Newcastle United managing director Lee Charnley has released a statement following the club's relegation from the Premier League.
The Magpies will be playing Championship football next season after Tyne-Wear rivals Sunderland defeated Everton 3-0 at the Stadium of Light on Wednesday night, sending their arch enemies back down to the second division.
Regarding the fall from the top flight, Charnley has expressed his gratitude to the supporters and staff who have endured a difficult season which promised so much when Steve McClaren took over in the summer and bought in a number of big-money signings.
"Tonight we are devastated at our relegation from the Premier League, as I know every single person connected to this football club will be," read his statement.
"I want to thank all of the fans for the support you have shown for the club you love throughout the season, in spite of this massive disappointment and under-achievement.
"Your support throughout has been magnificent, but I want to pay particular thanks for the incredible backing you have given to Rafa and the team during the latter part of the season. Nothing more could be asked of you and I am truly sorry we have not given you the outcome you deserve.
"I also want to thank every single member of staff here. This club is their livelihood, but they are fans too. To go through the threat of relegation last season and then to suffer a worse fate this time around has been very hard for them. I know that each and every one of them has done whatever they could to help us out of the situation we now find ourselves in.
"We know that supporters want to know what the future holds and will want to hear more from us as soon as possible. The process of scrutinising what went wrong and planning for what is to come has already begun. Right now, of course, Rafa and the team must prepare for the final game of the season but after that, please rest assured we will communicate more fully with supporters."
Newcastle will now be back in England's second tier for the first time in six years after they gained promotion by taking out the 2009/10 Championship title.
The season prior, in 2008/09, the Toon finished 18th in what was a debacle of a campaign under a number of different managers including Kevin Keegan, Chris Hughton, Joe Kinnear, Colin Calderwood, Alan Shearer and John Carver.
The future of current interim boss Rafa Benitez is now in question as a drop to the Championship may not be what the former Real Madrid manager is looking for.
