And now the end is near, and so we face the final curtain. . . (well, the Wolves anyway). Everyone else is looking back on what might have been given a bit (well, a lot if we're honest) more consistency, the odd dollop of luck and plenty of use of every blade on the park, home and away, but I want to look forward and rejoice at the things we should be relieved at, proud of and hopeful because of.

And now the end is near, and so we face the final curtain. . . (well, the Wolves anyway).

Everyone else is looking back on what might have been given a bit (well, a lot if we're honest) more consistency, the odd dollop of luck and plenty of use of every blade on the park, home and away, but I want to look forward and rejoice at the things we should be relieved at, proud of and hopeful because of.

Let's begin with some rejoicing. I am having a party in honour of the green away kit - well, the end of it to be precise.

Though the fitted ladies' version certainly looked pretty decent teamed with jeans, and some of you guys didn't look too bad in it either, it has long been a worry of mine that it blended in too well with the mottled background crowd colours during play and resulted in many a City stray pass and the general feeling that we often had about eight against their 11. (I suppose it could just be how away games have been in general these past two seasons, but I'd like to think it was merely the kit to blame.)

Well, it is no more - and I for one shall down a large glass of something potent to hail its demise and hope beyond hope that its next incarnation is altogether brighter, and witnesses some better performances and results of course. (I'd favour white with green and yellow striped edging - I have a design already, but I won't be in waiting for the phone to ring.)

Now let's switch to the 'proud of'.

Only a City fan in the remotest parts of Outer Mongolia could have failed to notice this season's turmoil in terms of the 'Worthy Out/Worthy In' parting of the waters, with seemingly few fans left on the middle ground. Protests have been a feature of many home games in particular, and banners/chants at games calling for the managers' head on a platter have been, at times, intense and prolonged. Whichever side of the divide you are on for whatever reasons, I would still maintain that there is something we should all be proud of in all of this and that is the dignity with which, for the most part, those involved and the club as a whole has behaved.

The situation may not be to the liking of many, and the end result looking back on the season certainly isn't to all of City persuasion, but with our linen being washed and aired in the privacy of our back garden I, for one, am more than happy to let the headline writers leave us well alone.

And so on to next season, and things seem to be looking up a bit. Without doubt it is better to be finishing a season playing better and winning games than it is to be on the end of a 6-0 thumping, so hope springs eternal that we will have a decent pre-season and press on from there so we are well in contention come September/October. If we aren't then I think the writing may well be on the wall, and in very large letters indeed.

Finally a quick mention for Middlesbrough. I think Boro should donate very generously to the 'Norwich buy a winger fund' as, since we showed them the subtle art of never-say-die and how to score plenty in not a lot of time, they have duly joined the elite few who believe they can… and then go on and do it. All credit to them and good luck in the UEFA Cup Final, although my money's on 0-0 with penalties after extra time! Three times in a row would be asking just a bit too much don't you think?

Happy close season everyone!