Work restarts on long-awaited Northampton Town East Stand

Diggers are clearing ground behind the East Stand at Sixfields

A construction firm has said it had started preparatory work to finish a long-awaited football stadium stand.

ISC Contracting's staff and machinery are working on the East Stand at Northampton Town Football Club (NTFC).

The firm released a video on Instagram showing diggers in action at the back of the stadium and lines being painted on the ground.

Fans have responded by saying the pictures were "wonderful to see" and "it's Christmas all over again".

The plan to redevelop the East Stand at Sixfields was first announced in 2013 and Buckingham Group, the main contractor, started work the following year.

Buckingham Group stopped work within a year, saying they had not been paid, and downed tools again the following year for the same reason.

The video released by ISC Contracting shows the uncompleted East Stand at Sixfields from the air

Very little happened on site for eight years and then, while the football club was waiting for a new quote from them, Buckingham Group went into liquidation.

In November 2023, the GRS Group was chosen as the new main contractor.

GRS Group chief executive Jon Fisher said: "With our local connections, we understand the importance to the club and the community of this project, and we are looking forward to getting on site, completing the job, and for the fans to be using the East Stand fully once again."

The video released by ISC Contracting show the ground at Sixfields being sprayed

ISC Contracting, which is part of GRS Group, said in its post: "As we kick of the preparatory phase (of the stadium work), we can't wait to see this project progress".

One fan commented: "You have no idea how happy this makes me!!!

"Years and years supporters have been waiting for this."