Oxford United boss Ian Atkins and Northampton Town reached an 11th hour settlement in their dispute over a claim by Atkins that he was owed money from when he was sacked as Cobblers manager in October 1999.

Ian AtkinsBoth parties alleged the other had broken the terms of his termination of contract through breaches of confidentiality in a series of newspaper articles between 1999 and 2000.

Atkins launched an action to claim the money he said he was owed and he was backed by the League Managers' Association.

The settlement was reached virtually on the steps of Birmingham County Court and although neither party would reveal the sum involved, it is understood to run into tens of thousands of pounds.

"I'm quite happy because I got what I was after," Atkins said. "It should never have gone that far, but they are the ones who have had to pay all the costs."

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