After last season which saw Aldershot Town make the Play-Off final in their debut in the Conference, and Farnborough Town earn a last-gasp reprieve, it had been hoped that both sides could build on their achievements for this season.
Sadly it was not to be, as the Shots just missed out on the trip to Stoke City's Britannia Stadium after a penalty shoot-out that broke Shots' hearts. And for Boro, there was no reprieve this time around as they look to a future in the Conference South.
But what a season it has been, over the last eigth months we have witnessed the twists and turns, the fun and frolics and the ins and outs as players, and managers, move on to pastures new.
Whilst the Shots may have missed out on the Play-Off final, they have enjoyed a fine second season in the Conference, finishing in fourth spot — which by all accounts means they're in line for automatic promotion next season??!
For Boro their four-year stint in the Conference National has come to an end after another tumultuous season that has seen just as many problems off the pitch as on it.
As Frank Gray, their fourth manager in a year, takes over the reins, Tony Turburville and Tony Theo will be aiming to steady the ship behind the scenes, and hoping this will be reflected in results on the pitch.
For Fleet Town they too have endured a battle of survival. After Mick Catlin rallied the side to their highest league position, he was sacked in a move that shocked both players and supporters. Paul Holden came in and managed to keep the side afloat despite a tough set of fixtures at the end of the season.
In celebration of a memorable year, the News and Mail team of Jon Couch, Alex Narey and Rebekah Wheller have put together a light-hearted review of the season, where we throw in our experiences of the best, the worst and the downright bizarre.
There are no prizes for the winners, just pats on the backs and a big thank-you for making our jobs such a pleasure.
Roll on August!
Best game
Accrington Stanley 3 Aldershot Town 3;
Aldershot Tn 4 Woking 0,
Farnborough Tn 3 Halifax 2.
Worst game
Dagenham & Redbridge 3 Aldershot Tn 0;
Aldershot Tn 1 Forest Green 2,
Farnborough Tn 0 Hereford 6.
Best result
Aldershot Tn 2 Scarborough 0;
Farnborough 2 Exeter City 1,
Frimley Green 4 Walton Casuals 1.
Most disappointing result
Carlisle's 5-4 Play Off penalty shoot-out win;
Aldershot 1 Winchester City 2,
Farnborough Tn 0 Leigh RMI 1.
Biggest surprise
Farnborough Town 2
Exeter City 1
Goals of the season
Tony Taggart's thunderbolt against Halifax;
Nick Crittenden's goal in the 4-0 win over Woking,
Darren Barnard's last gasp free-kick to beat Woking at Kingfield.
Miss of the season
David Lee against Exeter City at the Recreation Ground
Most disgraceful incident
The scenes at Brunton Park after the Play-Off semi-final;
Farnborough players repeatedly not being paid,
Neil Sillett walking out after losing five games in charge.
Bizarre moment
The sacking of Mick Catlin at Fleet Town
Breath of fresh air
1 Scott Canham and Mark Rooney taking charge of Boro after Neil Sillett's walkout;
2 Kirk Wheeler (Aldershot Tn),
3 Brett Johnson's emergence,
4 Michael Charles at Boro.
Biggest disappointment
Friday May 6;
Dean Austin's sacking at Farnborough Town,
The Aldershot moaners.
Funniest moment
1 Shotsweb guru Tony Sharp suddenly revealing his Welsh connections after his native countrymen won the Rugby Grand Slam after 27 years;
2 Ian Morsman's impersonation of Eric Morecambe beside the late comedian's statue
Most frustrating Journey
1 Sports Editor Jon Couch being caught in every traffic jam possible on the way to Exeter — only to arrive at 2.58pm;
2 Alex Narey, facing the same problem, only he left a bit earlier!
3 Shots photographer Ian Morsman having to leave at the crack of dawn in order to arrive at every ground at least four hours before kick-off.
Manager of the season
Sir Terry;
Dean Austin (under difficult circumstances),
Paul Duncan (Frimley Green).
Most helpful clubman
Gareth Watmore (Ash United)
Best Burgers/Fast Food
The pies at Forest Green;
The burgers at Halifax Town,
And any other junk food as approved by our very own Jamie Oliver, Jon Couch.
Best signing
Steve Watson (Stevenage to Aldershot);
Gary Holloway (Stevenage to Farnborough then Aldershot),
Darren Barnard.
Most worrying time
Farnborough's season;
Aldershot's slump in form around Christmas
Friendliest Player
Steve Watson
Gary Holloway
Paul Harkness
Most improved player
1 Brett Johnson
2 Adam Theo
Worst haircut
Aaron McLean's afro;
Shotsweb reporter Steve Gibbs' mohican!
Players to watch 2005/06
1 Michael Charles (Farnborough)
2 Brett Johnson (Aldershot)
3 Carl Gibbs (Farnborough)
Most regular occurence
Adam Theo finding his way into the referee's notebook while mum Tracie bellows encouragement to Boro from the stands
Rarity of the Year
Terry Brown losing his cool;
A Farnborough clean-sheet,
A Gary Holloway Shots goal!
Best chant
“There's only one Stevie Watson...” you know the rest!;
“Come on the Shots” (continuously at Brunton Park during the semi-final),
“We want four!” (from the Farnborough fans against Halifax Town).
Worst chant
“Oo-aah Jonny Challinor...”
Fond Farewell to...
Ray Warburton
Nick Burton
Dean Austin
Adam Miller
Quotes of the season
“I can't get inside my players' heads, one minute they're saving your life, and the next they're breaking into your house and robbing your telly” — Accrington Stanley boss John Coleman after losing 2-1 at Farnborough in October;
“We don't need people like that in football, you reap what you sow in this world,” — Dean Austin on Graham Westley
“If the league was decided on fans, we wouldn't be bothering with the Play-Offs,” — Nikki Bull praises the fans at Carlisle during the Play-Off semi-final,
“Tonight, I do not feel French, I do not feel English, I feel Farnborough Town.” — Sasha Opinel during the Fans Forum for the proposed takeover.
Players of the Season
1 Steve Watson
2 Nikki Bull
3 Brett Johnson
4 Tony Taggart
With thanks to the Aldershot News.