THE first weekend of no U’s and already the countdown is on to the next season and the transfer rumours have already begun.

With the club releasing the retained list for players, at first glance there are no major changes and the squad should remain very settled over the summer.

Not that in football everything is guaranteed and I still feel that until the transfer window closes there will be the the chance for the right price we could still see players depart, the top candidates being Noah Chilvers and Shamal George.

Both have been highly rated this season and no doubt clubs higher up the leagues will be looking with interest. Just how much it would take to tempt the club to part with their company?

On the team front, I personally think we need to confirm Wayne Brown as manager ASAP to allow all to know the direction the club is aiming for come pre-season and also sign Sam Hornby along with another striker.

Not that there is anything wrong with our options, but just that they are at both ends of the spectrum age-wise, either young up and coming or heading towards the latter stage of their careers.

What we need is a striker with experience around the 26/27 age mark, someone who can add consistency and bridge the gaps over the next few season as the young lads develop and do not have to much put on them to soon.

Off the pitch is where the cub are at a crossroads.

The Covid-19 years are behind us and from the off next season the club will hopefully remove all restrictions.

This will mean the end to bubbles and the return to fans picking their seats but also hopefully the club building upon what it had started the season before the pandemic – just thinking back that far seems a lifetime ago - where we had the supporters bar open in the West Stand, the lunchtime game on the screens, fans mingling and my personal favourite, the different food choice every game, something that added a nice touch of variety each home fixture.

This set up was just starting to take effect before the pandemic curtailed it but I think from the numbers that were turning up every game, it is key to improving the matchday experience.

We already know that we will be playing in blue and white again next season, almost another sign that normality is returning to the JobServe Community Stadium.

But one thing that has been consistent throughout the past few seasons is the friendly matchday staff.

They are often the unsung heroes of the day-to-day running of a football club that get over-looked, as everyone looks more at the names on the pitch.

The staff such as the three superstars that run the club shop and Chris in the ticket office who is always so calm and helpful even if he did have to take the flack for the bubbles that was beyond his control have been brilliant.

Then there is the stewards in the stands who I think handle the fans well, with a friendly smile and a firm hand depending on the situation.

It is all of these people and plenty of others who deserve our thanks as without all their hard work there would be no club and nothing to pull our hair out over on the pitch.

These will also be the ones who are putting the work in ready for the new season while the players are off in the sun playing golf, if their social media is anything to go by.

Until we can look forward the pre-season games there are plenty of other bits to keep our eyes open for, namely season ticket details, when the new shirts will appear, EFL fixture release day and other bits to keep the fans longing for the first game of the new season busy.

Maybe football never really stops after all. Up the U’s.