Latest news with #DonMartin
NZ Herald
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- NZ Herald
The humour history of Don Martin: Wyn Drabble
Cartoonist Don Martin helped shape a way of looking at our often absurd existence, writes Wyn Drabble. Wyn Drabble is a teacher of English, writer, public speaker and musician. He is based in Hawke's Bay. This week I'm concentrating on an admirable human for no other reason than I can. It's not his birthday nor is it the anniversary of his death; it's just that I
CBS News
12-05-2025
- General
- CBS News
Altadena Future Fair provides rebuilding resources for wildfire survivors
Some Altadena Fire survivors chose to spend their Mother's Day at the Altadena Future Fair, hoping to gather more information about rebuilding after the wildfire. A day usually dedicated to all the moms but a group of wildfire survivors, contractors, county officials leaning on one another to continue the rebuilding efforts inside the Pasadena Convention Center. The Altadena Future Fair held at the Pasadena Convention Center provided rebuilding resources for wildfire survivors. KCAL News "My wife was here earlier, and I was set to go celebrate Mother's Day with her mother, who's 101, but I'll see you her next Wednesday and so we decided, well maybe it's better if I learn and get exposed to some of these things," said Rex Mayreis, who lost his home during the Eaton Fire. For some, like 99-year-old Don Martin, it's a day he's still spending with family as he and his daughter look for the best options to build back their home that burned down. "We hope to make progress and get rebuilt and move back into that same area," Martin said. Fair organizer Frankie Norstad said over 1,200 people RSVP'd for the weekend's grassroots event, which she said aims to unite residents, innovators and local leaders to envision and rebuild the community's future. "I lost my house January 7th and pretty quickly it became obvious that we needed something big," Norstad said. "For a lot of people that I talked to, they felt like 'Oh this is happening too soon,' I think if your house burned down, and you felt like this conversation could've happened a month ago." Many at the event said they can't rebuild and be back in their homes soon enough but they're grateful for the people who they can lean on during this time of need. Attendees said this type of community fair is something they would like to see more of. Use this link to find out more information about the Altadena Future Fair.
BBC News
17-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
'I don't think it will ever happen again' - how Northampton reached top flight
It will never happen again that a club sharing a ground with a county cricket team will reach the top flight of English yet that was the reality for Northampton Town, who, on 17 April 1965, sealed promotion to the old First Division with a 4-1 away win at capped an outstanding managerial achievement by Dave Bowen, who guided Northampton from the fourth tier to the first in just five seasons - a rise which, by comparison, took Luton Town nine years to emulate in the current century, from 2014 to 2023."We needed to win at Bury on Easter Saturday. Everybody seemed a little bit nervous, but as the game went on, we got control. Don Martin scored early in the second half and we had a three-goal lead then and we could relax," Graham Carr told BBC Look who was then only 20, had come into the side during the season, making eight appearances, and was still finding his feet among seasoned such was the congested nature of the fixture list, there was little time to enjoy their achievement - that came later at a special dinner hosted by the town's mayor."After the game, I can't remember celebrating. We were sitting on the bus ready to go and we could hear Dave Bowen talking to Sports Report on the radio," said Carr."On Sunday, we were at Luton Airport, a 16-seater to fly to Exeter to play Plymouth. Derek Legg was sent off early in the game, we were up against it and got beat 5-2. "Then we got the flight back to Luton and the following day we played Plymouth in the return game and won 3-1. We played three games in four days with the same players. No subs then. If you were injured you stayed on." 'Dave Bowen was a marvellous coach' Northampton finished the season in second place with 56 points from their 42 games - only two for a win in those days - and were just a single point behind champions Newcastle promotion meant that in the following season, the Cobblers would be mixing it with the likes of Liverpool, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal and Leeds believes that much of the credit must go to Bowen, who was first appointed in 1959 following two spells as a player with the club, and also spent 10 years as manager of the Wales national team."Dave Bowen was a marvellous coach and he was out with us every day training. He had a plan for everything," he said."There was good recruitment and we played the same system every game, every week, two wingers - right-footed right winger, left-footed left winger - two strikers, back four, we always had balance in the side."Those wingers were principally Harry Walden and Tommy Robson, later to become a club legend for rivals Peterborough United, with Robson reaching double figures for goals, along with Don Martin and Bobby Brown. 