Shane Warne: How the Australian cricketing legend transformed Hampshire
They were battling in the County Championship and hadn't won anything for over a decade - they were described in cricketing circles as 'Happy Hampshire'.
That didn't deter them from a bold attempt to sign the Australian spinner, who had arguably been the world's most dominant bowler in the decade and who had just led his country to World Cup glory.
One year after death tragedy of Warne, journalist Robbie James has dedicated an audio documentary to one of the greatest cricketers of all time, and reflects on how he transformed Hampshire during his seven-year affiliation with the club.
Confrontation at Her Majesty's PalaceWhen Warne arrived at the south coast club in 2000 it's safe to say it wasn't the top sporting team level she is now.
"We were having good days and bad days", former Hants chairman Brian Ford told BBC Radio Solent's Shane Warne: A Hampshire romance documentary.
"The team needed a lot of work but we didn't have a lot of money - we were doing what we could with what we had."
Hampshire had English drummer Robin Smith, nicknamed "The Judge", who was friends with Warne and knew he was interested in come and play in England.< /p>
In 1999 - with 30-year-old Warne having passed 300 test wickets and more 200 one-day internationals - the club's board have contacted their agents to agree a deal.
But talks have stalled.
"We couldn't talk to Shane him -even who realized referred us to his agents and we thought we might lose him," Ford added.
So in a last ditch attempt to get Warne signed and break the deadlock, he decided to corner the world star at a reception cricket - inside Buckingham Palace.
"I had never met Shane Warne but I found him at reception and there was a time when he wasn't in the middle of a conversation," Ford said.
"So I put my arm around his neck and said 'you don't know me' but 'are you going to come and play for Hampshire or not?'.
"He said 'why what's the problem? I'd love to.
"I asked him to sort out his agents because we were advancing absolutely nowhere. "
"He said 'leave it to me' and when I got home the next day, I got a phone call from the club saying "what did you tell Warne at the Palace?"
"I was worried and said 'why, is there a problem?'
" They said 'not far from it - be all systems go'."
A rock star who changed H...
They were battling in the County Championship and hadn't won anything for over a decade - they were described in cricketing circles as 'Happy Hampshire'.
That didn't deter them from a bold attempt to sign the Australian spinner, who had arguably been the world's most dominant bowler in the decade and who had just led his country to World Cup glory.
One year after death tragedy of Warne, journalist Robbie James has dedicated an audio documentary to one of the greatest cricketers of all time, and reflects on how he transformed Hampshire during his seven-year affiliation with the club.
Confrontation at Her Majesty's PalaceWhen Warne arrived at the south coast club in 2000 it's safe to say it wasn't the top sporting team level she is now.
"We were having good days and bad days", former Hants chairman Brian Ford told BBC Radio Solent's Shane Warne: A Hampshire romance documentary.
"The team needed a lot of work but we didn't have a lot of money - we were doing what we could with what we had."
Hampshire had English drummer Robin Smith, nicknamed "The Judge", who was friends with Warne and knew he was interested in come and play in England.< /p>
In 1999 - with 30-year-old Warne having passed 300 test wickets and more 200 one-day internationals - the club's board have contacted their agents to agree a deal.
But talks have stalled.
"We couldn't talk to Shane him -even who realized referred us to his agents and we thought we might lose him," Ford added.
So in a last ditch attempt to get Warne signed and break the deadlock, he decided to corner the world star at a reception cricket - inside Buckingham Palace.
"I had never met Shane Warne but I found him at reception and there was a time when he wasn't in the middle of a conversation," Ford said.
"So I put my arm around his neck and said 'you don't know me' but 'are you going to come and play for Hampshire or not?'.
"He said 'why what's the problem? I'd love to.
"I asked him to sort out his agents because we were advancing absolutely nowhere. "
"He said 'leave it to me' and when I got home the next day, I got a phone call from the club saying "what did you tell Warne at the Palace?"
"I was worried and said 'why, is there a problem?'
" They said 'not far from it - be all systems go'."
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