In a season of change at first team level, the second string competed well in their league campaign, finishing a healthy third in the Barclays Premier Reserve League North, but it isn't all about results at that level, it is about player development and getting players ready for the first team, something that Brunskill believes has been achieved to some extent.

"I think it has been good, we've had a big turnover of players this year," said Brunskill.

"If I look at the outcome of this year we've had a couple who have pushed on, there's Aaron Doran who has got in some games with the first team which has been good.

"There's Martin Olsson who has been there or thereabouts, Keith Treacy has been in and out, Andy Haworth has played a couple of games, and Marcus Marshall came on in the Carling Cup, so they are getting the experience.

"Gavin Gunning and Alex Marrow have been training with the first team, Nick Blackman has come in and done well and has also gone on loan.

"We've done quite well in the games that we have played this season and we've done well in the league but it isn't about that, the whole point of the Reserves is to develop players and get them hopefully to a level. There is only so much you can take and then it is time for them to kick on."

As well as those players featuring for the first team, Brunskill also paid tribute to the seniors who featured for him at Reserve team level.

"I must also say the senior players who have played for the Reserves this year have been excellent, they have shown a good example to the younger lads and that is not always the case," added Iain.

"We've even had Benni when he was coming back from injury, and he was brilliant with the boys in the dressing room, Tugay, Vince Grella, Zurab, Carlos, they've been great with the younger lads.

"Being around the first team and training with them every day, there is no substitute for that.

"And that is my scenario for next season, we'll be young, it'll be second years and first years and we'll do what we think is right with those who are slightly older, if we think they should go out on loan to get some experience then that is what we'll do.

"I want to get the younger lads at the Academy coming up more, so they've been coming up once a week. The manager is keen also in the practice games that he has to get them involved so it is valuable experience and next year we are going to get them up even more.

"The type of experience they gain from being around the first team players makes them realise this is a job, this is serious, this is how it is, this is the level they have to get to.

"They might get to that level and get a little chance, but the hardest part is to stay there.

"So that is something that we are trying to implement, I've spoken to the people down at the Academy and they are more than pleased that we can build links."

On a personal level Iain Brunskill has enjoyed his first season with the club: "It has been good, it has been really enjoyable. In my first season we've had the change of manager but I must say that since the new manager has come in and Neil McDonald, they've been excellent, really supportive of everything we've done.

"We are quite lucky that we've got someone who is interested with what goes on because I know at other clubs they are not. He's really interested in what is going on, and wants to know as does Neil and Karl, so it has been good.

"It is a good working environment for the lads and as the manager has shown he's not scared to give them a chance if he thinks they are good enough, so it is an ideal scenario really."