When Wits University were relegated at the end of the 2004/05 season, as many as 11 players headed for the exit, but there was an equal number in the entrance turnstile.
Amongst those arriving for the Mvela Golden League campaign which turned into a success under Boebie Solomons was Richard 'Rhuu' Gariseb, who came in with fellow Namibians Daniel Bruwer and Paulus Shipanga.
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Of the trio, Gariseb was only one who was kept upon promotion after having stood firm at the back in the promotion season.
"It was at Wits that I first got a club paying me for playing for them and I got R9000," says Gariseb, who had all the trademarks of the traditional centre-back – firm in the tackle, aerial presence, and with a commanding presence when on the ball.
"At Orlando Pirates (Namibia), I wasn't being paid anything to talk about, so basically played for free and would have to wait for the national team to make a bit of some money.
"The only club that paid players was Buschschule Civics during those years when they were owned by a German guy.
"So, when I got to Wits and was given R9000, it was amazing with my move having come at the recommendation of Ricardo Mannetti.
"I mean, I went from nothing at Pirates to R9000 at Wits and this was in my first year, so I was relieved because my son was born that year, and I could now do shopping and pay fees for my siblings.
It has been a decade since Gariseb – who turns 45 in February and played at the 2008 AFCON finals – stopped playing and now coaches his hometown club Okahandjo United, where Johannes 'Congo' Hindjou is the chairman.
"After my time at Wits, where I terminated my contract eight months before it expired, I came back to Namibia, before leaving for India.
"India was a crazy place and not for the faint-hearted because I was in Kolkata, where there are 20 million people in one city.
"I had never seen so many people in one place.
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"The trains and buses are always overcrowded, and the weather is not friendly, which is why it is difficult to advise someone to go and play there.
"You should be a strong and experienced person to live there because food is also a problem as they always eat curry.
"Post-India, I have been back here in Namibia, where I have four daughters and one son," says Gariseb.