For a section of Bristol City supporters, the 2024/25 season will have been like nothing they have ever experienced before.
Prior to this campaign, there will have been a whole generation of fans who didn't know what a play-off campaign entailed given the 17-year gap between the Robins' last two, top six Championship finishes.
Of course, supporters have had tastes here or there of the pressure that comes when Premier League football is on the line. Carabao and FA Cup clashes with the likes of Manchester City and Manchester United have been great occasions, but it would be wrong to compare either of those matches with the intensity felt within BS3 when West Brom travelled to Ashton Gate in April, when Sunderland were in town on Good Friday or the final day of the season meeting with Preston North End.
On all three of those spring matchdays, the tension was palpable as fans waited to see if the Reds could finally get over the line and book their spot in the play-offs. Having spoken to supporters over the last few weeks, I know just how nerve-wracking it was to be sitting in stands during that final stretch of games, so imagine what it must have been like for the players.
As Liam Manning told Bristol Live in his end-of-season review, large portions of this current playing squad haven't played in matches of this magnitude. Sure, a few of the 'older heads' - if you can call all of them that - such as Nahki Wells, Joe Williams and Rob Dickie have competed in high-pressure games but for the likes of Zak Vyner, Max O'Leary and George Earthy, it was a completely new experience to be battling at the top end of the table.
While the campaign came to an end in an incredibly disappointing fashion, as the Robins exited the play-offs with a record 6-0 aggregate defeat to Sheffield United across the two legs, it was still a season of immense progress and learning within the City changing room.
The hope, from the head coach's perspective at least, was that the experiences of the last 10 months or so will aid the playing squad if and when they next find themselves in this situation.
"I think it's a different pressure and experience that the lads have been feeling that will only make them better if they reflect on it properly," Manning told Bristol Live just over a week ago. "Then, hopefully, when we're in that position again in the future, you've got that ability to recall on the experience you've had.
"Definitely, it will stand them in good stead going forward."
However, as I pointed out in my final verdict of the season, following the second-leg defeat at Bramall Lane, the Robins will only be the beneficiaries of players going through such experiences should they find a way to keep the bulk of their squad together over the off-season.
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Of course, additions are needed this summer. It is by no means a secret that the Reds are short of goals with even Steve Lansdown confirming in an interview with BBC Radio Bristol just last week that another striker was required. On top of that, another goalkeeper will also be on the shopping list now that Stefan Bajic has been released.
But from my point of view, from the press box of the Lansdown Stand, finding a way to ensure as much of the 2024/25 squad, and staff for that matter, remain in post over the course of the summer has to be City's number one priority.
Yes, it is early doors, and with the transfer window not officially yet open, the Robins' resolve is yet to be truly tested. Nevertheless the Reds have taken two quick steps towards achieving that priority with the contract renewals of both Cam Pring and George Tanner.
I'm sure you will have your own individual thoughts on just how good each full-back is and whether or not they are good enough to start week in and week out for a team competing for the top six. Although it isn't the point I intend to make with this piece, I think it is worth remembering City did qualify for the play-offs this term whilst Tanner and Pring made a combined 64 league appearances, so they are clearly capable Championship defenders.
With all of that to one side though, by tieing both players down for the next three years, the Reds have ensured that they will be the ones to benefit from the experiences they have gained, rather than another club, as has been the case with Middlesbrough and Tommy Conway.
As fans of other teams have been very quick to point out over the last couple of weeks, you don't get a promotion, a trophy or a medal just for securing a top six finish. What you do get, however, is the chance to play in what, for Pring, Tanner and many others in the Reds camp, will have been the biggest game of their careers so far.
There's no doubt Tanner will have played in some important matches during his time in the Manchester United academy, but as a professional, the final day meeting with Preston and the play-off semi-final against Sheffield United will have both been bigger.
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The same goes for Pring who, as a product of the Robins' youth academy, will have never quite experienced anything like the intensity felt at Bramall Lane just last week.
This is, of course, just a start. There are still an awful lot of players set to be out of contract in 12 month's time, namely Vyner, O'Leary, Mark Sykes, Anis Mehmeti and Haydon Roberts. I am sure cogs are likely already in motion to tie them down in a similar fashion to Pring and Tanner as the Robins look to avoid another Conway-esque saga.
As well as that, there is an acceptance that further additions will be needed to move forward and ensure Manning's side don't just stand still next term.
However, considering the fact City's season only came to an end 11 days ago, the last two days mark was has been a positive start to what could be a very interesting summer.
