A DREAM is over, but not the dream for Forest Green Rovers.

Yes, we lost to Bristol Rovers in both legs of the Conference semi final but we were never disgraced.

We would all liked to have gone to Wembley and beat Grimsby Town, then next season play Portsmouth and Leyton Orient rather than Bromley and Barrow.

But despite the defeat on Sunday we’ve had a great season, the most successful in Rovers history.

The most points as well as the highest position we have ever attained and, but for the infamous three points deduction, we might well have finished even higher.

But that has gone, consigned to the history books, now time to think ahead and to build upon our success.

Ady has already taken a look at the players who have done so well for us this season and I’d like to offer my thanks to those who are leaving us.

Sam Russell, Chris Stokes, Luke Oliver, James Norwood, Stuart Fleetwood and Kieron Forbes.

All of them have played a part, not only this season but in some cases for a number of years, in the growing success of Forest Green Rovers.

It was very moving at the end of the game at the Memorial to see the reception that Russell, Norwood and Fleets got from the fans. It was well deserved. They have all become part of the history of our remarkable club; we wish them well.

It’s not easy being a football manager. It is on the ‘Football Manager’ computer game - I managed to get Forest Green to the Championship! But in the real world, our manager, Ady Pennock has done a marvellous job since he’s been with the club.

Ady is never afraid to make the difficult decisions. To be honest we don’t always agree with them, or understand them in the press box or on the terraces, but he makes them none the less and deserves enormous credit for doing so because, in the end, he’s usually right.

But no football club is just about the players and the manager; it’s also about the fans.

I wrote a few weeks ago in my Rovers programme notes that if we were to get into the Football League then it has to be about working together; Dale, Ady, the team and we, the supporters.

That has certainly happened this season but most particularly in the final, few weeks of the season. So, thanks to all who have supported, yelled, shouted and sung home and away.

Now it’s time to prepare for next season, to start looking at the dates of pre season friendlies, the fixtures list for 2015/6, derbies with Cheltenham Town and so much more.

As I said at the beginning, one dream may be over, but the dream is still alive.

We will get into the Football League, it could be next season, so let’s all get behind Dale, Ady and team to make the dream becomes reality