I was on the touchline with £30k stuffed down my trousers.

I think Portsmouth ended up giving Paul Merson about £5,000 a week - and Aston Villa were  paying him £20,000. As soon as he walked in the dressing room, he had an effect.
He was a great player for Portsmouth. He lifted everybody. I loved him but it wasn’t always so straightforward.
One day at Millwall he came into the dressing room with a big, brown bag full of readies. ‘Would you look after this for me, gaffer?’ he asked.
‘It’s 30 grand. It’s for a bookmaker, an Irish mob. They’re after me and I’ve got to meet them after the game. Will you look after it for me until then?’

Star signing: Harry Redknapp convinced Paul Merson to sign for Portsmouth in 2002

Making a difference: Merson played a major role in helping Portsmouth win promotion

On the up: Redknapp guided Portsmouth to the Premier League in 2003

 

I couldn’t leave it in the changing room, but I almost always wear a suit on the touchline. That day I changed. I put a tracksuit on so there was more room to conceal these readies.
It was OK until I sprung out of my seat on the touchline. As I did, I felt something move.
As I was trying to get a message to the players I could feel Merson’s 30 grand making its way south along my trouser leg.
I looked down and the notes were coming out the bottom of my trousers.
I edged back to my seat like a bloke who needed the toilet quickly. The staff were very concerned.
‘Are you all right, Harry?’ I was virtually doubled up, as if in pain.
I slid into my seat and didn’t move, stuck in this awkward position in case the money moved again.
The staff kept asking if I needed to see the doctor, and I kept telling them it was nothing, I was fine, I just needed to be left alone. I was rooted to the spot.
We ended up winning 5–0 and Merson got cheered off by the Millwall punters, he was that good.
It wasn’t the only result he had that day. He told me afterwards that the money he owed was nearer £100,000 than £30,000 but the bookmakers had decided to cut their losses.