Here is an example of Kemp... https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/6618926.kemp-wants-investment/I am sure you're right, but I would like to think that 'Kempo' would have signed them both had he been given the chance.
They were his type of players. Slow. Overweight. Totally disinterested.
They were the beating heart of the back four that let in (I think) 100+ goals in L1.
Even now, that is some achievement.
I remember some of Kemp's radio interviews were outstanding- he was both clueless and permanently angry.
I am fairly certain that when he was fired, he gave an interview pointing out that he had- in fact- done a great job, but that he was sacked because he was a Londoner.
And we were 'all snobs from Oxford'. Not because he was useless or anything like that.
Does anyone else remember that, or am I mis-remembering?
I definitely recall an interview towards the end of his six month 'reign' where he said that he wished Richard Knight (who had gone down injured) had 'been shot in the leg'.
That team was - by a country mile- the very worst I have ever seen in my 45+ years.
And, yes, I do include the thrilling team put together by the masterful Patto.
I couldn't find his quotes from when we got relegated, or from the "Mutual Consent" separation. Ironically, I think he left after one of his rare wins.... we beat Swansea 3-1 at home on 28 April and he was gone before the Port Vale last game at the Manor on 1 May.
Out of that whole horrific season we only got 27 points in total. 15 of those came in doing the double of both Northampton and Swansea and beating Rotherham - who were runners-up that season - 4-3 at home. There were four times that season where we scored three goals in the game and still lost.... and a further eight occasions where we scored twice lost too!