Mark Stimson informs the players of their fate Picture: Barry Goodwin

Totally devastated. That’s the only way I can describe how I’m feeling. I know that you are all feeling disappointed and the simple fact is that we have paid the price for being so poor away from home.

Saturday showed why we have gone down. To lose like we did made me ashamed and embarrassed.

As players we have to take responsibility. To be so good at home and so poor away can only be our fault. We are prepared just as thoroughly and properly by the management for away games as we are for home ones but when we have crossed the white line away from home, we have not shown the necessary attitude and will-to-win to pick up enough points.

There have been exceptions, like Charlton, Hartlepool and even when we lost at Colchester but these performances have been too rare. Like I said, us players have to take a long look at ourselves over the summer, to make sure we come back and be ready to show the desire to get the club back where it should be.

There have been some good points this season. Victories against Leeds, Southampton, Millwall, the demolition of Swindon on the opening day and that draw at Charlton. But despite showing our ability in these games, it wasn’t seen enough away from home and we have paid the heaviest price for that, even if we did meet the 50 point target which I thought would see us safe.

Unfortunately, this has led the chairman to take the decision to make a change and the gaffer has left the club. It’s been an up and down tenure for the gaffer. He inherited a difficult situation and made bold changes which led to promotion straight after our relegation and also to a young squad with huge potential to take the club forward.

I’d like to take the opportunity to thank him for giving me the chance to play for Gillingham which I’m proud to do and I know this echoes the thoughts of all the boys.

The awards dinner on Saturday night was difficult to say the least.

The chairman showed his grit and determination in his speech to see the club bounce back, we also saw just reward for Barchy who cleaned up taking all the awards and also recognition of a star of the future in Jack Payne who has been outstanding.

We now face a hard summer of frustration and disappointment. We must all come back fit, sharp and with a steely determination to win every game next season – if we are lucky enough to be given the chance.

inally, some quick thank yous. Firstly to Malc (kit man) for all of his work, to Jill for cooking all our lunch and being such a lovely lady and also to Luke, who has corrected all my spelling and grammar to make this column readable!

My last thank you goes to you for all the support and noise you have given us, home and away.

I ask that you stay with us. The only way to bounce back is to stick together, dig in and restore Gillingham to where it belongs.

Try to have a good summer - come on England! John.