Aaron Ramsdale had been at AFC Wimbledon for less than a month when Wally Downes picked up the phone, called England's goalkeeping coach Martyn Margetson and implored him to come and take a closer look.
The 20-year-old, who was on loan from Bournemouth, had made a strong impression on the League One club, from the 'firm handshake' on arrival to his willingness to mingle with fans in the bar and courageous displays to instil new hope of beating relegation.
'I'd worked with Martyn at West Ham,' recalls Downes. 'I told him to come and spend a few days with us and have a close look at Ramsdale because I thought he was just as good as Jordan Pickford.