With Chester FC assured of National League football again next term, thoughts start to turn to the 2016-17 campaign.
The fan-owned club has endured a challenging season with changes on and off the pitch but chairman Simon Olorenshaw and the reshaped board appear to be making progress and with a new manager expected to be appointed inside 10 days, Blues fans can now begin to look forwards.
Contract talks with the current squad were put on hold following the decision to sack Steve Burr on April 7 and how many of those players remain for next season could depend on who wins the race to succeed him as manager.
With applications closing on Monday evening, the board are understood to want to draw up a shortlist of no more than six candidates and conduct interviews this week.
An announcement could be made as soon as Monday with Olorenshaw eager for the new manager to be given as much time as possible to assemble his squad and one of the first tasks facing the new boss will be to decide which of those out of contract players he wants to keep for next season.
With that in mind, The Chronicle takes a look at those who are already signed up and those whose futures will need to be resolved in the coming weeks.
Under contract
Craig Mahon: The Irish winger signed a two-year deal in April 2015 on the back of an excellent 2014-15 campaign. Mahon hasn't been as consistent this time around and 18 of his 38 league appearances have come as a substitute, however the 26-year-old remains a potential match-winner at his best.
Jon Worsnop: The experienced goalkeeper agreed a two-year extension last April and started 31 league games in a row before losing his place to Tony Thompson in February. The 33-year-old was then recalled for three games but displaced again and has been on the bench for the past three matches.
Sam Hughes: One of the few positives of this season has been the emergence of the teenage midfielder, who has scored twice in 19 league apperances. The 19-year-old signed his first professional deal last summer and after breaking into the starting side put pen to paper on an extension in March.
Tom Shaw: Signed from Alfreton Town on a two-year deal last summer, the 29-year-old has made 39 appearances in the league, scoring four goals. Shaw's impact probably hasn't quite been at the level some fans were expecting, however the constant changes of formation probably haven't helped his cause and his performance against Grimsby was a reminder of his qualities.
Out of contract
Ben Heneghan: England C defender had a dip in form earlier in the campaign but has put that behind him in impressive fashion and has been outstanding at the heart of the defence. Signed a 12-month extension last March but could now be heading for an exit with Football League clubs circling.
Craig Hobson: The forward agreed a new deal at the end of last term but it has been a frustrating campaign for the 28-year-old. He has made 27 league appearances this season but 17 of those have come from the bench and his solitary goal was a late winner at Macclesfield. Might well feel he needs regular football at this stage of his career.
Ian Sharps: Vastly experienced centre-back made a good start to his Blues career but has started only two games since the end of February. The club captain stepped up to assist caretaker manager Jon McCarthy and looks to be thriving in his new role as a fine playing career winds down.
James Alabi: The powerful forward signed as a free agent in January and announced himself with a stunning strike against Kidderminster and a four-goal haul against Aldershot. When he's in the mood, Alabi is a handful for any defence but probably needs to produce more consistent performances.
John Rooney: The midfielder, who has been with the club since November 2013, agreed a new 12-month contract last April and although he continues to split opinion on the terraces, has contributed an impressive 10 goals and 13 assists from 40 league appearances.
Johnny Hunt: Signed from Cambridge United last summer, the ex-Wrexham defender has started every game bar two. The 25-year-old has been consistent but hasn't been helped with the lack of a proper partnership down the left and there is more to come from him if that changes next season.
Jordan Chapell: Winger arrived from Torquay United in the summer and has shown flashes of real ability. Has scored three goals in 35 league appearances and the 24-year-old was unfortunate to pick up a knock when he looked to be getting back to his best after a quiet spell.
Kane Richards: The forward has not been able to hold down a regular starting spot since arrived from Ilkeston in December 2014 and was sent out on loan to Gainsborough. Looked certain to be on his way but has impressed in his preferred central role in the last couple of weeks and could yet have a future.
Luke George: The 23-year-old has had a frustrating time with injuries since signing from Southport last summer. George has been restricted to 23 league appearances but has shown his value when on the pitch and there was a reason he was one of most sought after midfielders in the division 12 months ago.
Matty Waters: Youth team full-back hasn't made his league debut but has been training with the first-team and is understood to be very highly thought of so would be no surprise to see him offered terms for next season.
Ross Hannah: Arrived to much fanfare from Grimsby Town and the striker has lived up to his billing after bagging 24 goals in 45 games. The 29-year-old is sure to attract interest from elsewhere with Lincoln City frequently mentioned but could he be tempted to remain? Forwards of his quality are hard to find so fans will hope the club does everything to possible to convince him to stick around.
Ryan Astles: Big defender was captured from Northwich Victoria in January on a deal until the end of the season and has established himself as first-choice, scoring twice in 15 league starts. Rumoured to be interesting National League rivals Tranmere Rovers.
Ryan Higgins: Right-back signed a new 12-month deal last March after a hugely impressive impact in his first few months with the club but has struggled to build on that. Has looked more like his old self over the past couple of games and his contribution last season merits the benefit of the doubt.
Tony Thompson: Ex-Morecambe keeper arrived in January on a short-term deal as competition for Jon Worsnop but took over the number one spot soon after and although he was then displaced, the 21-year-old has started the last three games.
