The County Ground was home to Northampton Town Football Club for 97 years before the Cobblers moved to their current home at Sixfields. Interestingly, Northampton Town featured in all four divisions of the Football League while playing at the County Ground. The stadium was also shared with Northampton Saints Rugby Club in the early 1900s and Northamptonshire County Cricket Club, which still plays there today.
The County Ground: The Stands and Terraces
Opened in 1886 for cricket, football followed in 1897 as Northampton Town Football Club began life in the Northants League before joining the Football League in 1920. During its footballing days, the ground featured floodlights and terracing and consisted of just three sides.
Once the football club moved to Sixfields, the floodlights, goalposts and terracing were dismantled. Over the years, the ground has been redeveloped to meet modern cricketing standards.
The County Ground Record Attendance
Despite currently having a capacity of 6,500 for cricket matches, the actual capacity of the stadium during its footballing days remains somewhat unclear. The biggest attendance for Northampton Town at the County Ground came against Fulham in 1966. A crowd of 24,523 turned out to watch Northampton, who were fighting to cling on to their place in the top flight, that April afternoon.
It wasn’t to be a happy day for the Cobblers. Despite being 2-1 up at half-time, Fulham ran out 4-2 winners that afternoon. It would also prove to be the only season in which Northampton appeared in the top flight of English football.
George’s ‘Six of the Best’
In 1970, Northampton found themselves hosting Manchester United at the County Ground in the fifth round of the FA Cup. The Cobblers were in the Fourth Division at the time and faced a top-flight United side featuring Ballon d’Or winners Bobby Charlton, Denis Law and George Best.
Returning from suspension, George Best terrorised the Northampton backline, scoring a grand total of six goals in an 8-2 demolition of the home side. Goalkeeper Kim Book was helpless to stop a relentless United onslaught, with Best producing one of his finest performances in a red shirt.
Following the death of George Best in November 2005, a montage of his career highlights showed his sixth and final goal from that afternoon. Best dropped his shoulder as he approached goal, with Book going to ground before Best slotted the ball home.
The Final Days of the County Ground
Northampton Town remained in the Fourth Division prior to moving to Sixfields, largely thanks to circumstances beyond their control. The club had finished bottom of the league and were set for relegation. However, Conference champions Kidderminster Harriers’ Aggborough stadium did not meet Football League standards, allowing Northampton to retain their Football League status and move to Sixfields as a league club.
The final scheduled game at the County Ground was the last home fixture of the season against already-promoted Chester. Northampton crowned a scorching afternoon by winning the match 1-0, thanks to Kevin Wilkin’s strike.
The actual final game at the County Ground saw the Cobblers defeated 1-0 by Mansfield Town in front of a crowd of 4,993. The club moved to their new home in October 1994 following delays in completing the stadium. Sixfields opened with a capacity of 8,029.
What Happened to the County Ground?
The ground was upgraded to meet modern cricketing standards, with new hospitality boxes installed and new stands constructed. The stands previously used for football, including the Spion Kop and Hotel End, were demolished within three months of the football club’s departure.
A regeneration of the stadium now includes an on-site school, viewing areas for cricket and new media facilities. Sadly, nothing remains that is directly connected to Northampton Town Football Club.
Image Credits: Steve Daniels