CHENECKS PROMOTION PUSH CONTINUES WITH THRAPSTON WIN

NORTHAMPTON ON CHENECKS 3 V THRAPSTON TOWN 0
UINTED COUNTIES LEAGUE 1 @ BILLING RD
9 APRIL 2016 --- 3PM

BILLING ROAD GROUND OF CHENECKS

The promotion push continued for Chenecks with a comfortable victory over mid tabled Thrapston Town the home side were 2 up inside the first quarter of an hour and with an additional goal early in the second half securing victory.  The collection of 3 points saw the gap between themselves and third placed club Stewarts and Lloyds at four points and with the end of the season beckoning its a short sprint to the line for the Chenecks.
Heavy overnight rain had not put too many fears into our minds and we set off for a 4 train journey to Northampton for a new ground and also a new town.  Having done some research on the town there was a willingness to arrive a few hours before kick off to allow time for a little mini tour on foot around some of the sites but I await a quick revisit to take in the cricket club and a more leisurely look at the large town centre.

HERE WE GO FIRST CHANGE DERBY

So to a start from base station at just after 10am with the first change at Derby allowing 15 minutes before we departed from the high level Tamworth station to climb down to the low level with again a 15 minute wait for the train to Rugby where we would make our final change with 5 minutes allowed.  So at 1220 the blog arrived at Northampton for the very first time and we set off in search of some of the sights that we had taken an interest in.  Before leaving this morning a friend this had  shouted 'cobblers', how rude I thought but of course he was referring to the nick name of Northampton Town and of course one of the towns famous trades.  Today surprisingly The Cobblers were at home along with the three UCL non league clubs in Northampton Spencer, Northampton Sileby Rangers and of course Onchecks.  One thing that struck me though was the tremendous sporting interest in the town with the aforementioned clubs we also had rugby union side Northampton Saints who play at Franklin Gardens and was on the tour as our first stop.

THE TOWERING FLOODLIGHTS AT NORTHAMPTONSHIRE CRICKET CLUB
OVERSEE TODAYS PROCEEDINGS

There was also the former racecourse which featured later on the walk and then with a good view of the floodlights from our final destination Wantage Rd the home of the counties cricket club and of course former home of Northampton Town.

GREAT POSTER FEATURING THE MUPPETS SWEEDISH CHEF

While setting off towards Franklin Gardens we came across a cracking poster of The Sweedish Chef from The Muppets advertising new look large crumpets.  We were soon at Franklin Gardens and also a view of the National Lift Tower a dominating structure that overlooks the west of Northampton at over 400 foot tall it was built for GEC's Express Lifts Company and contained shafts to test varying lifts and situations that may occour during operation.

FRANKLIN GARNDERNS HOME OF THE SAINTS

It was built in the early 80's and in 1997 became the youngest grade 2 listed building.  It is now also used as an abseiling structure, sadly with time pressing we opted not too go right to the base of this tower and just take a few pictures from the rugby ground.

SKY LINE DOMINATING NATIONAL LIFT TOWER

We set off back over the railway bridge on Spencer Bridge Rd and towards the old Barratts shoe factory on Kingsthorpe Rd.  The office block was the main purpose of the visit now lying sadly empty this building must have been iconic in its times, you could only imagine the activities around the site in its heyday.

FORMER BARRATTS SHOE FACTORY OFFICES

Walking back into the town there was time to stand a while by the former racecourse and see the site now used by many as a present day recreational area.  The town was looking busy with the hustle and bustle of the market and there was just time to visit the exquisite Guildhall of which the picture does not do credit to this magnificent building.

THE SMART GUILDHALL BUILDING IN THE TOWN CENTRE

Following a smart walk back to Gold St we opted for a number 5 bus to journey along Billing Rd to Old Northamptonians sports complex.  On the journey you could see many of the 60's and 70's building under development and there was a feel of positive redevelopment in the town, I look forward to revisiting for a better look at the town centre soon.

THE PAVILION

The short bus journey brought us to the complex which his centred on the Sir Humphrey Cripps Pavilion the site covers cricket, rugby league and of course football.  We managed to take a look in the pavilion on a quick comfort break and with the bar area being upstairs there is an excellent balcony view offering a commanding view of the complex.

AN EARLY WELCOME FROM THE 'GATE' AT CHENECKS

Entry to the football ground by admission and purchase of programmes was met by a pleasant conversation and greeting by the chaps present.  We soon met club and match day secretary Bryan who offered us the warmest of welcomes and was most helpful during the afternoon, a credit to the club.  As we said after last weeks non greeting by the gateman at Chasetown this first impression by both turnstile operators and club officials is so important and here we found Onchecks getting it right, indeed he went on to warmly welcome the visitors from Thrapston too.

