CALL LED TO KEEGAN COUP
ALL it took was a blank contract for Southampton to secure the signing of the back-to-back Ballon d’Or winner 40 years ago.
But this historic transfer was not about the money for Kevin Keegan.
If it was, Real Madrid, Barcelona or Juventus would have got the man they all knew was ready to leave Hamburg.
A lot of things just happened to fall into place for Southampton boss Lawrie McMenemy as he landed the most sought-after talisman in February 1980.
And as a 29-year-old, Keegan was by no means past his peak.
The transfer coup of a lifetime had been sparked months beforehand by a phone call.
McMenemy got in touch with Liverpool club secretary Peter Robinson, their go-to man for transfers.
“I was chatting to him about nothing in particular,” Saints legend McMenemy said.
“Then I brought up Kevin Keegan. I was told they didn’t want him back, even though they had a clause.
“I got a number for Kevin and phoned him up.
“We got on well and I brought up the idea of coming to Southampton.
“I tried to sell it to him that coming back to England was the best thing for him, and that Southampton was the place for him to settle down with his family. I thought we could help him enjoy his football and challenge for trophies.”
That was music to Keegan’s ears.
Especially as his wife was keen on returning to England with their new-born daughter and made it known that was her preference.
McMenemy had guided Southampton to FA Cup glory four years previously – it remains the club’s only major trophy – but they were still establishing themselves as a First Division side.
A meeting was arranged between
Keegan and McMenemy in London in the days leading up to England’s 1980 European Championship qualifier with the Republic of Ireland at Wembley.
The only Southampton board member who was aware of their manager’s plans was financial director Guy Askham.
He accompanied McMenemy to the secret rendezvous and helped play a huge part in securing the transfer there and then, without the player’s agent even aware of what was happening.
“It was going well and Kevin turned out of nowhere and said, ‘OK then, have you got a contract for me to sign?’ I nearly fell off my chair,” McMenemy said.
“I wasn’t expecting it just like that.
“That’s when our financial director stepped in calm as you like.
“He opened up his briefcase and handed him a blank contract. He signed there and then and said he would be happy to go through the details after that.”
Five days after beating Ireland 2-0, the England captain’s unveiling in the Potters Heron Hotel sent shockwaves throughout the game.
Forty years on it remains hard to fathom.