WE'RE VICTIMS OF CUP 'CRIME'

Redknapp: Our clubs need more support

- Matthew Nash

HARRY REDKNAPP has spoken of his love for Non-League football and says it is a ‘crime’ that FA Cup replays will be scrapped from the first round onwards from next season.

The former Tottenham and West Ham boss – whose first job in management in this country was as assistant to England World Cup winner Bobby Moore at Oxford City in the Isthmian League – is a self-confessed supporter of grassroots football.

When he’s not watching the team he once managed, Bournemouth, in the Premier League, Redknapp calls in on his local club Poole Town, among others, and finds himself getting lured back time after time.

And Redknapp will have more reason than ever to dip into NonLeague when the new campaign gets underway as grandson Harry Jr has just signed for Southern League Premier South side Dorchester Town following his release from Bournemouth.

Expect then to see grandad ‘Arry at many a local fixture when the new season begins.

“I follow Non-League closely,” the 77-year-old, who started his management career as player-assistant manager of NASL club Seattle Sounders in 1976 under Jimmy Gabriel, told The NLP.