Northampton Town, despite finishing seventh in League Two, will be playing in League One next season after a thumping win over Exeter City in the play-off final. The Cobblers and their boss, Keith Curle, overcame the odds in both of their games to complete their return to the third tier for the first time since the 2016/17 season.
Keith Curle ‘Needed’ Promotion With Northampton Town
A First Promotion for Curle
This is the first time in Curle’s career that he has achieved promotion with any club. The 56-year-old has managed six separate teams and was becoming aware that he soon needed a promotion on his CV to carry on attracting new jobs.
Speaking to reporters after the game, he said: “Being selfish I knew I needed a promotion, everybody knew that, but I don’t shy away from that.
“Part of my interview with the chairman when I came to the football club was I told him ‘I need a promotion and I need a football club that believes in what I’m going to try to do.
“Fair play to the chairman and the investors at the football club, they’ve allowed me to create an environment and a platform for me to work that’s very enjoyable.”
Northampton Thrash Exeter
In their semi-final against Cheltenham Town, Northampton trailed 2-0 after losing the home leg. However, they overcame the odds in the second leg and beat Michael Duff’s side 3-0 to set up a Wembley meeting with Exeter.
In front of an official attendance of zero, the Cobblers turned up on the day while Exeter just did not. First-half goals from Ryan Watson Callum Morton had them in a comfortable position at the break.
The 2-0 scoreline held until late in the second half when Will Hoskins made the game safe with a third. They rubbed salt into Exeter’s wounds in stoppage time though when substitute Andy Williams poked home just minutes after coming on.
The result means that Northampton join Swindon Town, Crewe Alexandra and Plymouth Argyle in gaining promotion to League One. Exeter, meanwhile, lose in the play-off final for the third time in four years and will go again in an attempt to get promoted next season.
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