Episode 9 Late Kick Off East

Ten months, 46 games. For some it came down to one final match, for

others the story continues. Mission accomplished. Northampton

Town's great escape is complete. We've the story of a memorable and

emotion charged afternoon at Sixfields.

We're staying up, we're staying up! Come on, come on!

All roads lead to Wembley for the region's play`off hopefuls,

including Cambridge. Just 90 minutes from joining Luton Town back in the

Football League. And it's the one they're all talking

about. Who's made it into the Late Kick Off East coveted Team Of The

Season? Hello, good evening. Time flies when

you're enjoying yourself. We've reached the end of a series that

started with seven clubs in the East and could well end with ten, one of

which could be counting the cost. We'll have more on Norwich's Premier

League plight a little later. First we will introduce our

million`dollar men. Macca you have been with us throughout and you have

not missed a trick. No, I've saved my best shirt for last. Best shirt,

the very sharp Paul McVeigh. Back again, Ian Atkins, you have managed

every club in the region. To be fair, yes. They have all stayed up.

They have all stayed up so you will be back next season. The bottom two.

We will start with Northampton. It has been a really precarious

situation for them. They were six points adrift at one stage. The

appointment of Chris Wilder though gave Cobblers fans hope. They were

preparing for their final match of the season on Saturday. Almost 100

years of football history was at stake.

Across the goal, nobody there. It is a goal.

This was the moment Northampton Town have been waiting for. The Cobblers

have got to win today to stay up. They have scored! And the Cobblers

lead by three goals to two. That's it, it is all over. They have done

it. What a match! Carter with the corner kick. He

touched it, he does not get it clear. Oh, Toney! It is a

sensational goal! That is remarkable.

Well, they've survived before, could they do it again? This was how the

bottom of League Two looked on Saturday morning. Torquay were

already relegated and Northampton were one of three teams, along with

Bristol Rovers and Wycombe, also fighting for football league

survival. Here is their story of a dramatic final day at Sixfields.

Good morning to you. Welcome to BBC Radio Northamptonshire. This is the

Saturday Breakfast Show. Of course, if you are just waking up and you

are a Cobblers fan, I wonder how you are feeling this morning.

Northampton need one more point to stay up and it's their last game of

the season. How big is this day as a Northampton fan? It is everything,

if we go down they reckon we could lose ?1 million and I do not want to

watch Conference levl football personally so it is a question of

get the points today, stay up and move on to the next season.

The chairman has put a lot of money into the club, does he deserve some

success? Definitely. He has pushed us and bankrolled us for the last

ten years or so. We are getting the stadium expansion and looking to

move up. This season has been a bit of an anomoly so really push on for

the chairman and hopefully get promotion next season. I am a fan, I

am no different to anybody else, just I have a more expensive season

ticket than anybody else but I feel it. You have seen me at the games

and I am supporting and I am up and down.

Cardoza's pumped millions of pounds into the Cobblers and their precious

football league status depends on this game. A draw and they are safe,

no matter what rivals Bristol Rovers and Wycombe can do. Shades of 1993

when the Cobblers needed to beat Shrewsbury on the final day of the

season to stay up. They did it and the hero was Pat Gavin and guess

what? He is special guest today. Memories are quite vivid, to be

honest. It was an immensely important day, immensely important

game which was not going too well for the first 45 minutes but

thankfully we got the right result. The support that we had that day

certainly helped. If we did not have the support we had, if there had

been 500 Cobblers fans as opposed to 2000, I do not think we would have

got over the line. How are the fan's nerves holding up? Llet's catch some

thoughts. What you think, staying up? Definitely staying up. We will

get the point we need. Hopefully this will be the last time.

Really confident with the redevelopment going on and the

momentum we have in the club that this will be the start of something

good. One of the reasons Northampton have a chance of staying up is

because of the manager, Chris Wilder, seven wins out of 19 games

and out of the bottom two just in the nick of time.

The ball is driven towards the near post, the ball flicks and it is the

back of the net and it has been a goal here for Oxford. And they lead

and things are going to be extremely nervy now as Williams has put Oxford

ahead. Absolute nightmare. I said we would concede early doors and we got

corners. Now Toney! Between two defenders

Toney gets the goalkeeper and goes around him, between his feet. Oh,

the post. It comes back and is collected by the goalkeeper.

