Ryan Greenaway, Fan Blogger, 12th May

In my very first blog for the official site at the beginning of the season, I commented on some of the massive highs we have had as Exeter City supporters in recent years.

Whether the season just gone can be counted as a success is very much down to the expectations of the individual, but what there is absolutely no denying is the fact that on the 8th May, 2010 at St. James' Park Exeter City supporters were once again put through the rigours of what seems to be the annual last game of the season/trauma show!

Four years on the trot now our season has ended with a furious biting of nails and the first two of those four saw an extended nail biting session taking place throughout the Play Offs.

This time we were looking down the footballing pyramid rather than up, yet the tension was no less, and the joy when the full time whistle signalled our survival in League 1 was as unrestrained as any other event in the last few years.

And probably more so because for a change, it took place on our own turf. All the achievements of the past few years had taken place in grounds around the country; Old Trafford, The Kassam, Plainmoor (yuck), Wembley and The Don Valley (of the dead atmosphere) Stadium. This time though, in front of a packed St James' Park, the supporters were given the chance to shake the stands to their very foundations.

A packed Big Bank behind Jones' goal

Forget your Health and Safety Certificates; this was a true test as to whether the Old Grandstand was structurally sound.

I was extremely privileged to be able to sit with the Directors on Saturday and I can quite honestly say that from my fantastic vantage point the Big Bank has never looked, or sounded, so good. And all these superlatives for a team who escaped relegation by 8 minutes plus injury time! This is probably why someone once coined the phrase "It's a funny old game."

Whilst the euphoria of the occasion will not be lost on players, management and supporters alike, we all know for certain that there is going to be a lot of work going on over the summer. We knew this season was going to be a learning process, and we just about avoided being near the bottom of the class.

But what we did learn was invaluable, and will stand us in good stead for next season. Paul Tisdale has the unenviable task of sorting out the futures of his player. And when you are talking about letting go some of the players who have been with us through successive promotions, it'll undoubtedly be a difficult time for him, and I'm sure some fans will be scratching their heads about some decisions, whilst others look on bewildered about different decisions.

Our goal tally this season will be of obvious concern to the manager and it's not just a case of bringing in a striker with a good track record. It's a job to build a team that gives us the defensive stability we need whilst also proving dynamic enough to provide that "proven goalscorer" with the ammo required to continue his track record.

Still in the past few seasons we've not had a 20 goal a season striker yet we've always been up the top of the league goalscorers, by sharing the goals throughout the team. This approach means that we don't fall foul of becoming reliant on one man. This season we've had more of a safety approach first.

However, now is probably not the time to deliberate as to our approach for next season. We will watch with interest to see how the boss shapes the squad over the coming months. Silly season has already started and no doubt, a friend of a mate who works at an estate agents will have sold a house to some bloke "who would be a brilliant signing for us".

It's one of the reasons we love football, it's the sport that never sleeps. World Cup anyone?

The opinions expressed in our Fan Blogs are exclusively those of the author and not of Exeter City Football Club. We publish Fan Blogs on www.exetercityfc.co.uk so supporters can read a wide range of original content each and every week.