Blackpool: A season of strife

Here, Press Association Sport chronicles the Seasiders' campaign of chaos both on and off the pitch.

JULY 15

Blackpool cancel a pre-season trip to Spain to "spend more time on player recruitment" for new boss Jose Riga. The Seasiders have just eight professional on their books ahead of the start of the new campaign in 25 days.

What they said: "Our time will be far better spent preparing here than going over to Spain," Karl Oyston.

JULY 26

Club president Valeri Belokon pens an open letter to Oyston in which he urges him to restock a squad which still contains just eight professionals.

What they said: "I'm a fan of Blackpool Football Club and I'm really worried about the situation now," Valeri Belokon.

JULY 29

While Riga is finally bringing his squad into double figures, the civil war behind the scenes between Belokon and Oyston intensifies as the latter accuses the Latvian of demanding £24million for his stake in the club.

What they said: "Please be assured that the club is in the best possible hands as we are in this for the long term," Karl Oyston.

AUGUST 9

After signing 11 players in 11 days - and a goalkeeper just four days before the season begins - Blackpool are beaten 2-0 at Nottingham Forest. Riga only names four substitutes and reveals he only had nine eligible players on the morning of the game.

What they said: "In the morning it was even worse, we only had nine players qualified," Jose Riga.

AUGUST 12

Ahead of the Capital One Cup loss to Shrewsbury, Oyston calls the City Ground farce "regrettable and avoidable" but hints at the simmering tension between himself and Riga when he lifts the lid on their summer dealings.

What they said: "Since the manager started work we've wasted several weeks on things we shouldn't have for a number of reasons," Karl Oyston.

SEPTEMBER 9

The transfer window closes without Blackpool adding any of the four players their manager wants and the writing appears on the wall for Riga when Oyston publicly blasts his manager for going back to his native Belgium during the international break.

What they said: "I find myself slightly bemused yet again by the actions of our manager," Karl Oyston.

Later that day events take an even more bizarre twist as Burton manager Gary Rowett reveals he has turned down a chance to take the post at Bloomfield Road - despite the fact it is still held by Riga.

What they said: "Burton gave Blackpool permission to speak to Gary following their approach and he met with Blackpool representatives," Burton statement.

SEPTEMBER 13

An embattled Riga somehow clings on to his job and records his first point in a 0-0 draw against Wolves at Bloomfield Road. He refuses to discuss his relationship with Oyston afterwards but thanks the club's fans for standing behind him.

What they said: "I just do my job and maybe (the fans' support) is because I'm loyal, honest and tell the truth," Jose Riga.

SEPTEMBER 17

Oyston states that he and Riga buried the hatchet in the aftermath of the point against Wolves, but the Belgian tells him he must deliver on his promises if their uneasy truce is to work.

What they said: "Communication is one thing, acting is another," Jose Riga.

OCTOBER 3

Amid large protests against the Oyston family's running of Blackpool, the Seasiders record their first victory in six months as Francois Zoko's strike gives them three points over Cardiff.

What they said: "I just want to do my job here and to succeed with Blackpool," Jose Riga.

OCTOBER 10

Oyston assures those fans protesting against his reign that their show of displeasure will have no impact on the way he controls the club.

What they said: "I'll carry on doing exactly the same as I always have," Karl Oyston.

OCTOBER 27

Three defeats follow the win over the Bluebirds and Oyston pulls the plug on Riga less than four and a half months after he first hired him.

What they said: "It wasn't a good fit - anything which isn't working, it's better to change," Karl Oyston.

OCTOBER 30

Oyston acts swiftly and Lee Clark is named as the successor to Riga just 10 days after he was axed by fellow Championship strugglers Birmingham.

What they said: "I'm very confident with the players I've got here, in what we can do going forward," Lee Clark.

NOVEMBER 10

The Football Association hands Blackpool a £30,000 fine - half of which is suspended - for fielding an ineligible player earlier in the season. Oyston admits Donervon Daniels' inclusion against Millwall was a "blunder".

What they said: "It was a blunder and one of those situations where we assumed the registration had been sent off," Karl Oyston.

NOVEMBER 12

Riga gives interviews to several national media outlets in which he lifts the lid on his frosty relationship with Oyston, claiming he had to manage in "the very worst circumstances".

What they said: "Part of my values are loyalty, honesty, and dignity. I prefer to die with my values," Jose Riga.

DECEMBER 22

Oyston becomes embroiled in a text-message scandal in which he calls one supporter "a retard". He later apologies for his actions but is widely condemned by Tangerines supporters and Belokon, with the FA also launching an investigation into the matter.

What they said: "I think the Blackpool fans will be more elated if Oyston goes than they were when Blackpool got promoted to the Premier League," Blackpool supporter Stephen Smith.

DECEMBER 24

Amid the furore surrounding the chairman, Clark issues a plea to the public asking for help finding AWOL striker Nile Ranger, who he has not seen for two weeks.

What they said: "For whatever reason Nile appears to be back in London but we don't know why," Lee Clark.

DECEMBER 29

A picture of Norwich loanee Jacob Murphy with the caption "We are going to lose... Again" leaks, forcing him to apologise and eventually prompting Blackpool to send him back to Carrow Road.

What they said: "It was totally unprofessional of me and a foolish thing to do," Jacob Murphy.

JANUARY 12

Clark reveals he has been told he cannot play Mark Waddington and Dom Telford, two promising players to come through the academy ranks, because they will not sign the professional terms offered.

What they said: "The club have told me they can't play until they have signed professional contracts," Lee Clark.

JANUARY 24

Still without an away victory all season under either Riga or Clark, Blackpool take a 2-0 half-time lead against Watford, only to lose 7-2 following a remarkable second-half collapse.

What they said: "At 10 to four it was looking fantastic. At 10 to five it was embarrassing," Lee Clark.

FEBRUARY 10

Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka fumes over the horrific state of the Bloomfield Road pitch after two of his players are injured in the visitors' 2-1 success.

What they said: "It's unbelievable, the pitch wasn't good enough and it's a lack of respect for everyone who pays to come," Aitor Karanka.

MARCH 9

Away from their on-field struggles, Blackpool's financial accounts for the year ending May 2014 paint a far rosier picture as it is announced they posted pre-tax profits of £9.4million.

MARCH 14

Another heavy loss - this time a 4-0 drubbing at Bournemouth - leaves Clark publicly declaring his side are down. Michael Jacobs becomes the 53rd player to be named in a matchday squad when he features against the Cherries.

What they said: "We're Blackpool, we're going down by a massive margin," Lee Clark.

MARCH 20

Ex-Seasiders striker Michael Chopra fires another arrow at Clark's sinking ship by suggesting Scottish part-timers Alloa, who he has just joined, are better than Blackpool.

What they said: "And here at least you know the guys will give 100 per cent," Michael Chopra.

MARCH 23

Oyston finally learns he is being charged by the FA for the comments he made to a supporter back in December. The governing body decree that his alleged misconduct amounted to five breaches of their rules.

What they said: "I hope the punishment is fit and proper for the act that he has committed," Stephen Smith.

APRIL 6

A last-gasp goal from Bolton striker Eidur Gudjohnsen denies Blackpool a first away win in 12 months and Rotherham's victory over Brighton two days later confirms the Tangerines' relegation.

What they said "Since (the February loss to) Wigan I've probably been aware of the situation that we're planning on being in League One next season," Lee Clark.