At Home With The Crows

Next Up: “The Millers” Of Northampton Spencer FC
Crows v Northampton Spencer FC
Kick Off: 3pm, Saturday 31st August 2013
FA WITH BUDWEISER CUP Preliminary Round

After our steady league start, we are now into FA Cup action with a tie against Northampton Spencer of the United Counties League Division 1.

FA Cup!!! But it’s still August, I don’t know about you fellow Crows, but I always associate the early rounds of this famous competition with wet pitches, thick jackets and gloves. Well just to depress you even more, as I get up at 4am on a regular basis, winter is a-coming as it is not getting light until 6am!

But onto our guests and with the name Northampton Spencer, you would think they would come from a quaint little village with meandering hills, thatched cottages and lovely local boozers? You would be wrong though, they come from the Cobbler making capital of the world and Northampton itself. Still a lovely place though.

Northampton, Is This Where Cobbles Are Made?

Northampton itself has a very Royal past. The Roundheads were supported by the people of the town, which led to King Charles ordering the destruction of the town walls and much of its castle. The town does not have much luck, just look at their League side, but in 1675 the Great Fire of Northampton destroyed much of the town.

Growth though, swiftly followed through the shoe industry, the Grand Union Canal and the arrival of rail in the 19th Century. According to rail enthusiasts, its still “getting there!”

The Town was granted “New Town” status in 1968, which is a little odd as they have been there since Saxon days?

On a musical note Faye Tozer from Steps was born and brought up from here, so we now know who to blame! On a sombre note, Walter Tull the ex Northampton Town player and first ever Black British Officer was also from these parts, he died in 1918 participating in the Spring Offensive of World War I.

 

Walter Tull, seen here in his Spurs Kit

 

HISTORY

They were formed in 1936 as Spencer School Old boys from the old School team. From the archives, not a lot happened until they joined the United Counties League in 1968 and immediately gained promotion after finishing as runners up.

They started life at Dallington Park before moving to Duston High School. In 1971 the club were on the move again, this time to Kingsthorpe Mill which they remain to this day.

 

Swimming Is Available at Kingsthorpe Mill!

Life was pretty quiet in the UCL Premier League until relegation occurred in 1981 and another terrible season follow with the club finishing at the foot of the entire league (Although some people maintain that they were the strongest team as they kept everybody else above them!)

Their saviour arrived in the guise of John Petts and he led them back to the promised Premier League land in 1985. Strong cup runs also duly followed with the 4th round of the FA Vase reached in 1988 after wins against the exotically named Knypersley Victoria, Kirby Muxoe, Friar Lane O.B, Desborough Town and Southgate Athletic before bowing out to Gresley Rovers in a hard fought 2-1 defeat.…

In 2009 they reached the 2nd Qualifying round of the F.A Cup beating March Town United, Gorleston and Godmanchester Rovers before being dispatched by a very strong Cambridge Ciy side 4-1 at Milton Road, our very own Ada Cambridge opened the scoring for the Lillywhites.

2011 saw “The Millers” relegated to Division 1 and after a summer of restructuring a positive league place of 5th was achieved last season with a second round appearance in the FA Vase.

 

Their Season So Far

It’s too early to tell where the Spencer will finish, but after a 2-0 FA Cup success against Bugbrooke St Michaels and two wins out of three, the team must be full of confidence.

They started their league season with a 3-2 defeat at much fancied Eynesbury Rovers, but two home wins against Rothwell Corinthians and Wellingborough Whitworth have steadied the ship and buoyed the side.

 

Have We Met Before?

We have and it was a positive result for the Crows. We met The Millers in 1975 in the FA Vase. After a 1-1 performance at Garden Walk, we comfortably beat them 3-0 at their place, hope it’s a similar score line on Saturday afternoon.

Jez Izod