In Memoriam
This page is dedicated to the memory of members of the Northampton Town Football Club family who have sadly passed away. Our thoughts and sincere condolences are with their respective family and friends during these sad times. We hope that they will rest in peace, and like many other friends at Sixfields, they will never be forgotten.
ALDRIDGE, Martin
The scorer of the first ever goal at Sixfields, Martin was a young player with a promising career ahead of him when he was tragically killed in a road accident on his way home from a Rushden & Diamonds game in January 2000. He will always have a place in the history of Northampton Town Football Club.
ALKER, Peter
Sadly, Peter died suddenly on Sunday April 7 2002, just hours after watching the Cobblers beat Wycombe 4-1. Peter was a former officer of the Supporters Trust, acting as joint treasurer for many years. Our thoughts and deep sympathies are with his family and friends.
AMOS, Barbara
Older supporters will be sorry to learn of the death of Barbara Amos who ran the club shop during the late Seventies and early Eighties at Abington Avenue. Firstly in the house that the supporters club used and later when it was built beneath the stand.
ANSELL, Jack
Northampton Town Football Club were saddened to learn of the passing of former goalkeeper William John 'Jack' Ansell. 'Jack' as he liked to be known, was a goalkeeper playing for Bletchley Brickworks when Derby County realised his potential and made an offer for him. The Cobblers stepped in, offering terms and the chance for him to remain in his hometown. Although he was signed as cover to Jones and Scott he soon took over as the club's number one keeper. A broken leg against Southend in February 1951 ended a run of 105 consecutive league and cup games, and when he returned to full fitness he found his way barred by the more experienced Alf Wood. In all he made 147 first team appearances in a Northampton shirt made up of 131 league, 11 F.A. cup and 5 others. Released in 1952, he joined neighbouring Headington (later to become Oxford United) and in three seasons helped the club win the Southern League championship once and the Southern League cup twice. He also assisted them to the fourth round of the FA Cup knocking out league sides Millwall and Stockport on the way. Jack was also a very keen cricketer and played into his 60's.
ASH, Leslie
A Cobblers fan for 71 years, Leslie sadly passed away on 30 January 2004. He will be sadly missed by all who knew him.
BARRON, Bill
Northampton Town Football Club were deeply saddened to hear of the passing of former player Bill Barron at the start of 2006. Bill was born in Houghton-Le-Springs in October 1917, when World War One was at its peak. He started his football with Annfield Plain where he was spotted by Wolverhampton Wanderers and moved to the Midlands but sadly he never made an appearance for the first team. He returned to Annfield Plain where a few days before his 20th birthday Charlton Athletic paid £350 for his services. In those days he was a sprightly winger and made three appearances for Athletic, finding the net twice.Despite this record he was not retained and found his way to Northampton Town on a free transfer.He managed just one full season before war broke out and he joined the R.A.F. During hostilities he became a 'guest' player for both Northampton Town and Leicester City. One match that always stood out was against Arsenal when he was not originally selected for the side but with players dropping out (as was the problem with war time football) he found himself selected as a forward and scored a hat-trick, although he still he ended up on the losing side. By the time hostilities had ceased he had converted to left back and formed a formidable partnership with Tom Smalley as the last outfield line of defence.Bill had a fine voice and often entertained his teammates when returning from their long coach trips with a melody of his songs. He left the club in 1951 but a year before he had been awarded a testimonial against a 'Combined League XI'. The opposition included Alf Wood of Coventry who had played alongside Bill in wartime football, Stoke's Neil Franklin, Frank Broome of Notts County and Reading's Gordon Brice - one of Bill's colleagues in the Northamptonshire County cricket side, and it has to be said that Bill was a fine cricketer. He had played for Durham in the early days and Northamptonshire when he joined the Cobblers. He made nearly 5,000 first class runs in his career and once hit 161 v Cambridge University. He was in fact the last player to regularly play for the Cobblers and County cricket team on a regular basis. When his son Roger turned out in goal for Northampton Town in the late 60's they became the first father and son to play for the Cobblers since the war.
