By Jon Wilkinson BBC Radio Northampton

Back in December 1993, few would have predicted that a 25-year-old defender on loan from Sunderland would make 449 appearances and later lead Northampton Town to one of the greatest nights in their history, beating Liverpool at Anfield.

But Cobblers manager Ian Sampson marks a 17-year association with the club this month, and can reflect on a career that has spanned promotion, relegation and unlikely Cup successes.

"I didn't think I'd last seven months at one stage," Sampson jokes, recalling a bad start to his playing career, joining in the middle of a Cobblers 15-match run without a win.

"But I'm a fairly loyal person, I was happy with my work and the environment created by Northampton. When you're happy, you don't look to go anywhere else."

John Barnwell was in charge at the start of the 1993/94 season, and brought Sampson to the club.

"He was a young player at Sunderland and, in my opinion, he had a lot more to achieve," recalls Barnwell.

"He was a student of the game, and he played that way. He was good around the dressing room, and a deep thinker about the game."

Although Barnwell would depart in December 1994, Sampson would flourish at Sixfields. Under Ian Atkins, he played in the 1996/97 Division Two play-off final at Wembley, which saw the Cobblers promoted.

The team suffered relegation to Division Three in 1999, only to bounce back the following season.

During this time, Sampson was an ever-present. He was named the club's Player of the Season in 2001, and by the time of his retirement in 2004, he was second in Northampton Town's all-time appearance list, behind Tommy Fowler.

If I enjoy my next 17 years as much as I've enjoyed my last, if it's at Northampton, fantastic Ian Sampson

He took up a position in the coaching staff, working with the youth teams and as assistant manager.

BBC Radio Northampton's Tim Oglethorpe has watched the club for 42 years, and commentated on matches since 1997.

"He was a successful and popular player, with an association at the club stretching back - incredibly - to Northampton's days at the County Ground," he says.

"That longevity and loyalty was always going to give him a head-start in terms of gaining respect from the fans when he became manager."

That day came in September 2009, when Stuart Gray was sacked. His assistant took over as caretaker, and earned a three-year deal in March 2010.

"I think I've done a five-year apprenticeship in coaching," Sampson had said.

"I'm going to give it 100%."

The results slowly improved, despite one win in eight during November and December, and when they racked up 12 wins in 18 games after Boxing Day, the Cobblers challenged for a play-off position last season.

Five straight league defeats in October 2010 have been another low for Sampson in management.

But there was a high for the boss and the club when Northampton Town defeated Liverpool at Anfield in the third round of the League Cup.

The Cobblers shocked the Premier League Club by taking the lead, having fallen behind, and eventually winning 4-2 on penalties.

Sampson added Malcolm Crosby as his assistant in September 2009

Sampson celebrated as happily as any fan inside the stadium that night in September. The smile on his face, and his first words to the media, will live long in the memory.

"It's brilliant", he enthused at the time.

"I thought I was José Mourinho running down the touchline!"

"I'm very proud as a manager, and to win at Anfield, it's never been done by Northampton Town."

Sampson knows that being a manager is far more precarious than being a player at a club, but in his 17 years at Northampton, he knows better than most how to ride out the tough times.

"There are always highs and lows. If I enjoy my next 17 years as much as I've enjoyed my last, if it's at Northampton, fantastic."

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