Wycombe boss Gareth Ainsworth has revealed what was said in his side’s full-time huddle following their 2-0 loss against Sunderland in the League One play-off final.

Scenes of jubilation were seen in the west stand of Wembley Stadium, as the Black Cats were promoted to the Championship following a four-year absence from England’s second tier.

Wanderers’ players collapsed on the turf, tears were streaming down faces, and expressions of ‘what could have been’ were spotted across the Wycombe squad.

They watched the trophy celebrations, congratulated their opponents, and applauded the large Wycombe support, who travelled far and wide to watch Wanderers at the home of English football.

READ MORE: Wycombe Wanderers lose the League One play-off final against Sunderland at Wembley Stadium

Before they left the North London stadium, they remained on the pitch and formed a huddle, with the boss disclosing to the press what was said.

Ainsworth revealed: “I just told them how proud I was of them, and this is just one moment in a season of fantastic moments.

“It might be the defining moment, but also, we will be back and we will be stronger than this.

“I promise that this group will achieve if we stick together, and I firmly believe that this group will achieve.”

The 49-year-old also took a moment to thank the fans who made the trip to Wembley and supported the club throughout the season.

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In the week leading up to the final, houses in the town and surrounding areas, along with shops and schools, were decked out in blue to get behind the Chairboys.

One of the many houses in Bucks that showed their support to the Chairboys (Stephen Burnett)

One of the many houses in Bucks that showed their support to the Chairboys (Stephen Burnett)

And even though it wasn’t meant to be, Ainsworth appreciated the sentiment and hopes 2023 will be Wycombe’s year.

He continued: “It gives you a lump in the throat when you see shops with the kits in the windows, and people are putting light and dark blue trims around the town.

“It never happened before when I was a player, and it lost its way a bit.

“The 1990s were fantastic for this club and it was a proud moment when they made the Football League.

"But they seemed to go off the boil a bit and the town has sort of been a new town in football, and that football was never a big thing.

“So to see this new generation of kids wearing Wycombe shirts and getting behind their team, I am proud to say that the boys have produced this.

READ MORE: 'We were beaten by the better team' - Ainsworth's analysis as Wycombe lose the play-off final

“They have given everything in every single game and I am a proud manager.”

The attendance for the 2022 League One play-off final was officially 72,332, which made it the fifth-highest crowd in the showpiece in the competition’s history with the previous four being the following:

• 76,935 – 1999: Manchester City 2-2 Gillingham (City won 3-1 on penalties)

• 76,155 – 2019: Charlton Athletic 2-1 Sunderland

• 75,132 – 2008: Doncaster Rovers 1-0 Leeds United

• 73,108 – 2010: Millwall 1-0 Swindon Town

And despite coming up short in the final match of the season, Ainsworth has high hopes for the future.

He continued: “Someone told me the stat that eight years ago when we survived at Torquay from going into the National League, Sunderland finished 14th in the Premier League.

READ MORE: Wembley Stadium's electronic sign has Sunderland and Wycombe's name on the incorrect colours

“The progress this side has made has been phenomenal and to see 23,000 people turn up today to support Wycombe makes me so, so proud.

“This is a new club in the Football League when you talk about the history and we’ve got this new generation coming through.

“The youngsters of Wycombe are now proud of their club and I intend to keep it going that way.

READ MORE: Remember this? Looking back to when Wycombe's Adebayo Akinfenwa 'turned down' Chelsea in 2018

“We will be back here, and we will be back here having learned, we will be stronger and have more reliance.

“We know how to win here and unfortunately today (May 21), we came up short.”