Harry's Heroes

Last updated

Harry's Heroes
Also known asThe Full English (series 1)
Euro Having a Laugh (series 2)
GenreSports documentary
Starring Harry Redknapp
John Barnes
Luke Worthington
David Seaman
Matt Le Tissier
Paul Merson
Neil Ruddock
Robbie Fowler
Rob Lee
Ray Parlour
Mark Wright
Chris Waddle
Mark Chamberlain
Lee Hendrie
Steve Howey
Michael Owen
Teddy Sheringham
Jamie Thompson
Vinnie Jones
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
No. of series2
No. of episodes6
Production
Running time60 minutes
Original release
Network ITV
Release18 March 2019 (2019-03-18) –
20 May 2020 (2020-05-20)

Harry's Heroes is an English documentary television programme produced by Fremantle for ITV. The first series Harry's Heroes: The Full English aired in March 2019. Series 2, entitled Harry's Heroes: Euro Having a Laugh aired in May 2020.

Contents

It featured former football manager Harry Redknapp attempting get a squad of former England international footballers back fit and healthy for one last game, vs a Germany Legends team. Redknapp was joined by an injured John Barnes, who acted as his assistant manager, and by sports scientist Luke Worthington, who analysed the players' weights and fitness throughout the course of filming the show.

Episodes

Series overview

SeriesEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast aired
1323 March 2019 (2019-03-23)7 April 2019 (2019-04-07)
2329 April 2020 (2020-04-29)20 May 2020 (2020-05-20)

Series 1

Episode 1

Episode 1 aired on 18 March 2019. Harry Redknapp meets up with his squad of players, who aren't expecting what is to come. The squad got weighed and had their bodies analysed, before they played their first game against Ridgeway Rovers Youth Football Club, losing 2-1, with the game ending early to prevent injuries. Whilst the majority of players begin working to become fitter and slimmer, Neil Ruddock goes on a cruise holiday. David Seaman takes Robbie Fowler and Paul Merson fishing, where Merson reveals his struggles with drugs, alcohol and gambling. [1] Back on the training field, the squad are put through a bleep test. Mark Wright and Ray Parlour meet a golf course, before luring John Barnes into joining the squad's dieting regime, despite not being able to play. The squad meet up again, first in a gym for some strength and endurance training, and later in a recording studio to re-record World in Motion. They played their second game vs Crystal Palace Ladies, winning 1-0.

Episode 2

Episode 2 aired on 19 March 2019. The majority of the squad jetted off to Spain for a training camp, in which Robbie Fowler missed a training session due to a hangover. Meanwhile in England, Paul Merson revealed he had fallen back into a gambling addiction, and met up with Drewe Broughton, a former footballer who had suffered with addictions himself. [2] The squad regather in England, where Merson again speaks with Seaman and Fowler about his struggles, before a number of the squad go for a session of cryotherapy, a new science used by today's modern footballers. Neil Ruddock meets up with former footballer and heart attack survivor David Ginola to talk about his health, before going for a personal check-up with a doctor, where he learns he is at a high risk of heart problems. The full squad regather to be suited up and weighed for the last time ahead of their third game, vs a Germany Legends team. Pre-match, the team were shown well-wishing videos sent in by Peter Shilton and Paul Gascoigne wishing them well, before winning the game itself 4-2.

Series 2

Cast

The Full English (Season 1)

