FOOTBALL CRAZY!
Scoffing curries, playing against Frenchmen in the buff... that’s how these former legends got back into shape on their European tour
With football suspended, what better time for ITV to kick off its new series of Harry’s Heroes.
The hit show follows a team of ex-England stars – led by manager Harry Redknapp – as they try to get back in shape on a tour of Europe. The footballers include David Seaman, Paul Merson and Ray Parlour – and Harry has his work cut out with some of them.
‘They were great footballers and want to play well,’ he says. ‘But it’s whether the legs are willing.’
And the spirit too – within hours of arriving at their first training destination, a picturesque French village, notorious bon viveur Neil ‘Razor’ Ruddock has persuaded his teammates to go for a curry instead of eating a nutritious, carefully prepared meal in their self-catering hotel. ‘What did the gaffer say about detoxing?’ a despairing assistant manager John Barnes says as they rush out.
It certainly didn’t bode well for the players as they readied themselves – or tried to – for tough matches with opponents in France and Italy, in preparation for the ultimate showdown with a team of German international legends.
Still, it makes for fun television, with some fond reminiscing about life in their playing days. ‘There were a lot of pranks,’ laughs former England goalkeeper David Seaman. ‘You had to make sure your shorts were tight otherwise you’d get “pantsed” – your shorts pulled down – the whole time.’
There are moving scenes too as players talk candidly about their struggles. ‘We’re all 40-plus,’ says Seaman, ‘and going through the same things a lot of men our age are coping with – your body changing, weight issues, all sorts.’
The stand-out moment for most was lining up against a French team who, except for their socks and boots, play in the nude. David Seaman wasn’t amused.
‘They came downstairs with things flopping everywhere. I said find another goalie and walked off... I was worried about doing them an injury.’ Harry thought it was hilarious. ‘The girls in the TV crew didn’t seem interested in football before, but suddenly they were all having a look.’
The Premiership it ain’t... you have been warned!
Harry’s Heroes: Euro Having A Laugh begins on Monday, 9pm, ITV and UTV .