Blues fans have given manager Steve Burr and his Chester FC team a big thumbs up for the 2014-15 season.

Our online end-of-term survey attracted a huge response with supporters answering a series of questions to gauge opinion on the terraces.

The results are extremely positive on the whole, demonstrating the progress made in the past 12 months.

Although there have been stumbles along the way, there has been a lot to be proud of too, including a top half finish and some excellent displays in the FA Cup.

We asked you to tell us what you made of the season, whether the campaign had met pre-season expectations and which players had impressed and which had disappointing.

We also wanted to know your hopes heading into next season, where you believe the squad needs strengthening and your overall satisfaction with the direction the club is heading under the manager.

Thank you for taking the time to share your opinions and the survey will return at the halfway point of the 2015-16 season.

How would you rate the season out of 10?

The overall mood is very positive with more than 75% of supporters giving the season a seven or eight out of 10.

Almost 50% of respondents scored the campaign seven out of 10 with 28% going one better and rating it as an eight. The next most popular response was six out of 10 with 15%, which shows an improvement from January. Comments included:

"Good to have a top-half finish but drop in form over Christmas was disappointing and a shame some on the loanees were recalled."

"We have improved on last season and I would have taken a top-half finish had I been offered it at the start of the season. We did have two slumps though that had we picked up points we could have been in a much better position so minus two marks for that."

"Some parts were superb but some parts were a disaster and we played some frustrating football at times. It gets a seven because the lows were lower than the highs were high."

How would you rate the season out of ten?

Did the campaign exceed, meet, or fall below the expectations you had in August?

Chester's performance during the 2014-15 season surpassed the expectations of more than half of the fan-base.

A whopping 55% of supporters said the campaign had been better than expected, up 10% from January, while another 41% said it had gone as hoped and just 3% of respondents viewed the season as a disappointment. Comments included:

"I wanted us to have a stable season where we could hopefully develop a nucleus of a squad to have a real crack at the play-offs next season and for me that is how it has panned out."

"After the difficulties of establishing ourselves back in the Conference the previous season, it was good to steady the ship. The fact that we played such attractive football was an added bonus."

"One place above the bottom four would have been an achievement but to finish 12th surely must have exceeded everyone's expectations?"

Did the campaign exceed, meet, or fall below the expectations you had in August?

Who is your player of the season, and why?

Ben Heneghan topped the charts with almost 39% of supporters picking the 21-year-old defender as player of the season.

Next best was winger Craig Mahon with 26.4% and then goalkeeper Jon Worsnop, who collected 15.7% of the votes.

This represents a dramatic shift from January when England C midfielder Kingsley James was the clear leader on 38.5% but that has dropped to just 2.25% with the season at an end. Comments on Heneghan from supporters included:

"I think we have unearthed a gem here who will make us money in the non too distant future with a move to a bigger club higher up the football pyramid.

"Young and inexperienced when he arrived but matured as the season went on. A legend in the making."

"Started off the season out of position at right-back but put up with it and put in some great performances. His goal contribution and desire to get forward was also impressive. Then improved even more when at home in central defence . Very good player with great potential."

Ben Heneghan has been voted as player of the season in The Chronicle's end-of-term survey

Which player disappointed you the most this season?

No real change from January when high-profile recruit Chris Iwelumo, who retired in October, was the clear pick with 31.75% of the vote, his share has since increased to 42%.

Ibou Touray, who failed to build on early promise, came second with 13.5%. Feedback included:

"I was excited when we signed him as you need a big target man in the Conference. Unfortunately I think his legs had gone and he simply couldn't produce the levels of performance required."

"Even at his age I was expecting more from a guy who's played at the top levels of the game. Looked well off the pace from the start."

Chris Iwelumo was the biggest name to join the club last summer but failed to impress
Chris Iwelumo was the biggest name to join the club last summer but failed to impress

What was the best performance this season?

A mix of responses with three games standing out from the rest: the last-gasp win against Wrexham at the Deva Stadium and the performances in the FA Cup at Southend United and Barnsley.

It was the display at Oakwell, where the League One Tykes were hugely fortunate to avoid an upset, which just came out on top. Comments included:

"A game we should have won and a true statement of how far the club has come."

"We outplayed them for long periods of the game and should've snatched the win."

"We deserved to win and came so close, making an established Football League and ex-Championship side look poor at times."

Kingsley James carries the ball forward in the goalless draw with Barnsley in the FA Cup second round
Kingsley James carries the ball forward in the goalless draw with Barnsley in the FA Cup second round

What was the worst performance this season?

The 5-0 defeat at home to Barnet on the opening afternoon was a disastrous start to the season and that remains pick for most fans.

Disappointing performances at Altrincham and Wrexham, and poor losses at home to Alty and Dartford also featured on the list. Feedback on the Barnet game included:

"What a shocker and it probably cost us a few on the gate for the remainder of the season."

