CONCORD Rangers assistant manager Nicky Cowley says this ‘dream’ season has been the best the club have ever had.

The Beach Boys number two said surviving in the Conference South in only their second season in the division, and eventually finishing a fantastic seventh, reaching the first round of the FA Cup and retaining the Essex Senior Cup have made this season unforgettable.

He and manager Danny Cowley have also led the side on their best ever run in the FA Trophy this season, eight years after they both joined the club and the Concord assistant manager says he is proud to be a part of it.

“You would have to say it has been our best ever season,” he said. “When you look at what we have achieved and how far we have come it is hard to dispute that. We even got more points that last season with two fewer games.

“Everyone at Concord buys into what the club is and the hard work and spirit here is something special. No-one is above another and they know the team comes first.

“And when you create an environment like that it can be really effective.”

Concord took points off all the sides finishing above them in the league, winning at champions Bromley on New Year’s Day, and thrashing Boreham Wood (4-0) and Conference champions Barnet (6-2) in the FA Trophy.

A 1-1 draw at League Two’s Mansfield in the FA Cup was also a highlight for Cowley, with Jordan Chiedozie, who later went onto sign for Cambridge United, scoring a terrific equaliser.

Concord lost the replay 1-0 but Cowley he can scarcely believe this is the same club he and Danny joined eight years ago.

“My very first game for Concord was against Sawbridgeworth Town in the Essex Senior League and now we are drawing matches at the likes of Mansfield Town in the Football League.

“We played in front of 50 people back in the Essex Senior League and are now averaging more than 300. It is so rewarding.

In a season of so many highs, Cowley did say consecutive 1-0 defeats to Hemel Hempstead Town and Hayes & Yeading at the end of the season hurt.

“We conceded goals from set-pieces and we are normally much better than that,” he said. “Our opponents were reduced to 10 men as well but when you go behind on a difficult pitch later in the season it is harder to come back.

“But we are sustainable and free of debt unlike so many other clubs and we are grateful for that.”

So where can Concord go from here? Having beaten Billericay Town 5-0 in last week’s Essex Senior Cup final, Cowley is targeting their third consecutive win – with Leytonstone the last side to achieve that 48 years ago.

“It would be great to win it again,” he said. “As for the league, our primary focus will always be to stay up. We always have at least four targets and we will have a think about those over the summer.”

Player of the season: Collective (individual awards not yet handed out) Goal of the season: Taylor Miles (Chelmsford City Feb ’15)