James Whiting on relegation, season tickets and future plans

Discussing Northampton’s campaign in detail in the matchday programme ahead of Saturday’s game against Doncaster Rovers, Whiting addressed a number of topics...

Relegation

“All of us are hugely disappointed and we are all hurt by what has happened over the last few months. I think it is fair to say the first half of this season went really well, we were probably exceeding expectations to be in the top ten the weekend before Christmas but since then, results have not been of the required standard. I don’t think anyone saw that coming and it is to our intense frustration that we have not been able to arrest the slide over the second half of the season and all of us at the club are culpable in that. Relegation hurts. There is never one reason for a relegation, it is a combination of different factors, and lessons will be learned.”

Financial challenges

“The annual accounts were published recently and those figures, along with the reported losses from other clubs, laid bare the challenges we face. Player wage inflation in League One has gone through the roof in the last few years, even since our promotion in 2023 and while we have increased our playing budget significantly, we cannot compete with some of the money other clubs are throwing around. We are ambitious and determined to do all we can to keep taking the club forward, but not at the risk of the club’s existence.

“We have showed for two and a half years we can compete at this level against some of the huge budgets clubs have, with success coming from the environment and culture at the club and being successful in the transfer and loan market, getting good value for every pound spent. But we have had a very disappointing few months in an unforgiving league and that is why we are where we are.”

Future

"After a decade where we have spent more time in League One than League Two, which is a vast improvement on the club’s league status over any period since the 1970s, we find ourselves back in League Two but with renewed energy, ambition and determination to bounce back as soon as we can. It won’t be easy, but that is our aim and we have a proved track record of doing so.”

Manager search

“It promises to be a busy summer, starting with the appointment of a new manager. We started a very thorough process as soon as the previous manager departed and we are excited about the high calibre of managers that are part of this process and that are available this summer. We will share much more information with you over the coming weeks and months as we begin to take positive steps forward.”

Season tickets

“Thank you for your support, we are sorry we have not been able to deliver another season of League One football but we will be back. We know that the second half of this season has not been what we or anyone else was hoping for or expecting, and we very much value, appreciate and thank you for the loyalty you have shown in purchasing a season ticket for next season. We will be doing all we can to ensure that next season is a much better season for the club to thank you for your loyal support, it does not go unnoticed.”