The push for the Premiership begins again on 7 August, with many of The Championship sides believing this is their chance to reach the promised land.
But with Leeds, Leicester and Wolves joining the likes of West Ham, Sunderland and Ipswich, it is arguably the strongest second-tier of English football in recent years.
BBC Sport profiles six players who could have a telling impact on the division over the course of the next nine months.
TEDDY SHERINGHAM (West Ham)
At 38, you could reasonably assume that this is Teddy Sheringham's final season as a professional footballer.
But the former England striker is keen to end on a high, and he will use all his experience to make sure the Hammers end the season back in the Premiership.
Sheringham may not play every minute of every league game, but when he does play there will be no-one to match his touch and invention in the division.
West Ham are desperate to go up and Sheringham could prove the catalyst.
TOM HUDDLESTONE (Derby County)
At the start of last season, aged 16, Huddlestone made his full league debut for the Rams.
By the end of the campaign he had earned a professional contract, made the most appearances for the club and was named young player of the year.
Huddleston's commanding physique is not his only attribute. He is powerful in the air and strong in the tackle, but what stands out most of all is his touch and vision.
By no means the finished article, he has a big future and Rams boss George Burley will hope it is with Derby.
GARETH WILLIAMS (Leicester City)
Nottingham Forest say they want at least £3m from a tribunal after Gareth Williams chose to join Leicester.
Unlikely, but it shows how highly the young Scot is regarded and his signing is a massive coup for Micky Adams.
At just 23, Williams played over 150 games for Forest, captained the side and has won five caps for Scotland too.
Williams has become a box-to-box midfielder in recent times, improving his scoring record and consistently displaying a fine range of passing.
BOBBY CONVEY (Reading)
Reading boss Steve Coppell has put his faith in wingers with the acquistions of Bobby Convey and Glen Little.
Convey, 21, is very highly-rated in the USA and his pace and trickery down the left flank will be a useful outlet for the Royals in The Championship.
Convey has already been capped 26 times by his country and is widely considered to be the brightest star of a promising young set of players over the Atlantic.
Convey can score goals too so defences will have to be on their guard.
SIMON FRANCIS (Sheffield United)
Bradford had to sell Simon Francis towards the end of last season as they plunged into another financial crisis.
It was a bitter pill for Bantams fans to swallow, as he was arguably the most talented youngster the club had developed in recent years.
A commanding presence, Francis, 19, has been tipped for the top after shining during a tough time at Bradford and being snapped up by Neil Warnock.
Francis' can play at right-back or the right of midfield.
STEPHEN ELLIOTT (Sunderland)
The Republic of Ireland Under-21 striker left Manchester City due to a lack of first-team games, but he will get his chance to shine this season.
Elliott, 20, made his Premiership bow for City in March at Bolton but found himself behind Robbie Fowler, Nicolas Anelka, Jon Macken and Paolo Wanchope.
He has a natural instinct for scoring and was prolific for City's youth and reserve sides.
Elliott could take the division by storm as Sunderland go for promotion.
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