Post by Gas Go Marching In on Feb 12, 2015 15:21:32 GMT
Seems Northampton fans are starting to take to the bloke...
www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/31439814
It started off as a joke between a group of friends, but on Saturday hundreds of Northampton Town fans will don wigs and headbands to mark John-Joe O'Toole Day.
More than 1,000 Cobblers supporters are making the trip to Mansfield, many of whom will be getting dressed up in honour of the 26-year-old midfielder.
Fan Dan Pearce had initially suggested the idea to friends on Facebook, but he believes more than 100 people have already committed to buying wigs for the weekend.
"We'd have still done it if there were six or seven of us. We'd have just looked like idiots," Pearson told BBC Sport.
"If even a 10th of the away support do it then that's just fantastic."
line
#JJOTDAY on Twitter
John-Joe O'Toole
John-Joe O'Toole has made five appearances for the Republic of Ireland Under-21s
Ollie: Forget Valentine's Day, EVERYONE get yourselves to Mansfield for #JJOTDay! Gonna be immense! #ntfc
James: Got my tickets and head band, but where are Cobblers fans getting their #JJOTDay wigs from please?? #ProudToBe
Vinnie: I wonder how cringey JJOT thinks #JJOTDay is
Leigh: John-Joe O'Toole to score the perfect hat-trick on #JJOTDay ntfc #ntfc
line
O'Toole, recognisable for his long, dark hair and trademark headband, joined Northampton in the summer from Bristol Rovers, where he scored 15 goals last season.
But the former Colchester and Watford man failed to live up to his initial billing at Sixfields, and was loaned out to Southend at the end of the year.
His return to Chris Wilder's side, though, has coincided with a run of five straight wins in League Two, which came to an end with a loss at Hartlepool on Tuesday.
Pearce, who is a project manager for a dental company, made sure he received O'Toole's approval this week.
"The first thing he asked was 'why?', which is fair enough as it's probably the most surreal moment of his career," said Pearce.
"When John was loaned out, I defended him. He gives the impression he's not interested, the way he walks around the pitch.
"But he is possibly the most technically impressive player we have had since Martin Smith. He has the potential to become a real cult hero."
O'Toole has helped lift Northampton from 20th in League Two to 13th.
"It'll be quite a sight seeing everyone with the big old wigs on," he said.
"The lads have been poking fun at me. They've threatened to tie me down and shave off all my hair.
"My mum and dad are coming. I don't think they've got wigs yet.
"I need to stay focused, but if we win I can celebrate and have a jolly with them afterwards."
www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/31439814
It started off as a joke between a group of friends, but on Saturday hundreds of Northampton Town fans will don wigs and headbands to mark John-Joe O'Toole Day.
More than 1,000 Cobblers supporters are making the trip to Mansfield, many of whom will be getting dressed up in honour of the 26-year-old midfielder.
Fan Dan Pearce had initially suggested the idea to friends on Facebook, but he believes more than 100 people have already committed to buying wigs for the weekend.
"We'd have still done it if there were six or seven of us. We'd have just looked like idiots," Pearson told BBC Sport.
"If even a 10th of the away support do it then that's just fantastic."
line
#JJOTDAY on Twitter
John-Joe O'Toole
John-Joe O'Toole has made five appearances for the Republic of Ireland Under-21s
Ollie: Forget Valentine's Day, EVERYONE get yourselves to Mansfield for #JJOTDay! Gonna be immense! #ntfc
James: Got my tickets and head band, but where are Cobblers fans getting their #JJOTDay wigs from please?? #ProudToBe
Vinnie: I wonder how cringey JJOT thinks #JJOTDay is
Leigh: John-Joe O'Toole to score the perfect hat-trick on #JJOTDay ntfc #ntfc
line
O'Toole, recognisable for his long, dark hair and trademark headband, joined Northampton in the summer from Bristol Rovers, where he scored 15 goals last season.
But the former Colchester and Watford man failed to live up to his initial billing at Sixfields, and was loaned out to Southend at the end of the year.
His return to Chris Wilder's side, though, has coincided with a run of five straight wins in League Two, which came to an end with a loss at Hartlepool on Tuesday.
Pearce, who is a project manager for a dental company, made sure he received O'Toole's approval this week.
"The first thing he asked was 'why?', which is fair enough as it's probably the most surreal moment of his career," said Pearce.
"When John was loaned out, I defended him. He gives the impression he's not interested, the way he walks around the pitch.
"But he is possibly the most technically impressive player we have had since Martin Smith. He has the potential to become a real cult hero."
O'Toole has helped lift Northampton from 20th in League Two to 13th.
"It'll be quite a sight seeing everyone with the big old wigs on," he said.
"The lads have been poking fun at me. They've threatened to tie me down and shave off all my hair.
"My mum and dad are coming. I don't think they've got wigs yet.
"I need to stay focused, but if we win I can celebrate and have a jolly with them afterwards."