Here we are, with the halfway stage of our first Championship campaign almost upon us and all thoughts naturally focussed on the second half of what has so far been a very rewarding season.

However, it is I think very important to also take stock of the last 12 months and to highlight one or two key moments from what I hope will be seen as one of the most enjoyable years for many a while.

This time last year I wrote about my gratitude at being given the opportunity to manage such a fantastic club and to be able to work with such a talented group of staff and players.

I hoped very much that as a football department, we would be able to deliver the success that our supporters so absolutely deserved and therefore any look back at 2014 can only start with the promotion back to the Championship!

As I have said so many times, such an achievement speaks volumes of the strength of character, desire, determination and no lack of quality that our playing squad possesses.

For them to be able to bounce back from the disappointment of the previous season and to display such a level of consistency that saw them achieve almost 100 points in the 2013/14 campaign is a truly outstanding achievement on their part.

It is a pleasure to be able to work with them on a daily basis and I have no doubts that there is so much still to come from this talented squad.

I also speak regularly of the quality of staff we are fortunate to have surrounding the First Team and any review of the last year must also recognise the tireless work they undertake every single day to play their part in taking this club forward to where it wants to/will be!

For us to have such talented individuals as Frank McParland and David Weir join the club again highlights the level of aspiration and there is no doubt that they will play a significant part in the months/years ahead.

So looking back the pitch invasion after Preston, the trophy presentation, the party atmosphere at MK Dons, so many fond memories of a marvellous season.

However, very quickly we found ourselves preparing for the opening Championship game against Charlton and from there the games seem to come so very quickly but all the time new memories being created.

The first away win against Blackpool, strong home performances against the likes of Leeds and Reading, the outstanding away performance at Notts Forest and the ensuing victories against such strong teams as Fulham, Blackburn and Cardiff!

All of the performances were accompanied by the truly magnificent support that you gave us both home and away and there is no doubting the significant impact that such a level of backing can have on the team.

The players absolutely respect the level of commitment and sacrifice that such support demands of each and every loyal ‘Bee’ and our aim will always be to do our best to deliver the type of performance that makes all of the effort worthwhile!

I could not look back over the last 12 months without mentioning the magnificent news that our new stadium has received full approval.

A truly memorable achievement by all concerned with the effort.

Likewise, the club celebrated its 125th anniversary and the move to Lionel Road will hopefully allow us to look forward to the start of a new 125 year cycle.

So now we look forward to welcoming second place Ipswich Town to Griffin Park and then to travelling to Wolves for what will be another challenging encounter.

We will approach 2015 as we did 2014 and hope very much that we can enjoy a similar level of success!

That leaves me to say that on behalf of the entire football department we wish you a most enjoyable festive period and here’s to a happy, healthy and hopefully memorable 2015!

Warm regards.