Mansfield Town’s 2011/12 season ultimately ended in heartbreak after a play-off semi-final defeat to York City.
But it was not a wasted season with Stags using that pain, and the foundations laid, to go on and lift the Conference Premier title the following year.
Here we take a look at the squad that got Mansfield ticking once again and find out what happened to them when they departed the One Call Stadium.
Ross Dyer joined Mansfield Town in August 2011, with his £6,000 compensation fee being paid to Forest Green Rovers by Mansfield Town's fundraising group the 12th Stag. He scored nine goals in 47 appearances in the 2011/12 season. He finished his career in 2017 at Tamworth. Photo: Anne Shelley
Adam Smith made 43 appearances for Mansfield between 2010 and 2012. He wound his career down in non-league, with spells at Guiseley, Alfreton, Bradford Park Avenue, Matlock and Grantham Town. In January 2017, he received a suspended prison sentence when found guilty of fraud. Photo: Roger Grayson
Louis Briscoe scored 11 times in 40 games during the 2011/12 season and was a key part of next year's title-winning squad. After leaving the club he joined Torquay United, before ending his career with Gresley. Photo: Getty Images