“Anything above relegation feels a good result, but it’s difficult to say where we would have been without missing some key players”

Northampton Town fan Brendan Walsh reviews the Cobblers’ campaign

Jun 16, 2025

Monday 16 June 2025

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THE SCARF MY FATHER WORE 2025-26 CALENDAR: Having been to all 56 County games this season, I’ve taken thousands of photos. I’ve put together calendars for next season, featuring some of my favourite photos from the last year, plus some other County bits and bobs. £10 each. Get in touch if you’d like one.

Dear County fans, Stopfordians, Northampton supporters, and anyone else from The Football Family joining us today, a very warm welcome to your Monday edition of The Scarf My Father Wore.

We’re kicking off a new week with a load of Cobblers. Brendan Walsh (@TheShoeArmy1897 on Twitter if you want to follow him) takes a look back at Northampton’s campaign.

As you can see from the photos above, I was at Edgeley Park in October for the visit of Northampton. I was also at Sixfields for the return fixture in March. In fact, for the first time in my life, I’ve been to every single County game this season – all 56 of them! I’ve written a book about my adventures this season. If you’d like to support the publication by having your name printed in the book (along with a signed copy and a ticket to the book launch) drop me an email.

Today’s edition is sponsored by Bridge Computer Services. A big thank you to Mark.

Thanks also to Hawk Drainage & Groundworks who sponsor our Northampton Town content on the website.

Finally, I’m currently walking every street in Stockport to raise money for mental health charity Mentell. If you’d like to make a donation to help me reach my target, please click here.

Total distance so far: 253.75 miles

Total steps so far: 418,084

Total raised so far: £2,312

Total completed streets so far: 474 (Click here for the full list, which includes reports and photos from every day of the walk.)

Further information on the walk can be found by clicking here.

Des Junior

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An injury-plagued season at Sixfields (Photo credit: Northampton Town FC)

Best moment of 2024-25?

That would have to be the 4-0 demolition of Peterborough at their place. First time I’ve seen us win there and it was an emphatic performance that will live long in the memory.

Worst moment of 2024-25?

Probably losing 5-0 at home to Charlton in December just before Kevin Nolan took charge. Just to add insult to injury, Danny Hylton (who’s become a villain with the Northampton fans) came off the bench to add a fifth goal for Charlton in injury time, rounding off a terrible day.

Funniest moment of 2024-25?

After we drew 1-1 at Shrewsbury at the end of December, Gareth Ainsworth came out after the game and said they’d finish above us. I think a lot of Northampton fans bookmarked that moment, and it did bring a smile to my face when Ainsworth left and Shrewsbury were relegated.

The Birmingham Boasters and the Wrexham Wazzocks seem to have annoyed a lot of fans in League One this season. Which one are you most glad to see the back of?

Probably Wrexham. I loved Brum as an away day. I know lots of good Blues fans.

For a team that’s an hour away from Northampton, we haven’t played Birmingham often so it was good to see the two sides meet again. That and we picked up two points from those games this season.

Reform have been making a lot of noise recently. Based on this season, what’s in most need of reform at Northampton, on or off the pitch?

The training facilities/regime and our approach to player fitness and injury recovery!

Four Four Two had you down to finish 21st, EFL pundit Gabriel Sutton thought you’d finish 22nd, while the Opta supercomputer predicted you’d be 16th. You finished 19th. Discuss.

Not many would have predicted the level of injuries we’ve had this season. Every time we seemed to pick up some momentum or find a system, somebody else would go down. And then you’re rushing people back or playing others longer than you want and it just compounds. So with all that considered, anything above relegation feels a good result, but it’s difficult to say where we would have been without missing some key players.

Louie Barry’s late penalty at the Cheadle End should really have been the winner (Photo credit: Mike Petch)

County 1 Northampton 1 in October. Northampton 1 County 1 in March. Thoughts?

Two different managers in those games for us.

Jon Brady was in charge for the game at Edgeley Park. I thought we played really well that night and the penalty decision against us was horrendous so I was even happier when we managed to equalise in stoppage time. But it was indicative of Brady’s time this season: often playing well but not putting chances away and not getting the rub of the green. Every time we had an unlucky result like that, you could see it take more and more steam out of him. He looked jaded by the time he stepped away and it was nights like that, filled with highs and lows in one game, that took its toll.

