WEMBLEY 2020: Cobblers will 'give it everything' to deliver promotion for brilliant fans

Keith Curle and Alan McCormack have promised Cobblers supporters that the team will 'give it everything' to deliver the 'greatest feeling' of a play-off final victory at an empty Wembley Stadium this evening.

No fans are allowed inside the ground due to coronavirus restrictions but Town's army of supporters will be right behind their team from home, with a section of Wembley's seats covered in Cobblers flags, banners and over 1,000 cardboard cut-outs.

Although fans have been unable to attend any of the play-off games, Curle says he and his players appreciate their support and hope to repay them in the best possible way.

"Right from day one we've been informative and we've communicated with the fans and we want to embrace their support because we value it," he said.

"All football clubs go through difficult times and I know this club has certainly gone through difficult times but the loyalty, the passion, the association the supporters have, it's not just valued by myself and the players but by everyone at the club.

"Everybody understands that for us to function and to be able to compete, we need our supporters and because of that, we'll do our best to look after them, to be heard by them and also to listen to them."

McCormack echoed those sentiments, adding: "I know fans will be disappointed because reaching Wembley doesn't happen very often and to not be able to go is heartbreaking.

"But they've supported us all the way through. We saw a lot of videos from fans celebrating on social media last week and we really want to repeat that again.

"We want to give the fans the greatest feeling they could have by winning promotion at Wembley."

An empty PTS Academy Stadium in the semi-final first leg was one thing but a deserted Wembley is sure to be quite another when the Cobblers play Exeter City tonight.

"It's a shame the fans won't be there but fans or no fans, both teams are in the same situation and no-one will gain an advantage from it," McCormack added.

"I'm looking forward to it. Walking out with no fans will be a strange feeling but we've played two games with no fans in the stadium now and we've all felt very comfortable so hopefully we're all comfortable again.

"It's the pinnacle of everyone's career to get to Wembley and to play a final there and have an opportunity to walk up Wembley steps to collect a trophy and a medal.

"Some players go through their whole careers, 15, 20 years, and never get to Wembley and never reach a final so whenever you do it, you've got to expect it to be your last chance. You've got to go out there and give it everything that you've got and leave everything out there on the pitch.

"It might be my last chance to ever play in a big, iconic stadium like that so the attitude leading into it is that I'm going to give everything I can."