Sheffield Wednesday's long-awaited relegation fate has finally been sealed.
Not only have the Owls set the unwanted record of becoming the first club in the English Football League to suffer relegation in February, but the four-time English title winners have had to endure the indignity of their demotion being inflicted by arch-rivals Sheffield United, who prevailed 2-1 in the Steel City derby at Bramall Lane.
On minus seven points, the result leaves Sheffield Wednesday 41 points adrift of safety with just 13 matches of a nightmare campaign remaining.
For Wednesday supporters, relegation from the Championship is the least of their concerns.
Following the tumultuous regime of Dejphon Chansiri, Wednesdayites yearn stability and they are desperate for some positive news concerning a prospective takeover.
When Chansiri's decade-long reign as owner ended in October and Wednesday were deducted 12 points for entering administration, very few envisioned the club would still be searching for new ownership. A further six points were deducted in December for repeated late payment of wages, leaving them on minus seven points - the Owls have not accrued a single point since their latest infringement.
In fact, Henrik Pedersen's failed to score a goal in 11 matches from the 29th December to the 14th February, when Jamal Lowe romantically delivered a Valentine's reward for the devote 20,000 supporters inside Hillsborough by scoring against Millwall, a match they ultimately surrendered their lead and lost.
On the opposing team that day was Barry Bannan, the once talismanic Owls skipper who had to be sold in January to ensure the club had sufficient funding to complete the season. Academy product Yisa Alao was also sold to Chelsea to boost the coffers.
It's been the worst season in Wednesday's history, but for a chance to rebuild, sometimes you have to hit rock bottom.
Earliest relegations in the English Football League
Since 1945, the earliest a team had been relegated prior to Wednesday's demotion was 16th March, when Stockport County from the First Division - now the Championship - in 2001/02.
The Hatters concluded the season on 26 points, 23 adrift of safety.
In 2016/17, Rotherham United were relegated from the Championship on 1st April. The Millers accrued a total of 23 points in that campaign - the fourth-lowest in Football League history since three points were awarded for a win.
Luton Town were relegated from League Two on 13th April in 2008/09, which is arguably impressive when you consider the Bedfordshire club suffered a 30-point deduction.
In the Premier League, Derby County's record-breaking side of 2007/08 were relegated following a 2-2 draw against Fulham on 29th March, one day earlier than Huddersfield Town in 2018/19 with the Terriers consigned to the drop following a 2-0 loss to Crystal Palace on 30th March.
