McGowan & Pinnock exit Cobblers after rejecting deals

Aaron McGowan (left) and Mitch Pinnock (right) both joined Northampton from Scottish club Kilmarnock in July 2021

Northampton Town boss Kevin Nolan has confirmed Aaron McGowan and Mitch Pinnock are leaving the club after turning down offers to stay.

Full-back McGowan, 28, was offered a two-year to remain at Sixfields but has opted to return closer to his wife and new baby in Liverpool, after four years with the Cobblers.

Midfielder Pinnock, 30, also cited family reasons as to why he rejected the chance to sign a new deal after four seasons.

McGowan leaves after making 131 appearances and Nolan said the player departs with his full understanding.

"His wife and newborn live in Liverpool and, having spoken with his family, it will be a lot to take on a new contract with us and it would make it six years away from his family if he was to stay here," Nolan said.

"He said the offer we made was really good but at this stage of his life he wants to be somewhere where he can go home every night to see his family grow up and I fully understand that."

In a post on social media, McGowan said his time at the club gave him "some of the best moments" of his career and that "saying goodbye to a club you love and people you have so much respect for is never easy".

"Sometimes you have to make decisions in life that's best for your family and this is one of them," he said.

Pinnock played 200 times for Northampton, including every League One game this season as they finished five points clear of the relegation zone.

Nolan said Pinnock agreed the contract offer was "fantastic" and described him as a "fantastic servant" to the club.

After making three new signings of the summer window, Nolan said he was "really happy" with progress adding there were "more meetings lined up with players and agents" in the near future.