Nottingham Forest had not initially planned to let Ben Perry leave on loan, but a last-minute call from Northampton Town manager Kevin Nolan saw the 20-year-old midfielder complete a move to Sixfields just hours before the transfer deadline.
Despite Northampton’s earlier business, including the confirmed loan signing of Dara Costelloe from Burnley, Nolan’s persistence paid off when he contacted Forest Academy coach Andy Reid just before the deadline. Perry, who captains Forest’s Under-21 team, was allowed to join the Cobblers for the remainder of the season.
Perry’s Career So Far
Ben Perry has been a regular figure for Forest’s Under-21s, having made six appearances in the EFL Trophy over the past two seasons. He signed a new two-year contract with the Premier League club last year, solidifying his position within their youth system. However, the opportunity for first-team football at Northampton was too good to pass up.
“Ben’s a very tidy player and he’s a good lad,” said Nolan. “We’ve had really good match reports about him but with me living in Nottingham, I know a bit more about him and you know what you’re getting with Forest. He’s been the captain of the under-21s and he’s trained with the first-team. They weren’t looking to get him out, it was me giving Andy Reid a call and we made it happen and I was delighted that we did.”
Kevin Nolan’s Strategy for Strengthening Northampton
Northampton’s manager, Kevin Nolan, expressed his satisfaction with Perry’s addition, highlighting the midfielder’s leadership qualities and potential for growth. Perry’s loan move comes after the departure of Ben Fox, who left for Harrogate Town on a free transfer earlier in the day. Nolan explained that Fox’s departure opened the door for Perry’s arrival, as it provided an opportunity for fresh blood in the midfield.
“Foxy got offered an unbelievable deal to go up to Harrogate,” Nolan said. “When you look at it, he was in his final six months here and he’s been a fantastic servant for this club. As much as I like Foxy and wanted to keep him around, we weren’t sure what would happen at the end of the season and it wouldn’t be fair for him to miss out on the opportunity, especially as he hadn’t been in my two matchday squads.”
Writer’s View
The late nature of Ben Perry’s loan move to Northampton Town highlights the strategic thinking of manager Kevin Nolan, who acted quickly to secure a young player with leadership experience. For Perry, this could be a pivotal move in his career, giving him much-needed first-team football.
