Mark Redknapp – Not So High Times
The Redknapp name is known for its family of talented footballers. If you’re a football fan, then you wouldn’t need an introduction to the Redknapp family. Bu if you’re not, then you probably won’t know that Mark Redknapp and his brother Jamie Redknapp are former footballers.
Oh – and their father, Harry Redknapp was also a former footballer and manager for several prestigious English football teams.
Nonetheless, the Redknapp family name has been appearing on the media for negative reasons.
Eldest Redknapp son, Mark Redknapp, has been causing a stir in the media recently and taking his father’s good name along with it.
What did he do?
And what does father and highly revered football manager Harry Redknapp have to say about his son’s shenanigans?
Keep reading as we explore Mark Redknapp and his family of footballers.
We’ll also investigate why the media has been so obsessed with Mark Redknapp!
Who is Mark Redknapp?
Mark Redknapp doesn’t get much airtime with the media, except for the wrong reasons.
Poor guy.
Mark Redknapp is a father of four, including the aforementioned Harry Redknapp Jr. together with wife of 12 years, Lucy Redknapp.
Together with his family, they live in a £2M home in Poole.
He was on the books for AFC Bournemouth but due to a serious ankle injury at 18, he didn’t pursuit his professional football career.
He went on to play for several non-league clubs.
Mark Redknapp is also a property developer and occasional model.
Unfortunately for the father of four, the media hasn’t been to kind on Mark Redknapp.
He was fined with £5,000 for drink driving in 2010 and he also got a three-year drive ban.
On April 2 last year, Mark was pulled over (again) in his £66,000 Mercedes C63.
And this time, he was pulled over for…… using his mobile phone while driving!
He was just leaving after visiting parents Harry and Sandra.
And the day before he was caught, the loving father of four took part in an Easter egg hunt for his children at Harry and Sandra’s luxurious Sandbanks home.
The bad luck doesn’t end there!
While another officer was drawing up his fine for texting while driving, the other office became suspicious of the 49-year-old.
Image Source/The Mirror
PC Alex Kimmins, who spoke to Mark said:
“I went to speak to him from the front passenger seat to avoid traffic. When I looked at him I identified some concerns which gave me suspicion to believe he was driving under the influence of a substance.”
“His eyelids were very droopy and he was using his tongue to clean the inside of his mouth and teeth.”
So, due to his droopy eyes and using his tongue and cleaning his teeth, the officers suspected he was intoxicated.
The property developer will later blame his droopy eyes on his father’s genes.
I mean, Harry Redknapp’s eyes are the definition of droopy!
The officers then ordered a swab test, and everything goes downhill from here.
Mark Redknapp 49 was arrested and taken to the Bournemouth Police Station.
The subsequent blood test showed that the model had 749 micrograms of the class A drug cocaine in his system. The legal drug drive limit is 50.
Yikes, good luck explaining that away.
And More..
Harry Redknapp’s son Mark was stripped searched at the Bournemouth police station.
Mark later told JPs that the strip search was “humiliating”.
Understandable.
He also claimed that the blood test was taken without his consent as he had a fear of needles.
Redknapp said:
“They knew my name was Redknapp. Unfortunately it doesn’t carry any weight in a situation like this.”
Poor dude.
On the defense side of things, the argument was that the swab test should be invalid due as the result was delayed for four minutes.
Mark’s wife Lucy remained at his side, defending her husband saying:
“I told him not to stay up too late as we were going to his parents to take part in an Easter egg hunt the next day.”
“On April 2 Mark’s eyes were no different to any other day. He has baggy eyes like his father. It is hereditary and it seems our boys have inherited the same condition.”
“I do not believe Mark took drugs if he had I would have called his mum.”
Seems legitimate.
Unfortunately, district judge Stephen Nichols did not buy any of this and rejected the evidence.
The district judge stated:
“I am satisfied and I am sure that Mr. Redknapp did consume cocaine. I reject his evidence that he did not use cocaine.”
“The court is therefore certain that Mr Redknapp is guilty of the offence of driving a motor vehicle under the influence of drugs.”
Mark Redknapp was fined a hefty penalty, together with an additional £2,500 in court fees.
Nevertheless, the former footballer left in style as he left court in a Peaky Blinders-style flat cap with wife Lucy without making any comments.
Who is Harry Redknapp?
Before we explore Mark Redknapp, let’s look at the person who brought him into this world – his father, Harry Redknapp.
Harry Redknapp is a former English football player.
He is also a manager for several well-known English football clubs, which have garnered him high praise and status.
Before we explore his football career, let’s first learn a little more about Harry Redknapp and his family.
Harry Redknapp Early Life
Harry James Redknapp was born on 2nd March 1947 in Poplar, London.
He and wife Sandra have two footballer sons: Jamie and Mark Redknapp.
Image Source/The Sun
The lovely couple remains all loved up, having been together for 54 years.
Before going Down Under for his stint in I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here, Harry commented:
“That’s the biggest problem I have got. We do everything together. I have been with Sandra for 54 years and I hate being away from her.”
Cue the ‘Awwwws’.
The pair also has a grandson named after Harry from their son, Mark Redknapp.
