Testimonial planned for Cobblers' 'legend' Hoskins

Sam Hoskins' service to Northampton Town will be celebrated with a number of events during the 2025-26 season

A "club legend" will be rewarded with a special testimonial match after 10 years of commitment to a League One side.

Northampton Town announced that it will welcome Birmingham City to Sixfields Stadium in a pre-season friendly on 26 July, in a fixture that will celebrate Sam Hoskins' decade with the Cobblers.

The attacking midfielder signed on a free transfer from Yeovil Town in August 2015 and is now the third-highest appearance maker in Northampton's 128-year history.

Hoskins, 32, who is also fourth on the club's all-time top goalscorers' table, said he was "really grateful" to the newly-promoted Blues for agreeing to be the opposition for the match.

Hoskins, who is under contract with the Cobblers until 2026, said: "There should be a lot of excitement around the game. It is being played the week before the season starts and just before Birmingham return to the Championship of course, so we are looking forward to seeing a good crowd at Sixfields."

Northampton manager Kevin Nolan said: "It will be a game where our focus will be on the preparations for the season, but it will also give us a chance to pay tribute and recognise Sam for his dedication, service and commitment for the club and we hope Cobblers fans will turn out in numbers to show their appreciation for a true club legend."

The club said the fixture will kick-off at 15:00 BST, but added that ticket details would be communicated "in due course".

It added that the game with Birmingham City would be "the first in a number of events to take place throughout the 2025-26 campaign as part of the Sam Hoskins testimonial season".

Northampton Town's Sam Hoskins battles for the ball against Birmingham's Alfons Sampsted. The two clubs met twice in the 2024-2025 season, ending 1-1 each time

Sam Hoskins: A decade by numbers

• 417: Appearances for Northampton Town in all competitions

• 97: Goals for the Cobblers in all competitions (including 88 league goals)

• Three: Promotions (2015-16, 2019-20 & 2022-23 all from League Two to League One)

• Two: Relegations (2017-18 & 2020-21, both from League One to League Two)

• One: Tattoo on a BBC Radio Northampton commentator inspired by Hoskins' goalscoring record