BELL, Derek
Mr Bell was a lifelong Cobblers supporter who sadly passed away on Sunday 2nd December 2001.
BRETT, Bob
Bob Brett, who sadly passed away in April 2008, was a farmer living in Bromham, Bedfordshire. He came on the Cobblers board in 1959 at about the same time the Cobblers started their rise from Division Four to One. He is the only Northampton Town chairman to have two spells in the hot seat, both were short term. His first was for one season (1968-69) when the club were relegated back to Division Four and he became Chairman again in 1977 for one season. He left the board in 1979 but still retained shares in the club. Something of a sportsman in his younger days, Bob was a more than fair cricketer.
BROWN, Bill
Bill Brown was born in Arbroath in October 1931. He was a former Spurs and Scotland goalkeeper who had a brief spell at Northampton Town from October 1966 to February 1967. He made 21 appearances for the club before moving on to Toronto Falcons. The club would like to send our sincerest condolences to Bill's family and friends following his sad death at the start of December 2004.
BROWN, John
Northampton Town Football Club would like to send their sincerest condolencies to the friends and family of Mr John Brown. John was a season ticket holder in the Dave Bowen Stand and had been a season ticket holder for 40 years before sadly passing away in the summer of 2006.
CLARKE, George
Mr Clarke was a long time Cobblers supporter from Deanshanger. Sadly Mr Clarke passed away on 18 December 2002. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.
CLIFFE, John
Northampton Town Football Club were deeply saddened to learn of the death of John Cliffe who was 56 years old. John died suddenly on Friday 5th January 2007. Northampton Town Football Club played a big part in the life of John and his family and through supporting the Cobblers they have made many lovely friends. John leaves behind his wife Sue, son Tom and daughter and son-in-law Joanna & Gareth.
COLLINS, Albert
It is with great sadness that Northampton Town Football Club learnt of the death of Mr Albert Collins. Mr Collins passed away on Friday January 2 2004. He had been a West Stand season ticket holder for the last 8 years. Everyone at the club would like to send our sincere condolences to all touched by this sad loss.
CONROY, Michael
Northampton Town Football Club were saddened to learn of the death of former Director Mr Michael Conroy. Mr Conroy was a Director at the club from 1985 to 1988. He sadly passed away on April 25th 2006. The club would like to send our sincerest condolences to Mr Conroy's friends and family.
DIXON, Arthur
Northampton Town Football Club were saddened to learn of the passing of former player Arthur Dixon. Arthur was born in Lancashire but spent most of his youth in Scotland after his father, also a professional footballer, played for St. Mirren, Rangers and Cowdenbeath. During World War Two Arthur played for Queens Park where he scored 86 league and cup goals in four seasons, the powers that be were so impressed they included him in a Scottish representative side until it was discovered where he was born! After spells with Clyde and Hearts he had his first taste of league football with Northampton Town, making his debut in an F.A. Cup match v Walthamstow Avenue just a week after his 28th birthday. He had an amazing ability in his heading technique and this earned him the name 'rubberneck' while at the County Ground. In 88 league and cup games for the Cobblers he scored 26 goals including two against Derby at the Baseball Ground in a fifth round F.A.Cup tie. The Cobblers lost 4-2 but a crowd record was set at the Baseball Ground (38,063) that remained until the club returned to Division One in the 1970's. By 1951 Arthur could not get into the Cobblers side and asked for a move. He joined Leicester City who were a division above the Cobblers but in nearly two seasons the forward made just 11 appearances and failed to score. At 32 he stepped into non-league football with Kettering Town, playing under Tommy Lawton. Sadly he suffered a broken leg but when Lawton moved on to Notts County Arthur assisted in the running of the club until his retirement when he returned to Scotland and settled in Glasgow.
ELLSON, Eric
It with deep regret that the family of ERIC ELLSON announce the passing of Eric on Thursday March 15 2007, aged 81 years.
