As we come to the end of the season with nothing to play for, it’s a case of what could have been for the ageing Heeds team. Looking back to a few weeks ago we looked down and out to most other managers after our rough midseason fixtures. Sensi took 4 points in our head-to-heads and the Sunbeams got revenge in the second fixture, which placed us in a lonely third place, at that point, and looking mid-table bound. After looking at the fixture list, though, I knew that we still had a chance if we could keep our heads down and pick off the mid-table teams that would enable us to put the pressure on as the season came to a close.

Looking at the teams we had to play towards the end of season, compared with the Sunbeams and Sensi, it was guaranteed one of them would be able to be caught if their form dipped slightly. With our relatively easier fixtures at the end of the season and one of them having to take points off the other, or both of them dropping points, it would have put us in with a great chance of sneaking second place on the last day of the season. All we would need is for one of them to slip up and not do the business against the mid-table teams and then take that poor form into their head-to-head game. And, if you've thinking it, yes I did sit down and do the maths while looking at the fixture list and guessed results. Was I clutching at straws? Do I just have too much time on my hands? Probably both.

Part of it came true with the Sunbeams the team slipping up, then Sensi taking the points in their head-to-head the next week. It would have set up the last days’ fixtures perfect for Heeds as we take on the already relegated Ricardo's legends, while the Sunbeams take on Preston Sentinals, who have picked up plenty of points already this season, but still in need of a result to avoid relegation.

It would have been a tough match for the Sunbeams, but it was all for nothing as Heeds couldn't maintain the pressure. With week 11's 'no tactics saved' situation, or as its getting called 'tacticgate', which resulted in us losing 1-0 to Waterhead, it put us well and truly out of contention. It was the game that cost us being able to put the pressure on in the last game. If we had set tactics and won the game we would be just one point behind the Sunbeams right now and making them sweat with Grant probably requiring a win in a tricky match to keep his play-off spot.

Instead, Heeds look to next season in Division 2 and a further look at re-building the squad over the next 3 - 4 seasons. It was a good season though, the game is much better when there’s other active managers getting involved and, to be fair, the best two teams over the season have finished in the top 2 positions, so I can't grumble. Though saying that as a Scotsman I'm naturally blaming the English for finishing third. Everything’s their fault, unless we win, then that was all us, despite them ;)

Good luck to all the managers for next season, Grant in the play-off's and both you and Asda next season in Div 1, I'll see you both in the top flight in 3 seasons’ time, maybe....