Howdy,
In my day it was down to the manager who picked the player. Bill Nick travelled all over the country to see a player, and then that player was approached and normally he jumped to be given the chance to play for a great team like Spurs. Nowadays they have to try new fangled ways, European ways. I argue this with my kids and all they reply is that the past has gone. We had a saying when we were young, if it isn't broke then don't mend it.