WHILE the end of the football season sparks bouts of depression for many, David Bridges had more reason than most to bemoan the campaign s conclusion. Ever since Bridges knee crumpled under a challenge by Oxford United goalkeeper Billy Turley in March,

WHILE the end of the football season sparks bouts of depression for many, David Bridges had more reason than most to bemoan the campaign's conclusion.

Ever since Bridges' knee crumpled under a challenge by Oxford United goalkeeper Billy Turley in March, the 25-year-old worked round the clock to get back to full fitness before the end of the season.

Unfortunately, it was a fight he didn't win and he missed out on both the play-off semi-finals against Cambridge United and the FA Trophy victory at Wembley.

"It was difficult to take," he told The Comet. "The plan was for me to be ready for the play-off final but that obviously didn't work out.

"We calmed down the rehab towards the end of the season because I knew the final was not going to happen.

"I'm not going to lie; watching the lads out there was terrible. I was just thinking what might have been but I was obviously delighted for the boys to win the trophy."

Now Bridges is working on his fitness this summer and is chomping at the bit to get the new football season underway.

"It was unfortunate because my season ended on a bit of a low. But I've just got to focus on next season now - that's the most important thing."

The fact Boro displayed Championship winning form in the second half of the season has not been lost on the squad, but Bridges believes there is little point wasting any more time on what might have been and Graham Westley's side will be looking to use the disappointment to their advantage next season.

"All the lads feel the same way - we know we should have won the league. Our form showed we were more than capable of that.

"But there's no point looking back too much. We've just got to come back stronger next season.