Dani Rodrigues had been playing for Feirense in Portugal’s second division, when he arrived at third-tier Bournemouth, aged 18, on a loan-cum-trial.

His five appearances for them, all as sub, exposed him to the Cherries’ predatory Premiership neighbours. As a cash-strapped Bournemouth bided their time, Glenn Hoddle gazumped their trial in an un-neighbourly fashion by clinching a £170,000-deal with Feirense to bring their skilful, teenage winger to The Dell. In his first full season at the club, 1999-2000, Dani played more games than anybody else for the Reserves, for whom he top-scored. He came off the first-team bench a couple of times at the end of that season, but went on loan, come October, to third-tier Bristol City.

He went straight into their first team, but broke an ankle in his fourth game.He returned to Southampton for rehabilitation. Nearing full fitness, he had the misfortune to break the same ankle in training. He soldiered on, even returning to Bristol, but not getting a start this time. After moves that included Greece, he arrived back at the club he might have been better to joined in the first place and at last played some regular League football. But not for long. He now contrived to have four games each for three clubs: for New Zealand’s only fully-professional club, where he was again seriously injured; and then in the Conference South, for Eastleigh and Dorchester, in turn. Since when, Dani had several clubs in Cyprus.