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By the standards of most clubs, last season when Gresley finished fourth in the Banks’s League, reached the League Cup final and enjoyed their beat-ever run in the FA Vase, was by no means a failure.

But it did not live up to Northwood’s expectations and his response has been to adopt a much tougher outlook.

Northwood explains: “I’m placing a lot more emphasis on discipline this season both on and off the field. This game is much to do with the right attitude as it is with ability and I want my boys to show pride in playing for Gresley Rovers.

“For instance everyone is expecting to report for games smartly dressed and wearing a club sweater. Anyone who breaks that rule will be fined £5.”

Northwood’s harsher regime has certainly paid dividends in the opening week of the campaign with two wins and eight goals to their credit.

The 4-0 demolition of Tividale was impressive enough, but it was the 4-1 success at Hinckley on Tuesday night that set the pulses racing at the Moat Ground.

After conceding an early goal, Rovers seemed to be heading for their annual capitulation at Middlefield Road but, pleasingly for Northwood, they showed real character and resolve in the face of provocative tactics from the home side.

Gresley kept their cool while Hinckley pressed the self-destruct button by involving themselves in a whole host of heated exchanges, many with the referee.

Northwood’s assistant Glenn West described Rovers’ display as “the most determined I’ve seen from a Gresley side.”

He said: “We played with real character and fire and if we can keep playing with that sort of attitude we’ve got nothing to fear.”