Everton have faced a uniquely testing campaign that has been unprecedented in the range, scope and intensity of the problems the club has faced.
Constant struggles on the pitch only now finally overcome, combined with the huge consequences for the Blues of those points deductions, which have left the Toffees eight points worse off than they should be.
The other massive issue but one that has to some extent gone under the radar, has been the problem of who will own the club going forward.
Last September the US investment group 777 Partners, who had been one of several parties interested in investing in the club, agreed to buy out Farhad Moshiri in totality.
But despite that the group's desire to complete a deal and become Everton's new owners as soon as possible, they have been waiting since then for the green light to be given.
Both before and then after the attempted takeover there had been questions about whether 777 Partners would be the right group to take over after Moshiri's failed ownership.
Now come yet more issues with the Miami-based group facing court action over alleged unpaid debts, coming after news of an Australian-based domestic airline they own going into receivership just recently.
As a result of all this it looks increasingly likely that 777 Partners might very well not get the go-ahead after all.
So, there may well be an opportunity for others interested in taking ownership of Everton to move into play and try to secure a deal.
Whether there are other individuals or groups who are genuinely interested in maybe considering a bid for the club they will have to move quickly.
After such a tumultuous season the Toffees desperately need some stability - especially in terms of the financial situation - so that manager Sean Dyche and Director of Football Kevin Thelwell can start restructuring the squad over the summer and move this team forward at last.
That increasingly seems to be a forlorn hope at the moment.
If other interested parties do come forward, they will need to have better luck in order to get past the barriers which have held 777 Partners back.