To say Colchester United experienced an emotional and exhausting conclusion to their season would be something of an understatement.

So it is no surprise that Tony Humes and his players are looking forward to a little rest and recuperation, over the coming weeks.

Not that the U’s manager will be sitting with his feet up; he is already busy moulding a squad capable of competing in League One in his first full season as a Football League manager.

But the fact that he is preparing for a campaign in the third tier is immensely significant in itself, given their predicament in the final weeks of the season.

In the end, the U’s divisional status was achieved in dramatic fashion on the last day of the season in front of a TV audience of millions thanks to a memorable 1-0 win over Preston North End, given to them courtesy of George Moncur’s late winner.

Indeed, Colchester finished the season strongly, losing only two of their final ten games and claiming eight points from a possible 12 in their last four fixtures.

“You have to take the opportunity to switch off a little while you can and it was a lot easier to do that with the result against Preston going the way it did,” said Humes, who succeeded Joe Dunne as Colchester manager, last September.

“I think everybody has had a reflective period with a lot of smiles on faces.

“When the final whistle goes, it’s the relief that hits you and then you reflect on what you will encounter next season.

“But it was a great day against Preston and you have to enjoy those moments as well.

“We got a settled side towards the end of the season and our last ten games were very, very good.

“For a team that had to scrap on the final day of the season to stay up, our last ten games were probably as good as most teams in the league.

“It comes from continuity and belief and we have to make sure that we build on what’s happened at the end of the season and try not to let ourselves get into that position.

“It’s a time for reflection and to see how we can move forward, as well as enjoying the peace and quiet of a break.

“That continues until we hopefully get a few things sorted for next season.”

One of the primary reasons behind Colchester’s relegation struggles this season was their poor record, at the Weston Homes Community Stadium.

Only relegated Yeovil Town lost more league games on home soil but despite that, the U’s finished the season strongly in front of their own fans.

Colchester were undefeated in their final five home games of the campaign, culminating in their superb final-day victory over Preston.

“In the last four or five home games we played, for the majority of the time there was a good atmosphere in the stadium,” said Humes.

“It shows what can happen and in the last five homes games, we were unbeaten.

“When you think about earlier in the season when we were scratching for anything you couldn’t really see that happening, certainly with the fixtures that we had.

“It’s testament to everybody involved - the players, crowd and everybody - when everything comes together you have a chance to move things forward.”

Colchester’s season was full of highs and lows, of ups and downs.

Victories over the likes of Preston and Bristol City were big highlights; heavy defeats at Chesterfield and MK Dons games to forget.

But although results did not always go their way, the U’s were a competitive force in the vast majority of games they played.

And the temperament shown by their young players in particular was a reflection of their manager’s composure, in the face of adversity.

Humes added: “We try not to put any pressure on them.

“We try to keep everything still, from day to day and from week to week.

“They were like that against Preston and hopefully, they’re getting that.

“You play your best when you’re in a composed state and you can think rationally on the pitch.

“Hopefully, the players are improving in that aspect.

“We have been competitive in all but half a dozen games this season.

“Sometimes you get that with young players but hopefully, it’s played its part in helping them mature.

“It’s been a long season but the players’ effort and application has been magnificent.”

For part two of our interview with Tony Humes and all of the latest Colchester United news, see Tuesday's Daily Gazette.