'The County Ground was our Wembley' But how much of an advantage was Northampton's unusual ground?The club had shared the playing area with Northamptonshire CCC since 1905 and went through the entire campaign without losing a single game at home, where they only conceded 16 goals in 21 fixtures. "Everybody loved playing there. It was our Wembley really. Even with the set-up (we had), I never heard any player want to leave," said Carr. "We never did warm-ups like they do now, we rubbed oil on (our legs in the changing room) and ran onto the pitch. You didn't see the build-up of people coming into the ground. "You couldn't help but think 'wow', I'm ready for it' with the people on the cricket side tight to you, down the side, it became a close, tight atmosphere. Other clubs would feel they were up against it. It played its part for us."The promotion season ended with a home game against Portsmouth, an unforgettable occasion for those who were there."'It was a big deal, the town was only half the size it is now so everyone knew everyone. None of us could believe it was happening," supporter Roger Averill told BBC Look East."The last game against Portsmouth, I was in the middle of the hotel end which was packed. I had to climb up the floodlights so I could see. It was party time. I don't think I appreciated the magnitude of it. "It was heaving. Everyone went on the pitch, the players went into the stand, throwing shirts and boots into the crowd. As a 12-year-old, I thought we would do this all the time but I have found out that we don't!" Sobering start at Goodison Park Northampton were handed a trip to Merseyside to take on Everton for their first match in the top flight, and it proved to be a harsh lesson as, although Bobby Brown's goal brought them level at 1-1, they eventually went down 5-2."It was the first year subs came in. We played at Everton, I remember driving in and I knew I was (going to be) on the bench," Carr recalls. "The crowd outside Goodison Park was unbelievable."There was encouragement from their first two home games, which ended in 1-1 draws with Arsenal and defending champions Manchester United, Matt Busby's side helping attracting a crowd of 21,245 to the County then took a downturn as the Cobblers failed to win any of the next 10, leaving them 21st by mid-October, but back-to-back 2-1 home victories over West Ham and Aston Villa lifted the mood, with Jim Hall scoring both goals in the were mixed thereafter but the Cobblers managed to stay just above the bottom two despite 6-2 defeats in the return game with Manchester United at Old Trafford and at Stoke City in United and Leeds United were both beaten at home and they completed a notable double over Villa when John Mackin and Graham Moore's goals gave them a 2-1 final three games were a rollercoaster as a 4-2 home loss to Fulham dropped them into the relegation places, a 2-1 home win over Sunderland lifted them out, only for a 3-0 defeat at Blackpool to see them finish 21st, just three points from safety, and they were relegated along with Blackburn had certainly not disgraced themselves, winning 10 games and drawing 13, but defensive frailty ultimately cost them dear. Their 92 goals conceded was four worse than any other team."We had great lads who were physically strong, who would work hard and dig in – and frighten people – but in the First Division then, you did need a little more than that," said Carr. "Unfortunately, we didn't have the money to do it - we did our best but our best wasn't good enough." 'Once-in-a-lifetime achievement' Carr left Northampton in 1968 to join York City but returned as manager in the mid-1980s and and guided them to the Fourth Division title in went on to become chief scout for both Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United before deciding to return to Northampton as an associate director eight years 80, how does he feel looking back to that glorious season which culminated in promotion 60 years ago and the players with whom he shared a dressing room, the majority of whom have passed away?"It was a marvellous feeling, unbelievable. A once-in-a-lifetime achievement. I don't think it will ever happen again because finances have changed this game," an emotional Carr added."We all lived in Northampton so we had a drink together, we socialised together, we went to the cafes together after training."They were all great lads. I miss them."
