Two Trust match reporters share their combined thoughts on last season and turn their attention to what may come next.

“The fixture list is just out but let’s just look back at last season for a moment.

Relegation to League One felt like a bereavement. How could we have got ourselves into this mess? Leicester City had become something of a joke with constant changing of managers and inconsistent team selection. So we both looked forward to last season with some trepidation……

We needed to re-establish the Walkers as a place that other teams did not want to visit. Not sure if we created a fortress over the season, as we still drew too many games we should have won, but we built up a strong home record with only one game lost.

Nigel Pearson’s appointment was not greeted with glee initially, although we had heard good things about him, but he certainly made some excellent loan signings who all made a significant impact over the season: Hobbs, Gilbert, Cleverley, Davis, Brown and Martin.

He, and his team, knows how to spot a good player. He gradually impressed through the season with his unflustered approach and consistent team selection, which benefitted the players. If a match was not going right he was not afraid to make changes and usually his substitutions made sense.

We developed a strong spine through the team: Martin, Hobbs, Tunchev, Oakley, King with Fryatt and Howard consistently picked. Players such as Fryatt improved in confidence and fitness with consistent selection. His goals were a real bonus. Steve Howard amazingly silenced the doubters with some stirring performances as the season progressed. His injury time winner against Leeds sending fans into ecstasy will be written into folklore (as will Nigel Pearson’s “header” from the dugout)!.....

Brian Lomax has been awarded an OBE for services to football in the Queen's Birthday honours list.

Brian Lomax (on the right) at an East Midlands Trust Training Day held at the Walkers Stadium

Brian, who was responsible for the first supporters' trust when involved in a campaign to save his own Northampton Town in 1992, has been our Supporters Direct Chair since 2005, and was also Supporters Direct first Managing Director until late 2003.

A Supporters Direct spokesman said about the award:

"Brian has made an indelible mark on football and sport, and I can think of no more appropriate way for his achievements to be recognised. We're immensely proud today, and I'm sure I speak on behalf of all staff and for the trust movement across the country in saying 'Congratulations Brian!'."

Commenting on award, Foxes Trust Chairman Ian Bason stated “Brian’s award is well deserved. Like many other Trust’s we first came into contact with Brian during the early days of our formation.

Brian attended several of the Foxes Trust Interim Board meetings over the first six months, offering his insight and guiding us through the many pitfalls newly formed Trust’s face as fans, many who had never met prior to the Trust’s creation, worked as a team to help save our club.

Brian also led proceedings at the Walkers Stadium, when the Foxes Trust’s formation was legally completed, with many fans present and Micky Adams (the football manager at that time) and Alan Birchenall signed up for Trust membership.

Brian encourages Trust’s to pool their information, and as part of this process still often attends the East Midlands Trust meetings, where members of Trust ranging from the Foxes Trust, Rams, Notts County, Northampton, Peterborough, Boston and many others share ideas.”