In this edition of Negotiating Behind The Scenes, former Lamontville Golden Arrows striker Norman Smith reveals how he had to wait nine hours for coach Manqoba Mngqithi at a bus station.
The now 42-year-old was forced into early retirement by an ankle injury he sustained against University of Pretoria in 2013, while on the books of Abafana Bes'thende.
Who I signed for?
"I think it was on a Tuesday when I finally signed for Lamontville Golden Arrows. It was somewhere in July 2005.
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"That was after a very frustrating day in Durban waiting at a bus station, from 11:00 up until 20:00 waiting for them to come and pick me up.
"They took their own time and they were busy with training on that Friday morning. I was waiting for coach Manqoba Mngqithi to come and fetch me."
How did you find out?
"That time I was still at Louisvale Pirates, and we had a game against AmaZulu, and Rocky Madlala was in the stands that day. May his dear soul rest in peace. He saw me once and invited me to come for trial.
"But unfortunately, I arrived late at Arrows, he said that, 'We have already concluded the team, so we're not going to allow trialists anymore'.
"Then they had discussions amongst themselves, coach Mngqithi, Khabo Zondo and Rocky Madlala. They decided to give me 15 minutes to see what I possessed.
"To be honest with you, by that time I was not interested anymore. I was a bit frustrated, I had waited too long. After 15 minutes on the field, they told me I had impressed. They decided to keep me for another two days."
Where did you meet?
"On Tuesday night at Suncoast Hotel. That's where we clinched the deal."
Who was there?
"It was me, my agent Mochini Motloung, and the very kind, generous, and humble person Rocky Madlala. It was just the three of us and we managed to reach out to each other and finalize the deal."
What surprised you?
"The hospitality that they gave me and the humbleness of Mr Madlala."
Did you get what you wanted?
"He kept [to] what he promised. That was until he was no more. But let's rather leave it there before we step on people's toes. Let me rather skip that chapter. I believe it was due to the lack of experience on their side during that time. There was a change in the scenario. That was one of the reasons I left the club at some point."
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Did you see out the contract?
"I signed a three-year contract with Arrows, but in my second year Madlala passed on, and near the end of my last year, me and Sis Mato [Madlala] never agreed on anything."
What you would change?
"I don't think there's something I could change because the deal I got from Bra Rocky Madlala was exceptional."