In the hilarious new documentary, Harry Redknapp is on a mission to get the plump players back into their 90s kits
THEY were the nation’s football heroes in the Nineties, when England got to the semi-finals of Italia ’90 and Euro ‘96.
But more than 20 years on, many of them can barely fit into their old Three Lions kits.
Step forward former Spurs boss Harry Redknapp, 72, who is hoping to return the plump players to their former glory by getting one final hurrah over the old enemy, the Germans.
As part of a hilarious new two-part ITV series, Harry’s Heroes: The Full English, many of the lardy legends — including David Seaman, Chris Waddle, Matt Le Tissier, and Paul Merson — are called on to play on the condition they get into shape.
Harry, supported by former Liverpool star John Barnes, has 12 weeks with the squad of 13 before their grudge showdown.
But the players get a fright when fitness trainer Luke Worthington — who has worked with Arsenal’s Mesut Ozil and boxer David Haye — checks their current level of fitness and how many extra pounds they are carrying.
In the show, out go fry-ups and booze and in come modern diet and fitness plans used by super-fit Premier League footballers.
Ex-Southampton playmaker Matt Le Tissier, 50, said: “My diet was shocking. I was living on pizza, fish and chips, cheesy chips. And I drank five or six cans of full-fat coke every day and I felt a little bit addicted.
“My body fat percentage was really high when we started this and I found out I was storing fat around my organs at dangerous levels. That was a little bit scary.”
Former England No1 David Seaman, 55, said: “You don’t realise how many calories you’re taking in with the odd takeaway and night out.”
Matt and David were two of the documentary’s success stories, shifting more than two-and-a-half stone between them.
Ex-Arsenal star Ray Parlour, 46, known as the Romford Pele, and former Liverpool defender Mark Wright, 55, managed to lose a stone each. Others struggled from the word go.
Neil “Razor” Ruddock, 50, was by far the heaviest of the group, tipping the scales at a massive 24st and with a body fat percentage of nearly 32 per cent.
At one point in the episode of the two-art series, Neil has to come off during a training match after just ten minutes.
Manager Harry said: “I am worried, this lot have let themselves go so much they’re a heart attack waiting to happen.
“I’ve had a heart scare myself and I don’t want that for these legends. England’s finest? More like a full English.”
Legendary midfielder Chris Waddle, 58, reminisced about the old days, saying: “When I started in 1990, Tuesday was a drinking day, then you’d go out Saturday night and Sunday afternoon.
“The manager used to hand over money for a kitty and tell everyone to have a good drink. It got everyone bonding.”
Arsenal midfielder-turned-Sky pundit Paul Merson — who blew much of his football earnings on drugs, booze and gambling during his career — plays a key role in the side.
He said: “I couldn’t have played in this day and age. The way I lived my life then, and the phone cameras they have now — no, it would have been disastrous. I liked a few drinks.”