That is kicking out by Williams. Clearly kicking out and he is

straight off. A red card for Williams and Oxford will play the

rest of the game with ten men. Cheerio! Cheerio! Cheerio!

70 minutes to score one against ten men. What's the Wycombe score? A

Still 0`0. That is Toney. We get between two

defenders and Marquis gets between two more. He scores! Marquis scores

for Northampton Town! It may be the goal they keeps them in the football

league. We are staying up! We are staying up!

This is Horwood just outside the penalty area. It ships it into

Toney. Toney with a header! The Cobblers have scored twice in the

space of three minutes and they lead here at Sixfields.

Come on! Come on! At half`time, after a dramatic first

half, that result as it stands so far is totally acceptable from a

Cobblers point of view. Keep that score up and maybe add one or two in

the second half and the Cobblers are staying up. Patrick will take it

towards the back post. Doumbe is there. Doumbe! And there is the

third goal for the Cobblers! That surely is three points. That surely

is football league status for the next season.

We are staying up! We are staying up! Come on! Come on!

The referee blows his final whistle. The Cobblers can celebrate survival.

Relief, just huge relief. Obviously we will celebrate tonight but it

will not be on the fact that we have come third bottom or fourth bottom

or whatever it is, we will just get the relief out of the way, a few

drinks and then we will start playing for the next season. I have

not been worried because I have seen the improvement under Chris and I

knew the time would come when got out of the bottom two. It took

longer than I thought, but anyway it is done and we are safe and bringing

Chris Wilder in is a clever bit of business by the football club and I

am delighted that he has had success and he will take us further.

That is what I feel, I will get a can of beer in my hand and enjoy the

weekend and the next couple of weeks. It has been tough going. It

was a tough task that we had on our hands but we have got out of the

coffin and managed to take it to the last game and got the result. It was

a tight game today and it was great to get the results and secure league

status. Next season will be the 95th as a football league club. They did

it. Thanks to a new manager, a teenage hero and some good

old`fashioned fan power. Everyone ten out of ten final game.

So happy it is done now, relief, move on to next season and move on

upwards. Jonathan Park reporting on a very

happy Jordan Godfrey and thousands of other Northampton Town fans. Ian

Atkins, you were a former boss at Northampton Town. Chris Wilder

picked up 28 points since January 27th, what has he done in that time

to make sure that the Cobblers will be playing the football league next

season? Just a bit of belief as well. Winning brings belief. He has

had enough time to do it which is one thing, he has not had five or

six games and since February they won a couple of games and they did

well in the loan market and got some good players in and they got the

momentum built, the momentum to create the football.

In the last few seasons Northampton have faced a relegation dogfight.

What have they got to learn from these escapades, they cannot keep

doing this. The funny thing is that the chairman is talking about having

success at the club and you just look at the plans they have for

Sixfields on what they will do but it is so difficult. One season they

are up and looking for the play`offs and the next he's now trying to

stave off relegation. It is tough. That is the way League Two goes and

whenever you have a mixed squad, and it is a mixed squad, you look at

Ivan Toney coming in and scoring three goals in the last couple of

games, could he be possibly the answer of what they are actually

looking for for next year? It is a mixture. They are flirting

with relegation and that should not happen regardless. The celebrations

there are fantastic but that is relief but it should be promotion.

They heard the warning, three times in the last five years, there does

not seem to be a plan. They had a lot of experience players last year

that went to the play`offs. They have a big budget. There does not

seem to be a plan about whether they build youth or what, what will they

do? They have experienced players and they are over the top. They have

got results some week and they have run out of leagues and run out of

ideas. Thank you very much for now. Northampton are staying up, to be

joined by Luton in League Two next season. John Still was with us last

week and this weekend he was leading his promotion winning squad on their

open topped bus tour in the town yesterday. Great to have him with us

last week. What is going to be his top priority over the summer because

that trophy is what those fans have been dreaming of.

It is brilliant the fact that Luton are starting to have the success

that the fans crave. When you look at the squad that he has done it

with the most important thing is keeping the squad together because

they have scored over 100 goals and over 100 points. Whenever you have

got that kind of squad and with Andre Gray as a top scorer, they

need to keep him. John Still said that the midfield they have three

19`year`olds in there so maybe bring in a little bit of midfield

experience could be a help. He has to be wily in the transfer market.

