Harry Redknapp has opened up about his family life and admits that while they often appear happy, this isn’t always the case, as well as his reaction to a grandson pursuing a rugby career – not football
Harry Redknapp admits his family “do get upset” – despite often appearing overjoyed. The footballing legend has been living his life in the public eye since joining West Ham United in 1965, before his son Jamie, started his career at AFC Bournemouth in 1990. Over the years, the famous family have seen their fair share of heartache but often appeared on top form.
But in a candid admission, Harry, 78, admits that this isn’t always the case for them. And it’s fair to say stardom runs in the family, with his and Sandra’s son Mark being a professional model. But it doesn’t stop there, his nephew is none other than former Chelsea and England midfielder, Frank Lampard – whose parents are Sandra’s twin sister, Patricia, and Harry’s former teammate, Frank Lampard Sr.
“Oh very important,” he said of spending time with his family. Speaking exclusively to the Mirror at Stamford Bridge, Harry continued: “Family is everything, isn’t it for me, family is all important, family life is what I love, what I enjoy, spending time with them.” But when probed about their always happy persona, Harry admitted that things aren’t always as they seem.
“We do get upset sometimes, I’m sure,” he explained. He went on to add: “But in the main, I think we all feel we’re lucky, we’re having a good life and as long as you’ve got your health, your most important thing in life is your health. Without that, you’ve got nothing. You could be the richest man in the world, if your health is no good, health and friends, that’s what is life is about. Health is wealth.”
Friendship is a mainstay in Harry’s life, with him and his wife Sandra remaining close to Jamie’s first wife, singer Louise Redknapp. Jamie and the former Eternal star share two sons, Charley, 20, and Beau, 16. Harry previously revealed that he had never anticipated that the couple would split, admitting he was “very sad” when they divorced one another. But there’s no bad blood between any of them, with Louise and Jamie being in a “really positive place.”
While football obviously runs in the Redknapp family blood, Charley has instead opted to follow his love of rugby. Instead of staying in the UK, he jetted to America to study and pursue a career in the sport at the University of Arizona. “Yeah,” Harry explained when asked if this was a shock to him.
The shock, however, didn’t last too long. “I enjoy watching him play, I enjoy the rugby – it’s a great game,” he said. However, Harry believes that footballers could learn a thing or two from rugby players due to the “fantastic sportsmanship.” “The way they behave in rugby, players accept decisions much better,” he said before adding: “They’re not going down every time they get a little knock. They’re not laying on the floor rolling about. I think there’s a lot of good stuff, I do enjoy the rugby – I love all sports, I watch every sport, golf, cricket, boxing. I’m really a mad, keen sports fan.”
Nowadays, Harry admits going down to the local pub or bar isn’t where you’ll find him socialising. “Getting out onto the golf course is what I really enjoy, going to sporting events,” he explained before adding that he goes to football matches on a weekly basis. “I enjoy going with the grandkids, watching them play football, it’s a big part of my life.”
The doting granddad revealed that Beau will be signing for Brentford “shortly” after he leaves school and often heads out to watch Mark’s sons, Bobby and Harry play football. “They’re both into their football,” he proudly gushed. He went on to add: “I love watching young footballers, watching them progress.
“It’s great watching the kids from all ages when they first start, enjoying it, going out. Let them play, don’t shout at them.” Using his managerial mindset, he offered advice to parents: “Don’t be shouting and screaming, you can take the enjoyment away. Let them just play and have fun, that’s what it’s about at the early age.”
This year, Harry returns to Soccer Aid for UNICEF as one of the managers alongside Tyson Fury, David James and Line of Duty’s Vicky McClure. “I love it, it’s great,” he exclaimed, adding that he was very much looking forward to June 15. “I hope everybody comes, has a great time and raises lots of money for a great charity, it’s brilliant.”
He added: “It’s the one event really that sells out, it shows how popular it is. You get young people, older people, everybody comes along and just has a great time. And everybody who takes part, they have the time of their lives for a few days. A lot of them are out of their comfort zone playing football – they’re in showbiz or they’re actresses or actors but they all come along and have a great time.”
“If I could pick any player to play, who would I pick? Off the top of my head, Mo Salah, he’s guaranteed to score a few goals for us,” Harry said. Sadly for Harry, Salah isn’t taking part this year. Instead, he has the likes of Paddy McGuinness, Louis Tomlinson, Tom Grennan, Sam Thompson and Sir Mo Farah as his celebrity players.
Meanwhile, footballing legends including Lionesses Steph Houghton, Toni Duggan, Jill Scott join the likes of Joe Hart, Gary Neville, Paul Scholes, Wayne Rooney and Jermain Defoe.
The match takes place on Sunday 15th of June at Old Trafford, Manchester, with adult tickets priced at £20 and juniors from £10. Tickets are available now on the Soccer Aid for UNICEF website.
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