New director shares ‘spooky’ route to Cobblers role
The new director of a League One side said his involvement in the football club came about through a conversation “that sounded too spooky for words”.
Jersey-based businessman Nigel Le Quesne bought a 25% stake in the holding company that owns Northampton Town earlier this year.
Mr Le Quesne, as reported on the club’s website, revealed he had followed Northamptonshire County Cricket Club and other sports in Northampton for many years.
He said that the sports commentator, Jim Rosenthal, who is also a member of the club’s board of directors, told him about an “opportunity to get involved” at the Cobblers when Rosenthal was a guest at his corporate box at Tottenham Hotspur.
Mr Le Quesne, who is the chief executive of the JTC Group, was speaking during a visit to the club last week. His visit included attending a board meeting, watching the team train and a tour of the East Stand building work at Sixfields Stadium.
He said: “I have been a big football fan for many years and have been involved with clubs at an amateur level and I was in a position to get involved with a fantastic club like Northampton Town.
“This club ticked a lot of boxes for me. The community aspect of this club really comes through and if I can help push that forward even more that’s really important to me.
“I hope by getting involved I can make it just that little bit better for everyone around the club and that’s my aim.”
Mr Le Quesne previously owned Jersey Wanderers for 10 years and JTC have more recently been the main sponsor of Jersey Bulls FC, who play in the Combined Counties League Premier South division.
Northampton finished 14th in League One last season, following promotion in 2022-23.
Le Quesne was at Sixfields over the weekend, taking part in a full board meeting and watching training at Moulton College. He also enjoyed a tour of the East Stand building work and was in the stands for Saturday’s friendly against Peterborough Sports.