COMMENT: Forged on belief, unity and quality, the journey has only just begun for this Cobblers team

As I sit here and write this, almost 24 hours after the League Two play-off final kicked off at Wembley Stadium, the magnitude of Cobblers' success, and the astonishing manner in which they achieved it, has yet to fully sink in.

After all, it was only 12 days ago when they were being written off - understandably - after losing 2-0 at home to Cheltenham Town in the semi-final first leg. The promotion dream, only just revived after three months of lockdown, looked dead and buried.

But all season long, this is a team that has refused to give in. They have stuttered and spluttered in patches, and it's easy to forget they were very slow out of the blocks way back in August, but they have always responded magnifcently.

People laughed and ridiculed when Keith Curle and Michael Harriman spoke of their complete belief that Cobblers were still in the tie and could still reach the final following their first leg loss to the Robins. It doesn't seem quite so silly now.

That, though, typifies this team. Unity, belief and an unrelenting desire to win. There's quality, too, and lots of it, but quality alone is never enough to achieve success.

The way they dismantled Cheltenham and Exeter - two very capable sides at this level - across 180 minutes of faultless football was remarkable to witness. They were utterly relentless.

The Cobblers barely put a foot wrong across those two games. The back three, so impressive throughout the campaign, never once looked like being breeched, the midfield dominated and controlled both games, and the front two caused complete chaos.

But there is one man above all that deserves more praise than most.

Keith Curle has not always been popular among all supporters but he has now won over the doubters by masterminding two stunning victories in the team's two biggest games of the season.

He has dragged the Cobblers out from the doldrums and into the light. They were sinking fast when he arrived in October 2018. Eighteen months later, they are a League One outfit and he, for the first time, is a promotion-winning manager.

It was already evident to many that Curle has made good progress during his time in charge but that is now an indisputable fact. If you still do not agree, just try and imagine a team managed by any of his predecessors - bar Chris Wilder, of course - to play with such quality, commitment and nous in two huge games.

He has turned the Cobblers from a feeble, timid outfit to a team of warriors and winners, players who will do anything for the cause. There will still be those that bemoan the style of play but for all the snobbery over direct football, it is rarely dull to watch. And if it continues to yield results, few will care.

Those from Exeter or Cheltenham might argue their teams performed poorly - and it's true, they were nowhere near their best in either game - but they were made to look poor by the quality, intensity and tenacity on show from Northampton.

Right from the first whistle, in both matches, they were at it. They pressed their hosts, they forced mistakes and when they got the ball themselves, they kept it with impressive patience and purpose and never let up.

Monday's showpiece at Wembley was a masterclass in how to play a final. They were mature, efficient and professional. The scoreline did not flatter them. In fact, it wouldn't have been unjust had they scored another couple. They ended with 22 shots in total and 10 on target, compared to nine and one for Exeter.

While Steve Arnold was largely a spectator, at the other end opposite number Jonny Maxted was far busier, making three fine stops as shots and crosses rained into his box. Winning any final is special, winning one 4-0 is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

The only downside was the lack of fans to witness it, but they can rest assured that every single one of them has played a vital role in Cobblers' success. The club have pulled together during this time of uncertainty and now fans can look forward to trips to the Stadium of Light and Portman Road.

And what does the future hold? If they play their cards right, this could be just the start.

The Cobblers won promotion in more emphatic, more convincing fashion in 2016 but it all unravelled within days of the trophy parade. Chris Wilder's departure, followed by Ricky Holmes and Nicky Adams, set the wheels in motion for a downward spiral back to League Two.

This time, they must keep the core of the squad together, from Charlie Goode's outstanding leadership to Alan McCormack's midfield experience to the remarkable enthusiasm of Callum Morton up front.

Of course, that is easier said than done, especially in Moton's case. Clubs will be queueing up to take him on loan next season but the Cobblers have a headstart and must make full use of that if they are to keep the 20-year-old for another 12 months.

And if they do manage to hold onto their best players, while adding a sprinkling of quality in certain positions, there's no reason why they cannot have a good crack at League One.

So much can and will happen before next season starts - whenever that turns out to be - but the Cobblers should fancy their chances, particularly when you consider on how well they've handled the big games over the last 12 months.

From the home win over Plymouth Argyle at the start of the season, to the FA Cup exploits against Derby and Burton in the winter, to their stunning play-off success, the signs bode well that Curle's Cobblers can stand up to the best that the third tier has to offer.

They'll need to next season because League One will be no walk in the park. It contains some big clubs with big ambitions. Sunderland and Ipswich are already guaranteed to be coming to the PTS within the next year, but there's also the possibility of Stoke City and Hull City coming down from the Championship.

But these are all games to look forward to.

Once again, Cobblers fans can be proud of their team. And that's not just on the pitch. Their fantastic work off it, especially during the height of the coronavirus crsis, will never be forgotten by the community, particularly by those people they helped in deeply troubling times.

From supporters to chairmen to staff to players, this is one special club and Monday was one special night. Savour it, cherish it, remember it. It's been a privilege to be part of it. Now roll on League One!