The game at Sixfields wasn’t the best.

Best and worst away days of 2024-25?

Either Peterborough or Leyton Orient for the best. Posh for the memorable result over a rival; Orient for a top performance against a good side in the sun with a load of mates.

Worst: Wrexham. Without a doubt. Awful performance, awful result, terrible away end.

Which Northampton player is most deserving of his couple of weeks on the beach this summer?

I would have said Mitch Pinnock but he didn’t renew his contract and has taken a move much closer to home with his young family. He played nearly every minute under both managers and was never lacking in energy, even coming up with decisive moments of quality a few times.

If I had to pick a player who’ll be returning next year, I’d say Tom Eaves. The guy runs his heart out, puts his body on the line and had some crazy freak injuries – a broken eye socket for example. He needs the summer to rest and recuperate and come back with a fresh mind.

Never mind Welcome to Wrexham on Disney+, a TV production company have just made Northampton Town: The Story of 2024-25. Which channel would it be most suited for?

Probably TLC or one of the other entertainment channels. You know those ‘My 600 pound life’ style shows? It would be that but following the near 20 injuries we had at one point and the never ending saga to get the stand finished. Just a bit of crap entertainment!

And finally, apologies for darkening the mood, but you’ve only got 30 seconds to live. Putin’s pressed the red button and we’re all about to die. You can have one last moment of pleasure, watching a single Northampton goal from this season. What you sticking on?

What a lovely way to set the scene! I’d probably say Sammy Hoskins’ first goal at Peterborough or maybe his late winner at Burton in January. That really felt like a massive result at the time and kickstarted us under Nolan in the New Year. Dined out on that for a while despite it not being the most aesthetically pleasing goal.

➡️ Any Northampton fans joining us today? As stated above, I’ve written a book having watched every County game home and away this season. There’s obviously two big chapters on Northampton included (home and away). Also, as I celebrated my 40th birthday this season, I’ve written about my four decades as a County fan as well, which I’m hoping will be an enjoyable read for anyone who supports a lower league club. There’s memories of beating four Premier League clubs as County reached the Coca-Cola Cup semi-finals in 1996-97, the club’s rise from the National League North to the brink of the Championship over the last few years, and the tale of a trip to Blackpool 20 years ago when me and my mates had a run-in with armed police after a day on the ale…

If you’d like to support the book, click on the link below to become a paid subscriber and I’ll post you a signed copy with your name printed inside once it’s published.

Give Mark a call if your laptop needs a new screen

If your laptop needs a new screen give Mark a call at Bridge Computer Services. One of Mark’s clients had a broken screen recently. The following day the laptop was fitted with a new screen and delivered back to the client.

Based in Romiley, the business also provides computer workshop and callout services to residential and business customers across Stockport. Their callout and workshop engineers are trained to fix computers, laptops and servers on site (where possible) as well as setting up new computers and wireless networks, plus maintaining existing networks and removing viruses.

➡️ Visit bridgecomputerservices.co.uk for further details.

Photo of the day

Sixfields, Northampton

County fans in the away end at Sixfields back in March. The one covered in mud is Peter Mellor. He went flying down the big grassy bank behind the home end before the game.

Experiencing a blocked drain?

If there’s any Northampton fans joining us today (or indeed, any of our other readers from that neck of the woods), if you’re experiencing any problems with your drains, don’t wait for them to become worse. Contact Hawk Drainage & Groundworks to fix the issue promptly and professionally. Their expert team are ready to help.

➡️ Visit hawkdrainage.co.uk for further details.

Today in SK

🎬 Cinema

Two films at The Savoy Cinema (SK4) today. The Phoenician Scheme (15) at 6pm, followed by The Salt Path (12A) at 8.15pm. Click here for tickets.

🍔 Food and drink

Happy Hour at Covent Garden Café (SK1) between 1.30pm and 2.30pm. If you spend £20 or more you get to roll the dice, and if you roll a 6 your bill is half price!

Bitter £2.30 a pint all day at The Cross Keys (SK8). Plus, discounts on certain lagers till 6pm.

If you’re heading out for a few beers today, pop into one of our featured venues such as The Crown (SK2), The Dog & Partridge (SK2), The Crown Inn (SK6), The Three Tunnes (SK7) and Flute & Firkin (SK12).