All of which makes the team's signing of Hershiser look better by the minute.

The following month McGlashan made himself his first signing, re-registering as a player despite missing most of the previous season with a back injury.

Blackpool made right-back Jake Caprice their first signing on 9 July.

The club also made their first signing since the start of the season, bringing in forward Thomas Drain from Scottish side Maybole.

"The Phillies probably made their greatest signing ever when they signed Thome," Bowa said.

This made him new manager Richie Barker's first signing for the club.

On 27 May, Stan Ternent made his first signing as Huddersfield Town manager.

The £5 million fee paid by manager Joe Royle made him Everton's biggest signing at the time.

The move made him Everton's third most expensive signing in their history.

When Butcher took over at Motherwell, he made Partridge his first signing.