Relief for Richards as Cobblers takeover saga nears conclusion

After what feels like an eternity, Cobblers fans have finally been able to breathe a collective sigh of relief this week as the agonising takeover saga appears to be heading towards a long overdue conclusion - and there will be few more relieved than Richards.

It’s been a torturous few months for all those connected to Northampton Town with countless twists and turns but Kelvin Thomas seems set to be the club’s saviour, much to Richards’ delight.

The experienced striker has become a something of a symbolic figure at Northampton, so much so that he has admitted to recently turning down an approach from “quite a big club” to remain at Sixfields where he’s determined to win promotion out of League Two.

Not only that, but Richards has also revealed plans to move his family closer to the area due to his affinity to the Cobblers, and there’d be no one more happy than him to see the takeover go ahead and the problems to be put to bed.

Speaking after Wilder’s interview on Saturday, Richards echoed his manager’s thoughts, saying: “Of course we want a deal done quickly. Everyone does - the fans, myself, the gaffer and if there’s a good deal on the table, which there is by the sounds of it, then let’s get it done and put everything behind us so we can fully concentrate on what’s going on the pitch.

“At the moment we’re producing some good results and I think there are some good times ahead for Northampton Town FC if we can carry on now.”

On his personal situation, Richards added: “The gaffer pulled me to the side a few weeks back and mentioned there was a sniff from quite a big club in this league, but I told Chris that he bought me here for a reason and I want to stay here until that reason has been accomplished and that was to get this club promoted.

“When I was here first time around we had two spells in the play-offs. We never quite got promoted but there’s a real connection for me with the club.

“I’m moving my family down from where we live at the moment and we’re looking to move in a couple of weeks so let’s hope there’s a football club around for me to move to.”

And now this whole nightmare looks to be coming to an end, the club can finally focus on an exciting team which is going places on the pitch.

The resolve and determination displayed by this Cobblers side has been quite something and it seems the worse things got off the pitch, the better things got on it.

And that unity and that spirit will only stand the club in good stead going forward now everyone can focus on football matters.

There was no better example of Northampton’s battling qualities than in Saturday’s hard-fought 2-1 win away at County, with defenders Rod McDonald and Brendan Moloney on target.

“I thought the lads battled really well,” said Richards afterwards. “It wasn’t a pretty game and I didn’t think we played all that well but if we’re going to do anything this season then we need to come to places like this and get a result and we’ve certainly done that.

“Rodney’s done well for the first goal with a big, towering header. He’s coming on leaps and bounds at the moment and all credit to him because he’s working hard in training and he’s getting just rewards in games.

“We were pegged back early in the second half with a poor goal from our point of view and we were a little bit deep and we should have had more pressure on the pass in the first place.

“But then Brendan’s popped up with a fantastic winner. He does that regularly. He hasn’t scored for a while but the lads nickname ‘crazy legs’ because you’re never sure what’s going to happen.

“As a right-back, to get forward as high as that and cracking one in with his left foot from the edge of the box is just fantastic.”