Harry Redknapp is one of the most respected and well known managers in the English game and former chief of West Ham United. But did you know he once subbed on a FAN to play a game for the Hammers?!
In 1994 Redknapp was assistant manager of West Ham, who were playing a pre season friendly against Oxford City. As the story goes, all throughout the first half Harry was having his ear chewed off by a “HAMMERS” fan, who wanted to discuss Lee Chapman and “how terrible he was”.
Eventually Harry had heard enough from the fan and ended up turning round to him and saying “can you play as good as you talk”. The fan supposedly stated “well better than that Chapman”, so Redknapp told him to put some kit on, which undoubtedly came as a surprise to the fan.
The supporter in question was one 27-year-old Steve Davies, who had previous footballing experience at Sunday league level. Davies actually went on to score for West Ham in his shock appearance, whilst Harry was telling everyone that he was actually the Bulgarian footballer Tittyshev!
It has to be said that Davies did in fact do a decent job when called upon from the stands, certainly better than Redknapp’s signing of Marco Boogers in 1995!
Apparently West Ham board were so impressed with what Redknapp did that day that a week later he was made Manager and went on to coach the likes of Frank Lampard, Joe Cole, Stuart Pearce and even Rio Ferdinand.
Despite a lack of silverware, Redknapp went on to become a footballing Icon, with the pinnacles of his success being an FA Cup Final win with Portsmouth and leading Tottenham Hotspur to the Champions League, helping them climb out of relegation and become a presence within the top half of the Premier League.
Harry Redknapp will forever be one of the best storytellers within football as a whole and while his coaching days may be over, his legacy will never be forgotten and stories such as this West Ham one will always bring a smile to football fans across the world!
