DURHAM'S Director Cricket, Geoff Cook, last night described the club's relegation as “a really swingeing punishment.”

After overseeing the club's progress since 1991, the year before they entered the first-class arena, Cook said: “From the playing side it's really sad and disappointing.

“The current team has fought hard to retain division one status. It's tough for them and for the coach, Jon Lewis.

“Apart from our salary cap infringement, which was unintentional, this is a unique situation. There have been points deductions for slow over-rates and poor pitches, but nothing that affects a team as badly as this.

“It will take a lot of resolve from the players to pick themselves up from this. But hopefully the club now has a way forward and within two years the financial situation will be eased.

“I don't know what's gone on in the background, but the increase in the number of Test venues and the situation where bidding was going on for Test matches was a very unhealthy way of operating.”

After being switched from first team coach into more of a youth development role following his cardiac arrest three years ago, Cook could be in the firing line as further cuts are sought.

He will be 65 next week, but said: “I haven't heard anything about my own position. It will be up to the new chairman, but I'd love to carry on working with the young players. That's more important than ever now.”

David Leatherdale, chief executive of the Professional Cricketers’ Association, said he had emailed all Durham players offering support adding: “We understand that playing contracts will be honoured by the new board.

“We appreciate that the decision will have come as a major disappointment to the players, having reached the final of the NatWest T20 Blast in August and worked so hard on the pitch to keep the club up in the County Championship,” he said.

“Financially, we hope that the restructuring will remove the uncertainty that has surrounded the club and led to media speculation about the club’s future, which has been very unsettling.

“The short-term plan is for the PCA to meet with all Durham players on a convenient date as soon as possible to discuss the situation.”