How Northampton Town once changed Cambridge United

It is with great sadness and disappointment I read that Northampton Football Club has been handed a winding-up petition by HMRC today - read more here http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/34538252

Supporters of Cambridge United have a lot to be grateful for. Grateful to a band of Northampton supporters who in 1992 had the guts to stand up for what they believed in. Through trying to save their club they set out the framework for Supporters Direct and football trusts across the country, now Europe and throughout the world. Read the story of the Northampton Trust origins here http://ntfctrust.co.uk/our-history

Without Brian Lomax (pictured above) and Dave Boyle who both moved on to be prominent members and founders of Supporters Direct there would not have been a CFU. Without the knowledge and support gained by Supporters Direct we would never have been able to respond to Bridge The Gap, Administration and many other situations. We would never have been able to deal with those events.

Portsmouth, FC United, AFC Wimbledon would all not exist or be names of the past. Cambridge United would also possibly have been another.

I hope the Northampton Trust and supporters are able to  again rise to the challenge
However, will the likes of Brian Lomax and Dave Boyle still exist. Are the supporters ready to stand up and do it all again.

Good luck and best wishes in the months ahead and with the challenges you will face.

I sometimes hear people say that CFU are no longer required and their best days are behind them. I would say be careful. Newport and Northampton were both clubs without known problems 12 months ago. No one can ever say what will happen tomorrow and what may cause a crisis at a football club happening.

We as a club will probably never have another crisis in our history, however no one really knows for certain what the future holds. It has taken 23 years for Northampton's too!!!

Read here how Brian Lomax changed football http://www.sportingintelligence.com/2013/04/15/profile-brian-lomax-a-supporter-pioneer-ahead-of-his-time-150401/

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