Yes, two Harry Redknapps, must be quite a confusing household!
Both Jamie (the older brother) and Mark Redknapp have also played under their father’s prestigious teams.
We’ll take a closer look at brothers Jamie and Mark Redknapp later!
You will later realize Harry Redknapp’s extensive and impressive career.
Having said this, can you guess the net worth of this revered footballer?
According to Celebrity Net Worth, Harry’s worth a whopping £14 million!
Find out how his net worth compares to Keith Lemon, Joe Thomas, Ian Wright, and many other of Your Favourite Stars
I guess this explains their luxurious home in Sandbanks, Poole.
Harry Redknapp’s Football Career
Harry Redknapp began his football career at the early age of 11 years old when he started playing for the East London Schools football.
The talented footballer’s skills caught the attention of Tottenham Hotspur scout, Dickie Walker.
Redknapp’s career then grew playing at Cheshunt for the Tottenham youth ranks.
He also had the honour of meeting English football icons such as Danny Blanchflower, Dave Mackay and Bill Nicholson.
And all this was before he even hit the age of 15 years old!
At the age of 15 was when the talented footballer’s West Ham United journey began as he played alongside Bobby Moore.
Harry’s debut for the prestigious team was in a 1-1 draw at home to Sunderland in 1965.
When Redknapp was 17 years old, he represented England at the 1964 UEFA Youth Tournament with a 4-0 defeat against Spain in the final.
I’m sure you can agree Harry Redknapp’s achievements even before hitting 17 years old is very impressive!
After his time at West Ham United, Redknapp joined the Division 3 AFC Bournemouth from West Ham in 1972.
During this time, he further impressed fans with his impressive football skills.
Harry Redknapp Coaching Career
In 1976, Harry joined as player-coach for the Seattle Sounders, North American Soccer League (NASL) club.
And thus, begins his management career.
The footballer made 24 appearances as the team progressed to second place in the Pacific Conference, Western Division during his first year.
Player-coach Harry Redknapp then lead his team to the final Soccer Bowl where he lost to Pele’s New York Cosmos.
Harry also spent some time being reunited with fellow footballer Bobby Moore at Oxford City club the Isthmian League.
Redknapp took his first major coaching role and is promoted to Assistant Manager to David Webb for AFC Bournemouth.
When the position for Manager became vacant as David Webb joined Torquay United, Redknapp initially applied for the job.
Unfortunately, he was overlooked.
Until October 1983, Redknapp’s managing career properly kicked off as he was finally appointed manager of AFC Bournemouth.
Football fans will remember the time when Redknapp led AFC Bournemouth in defeating Manchester United with 2-0 at the FA Cup!
In 1994, Harry Redknapp was appointed manager of Tottenham.
A proud Redknapp stated:
“I am a big follower of the history of the game and Tottenham have been a great club over the years. I followed Tottenham, I trained there as an 11-year-old, 12-year-old so I know the history of the club. It is a big, big club.”
Redknapp was thrilled to have the honour of coaching such a big club right before retirement.
He made immense advancements for the team by introducing new young and talented players whom you will recognize today.
This includes Joe Cole, Frank Lampard, Rio Ferdinand, and Michael Carrick.
Establishing The Club in the FA Premier League
Establishing the club in the FA Premier League was a big achievement for the club!
West Ham United became strong contenders in the league due to his impeccable coaching skills, strategies, and efforts.
He also revived the careers of players Trevor Sinclair, Paolo Di Canio, and Stuart Peace.
Unfortunately, Redknapp made some mistakes in the transfer of overseas players Paulo Future, Marco Boogers, and Florin Raducioiu.
Nevertheless, the team went on to live their second best season ever in the top division!
Hurray West Ham United!
West Ham United won the Intertoto Cup in the 1999-2000 season!
The club moved on to the UEFA Cup but failed to make it to the Premier League.
On 9th May 2001, Harry Redknapp left West Ham United one match before the 2000-2001 season.
Harry Redknapp explained:
“The chairman Terry Brown had offered me a four-year contract. What I did was talk to a fanzine, made some comments, and sometimes I should be a bit more careful.”
“I sat down with these guys from the fanzine and they started asking me questions and I spoke to them in the way I’d talk to someone in a pub.”
“I said a few things I shouldn’t have said. He read it and got very upset. I walked into the office expecting to sign the contract and walked out without a job!”
Ouch! But very understandable on both parts.
Harry joined Portsmouth in 2001 as Director of Football.
In the 2002-2003 season, the skillful coach and manager led Portsmouth into the Premier League.
This went on until the 2003-2004 season.
Unfortunately, Harry Redknapp then had a disagreement with Portsmouth owner, Milan Mandaric.
They had a couple of disputes over several issues, which resulted in his resignation in November 2004.
He then went to join Southampton as manager.
You can imagine the hate from Portsmouth fans as the two are rival teams, especially after Redknapp’s resignation.
Portsmouth Again In 2005
However, that was short-lived as he went back to join Portsmouth again in 2005.
He even received the Freedom of the City award on October 28th, 2008.
