Fascinating Extracts From Harry Redknapp’s new book, ‘Always Managing: My Autobiography’ reveals that he Once Kept £30K In Cash Down His Trousers
During Harry’s Portsmouth days as a manager, he convinced Paul Merson to sign for the club in 2002 which proved to be a telling factor for their promotion to the top flight. The star signing scored 12 goals that season and made 44 appearances for the pompies, but Harry has now revealed that Paul Merson has done more than just scoring goals.
In the latest extract published by Dailymail, Harry reveals how he kept £30,000 in cash down his trousers during one game while managing Portsmouth. The money belonged to Paul Merson, who asked ‘Arry to mind it for him as he owed money to a bookmaker, described as “an Irish mob”, and was meeting them after the game.
“One day at Millwall, he [Merson] came into the dressing room with a big, brown bag full of readies. ‘Would you look after this for me, gaffer?’ he asked.
“‘It’s 30 grand. It’s for a bookmaker, an Irish mob. They’re after me and I’ve got to meet them after the game. Will you look after it for me until then?
“I couldn’t leave it in the changing room, but I almost always wear a suit on the touchline. That day I changed. I put a tracksuit on so there was more room to conceal these readies.
“It was OK until I sprung out of my seat on the touchline. As I did, I felt something move. As I was trying to get a message to the players I could feel Merson’s 30 grand making its way south along my trouser leg.
“I looked down and the notes were coming out the bottom of my trousers.
“I edged back to my seat like a bloke who needed the toilet quickly. The staff were very concerned.
“‘Are you all right, Harry?’ I was virtually doubled up, as if in pain. I slid into my seat and didn’t move, stuck in this awkward position in case the money moved again.
“The staff kept asking if I needed to see the doctor, and I kept telling them it was nothing, I was fine, I just needed to be left alone. I was rooted to the spot.
“We ended up winning 5–0 and Merson got cheered off by the Millwall punters, he was that good.
“It wasn’t the only result he had that day. He told me afterwards that the money he owed was nearer £100,000 than £30,000 but the bookmakers had decided to cut their losses.
The words above said are purely taken from Harry’s autobiography.