Two months after the relegation-confirming defeat at Leeds United, the Cobblers squad today took to Abington Park to begin their annual pre-season slog.
The next six weeks will see the players – including the trio of new signings Dean Beckwith, St
eve Guinan and Craig Hinton, as well as Liam Dolman, who has returned in a bid to win a new deal at Sixfields – build up their sharpness for what is hoped will only be a brief return to the basement division.
Manager Stuart Gray has been given a simple but challenging brief for the 2009-10 campaign by chairman David Cardoza: Get Northampton promoted at the first attempt.
And, knowing that perfect planning prevents poor performance, Gray has meticulously laid out a schedule which he hopes will make the Town squad one of the fittest in Coca-Cola League Two.
"We did a double session today and we've got a six-week programme all laid out, with some games in there as well," he said.
"My pre-season used to get me fit but these days players keep themselves ticking over through the summer.
"It's just a case of getting them up to sharpness and I just want to get everyone fit and chomping at the bit for the game against Macclesfield on August 9."
One player who Gray will certainly be hoping is available for selection on the opening day is last year's leading scorer Adebayo Akinfenwa.
Last summer saw the big man beset by a string of niggles, an injury record which then continued once the serious stuff had started.
As well as getting his talismanic striker fit for duty, Gray will also want him playing alongside Guinan as soon as possible but won't be making any special allowances for anyone.
