Derby County's fate was sealed on Monday afternoon as a loss at Queens Park Rangers and Reading's late 4-4 draw with Swansea City left the Rams dropping into Sky Bet League One.

Some might say it was always going to happen this year and, indeed, with a 21-point deduction applied to their total earlier on in the campaign, few fancied them to overturn such immense odds and stay in the second tier.

They fought and fought, though, despite dealing with off-field distractions and players leaving and, despite now heading to the third tier, you have to give all involved immense credit for the results they did get.

Manager Wayne Rooney deserves all the plaudits he is getting, then, and he has done a fine job at remaining professional and controlled when things around him have bordered on farcical at times.

And, to underline the former England captain's level of class displayed this season, a video has emerged of him on social media giving Rams fans a speech later on on Monday evening:

The Verdict

Rooney will attract jobs higher up and may be tempted to move on but you would not be shocked if he decided that, actually, he fancies staying with Derby and beginning their revival.

It's been difficult for all involved seeing how this season has gone but they are a club that has shown massive fight and, ultimately, the main thing is they will exist next season.

You'd back them to do well in League One, too, providing that the backing is there.