When the Cobblers announced the return of former defender Chris Doig as part of the club’s new coaching setup, many Cobblers supporters were quick to welcome back a player remembered fondly from a promotion-winning era at Sixfields.

Speaking in May 2024 about his playing career, Doig reflected warmly on his spell with Northampton — a period he described as the first time he truly felt like a regular first-team footballer.

After leaving Nottingham Forest in search of regular football, Doig joined the Cobblers under former teammate Colin Calderwood. Looking back, he admitted the move proved to be a major turning point in his career.

“Just playing games week in, week out made a massive difference. You felt as if you were actually a real part of something and contributing.”

Doig became a key figure in the Northampton side that won promotion from League Two during the 2005-06 season, forming part of an experienced dressing room that included names such as Sean Dyche, Ian Taylor, Eoin Jess and Jason Lee.

Reflecting on that campaign, Doig described it as “a real, real good year” and said he “loved it” at Sixfields, with promotion capping off what he considered the first consistent spell of senior football in his career.

Perhaps most notably for Cobblers supporters, Doig revealed the emotional connection he still feels towards the club almost two decades later.

“Northampton was probably the first club… it was the first time I felt as if I was a first-team player.”

He continued:

“Another club I’ve got a lot of attachment to.”