Bright Osayi-Samuel so upset and angry over last-minute transfer drama at Blackpool

The winger was already in London when the move appeared to hit a snag as former Blackpool chairman Oyston wasn’t picking up QPR’s phone calls.

Just as it appeared the deal had broken down, the transfer was given the green light the following day – after the transfer window had officially closed.

Osayi-Samuel told The Independent: “There were 10 minutes left until the window shut. We were just waiting for Blackpool to sign the papers but suddenly they were ignoring all our calls.

“My agent called the manager (Gary Bowyer) but there was nothing he could do. It was out of his control.

“I even started texting and calling the owner myself. When the window shut, I went back to my hotel room and I started praying. Nobody had any idea what was happening.

“I remember speaking to my mum, my agent trying to calm me down. I was so upset.”

Nigeria-born Osayi-Samuel admits he barely slept that night. “The following morning, I just remember sitting on that train (at Euston Station). I was sad, I was angry,” he added.

“And then my agent called. He told me the paperwork had gone through. Still to this day I don’t know how it all happened so late.

“A few minutes later, Ian Holloway (then the manager of QPR) rang and told me how happy he was that I’d signed. I was so happy and relieved. I wanted the move so badly.”

Osayi-Samuel had moved to London as a boy and was brought to Blackpool in 2014 by coach Richie Kyle, who now works for the FA.

Osayi-Samuel says the Seasiders, and Bowyer in particular, played a significant role in his development as a player.

He recalled: “I was always the youngest in the team and I’m a quiet person generally.

“There were times we’d have team meetings and the manager would make me stand up and speak to everyone. Little things like that gave me a lot more confidence and I took that into games.

“When I was at a development camp as a youngster, I’d sulk or get angry when I didn’t play well. At Blackpool there was no time for that. You had to learn quickly.

“I remember at one point there would be fans outside the stadium shouting: ‘You shouldn’t play for this club. Get out and save yourself. This isn’t the club for you.’

“I knew I had to move to improve my career. The first thing I have to say to anyone at Blackpool is, ‘Thank you’.

“Even when I thought the move had fallen through, I was always willing to go back. They gave me the chance to start my career but it wasn’t just about becoming a player – they improved me as a person.”