Curle felt the time was right for McCormack to leave Cobblers

Keith Curle felt Alan McCormack would not have played enough matches to satisfy his appetite for the game next season, hence why the midfielder was not offered a new contract.

The 36-year-old helped the Cobblers win promotion through the League Two play-offs but is set to depart after just one year at the club.

McCormack is well-liked by fans and was often a high-quality performer in midfield, however he did miss large chunks of the season through injury.

And with the Cobblers set to go up a level next season, Curle made the 'difficult' decision to release him.

"Alan was my first meeting this morning," said the Town boss. "I met him at half eight and it was important to meet face-to-face.

"It was a difficult conversation but a realistic conversation because I know where Alan is at - he wants to play games and he needs to play games.

"There are some similarities between Alan and myself when I was 37, 38. Neil (Warnock) at the time wanted me to go into coaching and do coaching but he also knew that I still had a desire and I wanted to play games.

"That's where I am at now. I think Alan will go into coaching and management but he's still got that desire to play games and that's important and most former footballers will tell you to play as long as you can.

"That was my message to Alan. I told him that I think he has a lot to offer, both as a player and a professional, and he's still got game-time in him and he needs to go and play more games.

"He understood and he agreed and the pleasing thing is that he's enjoyed his time here and he's enjoyed his connection with the club.

"But he wanted to play more games and he knows he would have played more games without the injuries. Would he have accepted going up a level and potentially not playing as many games? I don't think that would have been the right way for Alan to continue his career."