This is how managers are made or broken, as Ady Boothroyd find out to

his cost. Stilly knows the market, he knows the non`league market and

he knows the lower league market and he is a cutie. Luton getting

promoted generally the momentum takes you one step further. Do not

put it past Luton to be pushing again next year.

A real chance Cambridge could be joining Luton back in the football

league. A little bit of indecision at left

back. Elliot has scored. There was indecision in the penalty area.

Donaldson worked it on and Sam`Yorke tucked it in. 11 minutes in, United

with the goal they needed. Sam`Yorke will chase. He is away

from his man. Sam`Yorke on goal! 2`0! Sam`Yorke doubles United's

advantage and put them ahead on the tie. He held off his man after

Berry's header. He drew the keeper, tucked it into the bottom corner and

the Abbey has erupted. Terrific atmosphere at the Abbey.

That victory over Halifax is brilliant for Cambridge. It has been

so long, they have tried so many times, what will be the difference

this season, do you think, for Cambridge? The worst thing about

Cambridge coming into these play`offs was the fact they have

lost five out of the last six games but yesterday was the most important

one. They have got that 2`0 win to take them into the final against

Gateshead. They have played them twice this season already and beaten

once and lost so it will be a difficult game. At Wembley anything

could happen. It will be great to see them up, it would be fantastic.

I did not know it was nine years since they were out but it is a

tricky one. Gary Mills is no mug. It will be a toughie but you just

would edge Cambridge to be favourites. A key date, Sunday, May

18th, Cambridge v Gateshead. Lots more to come this season, we preview

the play`off prospects Peterborough and Southend.

Should Posh be concerned after firing blanks?

Southend meanwhile, they win their dress rehearsal.

Coming into the play`offs at the right time, we are exactly in form

and I am delighted. The formidable LANDesk task facing

Northridge city. If some don't take just a point, the Canaries will be

relegated to the championship. If Sunderland lose and Norwich beat

Arsenal, they will be safe, but in truth, it looks grim, and relegation

would come at a serious cost, estimated at between 40 and ?50

million, before you take into account the knock`on effects of

sponsorship. Stakes are high, and it has been interesting to see reports

suggesting that Norwich city and Cardiff may be seeking legal advice

in connection with Sunderland playing an ineligible player earlier

in the season. The Premier League find Sunderland and say the matter

is closed. Sunderland only picked up a point in those games, but the

weekend reports suggested Norwich city among others, feel Sunderland

should be docked points. I guess it underlines the desperation to stay

in the Premier league, but there is even a suggestion clubs might be

considering a legal challenge. It is a messy one, but it really

underlines that fact, doesn't it? It does, but the regulations are there.

If Sunderland have broken them, I think it is the fact that it has all

been sorted out without anybody knowing, and the Premier League and

made the decision to find them, but everybody has found out afterwards.

That is what sticks in peoples throats. I just think... I

understand the rules and regulations are there, but I don't know what

they can do. If the Premier League have already dealt with it, and they

are now trying to go and almost try to do something else because they

weren't happy with the outcome, it is such a difficult one. I suppose

it just completely takes away from matters on the pitch. And I suppose

the other element of this is that, by Wednesday, if Sunderland win, the

matter is resolved. I suppose that is the point, because if there is

only one points difference, possibly in the relegation zone, you can see

that they might want to fight for that point, but actually, they are

two points ahead at the moment. If they win next weekend, it will

probably be immaterial. You will probably find that the three points

at the end of the season, if there is a bit of trouble, they might be

looking at that. Who would be a manager in this position? What is

Neil Lennon to do? If you get a chance against Arsenal, why should

he do? The only thing he can do, because this is completely out of

his control, he just needs to make sure his players are focused, and

that is difficult with all these other things going on around you, to

make sure your players are focused. He is going to concentrate on the

pitch, and hopefully West Brom will get a decent result at Sunderland,

and give them the opportunity on Sunday. So Norwich could be playing

Ipswich again next season. Ipswich rounded off their final game of the

season with a win. What has impressed you most about what Mick

McCarthy has done to my career the matter I think when you look at

David McGoldrick, he has been out since Hariri, and he was the top

goal`scorer. This lad Darryl Murphy has stepped up and played so well,

and the fact that Tommy Smith is coming and scored that there, but

how well has make them for you? Fantastic. We were seven points

adrift and we took command. And he hasn't done it with a large margin?