Eric was a lifelong supporter of Northampton Town Football Club. Indeed, when he first started taking his two sons, Michael and Graham, to the County Ground they were so small he had to tie them to the pylon to ensure they did not get lost.
When the Cobblers moved to Sixfields Eric and his sons became season ticket holders and proudly took their place in the West Stand.
One of Eric's proudest moments was meeting some of the players in the bar at Sixfields. At the time his Grandson, Richard, was at the Northampton Town Centre of Excellence. They both met and spoke with Ray Warburton, a memory that Eric treasured. The 2 Wembley visits were attended by all the family, an event Eric often spoke about with great joy.
When Eric became too infirm to walk up the steps of the West Stand he moved, with his sons, as a season ticket holder to the Alwyn Hargrave Stand. Eric continued to attend all home games until a few weeks before his passing. His family - sons Michael and Graham and Grandchildren Richard and Charlotte - carry on the family tradition of supporting the club.
Eric's wife Eileen believes he "lived" for the club and, next to his family, it was his second love.
Eric will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved him, but they have lots of happy memories associated with Eric's love of the club, which they know will live on.
EVANS, Ben
Ben passed away in September 2001 after a brave fight against Non-Hodgkinsons Lymphoma. He worked part time at Sixfields Stadium and as a mark of respect to him the Cobblers staged the Ben Evans Memorial Challenge at Sixfields at the end of the 2001/2002 season to raise money for Cancer Research.
GRIFFIN, Frank
Manchester born Frank spent four seasons at Bolton between 1944 and 1948 but failed to make a first team appearance.
The speedy right-winger decided to display his talents in non-league football joining Eccles Town and later Shrewsbury Town who at the time played in the Midland League.
At Gay Meadow he became a part time professional and helped his new club into the Football League in 1950.
After just one season of Division Three South football, West Bromwich Albion offered £9,500 for his services which was a record at the time for Shrewsbury.
For the next seven seasons, Frank was a regular on the right wing at the Hawthorns. The climax of his Baggies career came in 1954 when he not only appeared for them in the F.A. Cup final v Preston North End but also scored the winning goal.
In 1958 he suffered a broken leg in a match v Sheffield United and never really recovered his form.
When Dave Bowen took over as Northampton Town's manager in 1959, Frank was one of his first signings.
When he left West Brom he had played 274 games and netted 51 goals.
Competition was always fierce in Bowen's sides and Frank only made a handful of appearances, losing out to first Jack English and then Bela Olha.
He returned to Birmingham and non-league football playing for Wellington Town (later Telford), Sankey's and wound down his career as player manager of Worthen United.
Frank passed away in June 2007.
HARVEY, Bryan
Northampton Town were deeply saddened to learn of the death of former goalkeeper Bryan Harvey in April 2006. Bryan was born in Stepney London on 26th. August 1938. His early football was played in the Southern League with March Town and Wisbech before Newcastle United signed him on in 1958, on the strength of his part in Wisbech Town's cup run.. (They reached round two eliminating Colchester on the way). Bryan was thrown into the 'Magpies' first team as a raw 19 year old and went on to give them three seasons before they were relegated to the Second Division. It was back into non-league with Cambridge City before Blackpool signed him as cover for their England international keeper Tony Waiters. When Dave Bowen needed a keeper urgently for Northampton he quickly signed Bryan for £4,000. He stood over 6 feet tall and was commanding in the air. During the 1964-65 season, the season Northampton won promotion to the First Division, Bryan saved six penalty kicks including two against Terry Paine of Southampton.Paine, who had scored twice from the spot against Bryan the previous season, not only lost his penalty-taking job for the Saints but also for England!"A good memory and a lot of luck," was how Bryan described his ability at spot kicks. A troubled time in Division One, two broken fingers the following season in Division Two and his release at the end of the 1967-68 were the headlines of the following seasons. He then spent a couple of seasons at Kettering but mid-way through that spell he was offered a job in league management but the Poppies would not release him. For many years Bryan was manager of a chemical company and lived in the St. James area of Northampton.
