Joel Byrom joins Northampton Town until January
Northampton Town have signed Preston North End midfielder Joel Byrom on loan until the January transfer window.
Byrom started his career at Blackburn Rovers at the age of 14, and spent four and a half years on the club's books, progressing from their centre of excellence to the reserve team captaining their U17s side in between and playing a key role in the club's FA Youth Cup run in 2004.
He then spent some time in non-league football and ahead of the 2009-10 season, Byrom joined Stevenage for £15,000. He made 40 appearances during his debut season with the club, scoring five goals, as Stevenage won promotion to the Football League as champions, with Byrom playing a key role.
Injury disrupted Byrom’s second season with Stevenage, making only 12 appearances as the club secured back-to-back promotions. However, the midfielder did return to action at a vital time, scoring in the play-off semi-final first leg against his former club Accrington, as he helped his side gain promotion to League One by defeating Torquay in the 2011 League Two Play-Off final.
He put his injury problems behind him ahead of the 2011-12 season, making 40 appearances and scoring five goals, as Stevenage looked to make three promotions in three years, only to be denied by Sheffield United in the Play-Off semi-finals.
Despite Stevenage almost gaining promotion to the Championship, Byrom decided to leave the club in May 2012 for Preston North End. And the midfielder enjoyed an admirable first season with the club, netting three times in 27 appearances.
Overall, he made 18 appearances for the Lilywhites before being loaned out to Oldham Athletic towards the latter end of the 2013/14 season.