Chris Doig so happy to be back at Sixfields after 'surprise' call from new Cobblers boss

The 45-year-old, a defender in his playing days, made nearly 150 appearances for Cobblers between 2003 and 2009 and was part of Colin Calderwood’s promotion-winning team in 2006. He also represented Nottingham Forest, York City, Grimsby Town and Australian outfit Central Coast Mariners.

Since retiring, Doig has held various coaching roles, including assistant manager to Paul Hurst at the likes of Ipswich, Shrewsbury and Grimsby, but earlier this week it was announced that he has returned to Sixfields as Chris Hogg’s number two after Cobblers agreed a compensation package with Boston United.

"It feels good to be back,” said Doig. “It’s nice but a bit strange. I had four really good years at the club and made a lot of good friends and it’s been so nice to see so many familiar faces. It feels comforting to be here again.

"There’s also been some big, big improvements to the club. The East Stand looks magnificent, the club have done great to get it up, and it makes a big difference to the ground. The training ground is very different too and it’s a big improvement. Of course we’ll make to look more improvements as we go but we have a great base to build from.”

Doig first came across Northampton’s new boss when he moved to Ipswich alongside Hurst. Hogg was working in the academy at the time.

"I struck up a relationship with Chris at Ipswich straightaway,” explained Doig. “I liked the way he worked, I liked the way he coached and I liked his values. We like to treat people the same way and we just built up a really strong connection.

"I was heavily involved in getting Chris promoted to the first-team with us at Ipswich, although that didn’t last very long because we got sacked quite quickly! But I could see what he could add and I liked him as a person first and foremost.

"We got on really well and we’ve stayed in touch and that relationship has got stronger as the years have gone by. It was a nice surprise when he called and told me that he was speaking to Northampton and wanted to see if I was interested in joining him.”