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A reflection on one of the best days in our history

9th Apr 2016

It's hard to put into words what a great day yesterday was - but let's give it a go.

We started it remembering the great Brian Lomax, one of the founders of the Trust, by planting a blossom tree in his memory at the Walter Tull memorial. We were honoured that Brian's widow Catherine and daughter Emily were there to help Kelvin Thomas plant it.

Brian would have been as proud as punch to see the team at the top, and his work for the supporters' movement is not just treasured by Cobblers fans, but the whole football community.

To then set a record crowd at Sixfields and win promotion in front of them all was the culmination of a superb effort from everyone involved at the club.

The scenes at the end will never be forgotten, and for all of us who stuck by the club in the dark months of October and November it was just reward - and a stark reminder of why we support and love our club in the first place.

To have the squad of the 1965/66 First Division side watch us secure promotion was perfect as well, as like them this current squad will be remembered in history.

It was great to see Kelvin and Chris Wilder, as well as other hardworking members of staff celebrate at the Season in the Sun reunion at the Park Inn.

This is a club which we can all be proud of. Players who go down in history will be revered forever, it's why so many people turned up to the reunion last night.

Names such as Graham Carr, Theo Foley, Billy Best and Barry Lines are part of the very fabric of this club - and names such as Chris Wilder, Alan Knill, John-Joe O'Toole and Ricky Holmes have now joined them.

We have to thank the Park Inn for hosting the event yesterday and putting some of the players up for the evening, and also to Trust members Frank Grande, John Atkinson, Roger Averill and Helen Hickman for organising the event, which everybody seemed to enjoy.

A day as wonderful as this looked a long way off back in autumn. Back then, the Trust got the buckets out in a desperate bid to raise any cash that could help. As we met with the council it became clear how serious the situation was. Back then, we would have been grateful to just have a club to support.

It's incredible to think how much we have moved on since then. Everyone is being paid, we are clear of the £10.25m debt, we will be playing in League One next year and there has never been such a close bond between everyone at the club - players, staff and supporters all as one.

So treasure the memories created yesterday. They do not come around too often and should never be taken for granted.

 
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