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Club to post sign language goal celebration gifs

James Grant
BBC News, Northamptonshire
Northampton Town Football Club Man in Northampton shirt using sign languageNorthampton Town Football Club
Defender Aaron McGowan g 'A'

Northampton Town FC will post gifs of their players using sign language on social media whenever they score this season.

Rather than players posing for goal celebrations online, the team will sign their initials and their squad number in British Sign Language (BSL).

The initiative is led by deaf er Abbie Davies, who said she "had a fun day" teaching the players.

Ms Davies said she was "delighted" the idea had become a reality, and hoped younger fans would be inspired to "learn BSL".

Peter Norton/ Getty Captain Jon Gutherie in a yellow football top and burgundy shorts looks to the football at a stadium. Peter Norton/ Getty
Captain Jon Gutherie hoped the new initiative would raise awareness

Ms Davies said former player Clarke Carlisle signed to her when she was an eight-year-old mascot.

She said the gesture "made me feel so special...having that recognition that someone I looked up to and watched every week, knew how to communicate with me".

Cobblers' captain, Jon Gutherie, said: “We know we have a number of ers who use British Sign Language and we hope this helps raise awareness."

He added: “The more goals we score, the more views the goal gifs will get and that will only be good news for everyone.”

The new posts might be used this weekend as Northampton Town start the season at Bristol Rovers.

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