Simon Grayson: This group has taken Fleetwood forward but new group starts next season

Reflecting on the early months of his reign after the season ended with a 3-1 defeat at Ipswich Town, Grayson said: "My first job when coming here was to steady the ship and make sure we didn’t get sucked into the lower reaches.

“For large parts, we’ve been very good and difficult to play against.

“We’ve beaten a few teams who were up there amongst it, like Lincoln, Ipswich and Doncaster.

“The players have been very good but a new group starts next year.

"Players will be leaving and joining at every football club up and down the country. We’ll be no different.

“We’ll regroup over the summer and see where next season takes us.

“I think everyone’s quite pleased this season is over, apart from the teams promoted and in the play-offs. It’s been a strange time for everyone."

Fleetwood who finished in 15th spot, have been playing out games since Easter, with little realistic possibility of joining the promotion chase of the relegation scrap.

Of the game which rounded the season off at Portman Road, he added: "It felt like an end-of-season game, with too many chances for my liking as a manager, but it’s over now.

"It was always going to be difficult, with the players having nothing to play for apart from pride, futures and their livelihoods.”

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