Friday 16 October 2009

Issue 8 - The next 10 years of County football

The centrepiece of issue 8 was our mammoth look ahead to the various fortunes of the County's senior clubs over the following 10 years. We'll be the first to admit that it didn't turn out 100% accurate, but some of the nuttier stuff we suggested became a lot truer than we feared!

We have split the 10-years into a couple of manageable portions - you don't want to burst your sides badly at a single sitting do you?

This may seem familiar material as an enterprising Chatterboxer, entirely unfamiliar with the laws covering plagiarism and intellectual property, took it upon himself to post part of the article. We would have consulted our lawyers, but we don't entirely understand what those terms mean either.

A Manchester City fanzine did re-use the piece wholesale, with some obvious name changes, but as they included the Poppies as the team sweeping all before them instead of Rushden, we let it go that time. Next time, their multi-Zillionaire owners better get ready to write some hefty cheques!

Here we go then, buckle up for a glimpse of things to come, reflecting the past as seen from the future....


1990-1991 Season

Rushden Town win the Beazer Homes League by a landslide and the Trophy in a Final against Telford (as usual).

Northampton Town steer clear of relegation to the Conference by a massive 2 points. The seating capacity is further reduced to just 8 (not including dugout space). Supporters find themselves having to book 4 years in advance for a seat.

Corby Town get stuffed by everyone every week and switch their games to provide pre-match entertainment for the athletics meetings.

Kettering Town finish 2nd in the G.M.V.C.


1991 –1992 Season

Rushden Town win promotion to the Football League after their first year in the Conference. Manager Roger Ashby says, “The lads done me and the town proud.”

Northampton Town announce the start of construction of their very own ground. Chairman Dick Underwood says, “We feel that this is what a club of our stature needs. It’s what the board, the team, the fans, and the cricket club wants They told me they were sick of people running onto their square to fetch the ball back.

Corby Town are relegated into the second division of the Beazer Homes League. Their manager says, “I’m pretty confident we can bounce back from this setback.”

Kettering Town finish 2nd in the G.M.V.C.


1992 –1993 Season

Rushden sweep to the top of the 4th Division and take the title by 25 clear points. Their ground’s capacity is increased to 25,000. Manager Roger Ashby says, “The lads have pulled it off brilliantly.”

Northampton Town avoid relegation by virtue of least goals conceded through overhead scissor kicked back passes by registered disabled Anglo-Ethiopian centre forwards. Chairman Dick Underwood says, “Obviously we’re upset at finishing so low, but I think things will get better when we move to our new purpose built stadium.”

Corby Town are relegated to the premier feeder league to the Beazer Homes league. Their manager says, “I’m certainly down right now, but don’t write Corby of just yet.”

Kettering Town finish 2nd in the G.M.V.C.


1993 –1994 Season

Rushden Town win the Third Division and reach the quarterfinals of the FA Cup. Further success comes with the winning of the Lada Cup, formerly the Leland DAF Cup. Roger Ashby says, “The boys got stuck in well and deserve all their success.”

Northampton Town’s new ground isn’t yet completed. They have to ground share with Peterborough Utd after the cricket team threw them out for wrecking Curtley Ambrose’s run up. They avoid relegation due to a clerical error at the F.A. who mistakenly relegate Southampton to the Conference. A F.A. spokesman commiserated with Southampton who had finished the season 3rd in the First Division, but insisted his hands were tied once the decision had been made. Chairman Dick Underwood says, “It seems someone up there likes us.”

Corby Town suffered another poor season, being relegated to the East Midlands Alliance. New player-manager Neil Edwards says, “It would be folly to write us off. The feeling in the squad is reasonably high, considering.”

Kettering Town finish 2nd in the G.M.V.C.


1994 – 1995 Season

Rushden win the Second Division title in a nail-biting final game against a rapidly deteriorating Liverpool who began to falter as a major force when they employed Emelyn Hughes as team manager. A place in the Cup Winners Cup was guaranteed when they beat Man Utd 7-1 in the F.A. Cup Final. Further ground developments are made, boosting the ground capacity to 50,000. Manager Roger Ashby says, “It’s been a pretty meteoric rise for us.”

Northampton’s new ground is still not quite ready and they avoid relegation by switching to sharing with Northampton Spencer. The letter of expulsion from the league arrives at Peterborough and they are displaced from Division Four. Chairman Dick Underwood says, “The builders have had a few problems interpreting our design for the ground, but I am confident we’ll be able to move in soon.”

Corby Town are relegated from the East Midlands Alliance for fielding too many crap players and join the Kettering Sunday League. Player-manager Neil Edwards says, “We’re certainly leaving ourselves with a lot to do.”

Kettering Town finish 2nd in the G.M.V.C.

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