Colchester United fan Si Collinson with his U's views

All the highs and lows that are the part of every football fan's year are at an end.

It's time to catch our breath, reset and get ready to do it all again in a few months.

The U’s have finished the season on a high over the last few weeks; there have been a lot more positives than negatives in performances, if not necessarily results.

The Mansfield game was not the best and we really should have scored at least once, given the close chances we had.

But in front of a crowd of almost 7,000, the ball just would not hit the back of the net.

There was a really good atmosphere and hopefully this will entice more to come long, when the new season begins.

But before that, there's a busy summer in store for Ben Garner and his backroom staff, in parallel with the recruitment department.

The debate about who we should be looking to sign or what areas we really need to look at can't really begin until the retained/released list becomes public knowledge.

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Everyone will have their ideas and players leaving or going will be debated.

Personally, I think the backbone of the squad is there.

Players are out of contract so will have to accept new deals, but hopefully the project Ben Garner is building will be enough to entice anyone wavering to sign on the dotted line.

I think we do need to look at both wing-backs, especially if hot prospect Junior Tchamadeu does leave in the window after pretty much cleaning up at the end of season awards.

Noah Chilvers may be another we have seen play his last game but while he will be a big loss, he has earned the chance to move on and we have Matt Jay waiting for his run in the team.

Jay is a player who once he finds form will be a key asset, in the right system.

It will be interesting to see if we can keep Tom Smith or if his parent club Arsenal look to loan him out to a higher-level club, to test his development.

READ MORE: Jayden Fevrier praised after making first-ever EFL start

There are a number of ifs and buts, and we have only scratched the surface of who may go, so any real debate will have to wait for a few days - or even weeks - until all conversations have been had and a firmer idea of who is going where comes to light.

As a football fan, I always feel a bit deflated at the end of the season, as I wonder how to fill my time until I can do it all again.

Here's hoping for a more positive season next year where we are fighting at the right end of the table although I swear I say this every year. Surely, I have to be right soon.

Football will always be focused on the ‘on-pitch’ content in the news and on social media but I do think it is only fair to say a few thank yous to the unsung heroes that we all need in order to see a game of football, those who rarely get the credit they deserve.

Mr Chris Saward in the U's ticket office is a a star. He always has a smile on his face and is happy to help, no matter how random a ticket request or question I have.

READ MORE: League Two side sack manager after poor end to the season

The three lovely ladies in the Club Shop provide service with a smile, no matter how poorly the season is going.

And the club stewards and all those that work hard to be on hand to help out and keep us all in order week after week also deserve a thank you.

The fanbase really does appreciate all you do, even if we are maybe not as forthcoming in saying it as we should be.

Everyone can relax now for a few months and let's hope next year, we are finally back on our way to League One. Up the U’s.