'I never got on with Harry Redknapp - he caused the biggest insult of my career'

08 September 2023 , 16:00

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Things changed when Harry Redknapp took over at West Ham, claims one of his former players (Image: Getty Images)

When Billy Bonds took over from Lou Macari at West Ham in 1990, I couldn’t have been happier.

For a season-and-a-half, I loved my football under Bill. But when Harry Redknapp came in, that all changed. Harry came in as Bill’s No.2 at the start of the 1992/93 season and from the moment he arrived, I never got on with him.

I had signed a contract which intentionally took me right through to the end of my testimonial season. But certain individuals didn’t want me in the side without a doubt and, let’s just say, I don’t think it was Billy.

We were playing Luton in an FA Cup replay and I travelled with the team to Kenilworth Road, but didn’t even make the bench. Then someone fell sick and so I had to be a substitute. I remember rolling my eyes, thinking ‘Is this what I get after 10 years at West Ham?’.

Harry said to Billy: ‘Did you see his face Bill? Did you see the way he reacted to that? Are you doing us a favour by sitting on the bench?’ I replied: ‘My face is fine and I’m really happy to be a sub, but you’re bang out of order.’

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I must admit, it got to a point where I didn’t like going into training and I have no problems in saying it was one of the lowest points in my career. To this day, I’m eternally grateful to the 8,000 fans who turned up for my testimonial game against the Republic of Ireland in 1994.

Shortly before kick-off, Harry called me to the manager’s office. Billy was also there and you could tell he felt really awkward. Billy said: ‘We’ve decided not to give you a contract.’ Although he had to tell me the news, I bear no grudges with him because in my eyes he was just the messenger.

In one of Harry’s recent books, he said ‘It was Billy who wanted him out of the club’, which I think is nonsense. As for how well things worked out for me afterwards, that was certainly nothing to do with Harry.

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When they told me my contract wasn’t being renewed that close to the end of the season, I was f*****. To have my contract taken away from me on my testimonial day was the biggest insult that could have been thrown my way.

If John Lyall had been there, it would never have happened. Our livelihoods were at stake and it’s not like we were being paid £50,000 a week. In fact, I was on about £1,600 a week. Can you believe I even got charged for the sandwiches in the boardroom after my testimonial match?

That last season left a bad taste in my mouth, but I’ll always look back at my decade with West Ham with pride and to this day I still love the club and its fans.‌

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Tony Gale