And just like that…the season is done and dusted. And there’s a feeling of relief and also a little disappointment that we didn’t get to continue the amazing run that we saw over the last few months.

We knew this season would be a challenge, Gary had to rebuild the team and then to be hit by injuries, caused some real problems leading up to Christmas. But with grit, determination and resilience shown by all, we achieved one of this season’s aims, which was to achieve a higher points’ total than last year.

And we did that, but we sure didn’t make it easy for ourselves, with 38 of those points coming since January. But the team, and everybody behind the team, trusted in the process and that trust has been paid back in spades with the season finish.

We went into our final game in front of a full house of 8,000 plus at SJP on a run of nine unbeaten. Unfortunately, it wasn’t to be and Oxford secured the win, and also their place in the play offs – they’re a good team, so all the luck to them as they contest their place in the Championship.

All credit to our fans this season, our final away match saw 647 of them travel – many in fancy dress – to Northampton, just one of the many long distances travelled by the committed bunch. Home games have seen some incredible attendances, and I’m sure the very vocal support has got the team over the line a couple of times.

The Oxford match was also the last City game for One of Our Own, Harry Kite, who has been with the club since he was just nine years old. There were a few watery eyes around when Pierce handed him the captain’s armband when he was subbed on for that final appearance. Both he and Alex Hartridge, who also leaves us this summer, have grown up at Exeter City and were a significant part of our promotion winning side. They have both been incredible players for our club and we wish them well.

The team will get some well-earned time off, but it’s not long until they are back to pre-season training, ready to kick off the 2024-25 season on August 10.

And there will be some familiar faces next season, with contract extensions for two of our own – Ed James and Cheick Diabate, goalie Shaun MacDonald, Yanic Wildschut and Jack Aitchison all signing on the dotted line over the last few weeks. And you can be sure that

Gary, Marcus and the team already have players in their sights to bolster the squad this summer.

It's been the most incredible season for Exeter City Women, who yesterday were crowned champions of the National Division One South. Congratulatioins the whole amazing team, who are led by Aaron Wakley and Abbie Britton. They battled hard to secure promotion, in an amazing season which saw them unbeaten, but they took it to the wire, drawing against Bournemouth, who had been their rivals for the top spot all season long. And all played out in front of a record crowd of 800 people at their home ground of Exwick Sports Hub.

Next Sunday sees the Exeter Live Better Marathon and Community Five Mile which is organised by our partner charity, Exeter City Community Trust, take place down on the Quay. There’s still time to sign up, if you’re quick and be part of this fantastic event – perhaps go for the five mile event if you haven’t had time to train for a marathon! Or simply join me and come along and cheer on the runners.

So, you’ve got a couple of months to do all those jobs around the house that you’ve been planning to do since last August…but don’t worry, the new season will come around soon enough! Thanks again to everyone who has supported these fantastic men and women’s teams – and don’t forget…the future’s bright, the future’s red and white!