As another League One campaign gets underway, we took a look back at The Cobblers last six traditional league openers to see how the Cobblers have fared on day one. From the optimism of early wins to the sting of narrow losses, Sixfields has seen it all in recent years.

While the Cobblers have often started their League Two seasons with confidence, League One openers have told a different story. Their most recent three appearances in the third tier have all started with defeats, including a hard-fought 0–1 away loss to Bristol Rovers in 2024.

The results highlight a clear pattern:

• The Cobblers have fared better when opening in League Two, picking up wins in both 2021–22 and 2022–23.
• Their League One campaigns (2018–19, 2023–24, 2024–25) have all started with narrow losses, reflecting the higher level of competition.
• Home advantage has not guaranteed success, with just two wins from five openers at Sixfields during this span.
• The standout result remains the 3–2 victory over Colchester in 2022, which set the tone for a successful promotion season.

Opening day may not define a season, but it can set the tone. For the Cobblers, early momentum in League Two has often fuelled strong campaigns. In contrast, League One openers have exposed the need for early cohesion and squad depth.

As the 2024–25 season unfolds, Kevin Nolan and his biys will look to turn the page on recent first-day defeats and prove they belong in the third tier—not just in name, but in results from the very start.