Frank Grande, Northampton Town Historian, informs me that the supporters of the football club have good reason to mourn the demise of the town’s once-famous industry. The town was once an empire of shoemaking, and the club quite rightly then adopted the nickname “The Cobblers”. Now with no Loafer-loving tradesmen to speak of, they still have good reason to be proud, as they have a fine historian who was good enough to reply to my letter. So, many thanks, Frank. Northampton Town FC, was formed on March 6th 1897, after a bunch of school teachers and local solicitor A.J. Darnell met at the Princess Royal Inn, Wellington Road, Northampton. This was the town’s first professional football club, and they planned to call themselves Northampton FC. But before a ball had been kicked they had to sort out a problem with the local rugby club, who had objected to the name. Northampton simply added Town to their name, and there was no need for the oddly-shaped-ball chuckers to chuck their oddly-shaped-ball from their pram.
Northampton Town joined the Southern League in the 1901/02 season, which also saw their heaviest defeat, 11-0 to Southampton. Sorry about mentioning that, but I am a Saints fan. Even better, the Cobblers made the headlines in October 1902 with a 1-0 win over Portsmouth, Pompey’s first defeat at Fratton Park in a run that lasted an incredible 66 games. Sorry about mentioning that, but I am a Saints fan.
The earliest reference to the name Northampton was in 914 under the name Ham tune, literally meaning home town. North was added to distinguish it from the more eminent towns called Hampton, most notably Southampton. I am sorry but I am from Southampton, no more, I promise.
The club’s badge is based on the Northampton coat of arms. (PIC 1) These are made up of royal and local emblems combined. Two English lions stand guardant either side of the castle keep. This is symbolic of the fact that Northampton as a town grew up from a castle that was built around AD 1100. The club’s badge has changed little over the years although some alterations have been made like adding a shoe to represent the town’s industry, and changing the rose for a football. The rose is from the town motto “Rose of the Shires”. One of the lions has been replaced by a dragon, now fighting over the castle. (PIC 2) Northampton Town play at The Sixfields Stadium, a 7,800 capacity ground. That is a big improvement on the old County Ground. Local rivals to Northampton Town are Peterborough United. To find more on “The Cobblers” then put on your walking boots and strut your way to www.ntfc.co.uk
