Cobblers did not have a 'bottom-four budget' despite relegation

Cobblers did not have a 'bottom-four budget' this season despite their relegation from League One, according to chief executive James Whiting.

Town look set to finish 22nd in Sky Bet League One this season unless they better Rochdale's result on the final weekend of the season.

But Whiting revealed on Wednesday that last summer's budget was not among the four lowest in the division.

"We had a competitive budget this season, it wasn't a bottom-four budget despite the challenges of COVID," he said.

"We had a budget that was above the bottom four in the division so ultimately, when you end up in that bottom four, you have to look at everything and review it and see where positive changes need to be made going forward."

Asked if he regretted not providing then-manager Keith Curle with a bigger budget, chairman Kelvin Thomas said: "You can always put more money in. You look at Blackpool on Saturday, they probably have a budget two or three times our budget and then you look at Sunderland and their budget will be four or five times ours.

"It's a budget that we stayed up with the first time we were in League One. It was a similar budget to that but in terms of COVID and the budget, we won't be relegated breaking even this year.

"It's not a break-even season, that's for sure. Whether you put in a million pounds in or two million in, it might not seem much to some people but it is to others.

"I don't think the budget is a regret I would have. There are probably some other decisions that I would regret more, that's for sure."