Eleven. That is the number of players currently contracted to Blackpool Football club. And they don’t have a goalkeeper.

Three years ago the Tangerines were led by manager Ian Holloway and preparing for their first season in the English top flight. How far they have fallen in that time.

Chairman Karl Oyston is reportedly refusing to sign manager Jose Riga’s top targets or deal with overseas agents, which is remarkable considering the Championship starts in 10 days and the club can’t field a full team.

The other claim is that Riga is refusing to sign players until three of his targets are signed. Regardless of which report is true, the Football League cannot allow this to stand.

The team sheet for a friendly a few weeks ago read: “Trialist, Waddington, Trialist, Perkins, McMahon (C), Dunne, Zenjov, Trialist, Trialist, Grant, Trialist.”

The club need a very heavy recruitment drive starting now or they face going into their opening game against Nottingham Forest next Saturday fielding a youth team and may find themselves facing relegation before a ball is kicked.