Stuart Gray has signed a new two-year deal and supporters love him to bits; the entire club feels happier and better run than I can remember in years; we've finished commendably high in league one; the squad is the strongest for a long time and with the potential for more improvement; the youth set-up is the best we've had, and even our chairman David Cardoza must be sleeping better now there is hope of some movement from politicians in developing the Sixfields area.

On the latter point, I don't think the club will get the financial windfall for which it once hoped, but there should be enough to expand the stadium if all the behind-the-scenes deals go through.

If they don't, frankly, we're stuffed.

The club has not received the backing from politicians that it deserves, and the town needs.

The warning bells down the road at MK Dons have been clearly heard, and their crowd of more than 17,000 for their last home game of the season speaks volumes for the attraction of a new stadium, well-managed customer relations, and a council that is supportive.

If Northampton does not rise to this challenge our children will live to rue the blinkers of their elders, in much the same way that a decision to bypass us on the main rail link more than a century ago has condemned us to being second-grade commuters.

For its own financial future, this town needs a football stadium with a capacity of 20,000 and a team that plays no lower than the Championship.

We are so close, yet, still so far.

Gilligan needs to keep lid on it
We won 2-1, crowd-pleaser Adebayo Akinfenwa clocked an early goal, now we must hope that his leg operation goes well because Gray wants him very much if it does, and he can get fit.

The Tranmere equaliser from Chris Greenacre was a super overhead kick, and then on came Poul Hubertz in his last game here to score our winner with a thumping header, a great way to sign off.

When the game flagged a little in the second half, Gray's substitutions – which included Chron player of the year Danny Jackman – soon livened things up.

Referee Gavin Ward – who looked about 13 years old – tried to keep the game running in good spirit, but was severely tried by events.

He had no option with the sending off because his line official flagged for violence against Ryan Gilligan who
was lucky earlier not to receive a yellow – he'd have been off, too, because he was also
carded in the incident with Goodison.

Gilligan has been a great asset this season because he really gets in the faces of the opposition, but he must learn to keep his mouth shut at times of tension, and save his energy for scoring more goals.

Hubertz is also a player with attitude which is why the fans warm to him, but he, too, was lucky not to be red-carded.

He was de-mob happy, had several sly crunches at the visitors, and all but removed his shirt after scoring the winner.

Hubertz was mobbed by fans afterwards and happily stayed around signing autographs.

Colin Larkin, whom we now discover has been labouring under a double hernia problem, had a bright start then faded, as did Alex Dyer whose touches early in the game were magnificent.

It was a good debut for goalkeeper Chris Dunn whose handling was fine. the step-up in level isn't easy, however – his kicks let him down and I'm told that it had nothing to do with an earlier injury to his left leg, so there's something to work on before we flog Mark Bunn.

No-one wants Bunn to go, we still have no realistic offers, but if he isn't sold his monetary value will go altogether at the end of next season when he'll become a free agent.

Bunn was outside the ground afterwards to sign autographs.

Pitch row was storm in a tea cup
Saturday's game against Tranmere had better football that we expected, and the stupid actions of some visiting supporters added some fizz which greatly entertained my two youngsters.

A Tranmere fan tried to get at the referee for red-carding Ian Goodison after his second yellow but the Tranmere players sorted him out, a large goup of their fans put the boot into two large advertising hoardings which were split asunder, and if you add to that the usual (but illegal) pitch invasion that generally happens after the last game of the season, you had a nice bit of theatre to see it out.

Although some fans have criticised the club for not requesting a large police presence, and stewards for not being able to hold back the crowd, frankly it was a bit of a storm in a tea-cup.

Do we really want an army of flourescent heavies and police horses when actually the great majority of visitors left peacefully?

I think a return to the hooligan fences of the County Ground – and some fans have spoken fondly of the awful structures – would be a completely adverse reaction.

Mixed day for Cobblers in Championship
The final day of the season in the Championship had a direct bearing on the Cobblers – Stuart Gray as a Hull fan must be happy to see them heading the playoffs but he won't be so pleased that Wolves missed out by just one in the goal-difference stakes.

Getting hold of Daniel Jones and Mark Little will be harder now their club stays in that division.

There was good news at the bottom end (and I apologise to their fans) when Leicester drew 0-0 at Stoke to be relegated into our division and give us a marvellous financial boost alongside games with MK Dons and Peterborough.

VIPs only
There is no official club trip for supporters to follow the Cobblers on their pre-season tour to Dusseldorf, unless you are seriously loaded, in which case there are a few VIP seats with the team – apply direct to the club.

Sixfields Travel have decided to fix their own trip from July 12-19, transport is by coach with visits to a beer cellar with oom-pah band (someone will have to help Barry Parker home after that), a stadium tour, hotel on the banks of the Rhine, a boat trip, both Cobblers games, and an evening meeting with the players.

Call Northampton 706401 to register interest.

The group also have a race night this Saturday at the Road to Morocco in Bridgewater drive, first race 7.30pm, all welcome.

The end of season draw was made by Ian Sampson, all winners will be notified – including up-and-coming youth player Ritchie Jones, who got the 17th prize of chocolates with a mug! Hopefully we'll see him playing some games for the first team next season. The total raised from the raffle was £874.50.

Quiz night
NTFC Supporters' Ltd have their quiz night tomorrow, 7.30pm at Sixfields.

It is open to all, there's a bar, Nick Haycox is question-master, and if you still haven't got tickets then just turn up on the night, pay your £2, and try to beat my media side, not too difficult a job.

Well done, Luis
I was very pleased to see that Luis Perreira got the Frank Large supporter of the year award – there was a list of deserving candidates and he did well to win.

I suppose any man who leaves a city which proudly boasts Sporting Lisbon, and a country like Portugal with its gorgeous weather, and comes to Northampton specifically to live and work here because he adopted the Cobblers as his favourite side, deserves either an award or a visit from a psychiatrist!

Many thanks
My thanks to all who have supported this column with your comments and opinions throughout this season, it is much appreciated.

Let's now hope that Gray is allowed a few more class players, including that much-needed striker who can power us to the success the club deserves.