"All the expectation of the decent pre-season performances just dashed and the feeling was that it was going to be worst than that last season."

"A terrible start and I was left fearing the worst"

There were glum faces back in August as the season started with a heavy defeat to Barnet
There were glum faces back in August as the season started with a heavy defeat to Barnet

What was your goal of the season?

A clear winner as Ben Heneghan's unforgettable strike to beat Wrexham back in September was the obvious choice for 55% of fans.

The next most popular goals were Ryan Higgins' thunderbolt in the 4-0 defeat of Lincoln City with 12% and Craig Hobson's clever flicked equaliser against Wrexham with 7%.

Ben Heneghan's dramatic goal in the thrilling win over Wrexham
Ben Heneghan's dramatic goal in the thrilling win over Wrexham

In which areas does Steve Burr need to strengthen?

There's little doubt about what the fans think the priority should be in the close-season with 85% of respondents believing the forward line needs improving.

Supporters were able to choose more than one area and central midfield is another concern with 58% wanting to see that area reinforced and 34% hoping for the centre of defence to be given attention too. Feedback included:

"We need a big imposing 'hard man' in the centre of midfield. Someone who loves a tackle and is not afraid to call players out if they are letting a particular game pass them by. Someone of the Graham Barrow, Stewart Drummond and Paul Carden ilk."

"We need a Michael Wilde or Darryl Clare. It would be the difference between mid-table and top of the table."

"We need a 15-to-20-goals-a-season striker and a tall strong central midfielder with a head on his shoulders as we were outmuscled in that area too much."

In which areas does Steve Burr need to strengthen?

Realistically, who would you like to see the club sign in the summer?

It's no surprise to find most fans are keen on returns for last season's loan stars: Matty Hughes, Oli McBurnie and Rhys Oates.

Hughes was the most popular pick but other names to feature prominently include Telford pair Godfrey Poku and Tony Gray, and ex-Chester City left-back Sean Newton. Comments from supporters included:

"We have to realistic with regards to budget, so for me, Rhys Oates and Matty Hughes would be great signings. Godfrey Poku too, if he wants to move from Telford."

"A forward that can hold the ball up and bring other players into the game and score goals."

"I'd love to see Oli McBurnie come back for a full season stint. Bradford have good striking options so he's probably not quite ready to become a regular there."

"Tony Gray has proved he can score at this level in a poor team so he is worth another shot."

Matty Hughes is the player most Blues fans hope to see Steve Burr sign

How would you rate the manager's performance this season out of ten?

Steve Burr has been given a huge vote of confidence from the fans with 65% rating him as eight out of 10 or better. A score of the eight was the most popular choice on 40% with nine out of 10 getting on 20%.

Seven out of 10 came in second best with 26% of the vote. Feedback included:

"He's done really well on the available budget and the style of play is entertaining. On the negative side, we don't keep a good shape or defend in front of the back four at times."

"Showed his skills with a small budget and used the loan market very well."

"Got on with it, never moaned about budget, played to an exciting plan and seems to embrace the fan-owned model."

How would you rate the manager's performance this season out of ten?

What position do you expect the club to end up in next season?

Most supporters are anticipating a repeat of this season with 66% backing the Blues to finish in the top-half again. Just 3% expect the club to end 2015-16 in the bottom half while less than 2% fear relegation, underling the shift in optimism.

A quarter of fans are hoping Chester can improve and break into the play-offs while 3% are holding out for a tilt at the title. Comments included:

"If we continue to improve on the levels of this season then I would like to think a play-off spot is within our reach."

"Depends on if the new players we bring in improve the team but expect the same as last season but without the really bad runs."

"Having finished in the top half this season, I expect us to do so again at least next season. Hopefully we can build on the top half position and push for play-offs."

What position do you expect the club to end up in next season?

What would you most like to achieve next season?

Given a choice of five objectives for the 2015-16 campaign, almost half of supporters plumped for the play-offs, which received 45% of the votes.

The next best was the championship on 23% and then a top-half finish with 15%. Interestingly both winning the FA Trophy and reaching the FA Cup third round received just 8% each.

What would you most like to achieve next season?

Do you believe Steve Burr is the right man to take Chester FC forward?

The manager received a near-unanimous endorsement from the fans with 96% believing him to be the best man for the role. That's not surprising given the progress the Blues have made in the past 12 months. Feedback from supporters was overwhelmingly positive and included:

"If we can match his ambitions, he should fulfil ours."

"I would like to see him here for many years. He's building for the future and should be allowed to realise his vision, even if a few results go against us in the short term."

"Undoubtedly the right man for the job. Give him a few more years and there is no reason why we can't have a real chance of getting back into the Football League."

Do you believe Steve Burr is the right man to take Chester FC forward?