Here are manager Nigel Adkins' extended programme notes from the final game of the season against Colchester:

Our journey of discovery draws to a conclusion today as we face Colchester United, a team who have done fantastically well to have maintained Championship status last season under the superb management of Geraint Williams, but unfortunately, like ourselves, will return to League 1. Colchester gave us hope that a small club with attendances way below that of the Championship average could compete and survive.

We both now look to the achievement of Southend United as they look to bounce back via the play-offs after having been relegated last season.

It is important to remain happy, keep a smile on our faces and enjoy the roller coaster ride of supporting your football team.

What a day it was back in August when we walked out at The Valley to play Charlton in our first game back at this level for 43 years. I'm sure there were plenty of tears of joy shed that day as we got off to a fantastic start with a well deserved 1-1 draw; Izzy scoring from a set play.

It's always difficult to pick up points away from home, but we thoroughly deserved the three points at Watford last Saturday. Those two results were great achievements when you look that both clubs were recently in the Premiership, with Premiership players and Premiership wages.

To take four points from Charlton, Sheffield Wednesday, Sheffield United, Coventry, Cardiff and six from Preston were monumental achievements for this club and this group of players.

Standing on 45 points with a game to go would have kept us up last season. That's how close we have come from turning what will be classed as a disappointing season into what would have been the greatest season in the club's history. "It's a game of inches", as Al Pacino says in the film 'Any Given Sunday'.

We played nearly a quarter of a season going down to ten men in games and the impact those suspensions have on a small squad was huge - for example Andy Crosby has had six different partnerships this season, compared to last year when the stability was Crosby and Foster. Let's not forget the late penalty decisions going against us notably at Southampton - what a difference that decision makes when you look at the league table now!

Let's remember all the great days, the occasions, the atmospheres and the standard of football through the season. It's a long, hard campaign and this team - your team, our team - has consistently put in a performance for you as the score lines in all the games reflect how competitive we've been.

I'm very proud of what we have achieved and publicly thank the players and staff and families for their 100% commitment and effort. We have shown a work ethic, endeavour, character to the team.

It's your team and we thank you for your support, our twelfth man.

Let's all wish our chairman a speedy recovery over the summer.

Last, but not least, a special mention to the foundations of my life, my wife Angie and sons Phillip and Nick, who make me very proud.

Enjoy the summer break.

Cheer on the troops
Nigel