Not so much a ‘high’ five, but a fifth straight season in Sky Bet League Two all the same is what Boro’ had to look forward to coming into the 2018-9 campaign. The way the previous term had panned out wasn’t exactly going to linger in the memory; Dino Maamria given the managerial reins towards the end of a disappointing 2017-8 season.
At least, however, there was cause for optimism. Maamria’s close-season recruitment did, on paper, seem encouraging. Add that to the new ethos brought to the training ground by the gaffer’s newly-assembled team, and it felt like a fresh start. To be fair, it was. No wild expectations of promotion were created, more cautious confidence.
After a bright enough start, our autumn and winter form was a bit patchy. Like the Boro’ of old, however, the second half of the season saw a resurgence. OK, it was a little later than normal to be fair. But a pulsating run of form towards the back end of the campaign had us in with a shot of the playoffs; Boro’ falling short by one point come the final day of term. So close, yet so far. We’d have to do it all over again next term.
