In the modern age of Twitter and online media, the transfer of a player from one club to another is rarely kept quiet. Ordinarily, long before the deal has been finalised, the social networking site will be awash with details of the move.
Back in 1980, though, there was no such tool. Even so, newspaper journalists that had good contacts within clubs were able to break the big stories to their readers.
However, 34 years ago today, it didn't seem that there was a reporter in the land that had any idea of the huge story that was developing down at Southampton.
Manager Lawrie McMenemy had called a press conference at the Potters Heron Hotel near Romsey, where he had told the media that they would be able to meet "someone who was going to play a big part in Southampton's future". Rumour had it that the club was planning to move away from The Dell, so it was expected that the new stadium plans were to be unveiled.
Yet, alongside McMenemy as he walked into the press room was two-time Ballon d'Or winner Kevin Keegan, much to the astonishment of those that were present. At 29, England international Keegan was at the peak of his powers and having won countless honours with Liverpool and Hamburg, he had been tipped to join one of Europe's biggest clubs.
Here he was, though, signing a deal with Southampton. Writing in his autobiography about the secrecy that surrounded the switch, Keegan revealed: "Even when I arrived at Southampton Airport nobody twigged. It was just assumed I was flying in to do a commercial for Faberge or one of the other companies I worked for. My dramatic appearance at the press conference was greeted with total astonishment."
He would go on to spend two seasons on the South Coast and while the club did not win any silverware, the likes of Keegan, Mick Channon and Alan Ball made it an exciting era. In Keegan's first campaign the club finished sixth, while a year later they ended the term seventh, with Keegan finishing as the division's top scorer with 26 goals. He was also named the PFA Players' Player of the Year.
A disagreement with McMenemy saw Keegan head to Second Division Newcastle United in 1982, before his career came to an end three years later following a brief stint in Australia.
Liam Apicella