THE STAND AT BILLING RD

The first conundrum that needs answering here is one that Bryan says most people ask about the club Northampton ON Chenecks, what, where, why?  Luckily I had done a bit of research but thankfully Michael could confirm our understanding.  With association from the Grammar School over the road the full title for the club is Northampton Old Northamptonians Onchecks.  The Chenecks is derived of letters from the schools houses namely Chipseys, Spencer, Beckett and St Crispins.
Having had a little chat we made use of the tea bar and were soon on our second hot beverage and a bridge roll with hot dogs and onions.  The ground then is of course enclosed from the road but quite open with the site.  By our entrance a turn to the left brings us past bat a row of seats attached to the front of an immediate club building we move onto the snack bar and then 'Bat and Ball' bar and toilets.  To the end of this building a small gap before the previously mentioned pavilion which at its base provides the changing rooms for todays teams and officials.  The whole ground is railed off and has three floodlights down either side the top side that we are on is on the edge of the cricket square and that end of the football season are taken down.  This area obviously remains grass standing has does the area behind the far go which is bordered by a further football pitch.  Coming back down the far touchline we encounter the dug outs and behind them a storage building.

REMEMBERING COUNTY CRICKET DAYS IN THE 70'S

The small main stand is an interesting building with the internal part of the stand very different to the building its made up of old staging bench seating very much like the old Queens Park Chesterfield accommodation.  Its quirky but you have to be careful because you can soon call through the stand never to appear again, ha ha.  A smart conifer boundary hedge brings you back to the entrance and time for another tea when at this point the blog spots former England Cricketer and international umpire Peter Willey who kindly posed with club secretary Bryan for a picture.

FORMER ENGLAND CRICKETER PETER WILLEY WITH CLUB SECRETARY BRYAN

Indeed Peters son, David is also well known to the club although he has now moved to Yorkshire for the current season.  In this sports mad town its also a pull of the eye to see the massive cricket ground floodlights in the back ground of the action.

1-0

To the football and for todays teams this was a reversal of last weeks fixture when On Chenecks won 2-0 at Thrapston.  It did not take them long to follow that pattern and they were 2-0 up today inside 11 minutes, the first goal came after just 2 minutes when clipped home a left wing corner and the second saw Adam Spalding fire home after good work down the left hand side.

2-0

Visiting keeper Liam Fox pulled of sharp save from a Calvin Budd free kick that resulted in a corner for the home side.

CELEBRATIONS AT 2-0

As the second half started On Chenecks quickly made it 3 -0 after 52 minutes when a bullish run from the half way line by Ben Lewington saw him reach the right hand side of the box to square the ball for Spalding to fire home for his second.

THRAPSTON ON THE BALL

There was a lull to proceedings although keeper Fox still had to be alert to deny Ben Foster and it was the visitors who tried to break down the home defence but time after time their moves broke down on the edge of the home sides penalty box.  The game developed into a mid field affair irregularly prompted by home substitute Brandon Williams running which threatened to bring us a further goal.

REFEREE HENRY AS TIME FOR A QUICK SMILE

The second half meandered along and when the calm and impressive referee Carl Henry blew for time shortly after 4.45 it was time to bid farewell to the club and make a sharp walk back to the town and our ultimate destination Northampton station.
It was certainly a sharp walk but we arrived at just after 5.15pm and boarded the waiting train to depart at Rugby.  Here we had a wait of around 50 minutes and after a little walk round the little 'T's' we looked a short distance up Craven Rd and Mick spotted 'Extra Fish Bar' something we had not seen on our visit to Rugby Town FC last season.  This may be a new shop but it was busy with locals, always a good sign, so off we went in for a little fish and chip supper.  They were very nice and filled in our walk brief walk back to the station whereupon we took a little look at the adjacent Stagecoach bus depot which seems to be a base for some very large Megabus vehicles.

LEFT HAND DRIVE MEGABUS COACH AT RUGBY DEPOT

Back on board we were soon on our way to Tamworth were we had a further 30 minute wait and then onwards to Derby and this time a quick change of platform for an immediate departure to base station for an arrival just short of 8.30.  Following some sharpish changeovers on our outbound journey the return leg was a little stilted with some time to fill in ably supported by fish and chips of course!
Todays visit was fully enjoyable visiting this interesting town and a charming little club in Northampton ON Chenecks who offered all visitors, regular or irregular, a warm welcome, best wishes guys!

THE MODERN NORTHAMPTON STATION