Neighbours heard cries for help from the frightened youngster who was trapped up to his knees in falling temperatures in the dark for about an hour.

They called the fire service,just before 5.15pm which eventually freed the boy who was unhurt but “embarrassed”.

The club explained that contractors had cut a six inch wide, two feet deep trench to carry out work on floodlights at the Ansdell ground.

The trench had been backfilled and covered, but the boy – who was playing alone and unsupervised at the closed and deserted premises – apparently decided to walk along it.

Crew manager, firefighter Pete Hanley, of South Shore Fire Station, explained: “The club have had some contractors in laying new cable down the side of the pitch.

“The boy found this trench and walked along it. He found a bit that was hollow. When you fall in something like that it just sets around you like concrete and you can’t get out.

“I think he was there for some time until somebody heard him.

“He was freezing cold so we put a foil blanket around him and got him out.”

Firefighters used a back board to free the boy in the 10 minute rescue operation.

Allan Foster, press officer for Fylde Rugby Club, said: “The club was closed at the time and a young boy has got in and was generally playing around.

“The area was covered up and the lad apparently stood on it and fell into the trench. It is only six inches wide but two feet deep.

“He got his foot stuck in the hole and couldn’t get out.

“There was no supervision and he wasn’t playing rugby.”