HILLYARD, Gary
It is with deep regret that Northampton Town must report the sad news of the death of supporter Gary Hillyard. Gary was a lifelong Northampton Town fan, whose life was sadly cut short at the age of 40 on Monday 20th February. Despite suffering a serious spinal injury in his twenties and subsequently being confined to a wheelchair he never complained about his condition. He was an inspiration to all that met him. Gary was also part of the consultation group for the design of the disabled areas for the Sixfields stadium. Gary loved life and was always considerate of others, he was a dedicated husband to his wife Maxine. He will be sadly missed by his family and friends.
HOLMAN, Frank
Mr Holman helped out with the training of the Cobblers youth team in the late 1980's and sadly passed away during the 2001/2002 season.
KENDALL, Dick
Sadly, Dick died at the end of March 2002 after having been a Cobblers fan since the age of 10, for some 76 years in total. Dick was Cobblers through and through, rarely missing a game and often saying it did not matter what Division the club were in, they were the only team for him.
KIERNAN, Joe
It is with great regret that Northampton Town Football Club learned of the passing of former player Joe Kiernan in August 2006. Joe was born in Coatbridge Scotland on 22nd October 1942. He started his playing career as an apprentice at Sunderland and did make two appearances for the first team netting twice in a League cup game v Oldham. He joined the Cobblers in 1963 for £2,000 he needing time to adapt but when he did he made the number 6 shirt his own. He was one of the leading players on the clubs books when they went into division one, a cultured wing half with the sweetest left foot in the game. Sports reporter Sam Leich suggested that he was the new Jim Baxter and it was muted that he was in line for a Scottish cap. Sadly as the Cobblers tumbled back down the divisions so did Joe's chances of international recognition. During the 1966-67 season he underwent TWO cartilage operations and his influence in midfield was sadly missed. Joe made 42 appearances in Division One the only player to be ever-present that season. He was released (some said prematurely) in 1972 and joined Kettering Town where he captained them under Ron Atkinson the Championship of The Southern League division one North. He later assisted Atherstone and Wellingborough before turning to coaching, firstly with Irthlingborough Diamonds and in 1986 he took over the running of the Cobblers youth team under Graham Carr. When Theo Foley was appointed manager in 1990 he made Joe his number two but sadly the club drifted into administration and Joe found himself returning to his trade as a painter and decorator. Joe stands at fifth in the list of Northampton's most league appearances with 308 games. However he will be remembered for his silky skills and ability to make the ball do what he wanted it to. All at Northampton Town would like to send our sincerest condolences to Joe's friends and family.
LARGE, Frank
Mr Large passed away at his home in Ireland in August 2003 after a long battle against cancer. He was born in Leeds in 1940 and appeared for a number of clubs, including the Cobblers, QPR, Swindon, Leicester and Fulham. He scored 96 goals in 250 appearances for the Cobblers.
LEEK, Ken
Northampton Town were deeply saddened to learn of the death of former player Ken Leek in November 2007.
Ken was born in Ynysybwl in July 1935 in a house next door to Welsh international Don Dearson who guested for the Cobblers during WW2.
Ken did not play football until he was 14 having attended two rugby-playing schools.
He joined Northampton Town as a seventeen year old and despite losing two years through national service he soon made the first team and played and scored in the club's epic F.A. cup win v Arsenal in 1958.
By the end of the season he had joined Leicester City but made history by still having a testimonial at Northampton.
He became a prolific scorer with Leicester and won the first of his thirteen Welsh caps (5 goals), but his Leicester career came to an end when he was dropped from the 1961 cup final having scored in every round.
Ken joined Newcastle United but within five months he returned to the Midlands with Birmingham City and in three and a half season netted 60 goals including two in a two-legged league cup final v Aston Villa making him very popular in the blue half of Birmingham!
