Friday, July 8. Five senior players contracted, no backroom staff.
To say the new manager of Oldham Athletic would have a job on his hands would be an understatement.
In eight days time, Latics would play their opening pre-season friendly of the summer against Huddersfield Town.
After lengthy interviews with potential candidates, Motherwell assistant manager and Northern Ireland first team coach Stephen Robinson emerged as the stand out candidate and was appointed manager of Oldham Athletic.
And Robinson, who only two weeks previous was coaching at Euro 2016 with Northern Ireland, threw himself straight into the job.
The new gaffer had no time to waste. He made his first three signings, all through his connections, on his first day in charge.
Full back Josh Law signed from his former club Motherwell, whilst goalkeeper Connor Ripley and striker Lee Erwin signed on loan from Middlesbrough and Leeds United respectively.
Robinson added a further six players in his first week in charge, with the notable signings of Billy Mckay, Marc Klok and former Sheffield United midfield man Ryan Flynn.
Ian Baraclough, former Motherwell manager, was appointed as Robinson’s assistant manager, former top flight goalkeeper Carlo Nash came in as goalkeeper coach and Lee Turnbull was added as chief scout.
In seven days, Robinson had assembled a team and organised his backroom staff for the first friendly against the Terriers.
Despite defeat, positives were taken and more players arrived.
A centre half pairing was formed as Cameron Burgess signed from Fulham on loan and experienced defender Peter Clarke made the short trip over from Bury.
Robinson quickly installed Clarke as his captain for the 2016/17 season as the new campaign drew ever nearer.
The manager took his total of signings up to 12 with the arrivals of former Derby County and Leeds United midfielder, Paul Green.
Fees were paid for Darius Osei and Ousmane Fane and then the first game of the season arrived.
Whilst that came a bit too early for Robinson’s men, Latics recorded victory over Wigan Athletic in the EFL Cup to earn him his first win in charge.
Draws against Walsall and Northampton Town followed before a win over local rivals Bury got Latics off to a good start.
Results were good but the manager made no secret of his desire to add a new striker to the squad before the end of the transfer window.
Crystal Palace forward Freddie Ladapo signed on a loan deal until January on Tuesday afternoon, ending a month-long chase for the forward.
That deal looked to be the end of the transfer activity for Latics, however the departures of Connor Brown and Jake Cassidy sparked the club, and Robinson, into life.
With deadline day drawing to a close, contact was made with Burnley Football Club about the availability of a former Latics loanee.
Negotiations were quick, a deal was drawn up and within a couple of hours, Cameron Dummigan was an Oldham Athletic player.
Signed for an undisclosed fee, that deal concluded what has been a remarkable transfer window for Oldham Athletic.
19 players out, 20 new players in, and renewed hope for Latics supporters, the future looks good.
Here’s to you, Stephen Robinson.