Liverpool, Wembley and a tattoo: Commentator's 40 years of memories

A BBC broadcaster celebrating 40 years of football commentary has reflected on his favourite memories.

Tim Oglethorpe follows Northampton Town for BBC Radio Northampton, and has been part of the station's commentary team since the 1985-86 season.

The 65-year-old first picked up the lip mic and made his debut when Kettering Town visited Sutton United in the FA Trophy during that same season.

But its the latter part of his career that has proved the most memorable.

Northampton Town caused a cup upset in September 2010 when they beat Liverpool at Anfield in the Carling Cup 3rd round on penalties.

Northampton, who were 17th in League Two, took the Reds to penalties after a 2-2 draw during normal time.

Then Abdul Osman kept his cool to score the decisive spot-kick and send the Cobblers into the 4th round.

After the game, then-manager Ian Sampson said there was "no logic" behind the win.

Oglethorpe recalled: "[Northampton] were rank outsiders and it was an extraordinary win. Nobody gave them a chance.

"I still find it hard to believe it happened.

"To pull it off gave [Northampton] more respect within the game and I don't think it's a coincidence that in the 16 years since, the Cobblers have progressed significantly."

In the 2020 League Two play-off final, Northampton Town beat Exeter 4-0 in front of an empty Wembley because of Covid-19 restrictions.

The Cobblers went ahead thanks to Ryan Watson's early deflected strike after a long throw.

Callum Morton doubled the lead when he reacted quickly to tap in before late goals from Sam Hoskins and Andy Williams wrapped the game up.

Northampton only qualified for the play-offs by virtue of average points per game after League Two was curtailed because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

They leapfrogged Port Vale into the final qualifying position.

Oglethorpe commented: "The Cobblers dominated Exeter with some outstanding performances. There was great celebrations and myself and [co-commentator] Peter Walton were joyous in the press box.

"It was just the perfect evening in terms of football. It was utterly glorious."

Among his more unusual memories was a moment off the pitch, when Oglethorpe honoured a promise to get a tattoo if forward Sam Hoskins reached 20 goals in a season.

Hoskins hit the milestone with a strike against Doncaster in March 2023, and finished the season with 22 goals.

"Everything was right about [getting the tattoo.] It was a promotion season, Hoskins was League Two player of the season, he scored the winning goal to get them promoted at Tranmere.

"It was just a feel good month, a good time for the Cobblers, and that was reflected in the tattoo. I thought I was going to regret it, but I haven't.

"It was a great thing to do for a great player."

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