England Team

No.NamePos.AgeFormer Club(s) [lower-alpha 1] England CapsEngland GoalsEngland EraFootball Career
Main Squad
1 David Seaman GK 19 September 1963 (aged 55) Flag of England.svg Queens Park Rangers,
Flag of England.svg Arsenal 		7501988–20021982–2004
2 Rob Lee MF 1 February 1966 (aged 53) Flag of England.svg Newcastle United 2121994–19981983–2006
3 Lee Sharpe MF 27 May 1971 (aged 47) Flag of England.svg Manchester United 801991–19931987–2004
4 Ray Parlour MF 7 March 1973 (aged 46) Flag of England.svg Arsenal 1001999–20001992–2007
5 Neil Ruddock DF 9 May 1968 (aged 50) Flag of England.svg Liverpool 1019941985–2003
6 Mark Wright DF 1 August 1963 (aged 55) Flag of England.svg Southampton,
Flag of England.svg Derby County,
Flag of England.svg Liverpool 		4511984–19961980–1998
7 Matt Le Tissier MF 14 October 1968 (aged 50) Flag of England.svg Southampton 801994–19971986–2003
8 Chris Waddle MF 14 December 1960 (aged 58) Flag of England.svg Newcastle United,
Flag of England.svg Tottenham Hotspur,
Flag of France.svg Marseille 		6261985–19911978–2002
9 Robbie Fowler FW 9 April 1975 (aged 43) Flag of England.svg Liverpool,
Flag of England.svg Leeds United 		2671996–20021993–2012
10 Paul Merson MF 20 March 1968 (aged 50) Flag of England.svg Arsenal,
Flag of England.svg Middlesbrough,
Flag of England.svg Aston Villa 		2131991–19981985–2006
11 Mark Chamberlain MF 19 November 1961 (aged 57) Flag of England.svg Stoke City 811982–19841978–1998
Guest Substitutes
12 Steve Howey DF 26 October 1971 (aged 47) Flag of England.svg Newcastle United 401994–19961989–2010
14 Andy Gray MF 22 February 1964 (aged 55) Flag of England.svg Crystal Palace 1019911980–1998
15 Alan Kennedy DF 31 August 1954 (aged 64) Flag of England.svg Liverpool 2019841972–1994
16 Michael Thomas MF 24 August 1967 (aged 51) Flag of England.svg Arsenal 201988–19891984–2001
17 Lee Hendrie MF 18 May 1977 (aged 41) Flag of England.svg Aston Villa 1019981994–2019
18 Paul Walsh FW 1 October 1962 (aged 56) Flag of England.svg Liverpool 511983–19841979–1996

[3] [4]

Players' ages are as of the opening episode of Season 1 (18 March 2019).

Coaching Staff

Role.NameAgeNotable Former Club(s)England CapsEngland GoalsEngland EraFootball CareerManagement Career
Manager Harry Redknapp 2 March 1947 (aged 72) Flag of England.svg West Ham United,
Flag of England.svg Tottenham Hotspur 		00N/A1965–19821983–2017
Assistant Manager John Barnes 7 November 1963 (aged 55) Flag of England.svg Liverpool 79111983–19951980–19991999–2009
Fitness CoachLuke WorthingtonTBCN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A
Coaches' ages are as of the opening episode of Season 1 (18 March 2019).

Euro Having a Laugh (Season 2)

England Team

No.NamePos.AgeFormer Club(s) [lower-alpha 2] England CapsEngland GoalsEngland EraFootball Career
Main Squad
David Seaman GK 19 September 1963 (aged 56) Flag of England.svg Queens Park Rangers,
Flag of England.svg Arsenal 		7501994–19981983–2006
Rob Lee MF 1 February 1966 (aged 54) Flag of England.svg Newcastle United 2121994–19981983–2006
Lee Sharpe MF 27 May 1971 (aged 48) Flag of England.svg Manchester United 801991–19931987–2004
Ray Parlour MF 7 March 1973 (aged 47) Flag of England.svg Arsenal 1001999–20001992–2007
Neil Ruddock DF 9 May 1968 (aged 51) Flag of England.svg Liverpool 1019941985–2003
Mark Wright DF 1 August 1963 (aged 56) Flag of England.svg Southampton
Derby County
Liverpool 		4511984–19961980–1998
Matt Le Tissier MF 14 October 1968 (aged 51) Flag of England.svg Southampton 801994–19971986–2003
Lee Hendrie MF 18 May 1977 (aged 42) Flag of England.svg Aston Villa 1019981994–2019
Paul Merson MF 20 March 1968 (aged 52) Flag of England.svg Arsenal,
Flag of England.svg Middlesbrough,
Flag of England.svg Aston Villa 		2131991–19981985–2006
Mark Chamberlain MF 19 November 1961 (aged 58) Flag of England.svg Stoke City 811982–19841978–1998
Substitutes/Guest Players
Dave Beasant GK 20 March 1959 (aged 61) Flag of England.svg Newcastle United 2019891978–2008
Steve Howey DF 26 October 1971 (aged 48) Flag of England.svg Newcastle United 401994–19961989–2010
Alan Kennedy DF 31 August 1954 (aged 65) Flag of England.svg Liverpool 2019841972–1994
Andy Gray MF 31 August 1964 (aged 55) Flag of England.svg Crystal Palace 1019911980–1998
Michael Gray MF 31 August 1974 (aged 45) Flag of England.svg Sunderland 3019991992–2010
Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Vinnie Jones MF 5 January 1965 (aged 55) Flag of England.svg Wimbledon 9 1 0 1 1994–1997 1 1984–1999
Michael Thomas MF 24 August 1967 (aged 52) Flag of England.svg Arsenal 201988–19891984–2001
Trevor Steven MF 21 September 1963 (aged 56) Flag of England.svg Everton,
Flag of Scotland.svg Rangers,
Flag of France.svg Marseille 		3641985–19921980–1997
Jamie Thompson MF N/ANone0 2 0 2 N/AN/A
Paul Walsh FW 1 October 1962 (aged 57) Flag of England.svg Liverpool 511983–19841979–1996
Teddy Sheringham FW 2 April 1966 (aged 54) Flag of England.svg Tottenham Hotspur
Flag of England.svg Manchester United 		51111993–20021983–2008
Kevin Phillips FW 25 July 1973 (aged 46) Flag of England.svg Sunderland 801999–20021991–2014
Darius Vassell FW 13 June 1980 (aged 39) Flag of England.svg Aston Villa 2262002–20041998–2012
Michael Owen FW 14 December 1979 (aged 40) Flag of England.svg Liverpool
Flag of Spain.svg Real Madrid
Flag of England.svg Newcastle United 		89401998–20081996–2013

