Southern United finished its season on Sunday with a win but that was one of only three it managed. Football writer Rab Smith looks back over the 2013-14 campaign, and asks the question: Did the side make any progress?
The ASB Premiership is over for Southern United, and now the soul-searching begins as it does every year, looking backwards at the positives and negatives of the season.
New chairman Bevan Rickerby has said a review will be held, possibly by an independent person or group, to examine what can be improved for next year - and the need is for an early review that is implemented as soon as possible.
Participation in the national league is a vital step for young players to be seen and assessed with a view to progressing towards selection for international teams, or invitations to join professional clubs, or moving into the United States university system.
Playing in the national league was the recent springboard for the likes of Cam Howieson and Joel Stevens.
It is not easy to run and fund national league teams but without them, the South would quickly become a football wasteland.
New Zealand Football recognises the importance of balanced progress and participation and the fact that Southern United has been allocated another two years' participation in the ASB Premiership is a vote of confidence.
It is now up to southern football to match that vote of confidence.
Only a few years ago, Otago United finished above bottom-placed Canterbury United two seasons running, during 2007-09.
But with enthusiasm, hard work and good management, Canterbury United has moved forward, challenging for the top four.
Rickerby's target will be a similar burst of enthusiasm and success. The time is now for Southern United to prepare for next season, rather than sit on its collective hands during the winter.
Should Luiz Uehara remain as United's coach? Normally, the job is advertised, and that is possibly the first test of enthusiasm - whether applicants will be queuing up or apathy will strike again.
Statistically, Uehara managed to finish in a historical sixth place of competition points earned, if the ''games played'' are adjusted. From 2004-08 there were 21 games each season, then total games per season were reduced to 14 in 2008-09.
Uehara's sixth slot this season is not bad when one considers the extremely restricted financial budget that existed and the number of season-ending injuries sustained by key players such as Brazilian Henriques Viana, Patrick Ebanda and Matt Joy.
Clearly, the season's high spot was beating top side Waitakere 3-1, while the nadir was the 10-0 drubbing by Auckland City, even allowing for the absence of several experienced players and the fielding of a 16-year-old goalkeeper.
Other teams had their share of heavy defeats. Wellington recently beat WaiBOP 5-0 and Hawkes Bay 6-1.
And it is important to remember there were two games where Southern's margin of loss was one goal, and four games where it was two goals.
Players to make the step up included keeper Tom Batty, whose steady experience was exemplary. Morgan Day in midfield showed his aggression and class and he has now clocked up more than 70 premiership games.
Defender Matt Joy continues to mature into a key centreback, Regan Coldicott, when played, was always capable of scoring goals, and in the same mould Taylor McCormack improved in every game.
Daniel Morris showed experience as a classic target man and the trio Sam Mepham, Cam Attwood and Andrew Ridden continued to show potential.
As a former University coach, Uehara signed plenty of students, which both delighted and dismayed spectators, who could barely recognise them. Centreback Peter Overmire led the academics in tough commitment and Nick Hindson could have a promising future.
Best of the foreign brigade was Brazilian Viana before he was crippled, and a real bonus was defender Jacob Schneider, who added class when he played as a traditional fullback.
Another factor in Southern's fortunes was that almost all of the previous season's ASB players chose not to play at the top level this year.
Missing from last season's ranks, for whatever reason, were: Aaron Burgess, Ant Hancock, Craig Ferguson, Andy Coburn, Seamus Ryder, Darren Overton, Harley Rodeka, Ben Fitzpatrick, James Govan, Stevens, James Watson, Liam Little, Mike Cunningham, Peter Evans, Scott Gannon, Tom Connor, Tim Horner, Victor da Costa and so on.
The need is to now gather maximum resources and the best coaches, players and administrators and immediately prepare an unflinching united Southern effort to challenge the best of the premiership sides next season.
