Jamie Redknapp

Jamie Frank Redknapp (born June 25, 1973 in Barton-on-Sea, Hampshire) was a well-known English footballer of the 1990s who played as a midfielder in a promising career that was also dogged by injury. Redknapp was one of the most popular players of his generation although it is widely accepted that his good looks, celebrity spouse and modelling commitments often overshadowed his fooball talent. His cousin is Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard.

Redknapp started his career at A.F.C. Bournemouth under his father, manager Harry Redknapp, before going on to play for Liverpool- where Redknapp will be best remembered for, Tottenham Hotspur and finally Southampton, under his father for a second time. Redknapp was also capped 17 times with England, scoring one goal.

A.F.C. Bournemouth

Redknapp started his professional career in 1989 at A.F.C. Bournemouth, a club his father Harry was then manager of. Redknapp made 13 appearances for the club before moving to Liverpool in 1991. Kenny Dalglish signed the 17-year-old Redknapp for £350,000, one of the highest fees paid for a teenage player at the time.

Liverpool

He was signed by Liverpool in January 1991 and was the last player to be signed by manager Kenny Dalglish before his resignation the following month. Redknapp later became the youngest Liverpool player to appear in European competition at the time when he made his Reds debut against AJ Auxerre in the UEFA Cup.

However, following Dalglish's departure, Redknapp or 'Redders' as he came to be known, was part of a transitional Liverpool team under Graeme Souness. Redknapp would later spend most of his first two-and-a-half years on the substitute's bench and in the reserves, becoming a regular first-team player only in the 1993-94 season at the expense of Mark Walters. According to an article by Stephen Thanabalan in World Soccer Magazine, at the time (1993), Redknapp had also become one of the mass-marketed poster boy icons of the newly developing FA Premier League, where alongside other photogenic young players like Ryan Giggs and Lee Sharpe, were used ceaselessly in commercials, advertising spots and for the league's promotional purposes in merchandising and sales. It was not uncommon to see Redknapp's face on the cover of any given football magazine like 'Shoot!' or 'Match', various Lad's mags, and even fashion magazines like GQ or Loaded.

On the pitch, Redknapp established himself as a true midfield marshal during the Roy Evans managerial reign at Anfield. He rose to fame together with fellow young professional colleagues like Steve McManaman and Robbie Fowler, but was black listed together with them and others like Stan Collymore and Jason McAteer at the time for their collective culture of being "Spice Boys" - a derogatory term that signified the team of that time as underachieving playboys that epitmoised the lad culture in the game. Redknapp in particular, came to epitomise the face of that team, and was singled out many a time because of his flash off field lifestyle, often getting described along with David James as a player more concerned with the catwalk and modelling shoots with fashion labels like Top Man and Armani, rather than his football prowess, which many felt was one of underachievement considering his talents although Redknapp did manage to gain a League Cup winner's medal in 1995, an FA Cup runners-up medal in 1996, and come in close contention as nearly men for the FA Premiership, whilst with that 'Spice Boy' team.

Redknapp's talents in the game revolved around being a centre midfielder who the distributed the ball in attack around the pitch with a huge range of passing skills, as well as a keen eye for set pieces and long range shooting abilities. Redknapp scored many spectacular goals in his time at Anfield and his contributions during the 1998/1999 season peaked as he created and scored a significant number of goals to help lift the club as it was undergoing a continental revolution under new boss Gerard Houllier. Redknapp became vice and then full club captain by 1999/2000 following the departures of John Barnes, Steve McManaman and Paul Ince respectively.

Redknapp again led by example as the side blended youth talent in Michael Owen and Steven Gerrard with continental players like Patrik Berger and Sami Hyypia. Redknapp's contributions helped put the club back into the top three of the FA Premiership but unfortunately, a knee injury forced him to sit out the majority of the next campaign in 2000/2001 and in a bid to cure his long standing injury troubles he underwent knee surgery in America. As a result, Redknapp was unable to participate in the club's cup treble campaign which yielded the FA Cup, League Cup and UEFA Cup. But, as club captain, he went up to receive the FA Cup with Robbie Fowler at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. The popular player made his comeback from injury during the pre-season tour before the 2001/2002 season and received an amazing reception during the Far East tour of Singapore and Thailand, where his popularity is second only to David Beckham.

Tragically, just when it looked like he was back, injury struck again and although he fought back once more the end of his Liverpool career was in sight. In October 2001 he played and scored in a 2-0 win at Charlton Athletic, in a game that was to be his last for Liverpool.

Tottenham Hotspur and Southampton

Redknapp then joined Tottenham Hotspur on a free transfer towards the end of the 2002 season, and remained there for two-and-a-half years before becoming his father Harry's first signing for Southampton. In June 2005, he decided to retire from the game due to his constant injury problems, on the advice of medical specialists.

Injury truncations and England

Injuries blighted Redknapp's otherwise successful career, severely limiting the scope and influence of his role in the English national team. Even the notoriously negative British tabloids dubbed his career as being jinxed.

Redknapp was officially capped 17 times for England, scoring one goal even though he hardly managed a sustained run with the team. After playing a brief part in Euro 96, injury ruled him out of both World Cup 98 and Euro 2000. Many still acknowledge Redknapp's talent, and have fond memories of his short stints with the national team - it was his long shot while playing for England that forced Rene Higuita to produce his infamous 'scorpion kick' save.

Unfortunately, many will also remember his international career as one laced with ill-timing. Redknapp's style of play was similar to that of a younger player in the national team, David Beckham. The comparisons between them did not stop at football as in 1998, Redknapp married the pop star and singer Louise Nurding further entrenching his position as the less celebrated, albeit arguably more refined version of the two. They welcomed their first child, Charlie on July 27, 2004.

Post retirement

Since his retirement, Redknapp has entered the field of punditry, mainly with Sky Sports, so far with modest success. Redknapp has also admitted he is obtaining his coaching badges in preparation for possible career as a manager in future. His father Harry Redknapp has been reported to be offering him a coaching place at Portsmouth when he gets his badges, but he wants Jamie to quit his job as Sky Sports pundit.

In 2005, Redknapp launched a bi-monthly magazine with Tim Sherwood and Louise titled Icon, aimed at professional footballers and their families.

In May 2006, Redknapp got to wear the England shirt again playing for the pro/celeb Soccer Aid team and scored the only goal against a England masters team.

He is married to his sweetheart Louise. They welcomed their first child, Charlie on July 27, 2004.

Quotes

On his (and Louise's) comparisons to David Beckham (and Posh Spice): "He may be a better footballer than I am but I certainly won't say she's a better singer than she is." (Source: ESPN Player Focus, 2004)

On his injuries: "People ask me why I keep getting injured but I have just had to accept it is one of those things that happen. It's a horrible feeling - there's nothing worse for any player than to be thinking at the."

References