Wayne Talkes was 68 and had been ill for some time. After moving to the Island with his parents at a young age, he attended the Fairway School in Sandown and captained the Island boys team as well as playing for Bembridge Youth Club. His classmates could see he was destined for greater things. In 1967, he signed as an apprentice with Southampton Football Club. He went on as a substitute in a Combination Cup game against Arsenal, becoming, at 15 years and 180 days, the youngest-ever post-war debutant for the Reserves. He made his first team debut, under Lawrie McMenemy in 1972. At that time, Robert Wakerley shared digs with him while they were both at the football club.