Tomasz Hajto came to Southampton as the holder of 62 caps for Poland, having been the wearer, until recently, of the captain’s armband. He would be coming 34 by the time of the 2006 World Cup finals and, if he was to remain in contention, he needed regular first-team football. He was not getting that at Nuremberg, but Harry Redknapp offered him this prospect at Southampton, albeit in the Championship.

The early indications were promising. Tomasz was not just an athletic, upright defender; he was assured on the ball, too.

But, come December, Redknapp left and his replacement, George Burley, agreed to cancel Tomasz’s contract, so that he might join Derby. He soon returned to Polish football, however, without having added to his international caps.

In January 2008, he pleaded guilty to manslaughter, after speeding in his car and killing a pedestrian on a Lódź zebra crossing. His consequent two-year prison sentence was suspended for a period of four years, enabling him to move into management.