Jody Marks expressed disappointment after stepping down as manager of South Manchester Sports Club 1st.
The team looked destined for silverware until an injury crisis left Marks down to the bare bones and they eventually ran out of steam. South finished runners-up in the Manchester Accountants League Premier Division and were defeated in three cup semi-finals.
Marks told JC Sport: "In years gone by, this season would have been seen as a success for South, but the feeling at the end of the season was what may have been with a bit more fortune."
South started the season with a 12-0 win over Saints, with young goalkeeper Alex Davies and the returning Toby Levy boosting the ranks following the loss of Harvey Kaye, Alex Koslover, Simon Davies and Adam Jackson.
A 17-match unbeaten run followed, with stand-out performances from the likes of Marc Yaffe, Adam Lavin, Loz Newman and Mark Stewart, but they lost key men during a busy run-in and four defeats in their final six games crushed their dreams.
"Football is a game of fine margins and with a bit more composure in the big games, the season could have been so very different,” said the outgoing Marks.
"I'll probably go down as the one who led to the retirements of Marc Yaffe, Loz Newman, Mark Addis, Dave Chaytow, Dan Adcock and Mark Stewart, but with Toby Levy and Mike Stratton as the new heads of football, I am sure the club is in good hands.
"The club can be proud of what it has achieved, especially over the past five years. It’s a great club with huge history - 65 years and still strong is testament to the likes of Jonny Davis and the team will dust itself off and be ready for battle come September."