Ken returned to Northampton in time to help the club in to Division One and scored the winning goal v West Ham, giving Northampton Town their first win.
His stay at the County Ground was short, Bradford City needed a goalscorer and he obliged with 25 goals, helping the club from re election strugglers to finish the season just one point off promotion.
He wound down his career as a manager in Welsh non-League football before returning to the area and taking a job with Fords in Daventry, for whom he worked until retirement.
Everyone at Northampton Town Football Club extends their thoughts and sympathies to Ken's family and friends.
LIVESEY, Charlie
Charlie was born in East London on 6th February 1938. He was a member of the West Ham youth team, and also played for Custom House in London. He had trials with Wolverhampton Wanderers but that came to nothing. Then he joined Southampton on trial and in his fourth game for Saints he scored four goals in a 6-1 thrashing of Hull. In all he scored 14 goals in 25 games.He joined Chelsea in a exchange deal for Cliff Huxford plus cash. Charlie was valued at £20,000. He could not adapt to Division One football although he did net 17 goals in 39 games. He then lost his place to Ron Tindall and agreed to a move to Gillingham for £5,500. At Gillingham, he became the top scorer in his two seasons netting 17 goals in 47 appearances but manager Freddie Cox did not like his style of play and sold him to Watford.In 18 months at Vicarage Road his value rose from £6,000 to £17,000 when they sold him to Northampton Town after 26 goals in 64 games.Charlie helped Northampton to Division One but there was no place for him in the Division One side so he moved again - this time to Brighton.He was not so prolific at Brighton but his skilful play made plenty of goals for his team mates.His powerful play and keen anticipation was noted and local press claimed he was being watched by the England manager, despite Brighton being in the third division. After four seasons he left for Crawley Town and had the pleasure of helping his new club beat his old team in the Sussex professional cup. He returned to London where he became a painter and decorator He sadly died at the beginning of March 2005 aged 67.
McCOY, Tim
Former Cobblers Captain Tim McCoy passed away on Thursday January 27 2005 after a long illness. Mr McCoy played for the Cobblers between 1948 and 1950 and can be seen on the front cover of the Images of Sport book, 'Northampton Town Football Club' by David Walden and John Watson. Northampton Town Football Club would like to pass on their sincere condolences to the friends and family of Mr McCoy following their sad loss.
NEWMAN, David
David was a huge Cobblers fan, who sadly passed away suddenly at home on Sunday February 23 2003. He was well known around Sixfields, and worked locally at Church's in Northampton.
NICHOLSON, Peter
Peter sadly passed away on 30th December 2002 at the age of 52, having battled against prostate cancer. Pete was an enthusiastic supporter of the Cobblers and had followed the team all his life. He will be sadly missed by his fellow season ticket holders, friends and of course his family.
PAYNE, Joe
Former Cobbler Joe Payne died aged 80, on Wednesday 12th September 2001. Mr Payne was born in South Wales and started his career with Swansea City at the age of 15 and had spells with Newport County and Scunthorpe United before arriving at Northampton in 1952. Joe made his name as a coach and a physio, helping the Cobblers in their historic rise from Divisions Four to Division One in the 1960's. After leaving Northampton, Mr Payne became Manager of Rushden Town for six years.
POWELL, Les
RAMSCAR, Freddie
Northampton Town Football Club was saddened to learn of the death of former player Freddie Ramscar in May 2003. Freddie was born in Salford in January 1919 and played for the Cobblers between 1951 and 1954, making 146 appearances, scoring 59 goals.
RANDALL, Peter
Mr Peter Randall passed away after a battle against cancer in July 2004. Peter was a former director and long time supporter of the club and he will be sadly missed. We send our sincere condolences to his family.
