Harry Redknapp stops by under-10s grassroots game

Former Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp surprised parents and children when he showed up to watch a grassroots under-10s match.

He was spotted at Middlesbrough Sports Village on Sunday watching several children's football matches.

The head of Kader Football Club, in Middlesbrough, said Redknapp had watched an under-10s match the team was playing.

Alan Formby-Jackson said the former professional manager had particularly kind words for the only girl on their team, Scarlett.

He said the team were playing their game when some of the parents on the sidelines noticed Redknapp was watching.

The ex-manager was in the area for a theatre show he was doing in Darlington that night, said Mr Formby-Jackson, who was not at the game on Sunday.

He said he had been told by the team Redknapp was "spot on" with everybody.

Redknapp also told the team's manager that not only had he enjoyed watching the game, but that that Scarlett was a "standout player".

"He thought she was really good," he said.

He added that it's not "very often you see professional players on the sidelines".

However, Mr Formby-Jackson said in previous years he had seen Tony Mowbray and Steve McClaren on grassroots pitches across Teesside.

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