Notts County supporters have had to endure 16 years of pain - and, should the worst happen, relegation out of the Football League would be no reflection on a fan base who have continued to show their faith throughout.
Those are the thoughts of manager Neal Ardley.
His side face what promises to be a nail-biting four-game fight to preserve their league status.
After defeat away at Crewe Alexandra on Saturday, the Magpies are two points from safety, at the bottom of the League Two table, and are drastically low on confidence.
Crewe Alexandra were the better team by a million miles, says Notts County boss Neal Ardley
The trip to Gresty Road saw more than 1,200 Notts fans head to Cheshire, the fourth strongest away following below the Championship last weekend. But their effort went without reward, and they headed home fearing the dreaded away journeys that could await them in the National League.
"They don't deserve this," said Ardley
"They don't deserve any of this and it's always been the same.
"They have had to put up with this for about 16 years now. I think they have had about four out of 16 years where they have had any kind of success.
"When I talk about Coventry City and other clubs who have got problems it is all the stuff around the club that puts them in these situations.
"I am doing the very best I can. I have come into a very difficult situation and I am doing the best I can.
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"These boys have got to keep fighting to keep their league status.
"I am going to give it everything I have got and if the boys do that too, with the ability they have got, we can do it."
