BRIDPORT manager Adam Fricker has spoken about his relief that the season is done after a challenging year in the Toolstation Western Premier Division that saw them finish seventh.

Among a host of postponements that led the league to being extended to May 12, with Bridport’s 2-0 win against Odd Down the sole match on that day.

Speaking before their last match of the season when asked how he will feel when the season is over, Fricker said: “For us relief that the season is done but one of immense pride because the boys have been absolutely outstanding this season.

“We always look to progress as a team year on year, we finished 16th last season, we will finish a minimum of ninth this season which is the highest the club have finished since 2000.”

Alongside a quarter-final in the Les Phillips Cup, the Bees also reached the third qualifying round in the FA Cup which is the furthest stage the club have reached in the competition.

Fricker said: “For us it has been a massive, massive tick but personally for myself and Paddy the hard work starts once the season is finished because ourselves and the lads have set themselves a bar and a standard of the requirement and we need to go into next season and improve on that as well.”

When asked if there have been any thoughts ahead of next season Fricker said: “We have tentatively spoken to the lads and the view we are getting back is that we anticipate retaining the squad, you never know what is going to happen.”

Fricker also admitted: “I am sure a few or a couple of our lads have attracted interest from higher above but for us we want to keep everyone that we have got in the squad and possibly add one or two maybe but we do not see having to make wholesale changes.

“We believe in the squad that we have got in place and we want all of those lads to return in pre-season and kick on from what they have done this year.”