Northampton Town Community Trust begins year of celebrations to mark 25th anniversary
The Northampton Town Football Club Community Trust has officially launched the start of its 25th anniversary celebrations ahead of a year-long programme of events being run by the charity.
NTFC Community Trust was officially founded on January 16, 2001 under the name ‘Football in the Community', having previously delivered activities through the club since 1994.
The trust has taken a few names over the past 25 years, including ‘Football in the Community’, ‘Cobblers in the Community’ and, most recently, since 2018, the Northampton Town FC Community Trust, to better reflect the breadth of work it now delivers today, supporting 6,636 unique individuals across the 2024/25 season.
Through sport, education, health and inclusion programmes, the Community Trust supports people from all backgrounds – encouraging participation, building skills, improving wellbeing and promoting equity, diversity and belonging. To celebrate the significant milestone, a number of events are due to take place across the 2026 calendar year to reflect, champion and celebrate the impact of the charity.
A schools mufti day officially launched the celebrations last week with children from Irchester School, Long Buckby Junior School and Wootton Primary School coming to school in Cobblers shirts, sportswear and claret and white items of clothing helping to raise funds for the Community Trust.
Other events coming up include the annual Community Day ahead of the Cobblers’ home game with Burton Albion on March 14, the annual ‘Claret Mountaineers’ challenge from June 5-7 and a charity gala dinner on September 17.
Phillip Smith, NTFC Community Trust CEO said: “Marking our 25th anniversary is a proud and exciting moment for everyone connected to the charity. For a quarter of a century, we have used the power of football to bring people together, support those facing the greatest challenges, and create opportunities that change lives. Football clubs sit at the heart of their communities, and through their charitable arms we are uniquely placed to reach, inspire, and support people in meaningful ways. To celebrate this milestone, we will be delivering a programme of events and fundraising activities throughout the year, helping us to continue and further raise awareness of our vital work. These celebrations align with our strategy launched last year, ensuring we build on our strong foundations and continue to create lasting impact across Northamptonshire.”
NTFC Community Trust Chair of Trustees, Scott Desborough added: “We are delighted to launch our initial programme of fundraising events for our 25th anniversary as a charity with more events to be announced. Our programmes deeply impact the lives of so many people across Northamptonshire and the success of each programme relies on crucial donations in order to allow us to continue our work and grow.”
“Whether it’s a child or young person receiving mentoring or joining in a football session; someone being helped into employment; an adult improving their physical or mental health; a young girl being developed as a player through our thriving Women and girls’ department or people living with a disability getting involved in football sessions; any help or support can directly impact and improve people’s lives thanks to the power of football.”
Central to the year is a “25 for 25” fundraising campaign, with an ambitious target of £25,000 to be raised during the calendar year. We’ll be calling on Cobblers fans to support us through challenge events and fundraisers as we aim to reach our ambitious target. Funds raised will directly support the Trust’s ongoing work across the county, ensuring programmes continue to reach those who need them most.
The Community Trust are also still looking for any photos, videos, memorabilia or stories if you have been involved with any of their programmes over the last 25 years. They would love to hear from you and you can submit your memories via an online form here.
Northampton Town Football Club chairman, Kelvin Thomas, said: "Everyone at Northampton Town Football Club is immensely proud of the Northampton Town Community Trust, which is a real jewel in the crown of the club.
"The Community Trust has made an immense contribution to the Northamptonshire community over the last 25 years, changing the lives of so many people for the better, and was of course a key part of not just the Football Club's response, but the response of Northamptonshire, to the Covid pandemic, helping, reaching out and looking out for those who needed support.
"That work was rightly recognised as a European award winner, and the GRS Community pitch at Sixfields stands proudly as a permanent reminder of that work, but it is the work that you don't see that is just as important.
"For many, the Community Trust is an outside link with the world. An educator, an informer, an entertainer, in fact, many people's best friend.
“A few words here simply cannot do that justice.
"We could not be any prouder of the Northampton Town Community Trust and we are delighted to see such a wonderful organisation reach it's 25th anniversary.
"But, this is just the start. The Northampton Town Community Trust is continuing to grow, with a fantastic team of trustees, staff and volunteers ensuring we are set up to further support the Northamptonshire community for many years to come."
To find out more about NTFC Community Trust and to get involved in celebrating and helping them to raise a target amount of £25,000 throughout 2026, see ntfccommunity.co.uk.
To donate to the charity throughout the year as they attempt to reach the £25,000 target, visit https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/ntfccommunity25for25
If you are a school that would like to get involved in a mufti day, or if you are an individual or business who would like to get involved in an event or to fundraise for the Community Trust, get in touch with Fundraising and Events Manager, Danny Brothers at [email protected].