Chairman Thomas so proud of Cobblers' personal touch to boost fans' spirits during 'tough times'

Since football went into suspension in early March following the escalation of the coronavirus virus in the UK, the Cobblers have been very pro-active in offering the personal touch and contacting supporters who may be struggling with the Government-enforced quarantine or self-isolation.

With fans, young and old, perhaps on their own or unable to leave their homes as the nation fights the outbreak, the Cobblers have made 100s of phone calls and sent scores of video messages of support to those most in need.

Manager Keith Curle, captains Nicky Adams and Charlie Goode and all of the playing staff have been only too happy to take time to call or record a message to give fans a boost and some much-needed company and conversation.

Thomas has himself made calls to fans from his home in Florida, and the chairman feels it is something that highlights what a crucial role the club plays in the community.

"It is an area of this situation that I am incredibly proud of, and the way the club, the players, the staff and everybody involved have really stepped up," said Thomas when asked about the club's efforts to keep their supporters' chins up.

"They are really impacting people's lives in a positive way at a very tough time.

"Having taken part in a bunch of these calls, with players and by myself, it has been a humbling experience in some ways, and it has also been an uplifting experience in the sense that you have been able to bring positives to people.

"It is just nice, and I think we have all experienced it where you have probably called somebody that you haven't spoken to in a while, or to just check in on family members or friends, and everybody gets a positive from that.

"But I think when it's a Keith Curle, Charlie Goode or Nicky Adams that are calling, that really has an impact on the young and the old.

"I know we have spoken to young birthday kids, and we have also spoken to a 92-year-old who is in isolation, and I think we are having a really positive impact.

"I am really proud of all of the hard work that everybody is doing, it is a very positive part of what is going on.

"We are very proud of our community work in general, and we have talked about that quite a lot over the past few years, and what we do and the work that goes on and how it impacts so many people's lives.

"This all just highlights it and showcases it a little bit, because we have seen the stuff on social media and people are experiencing it and really seeing the impact we can have, and the lives that we can touch in tough times."

The calls and video messages are something the club will not be letting up on, with Thomas even hinting that the efforts may have to be intensified in the coming weeks as the lockdown continues until at least the second week of May.

"These are tough times, and the reality is we are probably going to have to repeat all of these phone calls, because we are going to be sitting through four, five, six weeks of isolation and there is a cycle to these things," said the Town chairman.

"People will go through the first week when it is almost fun, and then you have the second week and then by the third week you are getting tetchy and bored, and by week six people might be needing more support in those times as well.

"But what the club is doing is a real positive."