SOUTHEND United wing-back Gus Scott-Morriss is immensely proud of what the Shrimpers have achieved this season.
Blues finished the campaign sitting ninth in the National League standings after somehow overcoming a number of off-field issues.
And, despite being frustrated by a 2-1 defeat to Rochdale on the final day, Scott-Morriss is full of praise for how well the players have been able to perform.
“We’re disappointed but immensely proud at the same time,” said Scott-Morriss.
“We’re disappointed because the fans showed up, showed what they’re about and we couldn’t get the win for them.
“But I’m proud there’s still a club and there’s a group of men in there who have kept this club alive.
“To even have a shout of getting out of this division is a credit to them and I’m so proud of the lads in there.
“We stuck together and stayed true to ourselves''.
The Shrimpers still had an outside chance of finishing in top seven ahead of Saturday’s games.
But Scott-Morriss admitted it has been far from straight-forward for Kevin Maher’s side.
“It’s an honest group of men and I’m very proud of what’s in that dressing room,” said Scott-Morriss.
“I know you see what’s on the pitch but you don’t see what happens in there.
“There’s a lot of emotion and there have been a lot of bad times.
“We’ve been at the training ground not knowing if we’re going to get paid and I’m so proud.
“I think it shows what the club will become about come next season.”
The Shrimpers had gone 15 games without defeat for Saturday’s setback.
And Scott-Morriss was frustrated Blues could not build on his early goal which put the home-side ahead.
“We spoke about getting after them early doors and it was just a shame we took our foot off the gas after that a little bit,” said Scott-Morriss.
“We had them rattled and if we got the second goal I think it would’ve been game done but it wasn’t to be.”
Rochdale came back to triumph 2-1 in front of a crowd of close to 8,000.
And Scott-Morriss admitted the fans have also played a huge part this season.
“They’re first class,” said Scott-Morriss.
“I said it last year when we hadn’t been paid for months on end, they kept the place rocking.
“You want to put on a show for them because they keep the atmosphere going and follow you up and down the country.
“If it wasn’t for them it wouldn’t be the same.
“We could easily have gone under.”
Scott-Morriss has played a leading part in stopping that happen.
And he is pleased with the way things have gone for him this season.
“I’m a harsh critic of myself and I wish I had more assists but I’m also very happy with what I’ve done,” said Scott-Morriss.
I’m always looking to do better but eight goals is a personal best for me.
“I got seven for Hemel and I had that in my head I wanted to break.
“But this season hasn’t been about personal accolades, we had to stick together and play out of position at times.”
The Shrimpers will now take a break this summer before looking to finish higher up the league table next season.
“This club can achieve whatever it wants to achieve,” said Scott-Morriss.
“There are still a lot of things that need to be sorted out.
“It’s exciting with the prospect of a new takeover but it’s going in the right direction and for a long time this club hasn’t been going in the right direction.
“That can only be an exciting thing for everyone.”
****housery and Demi yes yes fine analogy, ha all wrapped up with a Gus grin
