Harry Redknapp faced boos and shouts of 'Judas' as he
arrived to be granted the freedom of the city of Portsmouth just
three days after quitting Pompey to take over at
Tottenham.
The 61-year-old left Portsmouth late on Saturday to take up his
new post at Tottenham. Along with the players of his former club,
Redknapp was honoured by Portsmouth City Council for their success
in winning the FA Cup by beating Cardiff 1-0 at Wembley in
May.
The council decided to go ahead with the honour for Redknapp
despite his departure from the city. As he walked up to the
stage in the Guildhall, there were loud boos from the public and
shouts of "Judas", while his replacement, Tony Adams, enjoyed loud
cheers and chants of "Tony". A red-faced Redknapp shook his head as
one member of the public shouted: 'Get off the stage.'
The leader of the council, Gerald Vernon-Jackson, spoke of the
city's gratitude to Redknapp for taking the team into the
Premiership and winning the FA Cup.
He said: "This is a very different speech from one I had
planned. It is only right and proper to say that this would have
been a speech about celebration and thanks. 'It still is - winning
the FA Cup was a great feat, but it must now also be about sadness
and goodbyes.'
As he continued, the audience heckled. He said: 'Harry has had a
huge impact on this city. I was thinking, what do I call him?'
At this point, someone shouted out 'Judas'.