The skilled manager was appointment Queens Parks Rangers manager on November 24th, 2012.
In 2016, he went on to manage the Jordan national team with Kevin Bond, his former assistant.
And in 2017, he managed Birmingham City.
The talented footballer also had other roles such as Director at Wimborne Town, Derby County football advisor, and even football consultant for the Australian Central Coast Mariners.
He even did some volunteer advisory roles to manager Darren Way for the League Two club in Yeovil Town.
And thus, we’re done talking about Harry Redknapp’s extensive football career.
Let’s move on to his other achievements!
Harry Redknapp The Man of Many Hats
Harry Redknapp doesn’t just have a knack for football.
In 2018, Harry was crowned winner of the ITV competition I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!
I’m sure everyone underestimated the then 71-year-old.
He even beat The Inbetweeners star Emily Atack and Torchwood star John Barrowman!
I mean, did you see what they had to do for the Bushtucker trial?
We’ll give you a clue, it involves creatures with more than four legs!
The Inbetweener’s star Emily Atack went first as she wore a helmet filled with cockroaches and spiders.
Be right back, need to barf.
Redknapp was ‘lucky’ has he got the four-legged creatures, rats.
OK, not so lucky.
The football star laid in an underground chamber while being run over by rats!
A scared Harry cried:
“I can’t stand it, I’m scared of rats.”
After being crowned King of the jungle, Harry commented:
“I’m amazed I survived three weeks. They’ve pulled me up hills, they’ve dragged me through the water.”
That’s not all the former West Ham United manager has done.
He also authored several autobiographies.
His first one titled Harry Redknapp: My Autobiography.
The second one, Always Managing: My Autobiography.
He also authored A Man Walks on To a Pitch: Stories From a Life in Football and It Shouldn’t Happen to a Manager.
Jamie and Mark Redknapp
Now we’ve come to the more interesting part, Harry Redknapp’s family of footballers!
Let’s begin with younger brother, Jamie Redknapp.
Jamie Redknapp was born on 25th June 1973.
He married pop singer Louise Nurding in 1998 and the pair went on to have two children, before splitting in 2017.
Jamie is said to be more like his father, career wise.
In 1990, he made his professional debut under his father’s AFC Bournemouth team.
He then moved on to join Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, and at last, Southampton.
Jamie then retired in 2005.
Jamie now sits at Sky Sports as a pundit and writes for the editorial sports columnist at the Daily Mail.
Harry Redknapp’s grandson Harry, also signed for AFC Bournemouth in May 2014.
Read it again if you were confused by the two Harrys, we thought that might happen.
Oh, and we almost forgot to mention that Harry Redknapp is uncle to the famous Frank Lampard!
Frank Lampard is another OG in the English Football industry.
He received numerous prestigious awards for his talent such as the FIFA Player of year Silver Award, FWA Footballer of the Year, and many more.
Talk about a family of talented footballers!
They became related when Frank Lampard Senior married Sandra’s twin sister, Patricia.
Harry Redknapp joked about Jamie and Frank Jr saying:
“The boys got their mum’s looks and their dad’s football genes.”
Now, let’s move on to the other Redknapp sibling, Mark Redknapp.
Harry Redknapp’s corrupt allegations and arrest
Like his son Mark Redknapp, Harry also has had his fair share of conspiracy.
In 2006, BBC Panorama showed Harry approaching a player in a forbidden manner according to FA rules.
He then of course denied this allegation.
In 2007, he again aroused some suspicion when he became the owner of a racehorse named Double Fantasy.
To which he insisted had no issue as the horse has never won a race and he has never made any money out of it.
In November that same year, Harry – alongside his Portsmouth colleagues – were arrested due to a suspicion of conspiracy to defraud and false accounting.
Yikes!
He was arrested together with Peter Storrie, Milan Mandaric, Willie McKay, and Amdy Faye.
Thankfully for Redknapp, the allegations were false, and he was later released.
Unfortunately, this whole hullaballoo might’ve caused him his managing career.
He suspects this was the reason the FA did not consider him for manager of the England National Team.
The court then rules in his favor as they stated that the raid on the Redknapp home was illegal and crushed the search warrants.
The City of London police officers actions were also deemed “wholly unacceptable” by the court.
Redknapp received £1,000 for the damages and legal costs.
It doesn’t end here!
The case was reopened in 2010 and the trial began for his two counts of cheating the public revenue, together with Milan Mandaric.
He was later found not guilty in 2012.
His defense was that he is both dyscalculic and dyslexic so he had difficulty with the transfer contracts.
The Redknapp Family of Footballers
Well there you have it!
We’ve (extensively) covered the talented family of Harry Redknapp.
Although we still feel bad for Mark Redknapp, we sure hope he learns his lessons!
Harry Redknapp is such a revered authority in the English Football Industry for all his great contribution.
You’d hate to ruin his good name!
Quick Facts:
| Who are Harry Redknapp’s sons? | Jamie Redknapp and Mark Redknapp. |
| How old is Mark Redknapp? | Mark Redknapp was born in 1971 and is currently 50 years old. |
| Who is Mark Redknapp’s wife? | His wife is Lucy Bolster. |