RAWLINGS, John
West Stand season ticket holder Mr John Rawlings was bitten by the Cobblers bug in the late 1940s. In a little over 50 years, John was privileged to see many Cobblers greats, his personal favourites being Frank Large, Tommy Fowler, Freddie Ramscar, Trevor Morley and Ian Sampson. He also clocked up visits to nearly 60 grounds, being present at nearly all of the club's landmark fixtures in this period until his admission to hospital forced him to miss the recent FA Cup replay win at Rotherham, and the subsequent Manchester United game. John sadly died in Northampton General Hospital on January 29 2004, leaving a wife, two children, and three grandchildren. He was cremated as per his wishes, in his Northampton Town Football Club tie and fleece. He was a true Cobbler. May he rest in peace.
SIBLEY, Gilbert
The club were deeply saddened to learn of the death of Mr Gilbert Sibley. Mr Sibley passed away on Thursday November 25 2004 having been a Cobblers supporter for 60 years. The club would like to send our sincerest condolences to Gilbert's family and friends.
SMITH, Evelyn
Evelyn passed away on 26th October 2003 after an association with the club lasting 33 years. She assisted in programme distribution until her sad death.
STAFFORD, Steve
Steve passed away on Saturday 16th February 2002 peacefully aged 62 years. He was a life long Cobblers fan, being a regular at home matches for some 55 years both home and away.
TERRY, Pat
Northampton Town Football Club were deeply saddened to learn of the death of former player Pat Terry. Lambeth born Pat was the old-fashioned centre forward who bustled through 90 minutes, full of energy and commitment. He was one of the best headers of the ball at the time despite him being only 5'10".
Two thirds of his 226 league goals came via his head!
He never stayed at any club for more than three seasons yet played football until he was 40!
Charlton Athletic signed him from Eastbourne in 1954 but his chances were limited with the first division side so he jumped at the chance to join third division Newport County.
He netted 30 league goals in 55 league games before moving up a division with. Swansea.
Injury restricted his appearances so he moved on again to Gillingham this time.
Sixty league goals in 110 games attracted several clubs including Dave Bowen at Northampton, however Pat's stay at the County Ground was short he asked for a move at Christmas 1961, moving on to Millwall in February 1962.
In the two and a half seasons he spent at the Den he won his first promotion as the club moved up to division three.
Next stop was Reading with another 41 goals, then Swindon for a season and a half.
Pat was 34 when he joined Brentford but sill averaged a goal every other game for them.
In 1969 he moved into non-league football with Hillingdon Borough, followed by Folkestone, Stevenage and Greenwich.
Anyone travelling to and from Heathrow in the Seventies and eighties may well have used Pat's taxi as he spent several years as a cabbie around the airport area.
He died in a Kent nursing home in April 2007 aged 73.
TEW, Mike
A Cobblers supporter for many, many years, he was a warm, generous and genuinely kind person who sadly passed away at the end of August 2002.
WHITEHOUSE, Keiron
It is with great regret that the club learned of the death at the tragically young age of 20 from testicular cancer of Kieron Whitehouse, a season ticket holder at Sixfields.
WINCHCOMBE, Ken
The distinctive tones of the Cockney Cobbler will be sadly missed following the death of Ken Winchcombe on 6th September 2004. The West Stand area to the left of the Directors Box has witnessed fervent support from Ken with his regular outbursts of "Come on you Cobblers" in his broad cockney accent during every home game. Ken was born in 1926 in the West end of London. He joined the navy at 16 years old and during his time there he won many boxing tournaments. After being demobbed he started his own plastic moulding company in North London. Ken married present wife Katie in 1979 and moved from London to Milton Keynes 3 years later. Up until his move north Ken was an Arsenal supporter, but he soon changed his allegiance to Northampton Town. He became a season ticket holder, attending all home matches and many away matches. There was not a more passionate Cobblers supporter in the whole West Stand. He always said that our first trip to Wembley when we beat Swansea was his most enjoyable day watching football. Despite being very ill, Ken was determined to be at Sixfields for the recent derby game against the Diamonds - it was to be his last visit. His many friends will sadly miss him and the area around seat P112 will never be the same again.
