Captain fantastic! Curle pays tribute to Nicky Adams after skipper's landmark achievement

Keith Curle has paid tribute to Nicky Adams after Town's club captain brought up his 600th career appearance against Wigan Athletic on Saturday.

Adams' career began with Bury as an 18-year-old in 2005 when he scored the only goal of the game against Darlington in a League Two encounter.

Now 34, Adams has played for nine different clubs with 97 of his 600 appearances coming for the Cobblers, and he was able to celebrate the milestone achievement with three points on Saturday.

The winger turned wing-back was involved in Town's first and third goals as they beat Wigan Athletic 3-2 at the DW Stadium.

"It's a fantastic achievement and a very good milestone for the lad," said Curle. "It shows his professionalism because for any player to reach that number of games is very pleasing, especially with the massive injury he had when he was up with Carlisle.

"That probably took out 50 or 60 games but I love his hunger and I like his desire and his honesty and his willingness to be in and around the group when things are going well but also when we're going through difficult times.

"He's an excellent character to have around because he's positive but he's also a realist and he's brave enough to say when things aren't right. Whether it's individually or collectively, he'll point the finger.

"You need players like that and generals like that in the changing room. Sometimes generals don't have to be 6ft 3in and 15 stone, sometimes it can be a chirpy little winger who's got something to say and Nicky's always got something to say!"