Surrey celebrated their first National league title since 1996

A nail-biting eight-run win over last year's NCL champions Glamorgan on Sunday was enough to gain the Lions their second title of the season, after their victory in the inaugural Twenty20 Cup.

Match report: Surrey take NCL title

But their hopes of winning their fourth Championship in five years have been ruined by emphatic defeats in the last few weeks to Lancashire and Kent.

"If you measured success by the standard of cricket in all competitions it has been a success," Hollioake told BBC Sport.

"But if you asked the players if they were happy they would say no.

"The disappointment of losing the Championship is immense because that's the one we were really after."

While Surrey won the Championship last season, they were less impressive in the one-day game, gaining promotion from Division Two as the second-placed side.

"Logically we've played the best cricket we've ever played," Hollioake added.

"In three forms of the game: 20-over cricket, 45-over cricket and Championship cricket we've played well in all but I can't help but feel disappointed not to win the Championship."

It would be difficult for us to get out in the marketplace and buy other players when there isn't a lot of money Coach Keith Meddlycott Where now for Surrey?

Hollioake described the decision not to offer contracts to veterans Alec Stewart and Ian Ward next year as "devastating".

"They have been fantastic players over the years and will be impossible to replace," he went on.

"We've got to find a way to replace them as best we can but it's not going to be easy."

However, the Surrey skipper emphasised the importance that team-work, and the input of younger players like Rikki Clarke and Tim Murtagh had played in the National League success.

"Throughout the year we've had good contributions from different players and that is what you need if you're going to win a competition," he said.

"Rikki and Tim are two inexperienced players who are fast becoming experienced and they have a big future at the club."