Football Season Guide

League 1

England

League 1

2025/2026

Northampton Town

In

Ross Fitzsimons (Goalkeeper, Scunthorpe United); Conor McCarthy (Defender, Barnsley); Jack Burroughs (Defender, Coventry City); Joe Wormleighton (Defender, Leicester City); Jordan Thorniley (Defender, Oxford United, Season-long loan); Michael Forbes (Defender, West Ham United, Season-long loan); Dean Campbell (Midfielder, Barrow); Jack Perkins (Midfielder, Nottingham Forest); Kamarai Swyer (Midfielder, West Ham United); Michael Jacobs (Midfielder, Chesterfield); Tyrese Fornah (Midfielder, Derby County); Elliott List (Attacker, Stevenage); Ethan Wheatley (Attacker, Manchester United, Season-long loan)

Out

Nik Tzanev (sp) (Goalkeeper, Newport County); Aaron McGowan (r) (Defender, released); Akin Odimayo (sp) (Defender, released); Ali Koiki (Defender, released); Harvey Lintott (Defender, Eastbourne Borough); Liam McCarron (Defender, released); Luke Mbete (sp) (Defender, Manchester City, Loan ended); Patrick Brough (Defender, Tranmere Rovers); TJ Eyoma (sp) (Defender, Lommel SK); Tyler Magloire (sp) (Defender, released); Ben Perry (r) (Midfielder, Northampton Town, Loan ended); Jack Sowerby (sp) (Midfielder, released); Mitch Pinnock (k) (Midfielder, Bromley); Reuben Wyatt (Midfielder, released); Terry Taylor (r) (Midfielder, Charlton Athletic, Loan ended); Samy Chouchane (Midfielder, Brighton & Hove Albion, Loan ended); Tariqe Fosu-Henry (sp) (Midfielder, released); Will Hondermarck (Midfielder, Bromley); Callum Morton (Attacker, Salford City, Loan ended); Dara Costelloe (r) (Attacker, Burnley, Loan ended); James Wilson (Attacker, released); Tyler Roberts (sp) (Attacker, Birmingham City, Loan ended)

Northampton Town have been punching above their weight in their two seasons in League One. Manager Jon Brady guided the Cobblers to promotion in 2023 and a 14th-place finish in 2024 but last season was one too far for the Australian, who fell on his sword following an ignominious F.A. Cup exit at the hands of non-league neighbours Kettering Town in December. Kevin Nolan was chosen as his successor, despite not having managed since being sacked by Notts County in August 2018. It proved to be a good decision as he successful guided the team to safety. It was an ever-better achievement when judged against a horrendous injury list. It was a problem for his predecessor too, with several players suffering long-term injuries, placing a real strain on the squad and subsequent recruitment. Captain Jon Guthrie was a notable absentee after rupturing his ACL on New Year’s Day and Liam Shaw suffered a similar fate having made just eight appearances following his January move from Fleetwood Town. Nolan has used the summer to clear out the big squad he inherited. The most notable departure is winger Mitchell Pinnock, who has played an integral part in the Cobblers success over the last 2-3 seasons. He rejected a new contract to join League Two Bromley. A completely new back-four could line up on the opening day of the season in full-backs Jack Burroughs and Joe Wormleighton and centre-backs Conor McCarthy and Jordan Thorniley. Midfielders Dean Campbell and Tyrese Fornah both impressed for Barrow and Salford City in League Two last season. Keeping hold of attacking midfielder Cameron McGeehan will make a difference but like many clubs there are still issues to address in attack, especially with injuries having reduced the influence of Sam Hoskins. Elliott List has joined from Stevenage but further additions are certainly needed.

Target

Survival - Nolan will be looking to stamp both his authority and preferred style of play in his first full season in charge. Steering clear of a relegation battle is clearly the primary objective.