It is unusual for players with over 100 appearances to their name to leave Southampton and then vastly improve, but Andy Townsend was one to buck the trend.

He was 25 when Chris Nicholl suddenly sold him in August 1988 but, while at Carrow Road, he won his first cap for the Republic of Ireland – despite never having set foot in Ireland up to that point -and then went on to have a hugely successful career with all his future clubs including a million pound plus transfer to Chelsea, winning two League Cup Winners medals with Aston Villa and helping Middlesbrough get promotion to the Premier League.

He eventually amassed  70 international caps, was an integral part of Jack Charlton’s Ireland side that became such a force in international football and in 1994 captained them in the World Cup held in the States. So, why did Saints let him go? Chris Nicholl admitted the club wanted him to bring in funds but Andy was a skilful, hard running midfield player who had flair and tenacity in equal measures and had been picked up by Lawrie McMenemy, as a 21-year old, for a bargain £35,000 from Weymouth. He made his debut at left-back, replacing the suspended Mark Dennis and then successfully overcame a broken leg – ironically sustained in a pre-match friendly with his old club in August 1986.

He was then almost ever-present during 1987-88, even if “uncomfortable” playing wide left, but the truth was he and Chris Nicholl never got on and the £300,000 move, when it came, suited both parties. When he retired from playing in 2000 he had intended to become a manager but instead another door opened, with ITV Sport as a presenter, pundit and co-commentator. He was involved with all their high profile football coverage which included all World Cups since 2002 and the European Champions League matches but in 2015 joined BT Sport.