Skipper Michael Doyle was reduced to tears after Sheffield United's heartbreaking play-off final defeat to Huddersfield.
Blades goalkeeper Steve Simonsen missed the decisive spot-kick at Wembley to ensure the Terriers triumphed 8-7 in the penalty shoot-out after 120 goalless minutes.
United's players, manager Danny Wilson and owner Kevin McCabe, who could not bring himself to speak with the press afterwards, were inconsolable.
And a red-eyed Doyle said: "It's just devastating. I never thought I'd cry over a game of football, but that's just the way it goes.
"Steve is just devastated like the rest of us. We're all just gutted. To come this far and to lose like that at the end is so disappointing.
"We're gutted for the fans as well. It's another low for them, but I'd just like to say to them, personally, I'm already looking forward to next season and I'm not going anywhere until we get this club out of this division. We'll be back more determined than ever because this club does not belong in this league."
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