IN the aftermath of a gutting conclusion to one of the club’s most extraordinary seasons, Swindon Town head coach Ben Garner is adamant there have been far more positives than negatives.

Days after a penalty shoot-out defeat to Port Vale which saw Swindon exit the League Two play-offs, many fans have been coming to terms with what an incredible achievement it was for Garner’s men to have even reached this point.

A hastily-assembled Town squad made a hot start to the League Two campaign before playing Manchester City in the FA Cup, finally ending the regular campaign by winning their final four games to make the play-offs.

Owner Clem Morfuni put out a statement on Friday night which thanked everyone involved in the rebuild of the club since he took over last summer.

And head coach Garner echoed the Australian’s thoughts, stating this season was amazing in so many different ways.

Garner said: “There have been too many things to mention. The highs far outweigh the lows.

“Working with this group every day has been a privilege, it really has.

“To come in and see the way they train, the way they approach everything, the way they’ve attacked the season with no conditioning levels and no pre-season to start with.

“To pick up as few injuries as we have done and to have performed the way we have has been brilliant - some of the football we’ve played too, brilliant.

“To see the support and the way is viewed by the community, that’s really, really pleasing. I would just like to thank everyone for their efforts this year.”

Given the uphill task that Town almost completed in stunning fashion this season, the consensus among many fans is that another crack at the top seven should be achievable now that the transfer embargo is lifted and the club’s finances are in a far more stable state.

Asked if Garner felt the club was capable of picking itself up quickly and going one better next season, the Town boss said: “We have to work hard to go one better. We want to improve, and that’s a constant process.

“I think we’ve improved after an incredible amount of recruitment this season. With loans, with permanents – we’ve built a squad and they’ve been remarkable; they really have.

“As I’ve said, we all have to come back better next season. We all have to learn from the experienced, whether that’s the older heads or the young guys starting out.

“Yes, it stings and hurts, but you become stronger for the experience.”