[5]

Players' ages are as of the opening episode of Season 2 (29 April 2020).

^ Vinnie Jones caps, goals and time spent in national team denotes to his appearances for Wales and not England. Jones was born in England but represented Wales at International level, despite this he appeared as a guest for the England legends in Season Two.
^ Jamie Thompson is not a footballer, and was the teams physiotherapist who was forced to play due to injuries to some of the players.

Coaching Staff

Role.NameAgeNotable Former Club(s)England CapsEngland GoalsEngland EraFootball CareerManagement Career
Manager Harry Redknapp 2 March 1947 (aged 73) Flag of England.svg West Ham United,
Flag of England.svg Tottenham Hotspur 		00N/A1965–19821983–2017
Assistant Manager John Barnes 7 November 1963 (aged 56) Flag of England.svg Liverpool 79111983–19951980–19991999–2009
Fitness CoachLuke WorthingtonTBCN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A
PhysiotherapistJamie ThompsonTBCN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A
Coaches' ages are as of the opening episode of Season 2 (29 April 2020).
Ruddock participated in the first two episodes but did not play owing to a heart condition. Jamie Thompson, the team's physio, played in the match against San Marino.

Games

Series One (2019)

The two episodes showed highlights of three games played by Harry's Heroes, winning two and losing one.

Series Two (2020)

Reception

The show received generally positive reaction, with many praising the air time given towards players talking about their mental and physical health, notably Paul Merson. [6] [7]

The Daily Telegraph published a 3/5 star review, calling the issues touched on by the programme "rather heartwarming." [8]

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References

  1. ↑ Carson, Sarah (19 March 2019). "Harry's Heroes: the Full English: this sensitive programme was about far more than football". MSN. Retrieved 21 March 2019.
  2. ↑ "Ex-striker helping players through mental struggles". BBC Sport. 21 March 2019. Retrieved 21 March 2019.
  3. ↑ Bond, Kimberley (19 March 2019). "Who is taking part in Harry's Heroes: The Full English?". The Radio Times. Retrieved 21 March 2019.
  4. ↑ Archer, Katie (19 March 2019). "Harry's Heroes: The Full English – Who are the football legends taking part?". BT TV News. Retrieved 21 March 2019.
  5. ↑ "Harry's Heroes". IMDB. Retrieved 23 May 2020.
  6. ↑ Parker, Sam (21 March 2019). "Harry's Heroes: a moving reminder that middle-aged men are in denial about their health". The Telegraph. Retrieved 21 March 2019.
  7. ↑ Moore, Joe (20 March 2019). "Harry's Heroes: Harry Redknapp praises ex-Arsenal star Paul Merson for opening up over gambling addiction on hit TV show". talkSPORT. Retrieved 21 March 2019.
  8. ↑ Hogan, Michael (18 March 2019). "Harry's Heroes: The Full English, review". The Telegraph. Retrieved 21 March 2019.

Notes

  1. ↑ Club(s) that the player was signed on for at the time of their England appearances
  2. ↑ Club(s) that the player was signed on for at the time of their England appearances
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