Following Dai Young’s departure, Matt Sherratt was promoted to head coach for the first time in his professional career.
The results alone are pretty stark with four wins, 17 defeats and a draw in the 22 matches, the team’s worst record since the inception of regional rugby in 2003.
They finished 12th in the league, while a quartet of losses were suffered in a winless European Champions Cup campaign.
There were only two home wins against Stormers and Dragons, who they achieved the double over, and another away victory over a shadow Sharks side, with no triumphs against Irish, Scottish or Italian teams.
Cardiff have been involved in some narrow defeats with 14 bonus points collected.
“That really sums up our season,” said Sherratt. “Hopefully we can turn those into narrow wins next season.”
Cardiff have tried to promote a positive narrative and have attracted healthy Arms Park crowds despite a win rate of less than 20%.
Cardiff have only managed a combined total of eight appearances from British and Irish Lions duo Josh Adams and Taulupe Faletau.
Survival has been the key with Cardiff starting pre-season training almost 12 months ago with single figures of players because of financial constraints of the Welsh game and Wales’ World Cup training camp.
“It has been 50 weeks and it has felt like 50 weeks. I have loved it though,” said Sherratt.
“It has been trying to imprint what a blue and black game looks like on the field and be true to ourselves.”
Cardiff are losing experience next season with Ellis Jenkins and Josh Turnbull retiring and Tomos Williams, Rhys Carre, Owen Lane, Willis Halaholo, Shane Lewis-Hughes and Lopeti Tomani moving on.
Recruitment includes the arrival of Wales fly-half Callum Sheedy with Sherratt looking to bring in some signings to help develop young players like Cameron Winnett, Alex Mann and Mackenzie Martin, who have been thrown in this season and been picked by Wales.
“We want to bring in three or four players and it will be people from good environments who can help our young talent,” said Sherratt.
“I think we have something special here developing in terms of the amount of Cardiff boys playing for Cardiff. I am passionate about that.
“It has joined us up with the crowd and almost brought to life the Cardiff shirt again.”