Chris Hogg 'pushed' for Matty Warhurst deal after watching striker star for Man City's youth sides

Hogg is a long-time admirer of the 19-year-old striker having watched him bang in the goals for City’s youth teams, however he was not the only one, with Stockport, Swindon, Cambridge and Burton all said to have shown an interest.

It seems surprising on the face of it that Warhurst ultimately chose Northampton given what happened last season but Hogg’s influence proved key. His father Paul, who played over 100 times in the Premier League, would no doubt have offered some sage advice, and though a loan at first looked the most likely scenario, the England Under-17s international pushed for a permanent switch.

With Hogg driving it forward and chief executive James Whiting in constant communication with Man City and Warhurst’s agent, the deal could have been completed earlier in the summer – it was all lined up before Cobblers went to St George’s Park – but eventually, on Tuesday morning, he became a Northampton Town player.

"He came onto my radar some time ago,” explained Hogg. “He’s a player I had been aware for a while so when I knew there was a possibility that we might be able to get him in, it was something I was really keen to do.

"I thank the club for backing me on it and making sure we were able to get him in the building. It was important for him for it to be a permanent signing and that was definitely something I pushed for.

"I know I'm not going to be here forever but I'll always try and make decisions as if I am going to be here forever and I'll do what's best for the club. No matter how long I'm here, I think Matty will do well for the club and I'm excited to work with him.”

Warhurst’s desire to make it a permanent move impressed Hogg, who added: "That shone through from the first time I met with him and he was excited by what we spoke about. He's a young player who has huge potential and my job is to try and help him fulfil that, but ultimately it's down to him because it's his career. We'll help him but with his mentality and how he is as a person, I'm sure he will do well.”

Strikers get their confidence from scoring goals and so even though it was only a pre-season, netting Town’s second against Southend on Wednesday evening would have done Warhurst the world of good. The fact that it was a poacher’s finish too bodes well.

"He's always in the centre of the goal and that's something we need,” continued Hogg. “We need more help in terms of creating chances and scoring goals and having a more all-round structure. He'll definitely add to that and we have players on that top line who can play a variety of positions, with (Elliott) Listy and Hosk (Sam Hoskins).

“It was great to see Harvey score a goal tonight as well. I'm delighted for him because he's been a big asset for us in pre-season.”

Cobblers fans should get their first glimpse of Warhurst when a Birmingham City XI visit Sixfields.

"That will be another good test on Saturday,” said Hogg. “It'll be nice to get back to Sixfields and get used to the pitch and the environment for the new players especially. We'll give it a right good go.

"We'll have to spin people around in certain positions to try and make sure we get what we need physically and build on the good things from tonight. It'll be another test out of possession but we also want to be more of a threat.”