Coventry City are believed to have one year to avoid football oblivion after their 34 years stay in the top flight came to a shuddering halt.

John Hartson, a key player in the club’s future, has said he will not demand a move and others have agreed to stay.

But footballers have their own careers at the forefront of their minds and some will give it 12 months, maybe less, to assess the club’s situation. If they believe that promotion straight back to the Premiership is not on the cards, they will be looking to move away.

If Coventry do not win a straight return, the future will be bleak. The club’s balance sheet reveals £30 million in debts and income will be down £15 million next season through loss of earnings as a result of relegation. It is doubtful that the high wages of players on Premier League contracts could be sustained for more than one season.

If the better players want to leave then the task becomes harder.

Saturday’s final match of the season at home to Bradford was riddled with relegation blues.

It finished goalless and Coventry’s players were made aware of their fans’ intense disappointment with the season when they were booed as they gathered in the centre circle to say ‘thank you’ to the supporters.

Lee Carsley, whose transfer to Blackburn Rovers last season ended similarly in relegation from the Premiership, said of the reception:

“I was a bit disappointed with the fans’ reaction. They can see we have not been the best team, but we have never lacked for trying.

“It makes me even more determined to succeed.”

It is particularly frustrating for Carsley because Blackburn Rovers have won back their Premier League standing after just one season.

“I never thought for one minute that I would be relegated again, but I shall be staying to help the club to get back,” said the Irishman.