Blackpool keeper forced to wear jersey he had autographed for a club raffle

Another embarrassment for crisis club Blackpool

It's been a season to forget for Blackpool, who began the year without enough players to fulfil their preseason fixtures and will end it by being relegated to League One, but if any single moment epitomises their current state, it might just be the news that goalkeeper Joe Lewis had no other option than to wear a jersey he had already autographed for a raffle when the Tangerines took on Reading last week. Blackpool have been bottom of the Championship since October, and no wonder given players are obviously operating in the midst of a complete circus with the clu no longer employing a kitman. We'll let team-mate Andrea Orlandi, who revealed the farce in a Spanish newspaper, take up the story:

Before starting the game I noticed Joe Lewis’ shirt. It was signed and I thought he was going to do a raffle after the game (something quite common in England). It turns out that no, he had not even noticed or knew anything about it and when he tried to get another one he was told there were none left. It was funny because he tried to put a plaster over the writing to cover it and it looked even more funny. Things like that however, details without apparent importance, make a difference in a club. There are details that should be improved as a club. A small thing? Probably, but still not a normal thing for a championship club.

At least the jersey might raise even more cash now it is 'game-worn'. [h/t The Guardian]