Jonno's return lights up the claret summer

The signing of John Johnson yesterday could well be the catalyst that propels us to the next level. It had been a relatively quiet summer up until around 5:30pm yesterday with contracts broken, words broken and agents doing their usual dirty work. But with the glorious news of a Championship right back signing not on loan but on a permanent deal we were suddenly lording Sammo's efforts.

Facebook, Twitter and forums lit up after a couple of weeks of inactivity and the stroll through the summer suddenly turned very interesting indeed. It would, of course, be foolish to think of Johnson as the saviour but it goes without saying that having him in the side gives us something that not many right backs in League Two give their side.

For the player himself, it's a terrific show of intent. Perhaps frustrated at the lack of opportunity at Boro, Johnson has stopped any loan moves and instead dropped down two divisions to get first team football. With all the money changing hands in the leagues above us, it's a refreshing change and one that will of course go unnoticed as Premier League moguls pay £30 million to put an "international" in their reserves. Johnson's enthusiasm to play has overcome his desire for a pay day to sit on a bench all season and said pay packet is more than likely a greatly reduced one.

All that will be enough for the Cobblers fans to welcome the right back with open arms this afternoon for the friendly with Watford at Sixfields.