Perhaps a good example of the quick-fix type of signing Aidy Boothroyd needed to make last January, as he plotted to guide Town away from a relegation fight, 31-year-old Charles has seen his opportunities fade away as the Cobblers boss has strengthened his defensive options.
"I think it is right to be honest with people," Boothroyd told the club's official website after letting the former Aldershot man find a new home.
"While Anthony has never let us down, being honest with him, he was going to find first-team opportunities limited moving forward and he was not going to be offered a new contract here in the summer."
***Update*** Charles has signed a deal with Plymouth Argyle while Lewis Hornby has penned a professional contract with the Cobblers.