Full-back Moloney explains reasons behind his Cobblers exit

Former Cobblers full-back Brendan Moloney admits he would have remained with the Cobblers for another 'season or two' had the circumstances been different at the time of his departure in 2018.

The 31-year-old had played over 100 games and was three and a half years into his time at Northampton when he departed shortly after the club were relegated from Sky Bet League One.

Moloney was initially offered the opportunity to sign a new deal at the end of the season but he felt he would only be second choice to Shay Facey the following season, paving the way for his exit in June.

"I was going to stay at Northampton and play for another season or two before moving on and concentrate on my coaching career," explained the Irishman.

"I was verbally offered a contract but I also had another contract on the table from Plymouth at the time.

"I went down there for a meeting but I didn't get the right feeling. I was at a stage in my career where I was never going to go somewhere like Plymouth if it wasn't absolutely right.

"Coming towards the end of the season, I just got a real determination to go into coaching and try that. I met Dean but Jimmy (Floyd Hasselbaink) had brought in Shay Facey earlier in the season and to be honest I'm not sure Dean really fancied me.

"Northampton verbally said they wanted to offer me something but I didn't feel they were massively interested in keeping me on and that was fine. There were no problems.

"I think Dean wanted Shay to be his number one right-back and he didn't see me playing too much the following season.

"I didn't fancy going to Plymouth either and as it went on more and more, I thought I'm going to go with my gut feeling here and just go down a different path.

"I think some people found that strange but you have to go with your gut and what you think is right."

Whilst Moloney still has fond memories of his time at the club, he admits he did become increasingly frustrated by injuries.

"I probably had the best season of my career at the club but then the relegation a couple of years later was obviously a big disappointment," he added.

"I played over 100 games but if I didn't have any injuries, I would have probably played over 200 because I did get very unfortunate with injuries, but it happens.

"The knee injury kept coming back. I'd get going for three or four months and eventually find my form again and I'd play really well for a few games and the next thing it comes up again and I'd miss a few weeks.

"Then you have to start it all over again so in that sense it was very frustrating but that's the way it is and you can't feel sorry for yourself. You have to look at the positive side and overall I had a really good time at the club."