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When Harry Redknapp Shut Down A Fan For Slating A Teenage Frank Lampard

When Harry Redknapp Shut Down A Fan For Slating A Teenage Frank Lampard

Classic.

Anonymous

Anonymous

Let's put this moment into perspective as we watch Harry Redknapp on 'I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here!' tonight.

Frank Lampard had only recently broken into the Hammers' first team in 1996 and, even though he was only in the embryonic stages of what would become a trophy and goal laden career, one Upton Park regularly decided to take umbrage with the fact Redknapp's nephew was being preferred for a first team spot ahead of Scott Canham and Matt Holland, who had been sold by the club.

Despite looking like he's just wandered off the set of Grange Hill, Lampard appeared 16 times for the Hammers in all competitions that season and would be an established first team regular by the 1997/98 campaign, making 42 appearances and scoring 10 times at just 18 years of age.

Scott Canham was a year away from switching Brentford for a brief spell at Leyton Orient while Matt Holland as beginning a six year spell with Ipswich Town, where his form would earn him a call up to the Republic Of Ireland national team, with whom he would win 49 international caps.

Of course, a manager favouring family over other seemingly capable players is always going to raise suspicions among fans and make skeptics out of many of them, but we can't imagine the fan in this video has wanted to re-watch his performance too many times, given just how drastically wrong Lampard has proved him over the past 21 years.

Lampard called time on his 21 year career last year after winning so many trophies and accolades. He became Chelsea's all time leading goal scorer, helping the Blues to three Premier League titles, four FA Cups, two League Cups, a Europa League and, most memorably, the 2012 Champions League.

In a lengthy post on Instagram, Lampard paid special tribute to his wife Christine and his two children as well as all of his former clubs, reserving special praise for Chelsea: "Of course, the largest part of my heart belongs to Chelsea, a club which has given me so many great memories." he said.

"I will never forget the opportunity they gave me and the success that we managed to achieve together. It is impossible to give thanks individually to all the people that helped and supported me in my 13 years playing there. All I can say is from the day I signed until now and going forward, I'm eternally grateful for everything and to everyone.

"Chelsea fans gave myself and my teammates such incredible support. Their passion and hunger drove me on personally to give my best year after year. I couldn't have done it without them."

Also, shout out to what appears to be a quite ferocious mid '90s mullet Harry Redknapp is sporting at this point of his career.

It's not quite emulating Gerry Francis but it's still a sterling effort.

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Topics: Harry Redknapp, Frank Lampard, Football News, Chelsea, Football, I'm A Celebrity