No, it just shows you the inconsistency. To finish just four

points of the play`offs, I think that is a fantastic achievement. How

far can I go? He thought about consistency and stability, but how

far can I get you? I think consistency is a massive one in all

the football leagues, but especially in the championship. You have to be

consistent first. It Ipswich at producing young kids to the

experienced this year, they could have it. When you think they can

read next season? I think they can definitely get to the play`offs. The

fact that they are teetering on the blink of the play`offs for pretty

much the last couple of months, I think honestly, McGoldrick and Daryl

Murphy upfront next season would be a massive handful for any defence in

the championship. So if you can keep them to fit, you have a great

chance. Thank you very much. And now, to our preview of the

play`offs. Peter Rook versus Southend. The Shrimpers looking

decent nick, unbeaten in their last four. He had a dress rehearsal with

Burton, and they will be facing them in the play`offs. They look very

tidy was yes, and they have made a view changes. Surely, the

possibility that you could play Southend, in the play`offs, you just

want to put out your strongest team to get the wind going in the last

game of the season. You want that momentum, don't you? Also, I think

Barry Corr scored six goals. He would be delighted. He just scored

against Burton last week and, now he has them in the play`offs. I think

Gary rout has mist a trick there. What is to come in terms of the

player battle? It's all about pressure, bottle, experience.

A lot of things will come into play now. I am delighted that me and the

backroom staff, and a number of the players, have got experience at this

level. It is interesting, Ian, because of her body knows Phil Brown

from the permanent tan, the half`time team talk, but what it is

about the way he manages which gives fans hope and means that clubs like

Southend wanting? One, he has got the experience. He has been at fault

in a long time with Sam Allardyce as well. He knows how to grind out

results. It is a division, as well, if you haven't quite got the quality

of the top teams, you got to grind results out. Paul, you worry, serve

the mind games required. What is required mentally for players at

this time of year? It is all about holding your nerve, because I don't

know if you can call the two games cup finals, but those two games

before you have a chance of playing in the play`off final, I think it is

a great opportunity for Bill Bryant show, it doesn't matter what level

I'm managing at, it's all to do with the experience organisation and what

you can bring to the team. I think he has a great chance. You don't

think it has been too much of a culture shock? No, just the fact he

knows and organising team and he can get them well drilled. As soon as

you can do that, you have a massive chance. Dan Bentley has kept 20

clean sheets this season. That just a little. Next, League one, where

Peterborough's season continues against Leyton Orient in the

play`offs next week. We will look at both teams now.

First, a rare sight at London Road, no goals. Well, look at this. It was

only last year when we went to London Road and got a nail`nil. But

I do think it is not a lot to worry about, because Darren Ferguson made

eight changes. He is probably resting them. I think they were of

game as well. He knows how to go, and they will get goals. At this

stage of the competition, the semifinals, that is where you need

goals. And he will get them, simple as that. He will be up against a

Leyton Orient team who dispatched MK Dons convincingly. What must he

worry about? The two guys that scored on Saturday, because those

two are very good strikers in League one. One of them being my old

team`mate, here's top quality finisher, and whenever you see when

they combine, it must be a worry for Darren Ferguson. Yes, especially

with their league goals. I think they will just play to that. They

have got the capability of doing it. It is great to watch, and I think

they will win it. I think it will just be difficult to outscore Leyton

Orient, because they have been up at the top of the legal most of the

season, in the top two or three, and the fact that they can pretty much

give as good as they get in his goal`scoring, that is my only fear

Peterborough. Ayes to key data leak Peterborough fan over the next week

or so. Saturday, May ten, on Tuesday make up 13, they are back`to`back

games and Leyton Orient. Has he got the squad to get through the

semifinal but also the final at Wembley? Yes, I think they are

capable of getting goals. It is great going into a game, a

semifinal, not scoring. It is just not like them. Come they will

generally get two, three or four. The way Darren sets of his teams,

they will just try to score more goals than the opposition. When you

think about the fact that he is manager of the month, Darren

Ferguson, and nobody has really done that, he is drawing attention to the

fact that he is producing results this season. He brought his team to

Wembley and got the win, and whenever you do that, the fact that

the players have been there, most players turn up at Wembley, never

been there, never seen, the fact that they have seen it recently, it

must give them a of help stop there has been a lot of pressure on plate.

