We take a closer look at a selection of players who have appeared for both Northampton Town and Barrow AFC.
Jason Taylor
Jason Taylor signed for Barrow AFC in July 2018 after leaving AFC Fylde at the end of the 2017/18 season. He was a mainstay in the side in his first season making 43 appearances in the National League. The following season Taylor again played a major part in the squad that were promoted to the Sky Bet League Two. In June 2021 Taylor signed a new two-year deal to become a player/coach. To date, Taylor has made 125 appearances for Barrow, notching two goals in the process.
Jason joined Northampton Town in January 2015, originally signing on loan before quickly signing on a permanent deal. Taylor played a key part in the Northampton Town side that stormed to the League Two title in 2015/16 season securing 99 points, playing 30 times for the side, scoring once. Jason left the club in August 2016, appearing for the club 58 times, scoring twice in all competitions.
Ollie Banks
Ollie Banks signed for the Bluebirds in January 2021 after leaving Tranmere Rovers. He has been a regular for the club since signing making 20 appearances in his half-season with the club, contributing with the solitary assist. He has really settled well this season, he has made 29 appearances so far, chipping in with an impressive 10 goals from midfield in all competitions. He has also shown his aggressive side this year, picking up 13 yellow cards in all competitions.
Banks signed for Northampton Town on a short-term loan deal in November 2014, linking up with former boss Chris Wilder in his first full season in charge at the club. Ollie made a total of 3 appearances for the Cobblers.
Jacob Blyth
Jacob Blyth signed for the Cobblers in August 2013 on an initial one-month loan deal, scoring on his debut in a 3-1 win over Newport County. In September his loan was extended after impressing but was terminated early in October after Blyth picked up an injury. He re-joined the club on loan in November 2013 following his recovery and stayed for a month before going back to his parent club, Leicester City. He made a total of 14 appearances, scoring 3 times in all competitions for the club.
Barrow signed Blyth in June 2018 as he became the first signing for the club under the leadership of Ian Evatt. He got injured in a pre-season game for the club after colliding with an advertising hoarding which resulted in a dislocated shoulder for the striker. He later returned and went on to appear 23 times for Barrow, scoring 3 times before moving on to Macclesfield Town following the conclusion of the 2018/19 season.
Neal Eardley
Northampton Town signed Neal Eardley in January 2017. He was signed by Rob Page but did not make an appearance for him as his international clearance had not come through before Page left the club. He started off well under the stewardship of Justin Edinburgh and made 10 appearances for the club before being released in May 2017.
Eardley signed for Barrow on loan from Burton Albion in January 2021. He was a regular for the rest of that season, making a total of 19 appearances before returning to Burton Albion following the conclusion of his loan.
Paul Turnbull
Paul Turnbull signed for Northampton Town in June 2011 from Stockport County after the two clubs had agreed a fee for the player. Turnbull was at Northampton Town from 2011 to 2013, making 18 appearances in total, scoring once. During his stay at Sixfields, Paul was loaned out to both Stockport County and Lincoln City.
Turnbull penned a deal at Barrow in 2016 after turning down a new contract from Macclesfield Town. He stayed for the duration of the 2016/17 season, making a total of 31 appearances, scoring twice and chipping in with 3 assists before moving on.