if they would be interested in sponsoring the organisation? With Trusts being formed up and down the country (NTFC being the first) and supporters direct giving Trusts a national profile a big company may possibly be interested in stumping up 5/10k to be associated with the Trust.

who else? at 23:18:20 Thursday November 21 2002
anyone else you hate Ted or is your bigotry simply reserved for 60% population of the town you have just identified? As a leftie from the Eastern District I don't think I would want to travel on the same road as you mate let alone the same bus. Toe Poke the club can't afford to have reserve games at night as the cost of the floodlights is more than they get in from the crowd, at least that was what was said a few years ago and I supposed it has not changed.

Ted at 22:46:07 Thursday November 21 2002
I'm thinking of starting up Ted's Travel Club.Anyone interested? No asylum seekers,gypsy's,lefties or people from the eastern district allowed.

jimttc at 22:21:55 Thursday November 21 2002
Danny, The Trust Travel club did not make £9000 last year, It was The Trust organisation as a whole that raised this amount. The travel club in fact made a small loss, whuch we funded from profits in the previous year. We run the travel club as a service to our members and charge as low a price as possible for the benefit of those members, although non-members are always welcome at no extra charge (we might try to persuade them to join though.Provided we have more than forty on the coach (as we have on all but two games this year) a profit will be made which will be passed to the supporters trust and then to the club.

Anon at 22:10:53 Thursday November 21 2002
That was mainly due to it being Arsenal to be fair! I wouldnt wanna watch the reserves in all honesty,especially against nomarks like Leyton Orient!

toe poke at 20:32:48 Thursday November 21 2002
How much longer can the Cobblers continue to play reserve team footballon awednesday afternoon and only get afew bob out of it. If the Cobblers really want to make money play the matches at night. A quid a kid and a donation from adults we be better than the money we get at the moment. remember the night a couple of years ago when Arsenal played here and we had abigger crowd than the first team.

oldbrook cobbler at 20:09:18 Thursday November 21 2002
sounds like a good call bazza.........why not?....after all arnt we all on the same side here??

Bazza at 18:52:30 Thursday November 21 2002
I know this is an old one but do we really need three travel clubs? Can't you all get together and form one which suits everybody?

9224 at 18:18:04 Thursday November 21 2002
marco, could you email me when you read this?

Danny at 17:26:09 Thursday November 21 2002
We're not fighting or trying to undercut anybody. We normally charge £10 for most away trips (it was £15 for Plymouth) while the other two normally charge less, quite how they make any profit and were able to donate £9,000 each at the end of last season is beyond me, clearly we are doing something very wrong!!!!! If you really want to see the balance sheets for each match and the bank book, come find me and i'll arrange a time to show you, we are not trying to hide anything as there simply is nothing to hide, we purely run to allow supporters to travel to away matches, not to make any profit.

put up the ticket prices at 17:02:45 Thursday November 21 2002
Danny, One thing all the travel clubs could do is to put up its ticket prices all three still try to undercut each other and the club loses out as a consequence. This was why many people were so angry when Sixfields travel started up. The cost of away travel on cobblers coaches is far too cheap and that is why every travel club struggles to make any profit which could be donated to the club. But Danny one thing the independant travel club could do that both Sixfields and the Trust do is to publish your accounts, that way no one could suggest that the profit however small is pocketed. So come on travel clubs get your act together, talk to each other, decide a price for each game and help the club out instead of fighting between each other.

Danny at 16:46:16 Thursday November 21 2002
BUT IF, you're question "what is Sixfields and Independent doing?" I know everyone who travels with the Independent has sponsored various peoples events, such as Woz on the bowling marathon and Matty on his sponsored walk. I know a lot of us put £2 in the trusts buckets at every home game etc etc. some of us were at Chicago's on Tuesday. So we're not running an event ourselves but all of us are doing our bit where we can. And as for "who's pocketing all the money?" What money???? When we do make a profit it is used to cover the cost of trips that are less popular such as Oldham on a tuesday night. There's only so much supporters can do, most of us are on £20,000 a year and under, have mortgages and bills to pay etc, a lot of people seem to forget that and slate others for not doing more. Believe me, if I could do more or donate more money, I would, but as much as I love The Cobblers, I place a higher priority on my own keeping my own finances in check and keeping the wolves away from my door than I do the Clubs. We have reached £200,000 by people organising events and people sponsoring them, and these amounts, no matter how large or small, have seen ordinary folk such as me and you raise £100,000 between us. If us supporters as a whole can do that through December and January Town will be safe. As for the local companies, you watch, one of them will step in with the shortfall in mid to late January, the Chron will hail Carlsberg, the saviours of Northampton Town FC!!!

aged 15!! at 16:45:40 Thursday November 21 2002
but still the height of a 11 year old!!!!! midfield Terrier!!!

don't forget at 15:53:21 Thursday November 21 2002
Kett Cobb, Dont forget the wheelchair companion seats on all four sides by the pitch and the few at the back of the East Stand. There are also some temporary seats in the TV box, oh and what about the two dugouts, dont forget them, and when you are finished then why not pop up the hill and sit on the bank for a few seconds, then you will have seen the pitch from every possible angle.

KettCobb at 14:51:00 Thursday November 21 2002
That doesn't bear thinking about!

LH at 14:22:18 Thursday November 21 2002
No, but if its cold you'll catch a dose of Farmer Giles !

Bazza at 14:00:33 Thursday November 21 2002
KETTCOB, good luck with sponsored seat sit, I'd take a cushion if I were you! Is it true that you can catch AIDS from sitting on someone elses seat?

jimttc at 13:25:37 Thursday November 21 2002
Mr Atkinson, get your facts right!! I was 15 years old.

Thanks Jim at 12:22:54 Thursday November 21 2002
Jim ignore sad bar%$a£*s like anon at 02.23 I think he is the same guy who posted as C Sense earlier given his attitude to the local community and moaning about not being richer and having to pay more tax etc I think it could be our Max from down the road. Anyway thanks for responding re the travel clubs question that was posted earlier. I see Sixfields have not bothered. Perhaps so