About

2015/16 was arguably the most dramatic and euphoric Season in the Cobblers’ long and colourful history. In the dark days of November, the Club was deep in trouble. Staff and players were not getting paid, and Administration was a very real possibility. But through the dedication of their extraordinary fans – the team’s twelfth player – they made an amazing recovery, welcoming a remarkable takeover, bouncing back into League 1 and winning the Club’s first League title for 29 years.

The Twelfth Player is a unique collaboration between Fermynwoods Contemporary Art, Royal & Derngate and Northampton Town Football Club. Next summer, audiences will get a special opportunity to go behind the scenes on a 45 minute walking tour around Sixfields Stadium itself and through the past seventy years of the Club’s history, viewing the passionate world of football through the eyes of three generations of a family of Cobblers supporters.

Contact the Royal & Derngate to book tickets, priced £5 per person:
https://www.royalandderngate.co.uk/whats-on/the-twelfth-player/

Preview Performances

17 May
19 May
23 May

All Other Performances

22 June – 12 July (closed Mondays)

Background

Sophie Jump and Susanne Thomas (Seven Sisters Group) researched histories and other stories associated with the fans and supporters of Northampton Town Football Club. They met many fans and heard many stories including Tommy Fowler’s life story, who was shot in the trenches in the Second World War before joining the Club; Ashley Kitesmark, a season ticket holder who became their mascot for 4 seasons; and James Averill, a lifelong fan and now the Supporters’ Club’s Press Officer.

The work is being developed in collaboration with script writer Richard Hurford and composer Craig Vear.

Funded by Arts Council England.

Website

Booking Link