Wilder delighted as Warburton and Clifton land professional contracts

Warburton, son of former Northampton captain and central defender Ray, and Clifton are the two from this year’s batch of under-18s that have been handed the chance to carve out a career at Sixfields.

Both have already featured on the bench for the first team this season, although neither have actually played yet.

“They are a couple of young boys that have done extremely well, especially when they have been involved with the first team training over the past six or seven months,” said Wilder.

“Danny Clifton is a midfield player, and Sam Warburton is a left-back, and we are delighted.

“Hopefully it is a first step for them in making a career in professional football.”

But Wilder was also quick to stress that far from the hard work being over for the pair, it is really just beginning.

“We want there to be opportunities at the club for young players, and this doesn’t automatically mean they are going to play 400 league games, the hard work continues,” said the Town boss.

“They now have to keep on impressing and keep earning contracts, and that’s what all good players do when they have careers.

“Every year or two years they earn another contract, and these two have done well enough to earn their first contract and the key now is to kick on.”

The Cobblers have also announced they will be playing Birmingham City in a pre-season friendly at Sixfields on July 21.