Yahoo
30-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Five from 5,000 - memorable Cobblers league matches
Northampton Town Football Club played a milestone match on Saturday. Their 1-1 draw at Cambridge United in League One was the Cobblers' 5,000th league game since the club's formation in 1897. BBC News looks back at five memorable matches from 128 years of history. In the 1960s the club enjoyed a rapid rise, achieving three promotions in five years, culminating in their only season in the top flight of English football in 1965-66. On 17 April 1965, their place in the Division One was sealed with a 4-1 win against Bury at Gigg Lane, with a brace of goals from Don Martin and one each from Bobby Brown and Joe Kiernan. The Cobblers ultimately finished behind Newcastle United as runners-up in Division Two. It meant the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea were welcomed to the County Ground - the club's home until 1994 and shared with Northamptonshire County Cricket Club. Despite memorable wins over Aston Villa, Fulham and West Ham, Town narrowly missed out on a second season in the sun. Incredibly, by the conclusion of the 1968-69 season they had been relegated back to Division Four (League Two) to bring about Northampton's very own sense of the swinging sixties. Since the late 60s, Northampton Town have played all of their league football in either the third or fourth tier of English football. The club has had several brushes with relegation to non-league football on more than one occasion since, but perhaps the closest was on 8 May 1993. The Cobblers fought back from 2-0 down at half-time to beat Shrewsbury Town 3-2 at Gay Meadow and secure their status as a Football League club. The winning goal famously rebounded off striker Pat Gavin's backside as he charged down a clearance by the Shrews' goalkeeper to the delight of thousands of travelling fans. Survival in 1992-93 almost counted for nothing when the Cobblers finished bottom of Division Four the following season - but they were spared relegation after Conference winners Kidderminster Harriers were told their stadium did not meet the Football League's capacity requirements. It also meant that life at the club's new Sixfields Stadium did not begin in non-league and provided a springboard to better times later in the 1990s. The Cobblers escaped the basement division of English league football in 1997 after victory in a Wembley play-off final against Swansea City. And, in what remains their most successful league season since their 1960s rise and fall, Ian Atkins' side were again in play-off contention in 1998. After finishing the regular season in fourth position, they faced Bristol Rovers in the play-off semi-finals, but a 3-1 defeat in the first leg left them with a huge task for the second leg at Sixfields Stadium. A Carl Heggs goal had brought Town back to within one goal of Rovers before second-half strikes from Ian Clarkson and Ray Warburton stunned The Gas on a night which many fans remember as the club's finest of the Sixfields era. Despite the 4-3 aggregate win, Northampton were unable to seal a return to the top division of the Football League as they were edged out 1-0 by Grimsby Town in front of over 62,000 fans at Wembley - with more than 40,000 of those having made the trip from Northamptonshire. From the brink of oblivion to winning promotion. A familiar tale, but one rarely told from start to finish in only 135 days. In November 2015, Northampton Town were in turmoil after a £10.25m loan from Northampton Borough Council to help redevelop Sixfield Stadium had seemingly disappeared. Players and staff went unpaid for months and a winding-up petition was sought by HM Revenue & Customs which was owed £166,000. Football became a sideshow as the club's fight for survival off the pitch rumbled on for weeks, but after a 2-1 win at Notts County on 21 November, boss Chris Wilder made an impassioned five-minute pitchside rant which went down in folklore. Wilder publicly called on the club's owner David Cardoza to accept a "deal to take this club forward". Within 48 hours, former Oxford United chairman had agreed a takeover - clearing the tax bill and saving the club. It prompted a sensational run of form as they lost only one league game for the rest of the season and embarked on a 10-game winning run. Come 9 April, the Cobblers - under new ownership - would seal promotion on their way to becoming League Two champions with 99 points. Against the global backdrop of the Covid pandemic, football behind closed doors became the norm in 2020 and much of 2021. But when the curtailed 2019-20 League Two season resumed to hold its promotion play-offs, Northampton and Exeter City made an unusual type of history. The Cobblers' 4-0 win was the first competitive game to be played at Wembley behind closed doors, with just a few hundred people inside instead of the tens of thousands usually associated with a play-off final. There were stringent safety measures, cardboard cut-outs in place of real fans and the national anthem was pre-recorded. Goals from Ryan Watson, Callum Morton, Sam Hoskins and Andy Williams helped secure another return to League One for Keith Curle's side. Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Football club to mark 5,000th league game Football stand to finally open after 10 years Northampton Town Football Club
