We only had one home game in December this year but still that was an improvement on the complete lack of home fixtures last December.

The pitch at the Crown Ground has finally settled down and the drains appear to be working at last. It’s just another sign that we are progressing as a club.

This time last year we had less points in the bag and a place in the playoffs was a very distant dream.

The team spirit and commitment combined with a fast passing style of play saw the reds climb the table and achieve that dream.

They say you should be careful what you wish for and for Stanley fans the play-offs were a double whammy as we failed in our bid for a day at Wembley and the rest of the world had a good look at our squad.

There were times during the season that the quality of football we had played would have seen us beat Stevenage convincingly but alas it was not to be and over the two legs we failed to perform.

The 4,000-plus home gate for the second leg was a highlight and if we could only up the average gate to about 2,500 then I am sure we would get into League One.

It has been also been a year of change off the pitch with a change of chairman and the board.

The share issue looks like being a success and you only have to look down the road at Ewood to realise that more fan involvement can only be a good thing.

My mates who follow Rovers feel let down by their new owners and would love the opportunity that we Stanley fans have been given not only to own a share in the club but to join the board.

The fact that a fan may end up on the board is a fantastic statement about the direction they want the club to go.

These last six games have seen a superb effort from the players.

While I am not daft enough to think we can remain unbeaten until the end of the season I am very confident that whatever knocks come along between now and May we have core strength within the squad that will ensure we finish closer to the top than the bottom of League Two.

I must end with my goal of the year. There have been many over the last 12 months but Jayden Stockley’s goal against Torquay will take some beating.