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Northampton Town FC was founded in 1897 by prominent Northampton solicitor, A. J. Darnell, and a group of local schoolteachers.

The club played its first two seasons in the Northamptonshire League, before moving up to the Midlands League and eventually, in 1901, to the Southern League.

Founder members of Division Three

In 1920 the Cobblers became founder members of Division Three when the Southern League First Division was incorporated into the League.

Thereafter they settled into mid-table obscurity for the next 18 years (although they did finish as runners-up in 1928).

After the Second World War, Northampton fared little better and when the regional divisions were scrapped in 1957, they were placed in the Fourth Division.

Rise and Fall

Northampton rose from the Fourth to First Division between 1961 and 1965, but they were unable to consolidate at the higher level and a spectacular decline saw them having to apply for re-election to the Fourth Division in 1972.

Promotion in 1976 was followed by immediate relegation and the club had to apply for re-election again in 1982 and in 1985.

In 1987, Northampton were Fourth Division champions and the following season narrowly missed out on the play-offs, but financial pressures forced the club to sell off its best players and in 1990 they were relegated again.

Administration

Worse was to follow in 1992, when with debts of around 1.6 million pounds, the club went into administration and was forced to sack ten first team players in order to save money.

In 1994, Northampton finished bottom of the League and only escaped relegation to the Conference because the Conference champions, Kidderminster Harriers, ground failed to meet League standards.

Move to Sixfields

In October 1994, the club moved to their new Sixfields Stadium, and three years later, their centenary year, the Cobblers were promoted via the play-offs.

Ups and Downs

The following season they reached the play-off finals but lost to Grimsby, and a year later, Northampton were relegated.

In 2000, they were again promoted to Division Two but they were relegated again in 2003, only to win promotion again in 2006.

Relegation followed in 2008/09 as Northampton dropped back into the bottom division.

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