Northampton Town manager Jon Brady says he can look back the the 2021/22 season, his first full season as an EFL manager, with immense pride.
The Cobblers finished 4th in the League 2 table, just four points off top spot and recorded 23 victories, only being denied promotion on goal scored.
On top of that, Brady said he felt immense pride at the way the club helped improve players, both individually and collectively.
“We bought together a group that really gelled and some individuals probably had the best season of their career so far," he said.
“We improved individuals and we connected the team with the staff and the supporters. It felt like we were as one and that was the most amazing feeling.
“Some of the away days really stick in my head and the way the supporters drove us on was incredible and it felt great to have that connection.
“We didn’t get the result I believed we could get against Mansfield and whether that was down to a bit of luck or decisions not going our way it just felt like whatever we did nothing would quite go our way.
“I was hugely humbled by the fans and I was just disappointed we couldn’t give them the result their support deserved.
“Having been here a few years I’ve seen what League 2 is about and how tough a league it is. It certainly didn’t disappoint in that regard, it’s a physically demanding and relentless league and I felt there was no difference in many of the sides.
“A lot of the time it was down to who performed on the day, anyone can beat anyone at this level and you have to be on your game week in week out to try and get the results.
“You need your best players fit as well and we lost a lot of key players at times, some to long term injuries. Losing Kion Etete half way through the season was unfortunate but then finding Louis Appere was a big boost.
“First and foremost I wanted to build a team this season that was strong and resilient but as the season went by we opened up a bit more.
“The players over time found better ways of gelling together but building that foundation early on definitely helped us.
“It was a real conscious effort that we went step by step and it was important we found the best way to get results with the group. We built on their strengths and as we went on we found out more about the players and what they could do. That’s where the individual improvement came and when you see that growth in a player you can then utilise that in the team.
“The staff played a big part in improving those players as well and everyone from the physios to the coaching staff deserve a lot of credit as well.
“We’ve all got one common goal and that is we all want the best for the football club.
“We want to give the fans the best team we can give them and that gives us the drive every day on the training ground.
“It’s quite personal with us being local and the club really means a lot to us."