Darrell Clarke made a late bid to take Chris Lines to Walsall.
The midfielder was released by Bristol Rovers earlier this month and yesterday signed for the Cobblers on a two-year deal.
Yet in between his release from Rovers and signing on at Sixfields, former Gas boss Clarke was appointed manager at the Bescot.
Lines was a key player under Clarke for the Gas, playing over 150 games under him before falling out of favour with Clarke's successor Graham Coughlan.
Bristol Live understands that Clarke, who was appointed Walsall boss on Friday, made a late move for a Rovers reunion with Lines at the Bescot, but was ultimately unsuccessful.
Instead, the 33-year-old joined Northampton Town, so will face Clarke in League Two next season.
Speaking about the move to Northampton's website, Lines said it was not something he had to think too hard about.
He said: "It's a decent club and it's something I haven't really had to think about too much having spoken to the gaffer.
"That sold it to me really, his philosophy on playing football and his aims for this season, which is to get promotion, which is maybe why he's looked at me, having four promotions already.
"It's something I can add to the dressing room, some experience and that winning mentality he wants to bring back to the club.
"Obviously I'd guess it's been an average season, you might say, and the aim for me is to try and get the club back into League One where it was before."
