In a season that has surpassed most predictions, they have been a pleasure to watch. In her fifty years of pitching up at London Road, this writer has witnessed more delightful football than any other. They have defeated the unlovable Wycombe Wanderers in a Wembley final, defeated the promoted Derby County club on their own field, and secured two five-goal derby victories. These are times to be extremely proud of.

With the rare exception, all of the players are talented footballers who feel at ease when the ball is in their hands. They can move quickly and powerfully, and their deft passing maneuvers have confused opponents. They also decline to use the “dark arts” as a means of winning games. It is not in the Posh playbook to take a break and pretend to be injured while club physios complicitiously engage in a farce for the advantage of referees who are rarely available, and they need to take pride in that too.

It goes without saying that the season ended disappointingly. Though it’s the second time in two seasons that Posh has failed to negotiate a play-off semi-final, last night was as far removed as possible from the Hillsborough surrender of a year ago.