Former Wycombe Wanderers midfielder Dominic Gape has joined League One side Northampton Town on a short-term deal, as confirmed via a statement on the club’s website.
The 29-year-old spent the first half of the campaign with League Two side Sutton United but after proving his fitness, he opted against extending his stay and has instead returned to the third tier for the remainder of the season.
Who is Dominic Gape?
The experienced midfielder began his youth career with Championship side Southampton and the remainder with the Saints until 2016. From here, Gape joined Wycombe Wanderers on loan for the first half of the 2016/17 campaign, before turning it into a permanent contract immediately after the loan expired.
During his six years with the Chairboys, Gape made over 170 appearances and played a crucial role in their promotion into the Championship under Gareth Ainsworth but was let go at the end of the 2022/23 season after the club failed to secure a playoff place.
After spending three months as a free agent, the midfielder penned a short-term deal with Sutton United in League Two, making seven appearances in all competitions but turned down the offer of a new contract.
Pushing for a top-half finish
Gape has opted to sign for a side that are currently competing in the top half of League One, though they sit 12 points outside of the playoff places. Following their promotion last season, Northampton Town have flown up the third tier standings this season, winning 12 league matches and are equally 12 points above the relegation zone.
The midfielder was named in the match-day squad for Northampton’s League One clash against Portsmouth but wasn’t brought on as the Cobblers were beaten 4-1.
Writer’s View
Wycombe’s initial decision to release Dominic Gape was always one I found to be confusing and this continued when he dropped down a division instead of being snapped up by a fellow League One side.
His first-team experience will prove vital for the Cobblers to keep them in the mix of a mid-table finish, where the side arguably only needs ten points from their remaining 17 matches to confirm their safety and that should be very straightforward.