Martyn Fotheringham said sorry after Forfar Athletic were relegated to League Two.
The long-serving midfielder was heartbroken following Saturday’s defeat to Albion Rovers which saw the Loons go down when combined with wins for Brechin City and Stenhousemuir.
Forfar’s six-year stay in the third tier has come to an end just 12 months after they were on the brink of promotion to the Championship through the play-offs.
And Fotheringham – nickname Foxy – admitted there were no excuses as he came to terms with the dreaded drop.
The 33-year-old from Blairgowrie said: “I’m absolutely gutted. Nobody wants to have a relegation on their CV. I’ve been at the club for nine years and it is a big part of my life.
“It has been well documented that with the players we have in our squad we shouldn’t be getting relegated. But the league table doesn’t lie.
“It’s all very well having ability but if you are not willing to do the nasty side of the game, and put your body on the line to keep clean sheets, then something like this is always going to happen.
“The people behind the scenes will be absolutely devastated as they are all Forfar people. I can only apologise on behalf of the playing staff as it hasn’t been good enough. This is probably the best-run part-time team in Scotland and it shouldn’t be playing in League Two.”
Poor defending cost Forfar at Rovers and Fotheringham suggests an inability to keep the back door shut throughout the season has caught up with them.
“If you could put your finger on what has gone wrong then you would be a pretty rich person,” he said.
“But if you can’t keep clean sheets, and are needing to score three or four goals to have a chance of winning a game, then I think you can see where the problems have been.
“The goals we have been conceding have been absolutely embarrassing if I’m honest but that is why we are where we are.”
Fotheringham – who has made almost 300 appearances for the club since signing in 2007 – insists he wants to remain at Station Park.
He added: “It’s not my decision but I’d like to stay – without a shadow of a doubt. It’s up to the manager.”
Danny Denholm fired the Loons into a first-minute lead but goals from Ally Love and Scott McBride earned Rovers a half-time advantage.
Forfar levelled on the hour through Andy Ryan’s penalty but Mick Dunlop won it for Rovers when he headed home a McBride corner.
Loons boss Gary Bollan – who replaced Dick Campbell in December – has vowed to ring the changes after suffering the first relegation of his career.
He said: “It’s a huge disappointment. We have got to be strong and our aim for next season will be to get back to this league.”
Rovers can still reach the promotion play-offs and player-manager Darren Young said: “I’m delighted that we have taken it to the last day.”