Midfielder Aaron Wildig says he’s glad the Shrimps have proved doubters wrong by remaining a Sky Bet League One team.
Derek Adams’ men secured their safety on the final day of the season despite losing 1-0 at home to Sunderland AFC.
Defeats for Gillingham and Fleetwood respectively meant that Morecambe finished the season in 19th position on 42 points, two clear of the drop zone.
Speaking after Saturday’s 2021/22 season finale, Wildig says he’s glad the Shrimps were able to answer their critics.
“I’ve seen a lot of people write us off over the season, said we’d come straight back down and stuff like that,” he said.
“It’s just good to prove people wrong, it’s a big achievement, [we’ll] just enjoy tonight, enjoy the next few weeks.
“We’ve put a few things to bed today, it’s a big achievement for the football club and hopefully it gives us a platform to go and establish ourselves at this level.
“It’s massive for the club, I’ve been here seven years, this is a Club close to my heart now, I’m made up.”
On a personal level, the 30-year-old admits it’s been a difficult campaign with injuries, illness and being unable to find consistent form as a result of being left out of the team.
After the return of Adams as manager, Wildig has played in 10 out of 13 games, netted twice and has captained the side in the absence of Anthony O’Connor, and the long-serving midfielder is delighted to have ended the season strongly.
He added: “I’ve had a really difficult season personally, I probably would’ve started the season at Ipswich away, I was in the team on the Tuesday and then I did my hamstring.
“Every time I came back, I seemed to do an ankle or something like that.
“Under Derek, I know what he wants from me, I’ve done okay in the games I’ve played, obviously having the armband on the run-in as well is massive for me.
“When you’re at the Club that long, you’re not just a player, you’re almost a supporter of the football club, so no it’s a massive achievement.
“The fans have been unbelievable this year, to give them that to go into the summer, hopefully the fans stick with the Club now and we start building on it and just kick on, it gives the Club a good platform.”