Harry Redknapp is poised to make a cameo appearance in a new film recreating one of the most extraordinary stories of his football career.
The former West Ham manager, now 79, is set to feature in Halftime Hero, which will bring the remarkable tale of supporter Steve Davies to the big screen more than three decades after his unlikely appearance for the Hammers.
Sir Ridley Scott is involved in the project, with production believed to already be underway.
Eddie Marsan, 58, has been cast as Redknapp, while Anson Boon, 26, will portray Davies and Ellie Bamber will play the supporter’s girlfriend.
But Redknapp himself is also expected to appear in the film, having reportedly been keen to play a small role in the retelling of the bizarre incident.
A source told The Sun: “This moment is one of football’s greatest true stories and fans will love to see it brought to life.
“Harry wanted to be part of the film and is honoured that Eddie agreed to play him.”
The story dates back to 1994, when Redknapp was serving as West Ham assistant manager and the club faced Oxford City in a pre-season friendly.
Harry Redknapp is poised to make a cameo appearance in a new film recreating one of the most extraordinary stories of his football career
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PA
Davies was watching from the stands and made his feelings about striker Lee Chapman’s performance abundantly clear.
According to Redknapp, the supporter repeatedly heckled from close to the dugout and even branded Chapman a “donkey”.
Eventually, Redknapp decided to challenge his outspoken critic to prove he could do better.
“There’s a guy next to the dug-out,” Redknapp previously recalled.
Harry Redknapp pictured during his time as West Ham manager
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GETTY
“He’s got West Ham tattooed all over his arms and neck.
“After two minutes, he started on me, ‘We ain’t got Lee Chapman up front do we? I ain’t coming every week if he’s playing.’
“Half-time I made five subs. I was running out of players. Then we got another injury, so I said to this guy, ‘Oi, can you play as good as you talk?’”
Davies was remarkably brought out of the crowd and sent onto the pitch.
Redknapp even added to the joke by telling the stadium announcer that West Ham had introduced “a great Bulgarian, Tittyshev”.
What happened next ensured the episode became part of Hammers folklore.
Davies scored as West Ham cruised to a 4-0 victory, giving the supporter an experience he would later describe as the greatest moment of his life.
“I just hit it. It was like time stopped still. It was the greatest moment of my life,” Davies said in 2013.
“After that, I was exhausted.
“I was on 30 cigarettes a day back then. I had a couple of cigs and a couple of beers in the first half, didn’t I?”
Davies later went on to run a courier company, but his unlikely West Ham appearance has remained famous among supporters.
No footage of the incident is known to exist, meaning the new production will provide fans with their first opportunity to see the remarkable episode recreated on screen.
