Bristol City's season may have not been the most exciting in recent years, but there's little doubt strides have been made both on and off the pitch.
Having started the campaign superbly, briefly reaching the dizzy heights of third following a 3-2 victory at Blackburn in September with some free-scoring and brilliantly entertaining matches, consistency proved elusive after the initial international break.
Confidence levels were taking a hit following a run of three wins in 17 games and frustrations almost reached a tipping point on Boxing Day, leaving manager Nigel Pearson facing questions about his position in the dugout. Then arrived a 12-game unbeaten run in all competitions, the mood brightening as the days slowly got longer.
Only the Premier League champions would end that run and with City navigating their way around a string of injuries, they can head into the final eight matches without the threat of relegation and the freedom to build a base heading into next season.
On Thursday, May 4th ahead of the final league game of the season away at Queens Park Rangers, City will host the end-of-season dinner to celebrate the men's and women's teams, the academy and the Robins Foundation. Voting is now open for supporters to have their say on the Player of the Year, Young Player of the Year, Champagne Moment and Supporter of the Year.
Here, I share who I voted for and why...
Player of the Year
I couldn't look past three names; Zak Vyner, Alex Scott and Matty James.
Vyner found consistency to his game which was desperately needed coming off the back of last season. It takes a strong mentality to come back from being dropped and criticised, particularly with the potential to leave the club over the summer.
City needed Vyner to step up having failed to bring in another central defender beyond Kal Naismith. No player has played more minutes this season than the 25-year-old having started all-but one league game which he was forced to miss out on through illness.
His importance in the side has only been magnified by the ongoing injury issues in defence with Tomas Kalas, Kal Naismith and Rob Atkinson spending significant time on the sidelines. Vyner's confidence has grown and with that, his leadership qualities have come to the fore and he was rewarded for his season with the captain's armband at Swansea.
His performances in the last handful of matches haven't matched the standards set in the earlier part of the season, which could come down to the number of minutes he has played or the constant changing of central defensive partners but he's shown he is good enough to keep that position going forward.
With James, he won't win any awards for being the most fashionable midfielder in the world but his importance in the side is always evident when he's not playing. He missed five matches following the first international break, which City went into in great form, however, they ended up winning just once with a 2-1 victory over Preston.
It's difficult to remember James having a bad game. He's an organiser, he protects the defence and keeps things simple. Nigel Pearson said earlier in the season that good players are often those who go unnoticed during games which seems apt for the experienced midfielder.
It was also great to hear Pep Guardiola being so complimentary about him after the FA Cup defeat with James enduring the almost impossible task of keeping Kevin De Bruyne quiet.
However, and rather predictably, it has to be Alex Scott who has just been a joy to watch at times. The way he can dictate a game at his age is so rare, helped by being played consistently through the middle.
Three games stand out in the memory this season where he was just unplayable. The 3-0 FA Cup victory over West Brom, the 2-1 win at home to Preston, and also his performance against Manchester City.
Talents like him are rare and it will be a long time before we see another player with his ceiling to come through again, if ever. His game isn't perfect, he still needs to add goals and assists which will come in time but I'll be surprised if it is anyone but Scott to win the Player of the Year in May.
Player of the Year - 1st Alex Scott, 2nd Matty James, 3rd Zak Vyner
Young Player of the Year
That has to go to Tommy Conway, although Sam Bell obviously deserves acknowledgment. I cast my mind back to the final pre-season game against Bournemouth where a reporter asked Pearson whether Conway will be staying with the squad or heading out on loan.
The City manager was rapid in his response, dismissing any possibility of the 20-year-old heading out temporarily. With Antoine Semenyo recovering from an injury picked up over the summer on international duty, Conway earned his first start during the third game of the season in which he assisted in a 1-1 draw at Wigan.
That also included a run of seven goals in eight games having worked on his partnership alongside Nahki Wells. His pace was frightening and his finishing was unstoppable at times, playing a massive role in City's impressive start to the season. That's also not forgetting his first call-up to the Scotland Under-21 set-up.
Like most young players, it's difficult to maintain that consistency throughout the whole season and Conway did have a dip in form around October and November but he's still developing to the rigours and intensity of the Championship.
His hamstring injury picked up against Swansea in the New Year has been cruel, meaning he has been forced to miss the last 15 games but Conway is set to return to action against Reading at the weekend which will provide an opportunity to leapfrog Wells as City's top scorer. He's currently two behind with nine, with the highest goal conversion (31%) and shot accuracy (69%).
Young Player of the Year - Tommy Conway
Champagne Moment
There's a couple that are in with a shout of winning. Tommy Conway's goal at home to Cardiff at the beginning of the season being one, Nahki Wells' last-minute penalty at Sunderland to earn a draw and end that ridiculous wait for a spot-kick, and the goosebumps when City emerged from the tunnel to face Man City in front of a packed house.
However, Sam Bell's winning goal in extra-time against Swansea to spark bedlam in Wales is one that can't be matched. It was a superb move, with Joe Williams laying it into Andy King's path.
He freed Bell down the left and the striker showed unbelievable composure to beat his man for space, cut in on his right foot and hit the roof of the net. It was his first goal for the club since coming through the ranks as a schoolboy and he couldn't have envisioned it any better. What's more, it helped seal the tie with Manchester City.
Champagne moment - Sam Bell's extra-time winner against Swansea
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