Northampton Town

Shots seeking Johnson replacement
Aldershot have begun the search for a replacement for defender Brett Johnson, who has agreed to join Northampton. As the 19-year-old is under 24, the Conference club are entitled to a fee - and if the clubs cannot agree, the matter will be taken to a tribunal. "He may have been better serving another year with us, but we wish him well," chairman Karl Prentice said. Boss Terry Brown hopes to add another experienced defender to his squad in the wake of the teenager's departure.

Cobblers complete quartet capture
Northampton boss Colin Calderwood has completed the signings of four players to bolster his squad for the new term. Released Nottingham Forest duo Chris Doig, 24, who plays at centre-half and midfielder Eoin Jess, 34, have both arrived at the Sixfields Stadium. Defender Brett Johnson, 19, has made the move to the Cobbers on a two-year deal from Conference side Aldershot. Veteran midfielder Ian Taylor, 37, has also joined up with the side after spending two seasons with Derby County.

Taylor is impressed with Cobblers
New signing Ian Taylor admitted to being "very impressed with the set-up" after joining Northampton Town. The midfielder, 37, who has joined from Derby, told the club's website: "Even though the club is only in League Two, it is a very nice little ground. "I had nine very good years at Aston Villa - playing for the team I support was fantastic, it was something I'd always dreamed of. "I'm sure every Northampton fan would love to play for their local team."

Graham could earn Cobblers deal
Northampton Town manager Colin Calderwood has admitted that young defender Luke Graham could yet be handed a contract with the Cobblers. Graham, 19, was not offered a new deal at the end of last season, but has joined Town's trip to Austria. "I am keen to offer Luke something - he could have a bright future," boss Colin Calderwood told the club website. "If he does sign, the plan is for him to go out on loan gaining experience, possibly at non-league level." Graham, a Wales Under-19 international had loan spells with Aylesbury United and Kettering Town last season, but has not yet appeared for the Cobblers' first team.

Training camp pleases Calderwood
Colin Calderwood says Northampton's pre-season training is more effective because he has taken them away to a specialist training camp in Austria. The Cobblers manager told BBC Radio Northampton: "If we stay at home it's more difficult to get all the players in on time for early morning running. "By coming to a camp we're in a working environment where the minds of the players are concentrated. "We're all together all day and we can use our time more wisely."

Northampton sign Watford's Dyche
Northampton Town have signed defender Sean Dyche from Watford. The centre-back, 34, has agreed a two-year deal after being released by the Championship side. Kettering-born Dyche had been club captain at Watford where he started 74 games in three seasons following a move from Millwall. Dyche, who also had previous spells at Bristol City and Chesterfield, becomes Cobblers manager Colin Calderwood's sixth new signing of the summer.

Jaszczun seals move to Rochdale
Rochdale have completed the capture of Northampton defender Tommy Jaszczun. The 27-year-old left-sided player has signed a two-year contract at Spotland after failing to agree a new deal with the Cobblers. "It's a fresh start and I'm really looking forward to the new season. I'm coming here with a more attacking role in mind," he told Dale's website. The ex-Aston Villa trainee spent one season with Northampton following a lengthy spell with Blackpool.

Calderwood content as tour ends
Northampton manager Colin Calderwood was pleased to finish their tour of Austria with a 0-0 draw against Red Bull Salzburg on Friday. "We will see the benefit of the work we have put in out here in the next seven to 10 days, and that was always the plan," he told the club website. "Sean Dyche looked very solid at the back, and Eoin Jess got 90 minutes under his belt. "And we haven't picked up any fresh injuries, which is very pleasing."

Cobblers squad impress Calderwood
Northampton boss Colin Calderwood has been impressed by the attitude of his players during their pre-season build-up to the new season. The Cobblers squad are back after a tour to Austria. And he told the club's website: "As well as training hard we held a number of team meetings in Austria and the response from the players was good. "They were all pro-active, professional and their commitment and dedication was clear to see." He added: "There is already a good harmony through the squad."

Cobblers cancel pre-season match
Northampton Town have cancelled Wednesday's pre-season friendly against Hucknall Town. The Cobblers had intended to play their first team squad but have been hit by a number of injuries to nine players. Boss Colin Calderwood told the club website: "The Hucknall game wouldn't be ideal and we'd be forced to play people who would not benefit from the match. "The players will gain far more from a week's rehabilitation than being forced to play in a game."

Bunn targeting number one shirt
Northampton youth team player Mark Bunn has warned first-choice goalkeeper Lee Harper that he wants his place in the starting line-up. "I try and watch Lee as closely as I can and base my game on him, he's such a good goalkeeper," the 20-year-old told the club website. "But I want to push him all the way and make him feel a lot of pressure from me wanting his place. "I spent most of last season on the bench. I don't want to do that again."

Northampton 1-0 Birmingham City
A strong Birmingham side were upset by League Two outfit Northampton, who triumphed 1-0 at Sixfields. The Blues had several chances but Josh Low scored the only goal of the game for the Cobblers in the second half. Northampton keeper Mark Bunn saved well from Emile Heskey and Julian Gray, while Clinton Morrison also went close for Birmingham with a lobbed effort. At the other end Andy Kirk had the home side's best other effort when his shot was kept out by Nico Vaesen.

Kirk ready to start for Cobblers
Northern Ireland international Andy Kirk says he is fit and ready to play in Northampton's trip to Shrewbury this coming Saturday. He came on to play 30 minutes of their draw with Wrexham, after recovering from a pre-season injury, and says he will be fit to start next time out. "The week coming up to the season I was feeling really good in myself, then I got that injury," he said. "I was determined to get fit because I can't watch football, I hate it."

Northampton 3-0 QPR
Northampton booked their place in the second round of the Carling Cup after cruising past 10-man QPR. Andy Kirk's lob on 19 minutes put the home side ahead before Ian Evatt was sent off in first-half stoppage time for a foul on Kirk. Scott McGleish added a second on 62 minutes with a superb overhead kick from a Josh Low free-kick. And the win was sealed in the final minute when Eric Sabin scored a penalty after being fouled in the box. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Northampton: Bunn, Bojic, Dyche, Chambers, Crowe, Low (Gilligan 85), Hunt, Taylor, Jess, Kirk (Dudfield 81), McGleish (Sabin 72). Subs Not Used: Harper, Galbraith. Goals: Kirk 19, McGleish 62, Sabin 90 pen. QPR: Royce, Ukah, Evatt, Shimmin, Milanese, Miller, Bircham (Baidoo 59), Bean, Brown (Bignot 46), Gallen, Moore. Subs Not Used: Cole, Hislop, Bailey. Sent Off: Evatt (45). Booked: Miller, Bean, Moore, Ukah. Att: 4,537. Ref: A Hall (W Midlands).

Calderwood welcomes Johnson swoop
Northampton boss Colin Calderwood has hailed the swap deal with Boston which brought Gavin Johnson to Sixfields and took Lawrie Dudfield to York Street. Johnson, 34, had only joined Boston two months ago, but has agreed a deal until the end of the season at the Cobblers. "He can play in any position down the left-hand side and has a lot of experience at this level and higher," Calderwood told his club's website. Dudfield, 25, had been on non-contract terms at Northampton before his move. Boston boss Steve Evans told his club's website: "Lawrie is a proven goalscorer at our level, and I have no doubt he will be a good addition." "Gavin has had plenty on his plate recently (with family illness) and this move will allow him to spend more time at home."

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