If Peterborough don't get promoted, they might find getting new players

difficult next season. They might face a transfer embargo. Barry Fry

was in here in his green suit, saying that his budget is going to

be really restricted if he stays in League one, so it must be all about

getting in the championship for them. I think they will do it, even

though they are up against it. Leyton Orient are a really good

team, but I think they have a great chance. And pressure does funny

things at different stages, doesn't it? You are a former manager, Ian.

Other players cope with pressure? You love pressure. You would be

successful to have the pressure, and the pressure of the semifinals now

to get to Wembley is fantastic stop I think the players will look at the

manager, and the manager will portray the players in those games.

The manager knows as much as the players. If the manager is strong,

the players are. And they will take that onto the pitch. So that is

Peterborough, and the key dates for Southend coming up against Burton.

Sunday, May 11, betting against Southend, then Saturday, the second

one, Southend against Burton. All of these games are on your BBC local

radio station. Colchester confirmed League one status last week.

Ian, what is your take on what they have achieved there? So much has

been done in the past weeks on a limited budget. They always took

about putting youth players through the team, but realistically, they

could be competing a similar level this time next year. I think he's

done well. It's his first job. He has an experienced helper there as

well. By all accounts, they are relying on you than they are going

to build up the academy. I think that is the right way to go. He has

had none of it all season! The funny thing is, we interviewed him, and he

had that, but he has got it there. The thing is, when you see

Stevenage, this has probably been the end of such a disappointing

season for Stevenage, Graham Westley, down against the team, the

champion who have just been promoted. It is really tough for

him, but what I think he needs to do now... I don't think they should

change their manager. He is the type that will be hurt. I think your

manager has two stick together with the team. I am not sure about his

comments after the game but on that one. He was saying they are not

working hard enough for each other, and they must wipe the slate clean.

Yes, but that is a manager. The manager basically pulled a living

together. So I would not be surprised that those comments. But

if they can pull together again in the summer, get one or two players

and, maybe they will be challenging again next year. Do you think he may

be needs to get a few more players in? The players at the moment on the

ones he wants to have there? Probably not. He has been there just

over a year. Sometimes it takes time to bring players in. When he first

came in, he had players that had been there for three or four years,

now just a year, so maybe they need that extra time to build a stronger

squad than before. A big summer for him. Finally, our Team of the

Season. Who have been the heroes at the

back? Who has led the line? Thank you very much be up suggestions will

stop it has been a difficult choice, but here is our 2014 team of the

year. Ingol, Daniel Bentley for Southend

with 20 clean sheets. Ben Coker in defence, his team`mate. Tommy Smith

of Ipswich with six goals has been outstanding.

of Ipswich with six goals has been And Aaron Creswell has been in

sensational form. Dean Lewington, Mr MK himself, with over 500

appearances for the club. In midfield, Tommy wrote, the

Peterborough captain. Alongside him, then reads, the MK Dons player of

the season. In, Colchester's Freddie Sears, with 12 goals. And the one

bright spark in an otherwise disappointing season for Stevenage.

Upfront, 32 goals says it all. And Ipswich Town's top goal`scorer with

14, David McGoldrick. Finally, manager of the year, a man who

secured top league status, Chris Wilder.

So, who should feel hard done by? Ian? No one, I think! Apart from me.

I suppose you should just have to put in a bit of artistic licence. We

had a couple left footers, so the formation didn't go according to

plan. That is why I am in this dude you are not on the sidelines! Who do

you think will be not their next year?

I think if you score 20 or so goals in League one, they will be waiting

for you. Aaron Cresswell has also been outstanding. Thank you very

much. That is it for late kick`off and for

this series. Thank you to Ian Atkins and Paul McVeigh, the perfect

pundits. Thank you very much for watching, and for your interaction

on Twitter and Facebook will stop best of luck to Posh, the Shrimpers

and Cambridge next weekend. From all of us, goodbye.

and the grand final with me, Graham Norton.

My fellow friends, it's time to get your glad rags on,

invite your friends over, and bring out the hors d'oeuvres,

because this is one party you don't want to miss.

Eurovision! And the UK's 2014 entry, Molly!

Catch the semifinals with Scott Mills and Laura Whitmore,

and the grand final with me, Graham Norton.

With Molly, the UK could finally win.