'What have I done?' - Wembley-winning skipper reveals doubts about Cobblers move

Goode, who was speaking at Sam Hoskins’ recent testimonial dinner, now plays for Stevenage and has been a key member of the Boro team that currently occupies a play-off place going into the final day of the League One season.

Back in 2018/19, the centre-back joined Northampton on loan from Scunthorpe in January and his first game ended in a 4-0 home defeat to Colchester. It was all’s well that ends well though as Goode captained Cobblers to Wembley glory 18 months later, before making a a club record move to Brentford.

"I came here on loan, had a look around and was in two minds about joining,” admitted Goode. “I decided to sign, then the next day we lost 4-0 at home and I thought ‘what have I done?’ but things got better and the next summer the manager signed me permanently and offered me the captaincy.”

On Hoskins, Goode added: "Sam was a huge part of our success, he played at right wing-back a lot and I knew if I hit an area, with his pace, he would be there and he gave me options all the time. He was a great lad to have in our team.”

Hoskins himself reflected on that COVID-disrupted campaign. He was sent off at home to Mansfield in the final game before lockdown and therefore missed the play-off semi-final first leg against Cheltenham when football restarted. It all worked out in the end though and he was among the scorers in the 4-0 win over Exeter at Wembley.

Hoskins said: "I got sent off in that last game before lockdown when I was left on the halfway line from a corner and Mansfield broke and I ended up getting sent off for a professional foul. I don’t think i’ve been left the last player back from a corner since!

"Lockdown came along and I hoped the ban might be wiped but it wasn’t and I had to miss the first leg of the play-offs, but I played in the second leg and the final and they were fantastic games, if a bit surreal.”