IT has certainly been a season which I shall never forget.

I started off as physio, and even that was up in the air a bit after Graham Turner had left so to be given a chance by the new board, even in a physio role, was delightful for me.

Then, after October, things just completely changed.

I had a good relationship with Simon Davey and Andy Fensome – I enjoyed working with them and they were really nice guys.

For some reason, it just did not work out for them and, fortunately for me, I was in the right place at the right time and was delighted to take over.

Looking back over the season, Northampton was makeor- break for Russell Hoult and me.

I know now that there were four or five prospective managers in the stands ready to start on the following Monday.

We went in at half-time 3-0 down but what a turnaround there was.

Mathieu Manset and Stuart Fleetwood who had both had tough starts to the season came on and the game just changed.

That match changed my life and Russell’s and we were given a great opportunity because of it.

It was probably one of the greatest comebacks not just in our history but in this division.

The worst point was probably when the penalty went in during our last home game against Bradford.

That was a sickening blow and we all felt that the struggle was going to go on into the last game. But we showed the character and the resilience that we have all season and when Fleetwood’s free-kick went in you could see the emotion among all the players and staff.

So, while it was the biggest low, it was followed by a real high.

Just typical of our turbulent season.

Now, I’m going to take a little time out to be with my family and do my ‘A’ Licence at the same time. Amongst all that, I will be building a squad which I hope will be competitive next season.

I think I have proven myself to be tactically aware and able to cope with the ups and downs of being a manager. The players have responded terrifically to me, Russell and Dave Kevan and they have dealt with everything thrown at them.

While people talk about experience, younger managers are now coming into the game.

There is Paul Tisdale who has done an unbelievable job at Exeter while Terry Skiverton has been tremendous at Yeovil. There’s Carl Robinson at MK Dons; Dougie Freedman at Crystal Palace.

With promotions from within, you know what you are getting – people who really care about what they are doing and who will work especially hard to get their rewards.

There has been plenty of uncertainty for our fans but they have really got behind us.

Everyone has been fantastic and they seem to have appreciated the job we have done.

And, in our turn, we have really appreciated what they have done in continuing to back us.

David Keyte and Tim Russon are trying to bring the community back into the club and I’m sure that will keep improving during the summer.

Next season will certainly be tough again but please keep sticking with us.

Å When I played in Adam Stansfield’s Testimonial game, we were all given the opportunity to buy our shirts to do what we wanted with them.

I would like to auction mine off with the money going to his wife, Marie and his three children who have been left behind.

He was a great lad and people will be able to put bids in on the club’s website. I’d like to get as much money as I can which will go directly to Adam’s family.