Bowen and Grande to be included in 'Cobbler in the Crowd' initiative

Images of Dave Bowen and Frank Grande will be included in Northampton's 'Cobbler in the Crowd' initiative when the home leg of the play-off semi-final against Cheltenham Town takes place.

Bowen, who died in 1995, managed the Cobblers twice between 1959 and 1972 while Grande was the club's long-serving historian before he passed away last year.

The Cobbler in the Crowd scheme was launched last Friday and has already proved popular among supporters ahead of the play-off games.

The club confirmed: "The Cobbler in the Crowd initiative has been a huge success so far - thank you!

"One of the ideas that supporters are taking advantage of is to add an image of a loved one who has passed so that their image can be present at the play off semi final first leg with Cheltenham Town.

"With that in mind, and with the kind permission and approval of the Bowen and Grande families, the club have arranged to have images of Dave Bowen and Frank Grande included for the game.

"Dave Bowen managed the Cobblers twice, also holding many other positions within the club. He also managed Arsenal and the Welsh national side. Among his many honours while at Northampton Town were the Division 3 Championship and the Division 2 runners up spot, honours he achieved while leading the Cobblers up to the top flight of English football.

"Frank Grande was the club's long-serving historian before he passed away last year. He was posthumously awarded the EFL Supporter of the Year award shortly after his death and his work is continued by Ethan Grande through the Cobblers Past web site and social media accounts.

"As a Cobbler in the Crowd you can arrange to have your own face in the stand or alternatively this would make a fantastic Father's Day gift, a birthday present for a loved one or even a tribute to someone no longer with us who used to enjoy Northampton Town games.

"The package includes your (or a loved one's) head and shoulders photo on a Foamex 'cut-out' and positioned on a seat in the stand. The cut-outs will be signed by a player or a member of the coaching staff before supporters can collect them when it is safe to do so.

"To be a Cobbler in the Crowd costs just £25 and to take part please visit ntfcdirect.co.uk/match-tickets.aspx. Once you have placed your order via ntfcdirect.co.uk you will receive a confirmation email (remember to check your spam folders!)

"This email will contain your booking reference number. Please then email your photo, name and address along with your booking reference number in the title of the email to [email protected]

"The closing date for orders and photos is 5pm on 14th June 2020."