Ex-Cobbler Harding targets three points on Sixfields return

Harding was a key part of the midfield for virtually all of manager Aidy Boothroyd’s reign after joining from Wycombe Wanderers in January 2012.

Along with Luke Guttridge, he was offered a contract at the club at the end of last season but turned it down and went on to sign for the Gulls.

As someone who played 62 times for Northampton, Harding is fully aware of the strength Boothroyd’s side have on their own ground, where they had the second best record in league two last season.

But he would love to help Torquay to a first win of the campaign at the expense of his former club, for whom several of his friends still play.

“I am really looking forward to going back there,” he said. “I had some good times at the club and there are a lot of good people there. But I am at a new club now and I want to go there and win.

“I have got a lot of close friends there that I am still in contact with, but it goes out of the window when it comes to the game. It has been and gone now, it is in the past.

“I have to try and beat them now, even though we know it is going to be a tough game.

“Their record speaks for itself. It was up there with Manchester United’s home form last season.

“They are very well organised and the manager has them playing in a certain way that works for them.

“They have got a new team like us this year, so they are still getting used to the way that they are playing.

“We know we are going to get bombarded with crosses and balls in the box and we have to make sure that we are able to deal with that.

“We are still looking for our first three points and it would be great to get it away from home at my old club.”