Harry: This one is for you
HERO Harry Redknapp toasted FA Cup glory and told supporters: This is for you.
Redknapp will go down as a Pompey immortal after guiding his team to victory against Cardiff.
The Blues became legends as they lifted the famous old trophy for the first time in 69 years at Wembley.
And the man behind it all lauded the club's supporters for playing a key role in the victory.
Redknapp dedicated the win to Pompey's loyal band of followers.
He said: 'The supporters will never forget this.
'It's been a long time for them and these fans will enjoy it.
'The last 12 years one of the big four has won the FA Cup.
'They probably come here thinking: "It's another trip to Wembley – should we go, or should we not go this year?".
'But for us and Cardiff it was a big day out.
'It's great for them and that's what it is all about.
'It is their day and it is great for the fans of Portsmouth to see their team win the FA Cup.
'I'm sure they never would have believed it if you had said to them six years ago when they were sitting bottom of the old Championship.
'If you'd said they were going to finish eighth in the Premier and win the FA Cup they'd have thought you were mad.
'But they come out, back their team and make a difference. That's what they do.'
Victory also represented a personal triumph for Redknapp.
He has been through a tumultuous period with the recent loss of his sister-in-law Pat Lampard and an arrest as part of investigations into alleged corruption in football.
Redknapp said: 'It has been a difficult year, but in many ways it has been fantastic.
'My wife keeps me going full stop.
'Like everybody, we go through tough times in life.
'We haven't had a very good few weeks but it was important today we got the result and it was a good day.
'Like everybody you just have to keep going.
'I have to go in every day with a smile on my face.
'If I go in and look down, the players will pick up on that.
'It is my job to go there and make sure everybody's up and not to feel sorry for myself, which I don't ever do anyway.'
Redknapp lauded matchwinner Kanu, who shrugged off an earlier miss to grab the decisive goal.
The Blues boss was delighted to bathe in the afterglow of victory but cited Pompey's Great Escape in 2005 as more important than Saturday's win.
Redknapp said: 'When Kanu missed the one chance I thought it was going to be one of those days.
'But the big man has got us goals, one in the semi and one today.
'He has done great for me.
'I took him on a free from West Brom.
'Everyone thought I was mad, West Brom had released him on their way back to the Championship.
'But he was great.
'It is a great day, in terms of the glory of winning the FA Cup.
'But in terms of football, probably keeping Portsmouth up when I went back there a couple of years ago was a much bigger achievement.
'Today is a glory day. It's great to go to Wembley and win the Cup.'
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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