Former Bristol Rovers defender to make surprise Mem return with Northampton Town

Former Bristol Rovers defender Jack Baldwin will sample the rare experience of playing before a packed Mem after completing a move to League One rivals Northampton Town.

Baldwin has moved to the Cobblers on a two-year deal for an undisclosed fee after three fine seasons at Ross County in the Scottish Premiership where he made 102 appearances and became club captain. In a statement, County confirmed the transfer has been motivated by Baldwin’s desire to move closer to family with the defender originally from Essex.

The centre-back may not be recalled particularly fondly by Gasheads, although few were able to watch him in the flesh regularly as Baldwin was part of the Rovers side that was relegated from League One during the 2020/21 campaign played behind closed doors.

He was a regular under Ben Garner, Paul Tisdale and Joey Barton, playing 45 games having arrived the previous summer from Sunderland. But in what proved a turbulent season for all concerned, Baldwin was unable to produce his best form in a blue and white quartered jersey as they went sent into League Two with by far the worst record in the division.

After demotion into the fourth tier, he started four games in the following season, making four more appearances - two being at the Mem as fans were allowed back at matches - before being sold to Ross County.

The 31-year-old could get a chance to make amends, not that Rovers fans will thank him for it, as Northampton travel to the Mem for their opening game of the 2024/25 League One campaign against a side in which a rivalry has developed following the final day of the 2021/22 season as Rovers thrashed Scunthorpe United 7-0 to earn automatic promotion at the Cobblers' expense.

"Jack is a real leader, an organiser and someone we are delighted to welcome to the club," said Cobblers manager Jon Brady. "He is a brave defender, someone who wins his fair share of tackles and blocks but he can play too.

"He is a good age, with a good pedigree and a lot of experience, playing at a number of different levels both in England and Scotland. Jack will come in and be part of a good group of central defenders in the squad and we are very pleased to welcome him to Sixfields."

In fairness, Baldwin has previously played at the Mem, making two appearances for Peterborough United at BS7 during the 2016/17 and 2017/18 campaigns and in 2013/14 with Hartlepool United.

The Rovers squad is now unrecognisable from the 2020/21 group with only Jed Ward, who made his senior debut at Blackpool with Baldwin in the team, and Luke McCormick, who was on loan from Chelsea at the time, remaining.