Northampton Town players reject contract offers

Aaron McGowan and Mitch Pinnock set to depart after refusing new deals

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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Northampton Town manager Kevin Nolan has confirmed that long-serving players Aaron McGowan and Mitch Pinnock will be leaving the club after rejecting new contract offers. The two players have been key members of the team but have decided not to extend their stays at Sixfields Stadium.

Why it matters

The departures of McGowan and Pinnock represent a significant loss of experience and talent for Northampton Town as they look to build on recent seasons and push for promotion from League Two. The club will now need to find suitable replacements to fill the void left by the two players.

The details

McGowan and Pinnock have both been with Northampton Town for several years, establishing themselves as important first-team players. However, the club was unable to reach an agreement with the duo on new contracts, leading to their impending exits. Nolan expressed disappointment at losing the experienced pair but acknowledged the club's need to move forward.

  • McGowan and Pinnock's current contracts are set to expire at the end of the 2025-26 season.

The players

Aaron McGowan

A long-serving defender who has been with Northampton Town for several seasons.

Mitch Pinnock

A midfield player who has also been a key member of the Northampton Town squad for multiple years.

Kevin Nolan

The manager of Northampton Town, who confirmed the departures of McGowan and Pinnock.

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What they’re saying

“We're disappointed to be losing Aaron and Mitch, but we understand their decision and wish them all the best for the future.”

— Kevin Nolan, Northampton Town Manager (foxsports.com)

What’s next

Northampton Town will now need to identify and sign suitable replacements for McGowan and Pinnock ahead of the upcoming season.

The takeaway

The departures of experienced players like McGowan and Pinnock highlight the challenges faced by smaller clubs in retaining their top talent, even when those players have been loyal servants for many years.