Luton Town believe the 2025-6 season has been a "turnaround campaign" despite narrowly missing out on the League One play-offs.
The Hatters won at fifth-placed Bolton in their final game, but had to settle for seventh, one point behind Wanderers and Stevenage in sixth.
They won 22 out of 43 games under head coach Jack Wilshere and also lifted the EFL Trophy at Wembley after beating Stockport County.
"Jack – in his first managerial role – deserves huge credit for our turnaround in the second half of the campaign," the board said in a statement.
"He has done a remarkable job in finding the optimal balance between his own footballing principles and the realities of League One football, which he has achieved with great aplomb."
- Luton miss out on play-offs despite late Bolton win
Former Arsenal and England midfielder Wilshere was appointed in October – following the sacking of Matt Bloomfield – despite only a couple of games of head coach experience while interim boss at Norwich City last season.
He took over at a club which had experienced back-to-back relegations in the previous two seasons and set them back on an upwards path.
The Board believes that with the "right additions" to the squad this summer, they will be able to "challenge strongly" next season.
"With the EFL's reduced Salary Cost Management Protocol looming, despite forced rebudgeting across all clubs, there is also likely to be significant churn across all squads across the leagues, which will create opportunities for us to attract and recruit more players who fit the culture of the club and the demands of our emerging football identity," the board statement said.
Luton are scheduled to move to a brand new 25,000-seater stadium at Power Court in 2028-29 so next season will be their penultimate one at Kenilworth Road.
"Missing out on the League One play-offs on the final day is naturally very disappointing, but it does not diminish the resilience shown during a turnaround campaign and the eventual progress made as foundations continue to be reinforced or reorganised across every area of the club," the statement added.
"The second half of the season, in particular, has given us huge encouragement, which was ultimately rewarding, if slightly too late. Together, we rediscovered the identity that defines this club – hard work, togetherness, humility and belief."
