Northampton boss Keith Curle ‘proud’ after securing first promotion as a manager

Keith Curle admits he is “proud” to have filled a void on his CV after guiding Northampton to promotion with a crushing 4-0 victory over 10-man Exeter in the Sky Bet League Two play-off final.

Cobblers boss Curle celebrated the maiden promotion of a six-club managerial career which began in 2002 following goals from Ryan Watson, Callum Morton, Sam Hoskins and substitute Andy Williams at an empty Wembley.

Northampton controlled the behind-closed-doors contest from start to finish to end a two-year absence from League One.

“I’m very proud, very proud of the work we’ve done at the football club,” said Curle.

“Being selfish as a manager, I know I needed a promotion and everybody knew that and I don’t shy away from that.

“The chairman, when I came to the football club, I was honest and I told him, ‘I need a promotion and I need a club that believes what I’m going to try and do’.

“The chairman, the owners, they’ve allowed me to create an environment and a platform for me to work that is very enjoyable.”

Having lost on penalties to Huddersfield as Mansfield boss in this fixture in 2004, his current side never looked like repeating that disappointment following first-half strikes from Watson and Morton.

A 59th-minute red card for Dean Moxey following a late lunge at Watson effectively ended Exeter’s hopes of a fightback before Hoskins and Williams compounded their misery.

Curle admitted it was strange playing in a 90,000-seater stadium without fans and praised his players for executing his game plan.

“It is surreal and I sympathise and empathise with the supporters who weren’t able to be there,” said Curle.

“But our focus was on, we had to represent the football club and we had to represent them and we had to stick to our beliefs and the main conversation with the players was about us.

“Our mindset was on, we needed to turn up, we needed to make sure our fundamentals were in place.

“We’ve just repeatedly gone over our fundamentals. Credit to the players because sometimes it can be a little boring, a little bit monotonous but it’s how I work because if you get the fundamentals and the foundation right it gives you a platform.”