FC CLACTON will look back on their season with mixed feelings.

On one hand, definite progress was made and their young squad undoubtedly gelled and moved forward under boss David Coyle and assistant John Reeves.

The spirit in the camp was evident to see and only mixed results during the Spring ended their promotion push, having made a strong start to 2008, particularly in February.

On the flip side, Clacton will have been disappointed to only finish tenth in division one.

Inconsistency blighted their chances and it was a pity a side which notched fantastic wins - most notably their brilliant 1-0 success at Diss - conspired to drop points against the likes of Fakenham and Stowmarket.

Had they been more consistent, Coyle's side would have finished higher and it's worth noting that they only ended six points behind the third and final promotion spot, occupied by Whitton United.

Coyle's side started the campaign full of optimism and confidence with a new-looking squad and buoyed by a successful pre-season.

A top-five finish looked a real possibility but injuries to key personnel early on - Sean Hillier, Matt Preston and Michael Lyness to name three - dented numbers and soon they had to content with more lay-offs for the likes of Gregg Heighway and Dan Smith.

Missing such key figures was a real blow.

Others in the camp stepped up to the plate, though, and the likes of Matt Waters, Ashley Pereira and Andy Taylor can be proud of their contributions, as can skipper Paul Hillier.

Smith, too, proved a very useful new signing and, had he stayed injury free, his side may well have finished higher in the table.

Waters' goals - 15 in the Ridgeons League - were priceless, Hillier (14 league goals) and Pereira proved a very useful midfield combination and Taylor proved highly dependable in the Seasiders' defence.