After finishing rock bottom of the Second Division last season, and in serious financial trouble, the future looked bleak for Northampton Town. However, successful local businessman David Cardoza has replaced Barry Stonehill as chairman and he is reported to have immediately cleared the club of their £2 million debt.
Furthermore, Cardoza has made substantial funds available for manager Martin Wilkinson to strengthen the side and the Cobblers have wasted no time in bringing a number of new faces to Sixfields.
Wilkinson's first foray into the transfer market was to sign Blackburn Rovers midfielder Marc Richards. The 20-year-old enjoyed a successful loan spell at Swansea City at the end of lest season, scoring seven goals in 14 games to help the Swans avoid relegation to the Conference.
Wilkinson said: "Marc is only a young lad and for him to go there and play a big part in getting them out of the mess they were in shows great mental toughness. Before, he was on loan at Crewe and Oldham and he has a lot of potential. I think that he will do well for us".
Wilkinson has also confirmed that he will be signing released Wimbledon defender Chris Wilmott, Hull striker Lawrie Dudfield and Rotherham defender Tom Smith, all on free transfers. Dudfield became Hull's record signing when former Tigers manager Brian little paid £250,000 for him just over two years ago. Although he had 12 months to run on his contract at Hull he agreed to take a wage cut in order to seal the move to Northampton.
"Lawrie was sold for a lot of money as a young lad and then went trough a tough time at Hull when the club went trough two or three managers in a short space of time," said Wilkinson. "He came here on loan at the end of the season and he got better with each game he has played and we feel he deserved his contract."
The club has also had a bid for Everton defender Peter Clarke turned down, but Wilkinson remains hopeful of getting his man. The Premiership club have set a £500,000 asking price for the former England Under 21 centre half, who has a year left on his contract at Goodison Park. The snub comes just 24 hours after Stockport County turned down the Cobblers' £400,000 offer for leading goalscorer Luke Beckett.
"Stockport have told us that they want £800,000 for Beckett which we are not prepared to do," said Wilkinson. "I just find that figure amazing in the current climate of transfer fees. It is unbelievable. I'm not knocking Beckett, who is a proven goalscorer and someone who would be a big asset to this club, but this is a lad who has only ever done it in the lower leagues."
Wilkinson admitted that there are going to be more arrivals before the start of next season. "We've got a plan, a criteria for players we want. We probably need two more defenders, and a midfielder to add to the blend and balance of the team," said Wilkinson. "We also want two more strikers, and I'm on about goalscorers but they are not always easy to find."
Northampton's forays into the transfer market have not gone unnoticed by the bookies, who have shortened the club's odds to win the league next season from 20/1 to 10/1. If the spending continues the Cobblers could well be vying for Third Division favouritism before the big kick-off.
