Viduka’s dismissal six minutes later paved the way for a second-half shambles as Leeds capitulated inside the opening 10 minutes, with an Ian Harte own goal adding to their woes after a Youri Djorkaeff brace, with Kevin Nolan later compounding the misery.

For a cash-strapped club that was only recently saved from administration, relegation from the Premiership is certain to plunge Leeds into further financial crisis.

With yesterday’s defeat came at least a £20m (€29.6m) cut in annual income, with the £7m (€10.4m) parachute payment following their fall from grace the only crumb of comfort for a team set to be picked apart this summer.

After a day Gray described as among the worst of his 40 years with Leeds, Gray said: “It’s difficult to say where it went wrong, but we’ve been under financial pressure for the last few seasons and that doesn’t help a club.

“I’ve played in a side that was relegated and the financial side wasn’t good then, but it magnifies itself more now given the money that’s involved.”