And it won't be their last either, judging by their plans to push the team towards the play-offs next season.

Saturday's 2-2 draw against Bamber Bridge saw the Blues finish 13th in the table, after finishing the season the in-form side of the bottom half of the UniBond League First Division North.

It took the pair time to get a settled side after losing club captain Simon Garner, vice-captain Gregg Anderson and play-maker Joel Byrom, all to higher league clubs, but their transfer efforts paid off in the second half of the season.

Jonathan Smith, Carl Lomax and Scott Redhead joining the side in January proved the turning point, so news this week that experienced centre half Smith has agreed a 12-month contract with the club is just the start Reynolds needed to his summer search.

He said: "When you sign a player of his calibre, it's fantastic for the rest of the lads as he's just a rock. It took us three months to replace Gregg's aerial ability, and Jonathan has that dominance. The back four have definitely improved as a result, and he's helped James Mann's game too.

"Keeping hold of Joel Byrom was a massive deal for the club at the start of last season, but this is equally as big, as there would be five to 10 clubs chasing him this summer."

He added: "We've identified the three areas we need to improve the squad in strength and depth; a left sided midfielder, a central midfielder and a centre forward are all needed to beef it up, and we'll go away now to pin-point those players."

Going seven league games into the season without a win, and being thrown out of the FA Trophy for fielding a suspended player, saw the side have its fair share of trials and tribulations.

"It's been difficult," said Reynolds as he summed up the season. "Losing players like Simon, Gregg and Joel was always going to hit us, as when we got to Christmas, it was hard to come by players, and I admit I got a little disillusioned.

"But we stuck at it, identified the players we wanted like Dave Hankin and Ian Johnson and turned it around.

"For the first time we actually look like a UniBond side that can hold its own, we're moving the side forward. It's the happiest dressing room I've been a part of, and I can see it in their eyes when I give the team talk that we're all striving for the same goal."

He added: "When I first took the job as manager on December 9th, 2006, someone asked me if I had a departure date in mind, a time to move on. I'm here for the long term, to take the club to the next level, and I can't see myself ever wanting to leave the club.

"And I'd just like to thank everyone, the fans, committee, chairman and vice-chairman for all their support this season."

Saturday's presentation night saw goalkeeper James Mann scoop the majority of the club's awards: Players' Player, Supporters' Player and Supporters' Club Player of the Year.

Managers' Player saw Reynolds choose Adam Kozlowski, and Smith elect for Gary Stopforth, The Smiley Award went to "The Sheep" Sam Heap and both goal scoring accolades – Leading Scorer and Goal of the Season – to Craig Sargeson.