Nolan's not surprised as Fitzsimons earns new deal after proving the doubters wrong

The 31-year-old arrived at Sixfields last summer with very little EFL experience having spent most of his career playing for various non-league sides, including successive seasons with Scunthorpe United in the National League North from 2023 to 2025.

However, he did play in League Two for Nolan’s Notts County between 2017 and 2019, and so the current Cobblers boss was well aware that he had the tools to succeed at a higher level, as he’s proven this season. After starting the campaign on the bench, an injury to Lee Burge in September presented an opportunity to Fitzsimons and he’s grabbed it with both hands.

He’s started each of the last 17 league games, keeping six clean sheets, and his excellent performances have now been rewarded with a new deal until the summer of 2027.

"I've known Ross for a long time so I was aware that he had the quality to be a success at this level,” said Nolan. “I know there was a lot of questions marks when he first came in but he kept 29 clean sheets for Scunthorpe last season and he was way above that level.

"He should never have been playing that low down and I think Scunthorpe knew that and they were lucky to have him, but Ross also took a chance on us because he came here for less money. You have to commend him for that.

"He wanted to come here and prove himself at this level and he's done that and he's rightly been rewarded by the club for the performances he's put in.

"It was unfortunate for Burgey when he picked up an injury but Ross came into the team and stayed in, and there's a real good camaraderie among the goalkeeping group and they're pushing each other all the time. I'm delighted with Ross.”