Northampton confirm departures of Mitch Pinnock and Aaron McGowan

Northampton Town have confirmed the departures of Mitch Pinnock and Aaron McGowan after the pair opted not to renew their contracts.

Both Pinnock and McGowan had been out of contract with the Cobblers at the end of the 2024/25 season and both had been offered new deals to stay at Sixfields.

But Northampton revealed that the duo will depart the club, with the pair leaving after 4 years at the club.

Pinnock and McGowan joined Northampton at the same time, with both leaving Kilmarnock in 2021 to move to Northampton.

30-year-old midfielder Pinnock had played every game for the Cobblers last season, having been voted Men’s Player of the Season. He leaves with a record of 25 goals in 200 appearances in all competitions.

Speaking to the official Northampton Town website, manager Kevin Nolan said a deal couldn’t be reached and he offered his best wishes to Pinnock.

He said, “Mitch had a fantastic season, he played every week but we haven’t been able to reach an agreement. He agreed we made him a fantastic offer but for family reasons he will be heading closer to home. Family is a big part of any decision and if you get something that suits you better closer to home it is a big pull and he leaves with our best wishes. He has been a fantastic servant to the club and we wish him well. We part on good terms.”

Meanwhile, defender McGowan leaves after his own 4 year spell with Northampton. He made 131 appearances in all competitions, including 35 league appearances in the just concluded season.

Nolan said that McGowan’s primary desire had been to relocate to a club closer to his wife and child, who are based in Liverpool, and Nolan said he accepted his reason why.

He said, “I spoke with Aaron and he was brilliant for us. His wife and newborn live in Liverpool and having spoken with his family it will be a lot to take on a new contract with us and it would make it 6 years away from his family if he was to stay here. He said the offer we made was really good but at this stage of his life he wants to be somewhere where he can go home every night to see his family grow up and I fully understand that.”

Reflecting on the loss of both players, Nolan said, “With both players it is nothing to do with the club or the offers, it is location and we part on excellent terms and wish both players all the very best and I can’t thank either player enough and those lads know they can pick up the phone to me any time if they need anything.”

Northampton have previously announced that club captain Jon Guthrie has opted to extend his contract at Sixfields, while they have also made their first three new signings ahead of next season after signing Jack Perkins, Jack Burroughs and Kamarai Swyer.

More signings are expected, with Nolan saying behind-the-scenes discussions on recruiting new players ahead of next season are ongoing.

He said, “I am really happy with where we are at the moment. We have recruitment meetings most days and we have more meetings lined up with players and agents. We are ready to keep moving forward and the most important thing is bringing players in who want to be with us and be part of who we are and what we are.”