He criticised clubs for complaining of tiredness but playing ‘money-spinning games’
Legendary football manager Harry Redknapp has slammed the ‘big boys’ after Tamworth missed out on the chance of an FA Cup replay thanks to the new FA Cup format.
Redknapp was speaking to JOE as he promoted the new Specsavers’ Best Worst Team but gave insight into the effect scrapping replays would have on teams like Tamworth, who forced extra time against Tottenham Hotspur at the weekend.
He said: “The replays were very important for a club like Tamworth. It’s so sad that there are no replays now.
“For Tamworth to get a draw which they deserved and go to Tottenham in front of 60,000 people, that would have kept them going for another year and that is what the game is about.”
The former West Ham and Bournemouth midfielder who went on to manage both clubs, labelled the decision to scrap replays to reduce the number of games an ‘excuse’ that was all about the ‘big boys’.
He said: “The game is dictated by the big boys. They moan about too many games, they’re tired, yet the first thing they do when they get a break is jet off to play games in Saudi, Dubai, China, America, wherever the owners come from – money spinning games.
“I managed Bournemouth for ten years and you know getting a draw at home against Man United and then getting a replay at Old Trafford, it kept us going.”
“Going to Newcastle when Bournemouth was in the old third division, again it kept us going, that was what it was about.
“It’s so important and I think the big teams do nothing towards helping it, that’s the problem.”
Redknapp managed Bournemouth between 1983 and 1992, helping his struggling side avoid relegation from the third division in his first year as manager.
That same season Bournemouth caused a shock in the FA Cup when they defeated holders Manchester United 2–0 in the third round and led his side to victory in the inaugural Associate Members’ Cup by beating Hull City in the final.
Recalling fondly his memories of the FA Cup, he said: “The FA Cup has been completely undervalued. Most of the teams put reserve teams out for most of the tournament, it’s only in the late stages they start putting their team out.
“It’s sad that replays have been scrapped. It’s all about the big boys unfortunately, they’re not interested in the smaller clubs.
“They moan about having too many games, the pitches are fantastic, the facilities but the first thing they do is go off and play money spinning, lucrative games all around the world. It’s just an excuse.”
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Redknapp’s work with Tunley Athletic as part of Specsavers’ Best Worst Team saw Redknapp return to his roots working with the grassroots setup to turn their fortunes around.
He believes larger clubs should be forced to invest more in grassroots football.
He said: “Go and look at the facilities where grassroots football is being played, they’re shocking and nothing is being done really.
“If every club in every city, if Premier league clubs gave a million pound a year – what’s a million pound to them? Probably a tenth of a players wages. A million pound to grassroots football in the area would make such a difference improving pitches, getting more 3G pitches laid so they can play all year round.
“Unfortunately, I’ve said all along, the big boys look after themselves and not too many clubs worry what’s going on below.”
Harry’s journey with Tunley Athletic will be documented by Specsavers in its ‘Best Worst Team’ YouTube series, with Episode 1 and Episode 2 available to watch now.
