We were all pretty fed up following the defeat to Clermont-Auvergne at the end of May and finishing eighth in the Premiershipwas not where such a proud club as Bath would want to be.
A win at The Stoop - and thus silverware and re-entry into theHeineken Cup - might have been greeted with euphoria at the time, but it would probably only have just papered over the cracks.
But what a difference a few months makes.
We are, once again, looking forward to the start of a new season,bolstered by the arrival of our new half-back pairing and othersignings as well as the return of last season's long-term injured andthe addition of Simon Halliday to the club's board.
To put last season into perspective, we should not forget that webegan the season with an acting head coach, Steve Meehan, who did notknow Bath, Bath Rugby, its supporters or, most important of all, theplayers.
And the assistant/forwards coach, Mark Bakewell, only arrived justin time for pre-season.
Both had anticipated working with a head coach who, by the timethey arrived, had already been poached by England - not an auspiciousstart.
We should also appreciate that the players did not know their newcoaches and, whereas the pre-season friendlies flattered to deceive,the cut and thrust of the Premiership started to take its toll.
By the time we got to Christmas, we had 17 players out injured andBath had only one fit first-choice prop and other team membersplaying out of position.
To its credit, the club never made a meal of that situation.
Although the EDF Cup seemed an unnecessary distraction, theChallenge Cup gave supporters something to cheer about.
We had players coming back to full fitness and the supporters, atleast, had a chance to celebrate an away Premiership win on the finalday of the league season.
We have said before that, despite the bitter disappointment of notbeing in the Heineken Cup competition next year, the Challenge Cupsends supporters to places not previously visited.
We have been to Parma before, but not to Albi nor to Auch, bothtrips those supporters who follow the club religiously around Europewill relish.
The EDF Cup pits each club against three teams in four separategroups and, at least, the groups have been changed for next season.
We get home advantage for two of them, but Sale on a Friday nightis not one of our most favourite trips.
On another tack, well done to the Bath players called into theEngland squad - Olly Barkley, Steve Borthwick, Lee Mears and MattStevens.
Sadly, Nick Abendanon did not make the final cut, but, purelyselfishly, that means he can now play for Bath.
Congratulations also to Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu for being includedin the Samoan squad and commiseration to Paulica Ion, who did notquite make the Romanian squad.
We are still waiting to hear good news about The Rec developmentand will continue to lobby on behalf of the club for permission toenhance the facilities at The Rec for the benefit of all.
We welcome the new boys and hope that the forthcoming season willmark a new and successful era for Bath Rugby.
Finally, good luck to the Chronicle and all its staff with the newweekly format and thank you for your unstinting support of BathRugby.
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