Over a month after the sacking of Aidy Boothroyd in December 2013, Town's man to help save them from relegation to the Conference was announced on 27 January 2014.
Wilder had, one day earlier, resigned as manager of fellow League Two side Oxford United and promptly swapped a club looking to reach the play-offs for one desperately trying to avoid the trap-door.
"It was a difficult decision," he told BBC Radio Northampton at the time.
"I want Northampton's players to look forward to the challenge. We're in a position where perhaps a lot of people have written them off - it's Northampton and one other going down. It's up to me and the players to change that."
Having successfully met that challenge, Wilder was busy in the transfer market over the summer and his side made a solid start to the new campaign before a sharp dip in form over the past couple of months which again had him talking of a relegation battle at Sixfields.
More wheeling and dealing at the beginning of January has reshaped the squad further and Saturday's excellent win at Exeter leaves the manager looking forward more confidently as he approaches one year in charge.