So that's a wrap. The curtain comes down on another season and it was a fitting way to end the campaign with a deserved victory away at Queens Park Rangers.
While it was a campaign that won't live long in the memory, hopefully in 12 months' time City fans can look back on this season as one that helped continue building the foundations to mount their push towards the Premier League next season.
The visitors were excellent at times at Loftus Road, the ability to progress from back to front notable particularly in the first half and it came as little surprise when Mark Sykes fired in the opening goal after Cam Pring picked up his second assist in as many games.
City had to weather the storm at the start of the second half with Chris Martin going close with a header but they stood up the physical and aerial test before Sam Bell sealed the three points at the back post when he latched onto Joe Williams' delivery.
It was a professional performance from City who proved to be a different class to Queens Park Rangers. Nigel Pearson's players didn't take their foot off the throttle until the final kick and those efforts were replicated in the stands at 1,700 travelling supporters, some wearing fancy dress, showed their appreciation on the pitch at the end.
Here's the final verdict of the season as we look ahead with pride and optimism.
A season summary
It's been a wild ride. City headed into third in the league following a victory at Blackburn Rovers towards the beginning of the season which stretched their unbeaten run to eight games. Following that game, only Manchester City had scored more goals across all four divisions than Pearson's men.
City were at their best going forward, punishing sides with their blistering counter-attacks with Tommy Conway getting himself used to the rigours of Championship football. The Robins were daring to dream but it was always going to take a monumental effort to replicate that form over the course of the campaign.
Talk of the play-offs was ignited, and hopes were rising but City failed to sustain that momentum, slipping down the table before flirting with the bottom three. Defeat at home to Lincoln in the cup was a low point, as was the home defeat against West Brom on Boxing Day but the way City rallied back to pull off a 12-game unbeaten run, only to be ended by Manchester City was a defiant show of the club's determination and character.
City ended the season four points better off than 12 months ago, three places higher and a goal difference that was +16 better off than last campaign. Ultimately, it comes down to progress and there have been more than enough green shoots of revival to suggest BS3 could be a very special place next season.
To be able to compete towards the top, squad depth is key and that is going to be addressed in the summer as Pearson and Brian Tinnion prepare to spend shrewdly and add to the quality already at their disposal.
The lack of players, culminating in a number of serious injuries across the season at important times, played the biggest factor in the inability to push higher up the table.
You can also look at other aspects which have been addressed. For example, no longer are the regular nail-biting ends to matches which inevitably end in disappointment. No longer are City being dominated off the park by opponents and no longer is Ashton Gate seen as a charity for away teams.
The final league position and points tally may leave some people feeling underwhelmed but scratch under the surface and the club is only going in one direction.
A sense of optimism
It did feel somewhat poignant after the game when all players and staff made their way to thank the travelling faithful who gave them a massive reception. There was a feeling of togetherness, a sense of pride and a sensation that this could just be the beginning.
With the wage bill being reduced, money to spend following Antoine Semenyo's January sale and the young players gaining another year's experience, there doesn't appear to be many obstacles standing in the way of a play-off push next season.
Of course, that's easy to say now because the Championship is so wildly unpredictable. All it takes is a couple of injuries to key players and that can derail a campaign.
As mentioned above, squad depth is key and City will undoubtedly move quickly to get their targets signed, sealed and delivered before pre-season gets underway. That's when further tweaks and fine-tuning to the squad can be made to ensure there is cover in every position.
Depending on what happens to Tomas Kalas, City are likely going to need two central defenders. Going forward, question marks will also linger around Zak Vyner's long-term future with his deal expiring in 2024.
A new left-back is inevitable with Jay Dasilva unlikely to stay while Alex Scott will need replacing if he completes an expected move to the Premier League. As Pearson said in his post match, there's a case to sign an experience goalkeeper to help challenge Max O'Leary next season.
Just going back to the academy players who have another year's experience - City could have one of the best left-backs in the Championship in Cam Pring who has everything to be part of a promotion-winning side. Tommy Conway is also a forward who has the capabilities to reach 20 goals while Sam Bell will continue developing both physically and mentally.
There's still work to be done, including finding that killer instinct in front of goal and being able to comfortably beat sides when City are dominating the possession but they have seemingly found that consistency in matches which proved so elusive in the season before.
The farewells
Pearson may have played down the two potential farewells at the full-time whistle but even the most optimistic of supporters may have to accept that Alex Scott and Jay Dasilva have probably worn the City colours for the final time.
As the players went over to the supporters, Andy King grabbed Scott and pushed him towards the front of the group - the young midfielder standing there applauding and lapping up the reception of the fans he is deserving of.
It's no secret and it will be no surprise if and when Scott heads from the Premier League this summer which will leave a bittersweet feeling among those who represent the club. Although it was only 12 months ago when Han-Noah Massengo did something similar as he shed a tear when he said goodbye on the final day - only to remain with the club.
If he did leave, Scott would depart with the Championship's Young Player of the Season, the Bristol City Young Player and Player of the Season - a trophy cabinet that is only going to expand over the years.
As for Dasilva, it was great to hear a rendition of his song sung as he stood in his City travelling gear after being left out of the matchday squad. There was a wave and although Pearson said his absence was down to the balance of the bench, which is entirely plausible, it felt like a final goodbye after four years.
Interestingly, Pearson confirmed there has been a contract offer on the table for Dasilva which will be on reduced terms but it's difficult to see him force his way ahead of Pring going forward and a player of his calibre, he won't be content to sit on the bench.
The transfer targets of Joe Bryan and Jack Currie also suggest that it's a position that will be addressed going forward as they plan for life without Dasilva.
Kalas' hope
On the flip side to that, Kalas' introduction in the 63rd minute of the game to replace Kal Naismith did provide a glimmer of hope that he could stay beyond the summer. Like Dasilva, there is a contract offer on the table and the manager admitted that he is keeping an open mind about the possibility of him staying.
In his post-match interview, Pearson likened the situation to Nathan Baker who opted to agree an extension after it was initially decided that he wasn't going to stay. He said of Kalas: "We'll see where it goes. We've had some situations before where, Nathan Baker was a good example of that, where there was a decision that we were parting company but we came to an agreement later in the summer so I don't ever rule things in and out. It's important to have an open mind."
There were no signs of a farewell or goodbye after the game and unlike Dasilva's situation, there is the impression that no decision has been made by the player to stay. It will come down to his fitness - City can't afford to keep him for another year if they can only get a handful of games out of him but there poses the gamble because he's a terrific centre-back at this level.
He wasted little time getting himself involved in the contest, relishing the battle up against the strength of Lyndon Dykes in attack. In typical-Kalas fashion, he threw himself into tackles and aerial duels as though he had never been away.
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