Northampton Town have appointed Ian Sampson as their permanent new manager on a contact to the end of the season.

The 40 year old had been in caretaker charge since the departure of Stuart Gray a month ago. Sampson initially arrived at the club on loan in December 1993, before making a £30,000 permanent move from Sunderland the following summer. Before retiring from playing in the summer of 2004, Ian had become a Cobblers legend, making 449 senior appearances in the claret and white, placing him second in the list of appearance makers behind Tommy Fowler.

A down-to-earth no nonsense defender, Sammo was a veteran of 2 play off finals at Wembley, and helped the side to 2 promotions in his 11 year career. He was promoted to the position of first team coach in 2006.

"I am delighted to be able to appoint Ian Sampson as our new permanent manager," said Chairman David Cardoza.

"Ian has been in caretaker charge for a month and having reviewed matters over the last few weeks, I felt Ian, ably supported by Malcolm Crosby and Jim Barron, had made sufficient progress with the team to deserve the opportunity to manage Northampton Town.

"He has shown tremendous loyalty to the club over the last few years, but that is not the reason he has got the job. You don't get a manager's job on loyalty alone, you get it because overall you are the best man for the job and I believe Ian is that man.

"Results are important of course, but when judging Ian on his performance over the last few weeks I think you have to look below the surface. Our performances have been improving steadily, and you can see the players are playing for Ian and he has started to address some of the areas that need strengthening.

"The players showed terrific character to fight and come back to claim a draw on Saturday, showing just the sort of character that was missing earlier in the season. That is the character and passion that Ian is injecting back into our play. The squad Ian has inherited has its weaknesses, and Ian deserves the opportunity, the support and the chance to address them which he will get in January.

"I am sure Ian Sampson is the sort of person the town can and will unite behind. He has a great knowledge of the local non-league scene and he has shown he is willing to give players a chance.

"I wish Ian every success, and as a Board of Directors we will support him as much as we can."

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