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Gorman initially left the Adams Park club on compassionate leave in April, with Steve Brown taking temporary charge, but was released from his contract at the end of the season by the Wanderers board of directors who said that Gorman needed more time to help deal with the tragic loss of his wife. The Cobblers were quick to see the qualities in him though and snapped him up sharpish as they look to mount a second promotion challenge in a row following their runners-up spot in League Two last season.
Meanwhile Northampton general manager Tony Clarke is hopeful that the Sixfields outfit can hold to their best players despite possible advances from a now Calderwood-led Forest side. Wycombe themselves have turned an offer of £100,000 down from League One play-off finalists Swansea City for their centre-half and skipper Roger Johnson, Swans boss Kenny Jackett being in the market for new players after earlier releasing Roberto Martinez, Adrian Forbes and Brian Murphy.
The Welshmen will also be without home international midfielder Owain Tudur-Jones for four months after the ex-Bangor City man underwent knee surgery at the end of the season. Fellow Swans midfielder Darren Way, signed from Yeovil in the January transfer window, also faces a three-month rehabilitation period after having an operation to cure a long-standing stress fracture in his shin. In a busy period of the close season for City they have resigned 33-year old defender Kevin Austin in a similar one-year deal to that of Carlisle United's Derek Holmes. Austin having a clause in his contract which guaranteed him another season at the Liberty Stadium if he made 25 appearances in the previous campaign.
Midfielder Lee Crooks has rejected the chance to join Notts County after being on loan to the Magpies from Bradford City last season. The 28-year-old is now a free agent after being released by the Bantams but he is not interested in rejoining County after they sacked boss Gudjon Thordarson. Striker Danny Forrest and defender Jake Wright were also let go by the West Yorkshire club at the time and they have rejoined Conference club Halifax Town on a permanent basis after featuring for the Shaymen on loan last season. City have added to their ranks though by signing Jamaican international Jermaine Johnson on a year-long loan deal from Tivoli Gardens, the attacking midfielder having featured for both Bolton and Oldham in this country before moving back to his homeland in 2004.
New Oldham boss John Sheridan has named 40-year old Tommy Wright as his assistant manager, Wright being promoted from coaching the Latics' under-16s side to the number two role at Boundary Park. Former Grimsby boss Russell Slade has emerged as the surprise favourite to take the managerial reins at Huish Park next season as Yeovil look to replace the demoted Steve Thompson. Slade turned down a new contract offer at Blundell Park after the Mariners' defeat to Cheltenham Town in the League Two play-off final and is believed to be returning from holiday today, with the Glovers naming their new boss at Huish Park in a press conference tomorrow at 12.30pm. The Somerset club have still been busy in the transfer market in the last couple of days though, snapping up 20-year old goalkeeper Darren Behcet from West Ham United and Irish under-18 international midfielder Stephen Maher from Eircom League outfit Dublin City, both on two year deals.
Bournemouth have signed former Walsall winger Daryl Taylor on a month-to-month contract after the 21-year old was let go by the Saddlers at the end of the season. Taylor last started in a first-team for Hereford two months ago where he enjoyed a 93-day loan spell with the Bulls in the Conference, Taylor playing a big part in helping Hereford into the promotion play-offs where the Edgar Street club beat Halifax Town 3-2 in the final to secure a return to the Football League. The signing of Taylor by the Cherries comes five days after they picked up two youngsters in midfielder Tareq Khalil and striker Conal Platt on free transfers from Cardiff and Liverpool respectively.
Bristol City boss Gary Johnson says he is yet to receive any official bids for the club's three transfer-listed players. Goalkeeper Steve Phillips, Welsh international defender David Partridge and midfielder Grant Smith all being told at the end of last season that they could leave Ashton Gate. Crewe Alexandra have made a useful signing at League One level, securing veteran defender Neil Cox who was agreed terms on a two-year deal at Gresty Road after being released by Cardiff City at the end of the season. Alex' boss Dario Gradi is obviously keen to shore up a defence that conceded 86 goals in being relegated from the Championship last year, Gradi also snapping up French central defender Julien Baudet from Notts County at the weekend.