Cobblers legend Frank Large goes on a farewell tour around his old haunts in Northampton

Son Richard takes his Wembley cut-out in the crowd for a walk down Frank Large Walk
By Kevin Nicholls
Published 20th Jul 2020, 11:23 BST
Updated 20th Jul 2020, 11:29 BST
Cobblers legend Frank's Wembley cut-out went on a tour of former houses in Northampton, Overstone and DeanshangerCobblers legend Frank's Wembley cut-out went on a tour of former houses in Northampton, Overstone and Deanshanger
Cobblers legend Frank's Wembley cut-out went on a tour of former houses in Northampton, Overstone and Deanshanger

Richard Large celebrated Northampton Town's Wembley glory by taking his dad, Cobblers legend Frank, on a farewell tour of his old haunts.

Centre-forward Frank died in August 2003, aged 63, but was among the cut-outs in the crowd when Keith Curle's side crushed Exeter 4-0 in the League Two play-off final.

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Kind-hearted club officials made sure that everyone who paid £25 for the privilege got their cut-outs to keep.

Frank joined Fulham under boss Bobby Robson in 1968, before his third spell with Cobblers. Photo: Getty ImagesFrank joined Fulham under boss Bobby Robson in 1968, before his third spell with Cobblers. Photo: Getty Images
Frank joined Fulham under boss Bobby Robson in 1968, before his third spell with Cobblers. Photo: Getty Images

So Richard took his dad on a trip round of his former homes, watering holes and landmarks.

He said: "Once the club said we could have the cut-outs I didn't really know what to do with it. So I came up with this idea for my mum, Aileen, who lives in Ireland, and because some of the houses I've never been back to.

"We moved around a lot when my dad joined different clubs — one time when he was at Fulham I remember staying in an apartment around the corner from Hyde Park.

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"I got lost twice going back to the house in Duston where I was born, I think it's the first time I've been back there since we left."

Richard back home with cutouts of his dad and granddaughter Aiofe after his marathon tourRichard back home with cutouts of his dad and granddaughter Aiofe after his marathon tour
Richard back home with cutouts of his dad and granddaughter Aiofe after his marathon tour

Top division strikers earn eye-watering sums these days and live in luxury. But Frank's homes were more modest club houses in Duston — where Richard was born — Kingsley Park, Kingsthorpe.

He also lived in Overstone, after his third spell with the club ended in 1972, and also Deanshanger before moving to Ireland.

Richard, who lives in Newton Longville, near Milton Keynes, added: "These houses in Northampton were all owned by the club. One in Kingsthorpe was brand new when we moved in.

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"There was a bit of wasteland round the corner and I remember one day me and my mates got some creosote and some white gloss paint and marked out a pitch to play on. I was quite pleased 20 years later when I went back that they had turned it into a proper playing field."

Former Cobblers bosses Graham Carr and Dave Bowen were also in the Wembley crowd. Photo: Getty ImagesFormer Cobblers bosses Graham Carr and Dave Bowen were also in the Wembley crowd. Photo: Getty Images
Former Cobblers bosses Graham Carr and Dave Bowen were also in the Wembley crowd. Photo: Getty Images

No-nonsense centre-forward Frank scored 88 goals in 230 appearances during three spells with the club.

One of the two 'consolations' in a famous 8-2 FA Cup defeat by Manchester United in 1970 when George Best scored six at at the County Ground.

Frank Large Walk, on a recently build estate in St Crispin's, is named after him as is the club's Supporter of the Year award.

In all, he played for nine different clubs during a 16-year career scoring 218 goals in 586 games.

Related topics:WembleyCobblersNorthampton TownIreland

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