A longstanding partnership between the University of Northampton (UON) and Northampton Town Football Club (NTFC) is set to create even more opportunities for students and the wider community after being extended until 2030.
First established in 2013, the partnership has grown far beyond traditional sponsorship to become a collaboration which gives University students the opportunity to gain hands-on experience of working with a professional football club, develop industry connections and put their learning into practice.
Over the last 13 years, hundreds of students have benefited from opportunities created through the partnership, with 65 students working directly with Northampton Town during the last season alone.
In recent years, successful graduate employments have included Ash Adebayo who is the first team’s Strength and Conditioning Coach, Charlotte Hyams is the Marketing & Partnership Activations Manager, Jamie Duncan was the club’s Media Assistant – and has now progressed to Media & Communications Manager at Cheltenham Town Football Club.
The opportunities span a wide range of disciplines and have included Business Analytics student Edna helping to increase match day footfall, fashion students designing the third kit, as well as sports science student placements and volunteers, from physiotherapy to strength and conditioning, offering specialist skills to test the fitness of the club’s players at all level.
The club also credit the partnership with previously allowing them provide kit free of charge to girls, disability and further education programme players, reducing key barriers for participation in underrepresented groups.
This collaborative social impact has, according to The English Football League, delivered an estimated social value of close to £7million for 2024/25.
Dozens of students have also taken part in dedicated Takeover Days, gaining an insight into the breadth of careers and roles behind the scenes at a professional football club and hearing directly from industry professionals.
For some students, the partnership has also provided a pathway into employment. Former UON students have gone on to secure full-time roles within the professional football industry, including at Northampton Town, while others have used the experience gained through their work with the Club to progress into roles at Premier League clubs.
Vice Chancellor of the University of Northampton, Becky Bradshaw, said: “As we celebrate 13 years of partnership with NTFC, we are also looking firmly to the future. This collaboration has become a powerful example of how education and sport can come together to inspire ambition, unlock potential and strengthen communities.
“We are delighted to extend this relationship until 2030 and look forward to continuing to make a positive difference across Northamptonshire – and beyond.”
The latest example of the opportunities the partnership creates is a new commemorative film celebrating 13 years of collaboration between the two organisations. Commissioned by Northampton Town Football Club, the film was produced by four first and second-year students from UON’s Creative Film, Television and Digital Media Production programme.
Bernadeth Conceja (Editor), Liz Andrews (Camera Operator), Sam Birch (Camera Operator) and Dylan Barras (Creative Director) – supported by Programme Leader for Creative Film Television and Digital Media Production, Dr Anthony Stepniak – were trusted with a professional commission from the Club, giving them the opportunity to work to a live client brief and create content for a professional sports organisation.
The resulting film celebrates the history of the partnership, its achievements and the opportunities it has created for students and the wider Northampton community.
The extension means the University and Club will continue to build on the work they have developed together over the past 13 years, bringing together two organisations with strong roots in Northampton and a shared commitment to supporting the local community.
Northampton Town Chairman Kelvin Thomas added: “We are so proud of our partnership with the University of Northampton and we could not wish for better principal club partners.
“The partnership is deep and meaningful, delivering real life opportunities within professional football for students who have made a huge impact on the club with their knowledge, skill and enthusiasm.
“Both organisations are jewels in the crown of the Northampton community and have worked together on many different levels for the community, and this is fantastic news that our partnership will continue.”
Chief Executive James Whiting added: “This partnership has seen a strong pathway develop where a number of former University of Northampton students have not just gained experience in professional football, but have picked up full-time employment in the industry.
“Some are still with us at the club, while others, using the experience gained through the partnership and their work with the club, have gone on to work in the Premier League.
“This partnership continues to be so much more than a sponsorship and we have some exciting plans on joint projects over the next four years.
“This new agreement means not only is our partnership firmly established as one of the longest collaborations in English professional football, it is without doubt one of the most successful.”
With the partnership now secured until 2030, the University and Club will continue to explore new ways of connecting students with professional football, creating opportunities to gain experience, develop skills and build careers while contributing to the life of the Northampton community.