A number of successful former Northampton Town managers have expressed their support for the club’s East Stand redevelopment plans.
The support from the former managers is just part of the overwhelming support the club's plans have received from fans, stakeholders and members of the community. This follows on from 97.67% of over 2,400 Cobblers fans showing their support for the plans via an online poll.
Chris Wilder, Colin Calderwood and Graham Carr all held in the highest of esteem by Northampton Town supporters, all won promotion as Cobblers managers, but that isn’t all they have in common, as they have all expressed their support for the club’s plans.
Current Middlesbrough manager Chris Wilder, who led his current side to victory against Manchester United at Old Trafford in the Emirates FA Cup recently, was keen to add his backing for the plans.
Wilder led the club to the League 2 title in 2015/16 and said:
"I really enjoyed my time at Northampton Town and we achieved some great things together.
"I said when they arrived that Kelvin and David would do good things for this club and Northampton is now well known in football as a well-run Football Club.
“I am delighted to see that progress is also being made on the East Stand development. I know how hard the club has worked to make that happen and it will be an exciting day when that stand is finally completed.
"The new facilities that the new East Stand will provide will be a big boost for the club and I wish the club every success with both the development and on the field too."
Graham Carr, a current associate director at the club, a member of the club’s recruitment committee and a former player and Division 4 title winning manager in 1986/87 added:
"I know how hard everyone at the club has worked to see the East Stand development come to fruition and I am really pleased that things look like that is about to happen.
"Whether it was back in my time as a player or manager at the County Ground or in more recent years at Sixfields, I have always wanted the club to have better facilities and the completion of the East Stand will certainly be a huge step in the right direction.
"This is a Football Club to be proud of, being a long time resident of the area I know how much the club means to the people of Northamptonshire and how much the club does to help the community. There will be a lot of very happy Northamptonians once the East Stand is completed and I will count myself among them, even though I may not have been born here!
"This club means so much to me and to see the club move forward with facilities it has never had before will be fantastic."
Meanwhile, former Scotland and Tottenham defender Colin Calderwood, who is the club’s current assistant manager and led the club to promotion as manager in 2006, added:
“As a club I believe we are making good progress and heading in the right direction.
“We have enjoyed some good times this season and as someone who lives in Northampton, I have seen how close the bond that has developed between the club, the players and the supporters is.
“I have also seen just how much excellent work the club does in the community and the improved facilities will benefit the club and the whole community. It will allow us to move forward on and off the pitch and that will be excellent news for the people of Northampton.”