BBC News
30-03-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Five memorable Northampton Town league matches after milestone
Northampton Town Football Club played a milestone match on 1-1 draw at Cambridge United in League One was the Cobblers' 5,000th league game since the club's formation in News looks back at five memorable matches from 128 years of history. 17 April 1965: Promotion to the First Division In the 1960s the club enjoyed a rapid rise, achieving three promotions in five years, culminating in their only season in the top flight of English football in 1965-66. On 17 April 1965, their place in the Division One was sealed with a 4-1 win against Bury at Gigg Lane, with a brace of goals from Don Martin and one each from Bobby Brown and Joe Cobblers ultimately finished behind Newcastle United as runners-up in Division Two. It meant the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea were welcomed to the County Ground - the club's home until 1994 and shared with Northamptonshire County Cricket memorable wins over Aston Villa, Fulham and West Ham, Town narrowly missed out on a second season in the by the conclusion of the 1968-69 season they had been relegated back to Division Four (League Two) to bring about Northampton's very own sense of the swinging sixties. 8 May 1993: Back from the brink Since the late 60s, Northampton Town have played all of their league football in either the third or fourth tier of English club has had several brushes with relegation to non-league football on more than one occasion since, but perhaps the closest was on 8 May Cobblers fought back from 2-0 down at half-time to beat Shrewsbury Town 3-2 at Gay Meadow and secure their status as a Football League club. The winning goal famously rebounded off striker Pat Gavin's backside as he charged down a clearance by the Shrews' goalkeeper to the delight of thousands of travelling in 1992-93 almost counted for nothing when the Cobblers finished bottom of Division Four the following season - but they were spared relegation after Conference winners Kidderminster Harriers were told their stadium did not meet the Football League's capacity also meant that life at the club's new Sixfields Stadium did not begin in non-league and provided a springboard to better times later in the 1990s. 13 May 1998: The greatest game at Sixfields? The Cobblers escaped the basement division of English league football in 1997 after victory in a Wembley play-off final against Swansea in what remains their most successful league season since their 1960s rise and fall, Ian Atkins' side were again in play-off contention in finishing the regular season in fourth position, they faced Bristol Rovers in the play-off semi-finals, but a 3-1 defeat in the first leg left them with a huge task for the second leg at Sixfields Stadium. A Carl Heggs goal had brought Town back to within one goal of Rovers before second-half strikes from Ian Clarkson and Ray Warburton stunned The Gas on a night which many fans remember as the club's finest of the Sixfields the 4-3 aggregate win, Northampton were unable to seal a return to the top division of the Football League as they were edged out 1-0 by Grimsby Town in front of over 62,000 fans at Wembley - with more than 40,000 of those having made the trip from Northamptonshire. 21 November 2015: 'Appeh?!' Wilder's plea From the brink of oblivion to winning promotion. A familiar tale, but one rarely told from start to finish in only 135 November 2015, Northampton Town were in turmoil after a £10.25m loan from Northampton Borough Council to help redevelop Sixfield Stadium had seemingly disappeared. Players and staff went unpaid for months and a winding-up petition was sought by HM Revenue & Customs which was owed £166, became a sideshow as the club's fight for survival off the pitch rumbled on for weeks, but after a 2-1 win at Notts County on 21 November, boss Chris Wilder made an impassioned five-minute pitchside rant which went down in folklore. Wilder publicly called on the club's owner David Cardoza to accept a "deal to take this club forward".Within 48 hours, former Oxford United chairman had agreed a takeover - clearing the tax bill and saving the prompted a sensational run of form as they lost only one league game for the rest of the season and embarked on a 10-game winning 9 April, the Cobblers - under new ownership - would seal promotion on their way to becoming League Two champions with 99 points. 29 June 2020: Promoted behind closed doors Against the global backdrop of the Covid pandemic, football behind closed doors became the norm in 2020 and much of when the curtailed 2019-20 League Two season resumed to hold its promotion play-offs, Northampton and Exeter City made an unusual type of Cobblers' 4-0 win was the first competitive game to be played at Wembley behind closed doors, with just a few hundred people inside instead of the tens of thousands usually associated with a play-off final. There were stringent safety measures, cardboard cut-outs in place of real fans and the national anthem was from Ryan Watson, Callum Morton, Sam Hoskins and Andy Williams helped secure another return to League One for Keith Curle's side. Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
