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‘I’m the only one that knows’ – Benjani lifts lid on what happened when Harry Redknapp sold him on Deadline Day

You know it’s transfer deadline day when you hear Harry Redknapp’s name floating about.

The former Premier League gaffer was renowned for his drive-by interviews, striking a deal for all kinds of players with the clock ticking on the transfer window.

Portsmouth's Benjani Mwaruwari in a soccer game.
Benjani lifted the lid on his transfer saga
Rex
Harry Redknapp, Portsmouth manager.
PA:Press Association
Harry Redknapp oversaw Benjani’s move to Manchester City[/caption]

One of Redknapp’s most famous antics was shipping Portsmouth‘s star striker Benjani Mwaruwari off to Manchester City on deadline day in January 2008 – the season Pompey lifted the FA Cup before numerous financial troubles saw them slip down the EFL pyramid.

Pompey had already confirmed the signing of Benjani’s replacement, Jermain Defoe, having accepted a £7.6million bid for the Zimbabwean striker.

Now, all has finally been revealed on one of the most bizarre transfer sagas in recent living memory.

Redknapp, speaking to the BBC, recalled Sven-Goran Eriksson – then Man City boss – had offered Pompey a sum “too good to turn down”.

So he shipped Benjani off to Southampton airport, and that’s when chaos ensued.

The Pompey boss received a call saying Benjani hadn’t arrived at Manchester airport, and it was later claimed that he had missed two flights, and a third had been cancelled.

Redknapp told the BBC he called Benjani, asking what on earth was going on.

Benjani was still at the airport, with the striker allegedly having second thoughts about a move.

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Now, for the first time, Benjani has revealed what really went down on that infamous deadline day – claiming “I’m the only person that knows what happened”.

He said: “Before this interview, I always have a lot of questions about that.

“The flight? Delayed. And my phone, now, I didn’t bring the charger, my phone is dead!”

He recalled both Pompey and Man City “trying to locate” him, stressing that he hadn’t fallen asleep in the airport, and did in fact want to go to the Etihad!

He continued: “I made the decision, I want to go!”

Benjani eventually arrived at Man City’s training ground at 11:10pm, with barely enough time to complete the deal.

He said: “It was five minutes to 12, everything was just a mess there. The fax machine broke down, so only one or two papers, they went through and the rest were [missing].”

The transfer eventually went through on February 5 2008, for a £3.87million fee, with bonuses set to take the deal up to the originally reported £7.6million.

Benjani bagged his first Man City goal just five days later, scoring the winner against Manchester United in the Manchester derby.

After spells with Sunderland and Blackburn, Benjani made a season-long return to Fratton Park in 2011, before finishing his career at South African sides Chippa United and Bidvest Wits.

He is now working within the Plymouth Argyle Academy as one of the club’s youth coaches.

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Величезна квартира, мамин інтерʼєр: як виглядає оселя Макса Барських у Херсоні (фото)

Макс Барських тривалий час живе в Києві, але народився він в Херсоні, де також пробув половину свого життя, і саме там він має квартиру, в якій вже не був три роки. Як зазначає сам Макс, нині там ніхто не живе, тому за апартаментами доглядає сусідка. За словами співака, коли він залишив свій рідним дім, там […]

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‘Your style is incredible’ gush fans as RTE star Arthur Gourounlian stuns in ‘fabulous’ outfit on Dancing With The Stars

RTE star Arthur Gourounlian has wowed fans as he stepped out in a “fabulous” outfit on Dancing With The Stars.

The celebrity judge was back on air last night for another episode of the hit RTE show.

Portrait of a man with long curly hair wearing a red patterned shirt and necklace.
Instagram
Arthur was back on air last night for another episode of Dancing With The Stars[/caption]
Man with long hair walking backstage wearing a patterned shirt and gray pants.
Instagram
Arthur’s fans all shared their love for his outfit[/caption]

Arthur was joined by his co-judges Loraine BarryBrian Redmond and Karen Byrne, to critique the nine famous faces competing for the glitterball.

The 44-year-old took to his Instagram after last night’s show to share some snaps of his sensational TV look.

The dad-of-two told how his outfit was “a bold, vintage-inspired ensemble with a mix of retro and modern elements”.

Arthur donned a red and cream geometric-patterned button-up shirt with a wide collar, which he said is “reminiscent of 1970s fashion”.

The TV star tucked the statement shirt into high-waisted, wide-leg grey trousers, adding a “sophisticated, slightly oversized silhouette”.

He opted to style his outfit with a pair of chunky brown platform shoes which complimented the “vintage aesthetic” and added “height and a statement finish”.

The celebrity choreographer completed the TV look with multiple rings and layered necklaces.

He captioned his post: “SHOW FIVE @dwtsirl. Dedication Week. Oh, my, Oh, my, it was so emotional tonight.

Everyone danced their heart out to the floor. Seriously, WOW.

Arthur’s fans and friends all raced to the comments to share their love for his outfit.

Lottie said: “Absolutely stunning wouldn’t expect anything less your style is incredible each week Arthur.”

Denise wrote: “Handsome you rock everything you put on.”

Ross commented: “Best so far.”

Jacqueline gushed: “Fabulous.”

Another added: “Looking great as always.”

MISCHIEF MORNING

Arthur recently caught his daughter Blake creating “chaos” on her own.

The Dancing With The Stars judge and his hubby Brian Dowling often share their day-to-day life at home with their daughters Blake, 2, and eight-month-old Blu.

Arthur took to Instagram and posted a hilarious video of Blake.

The 44-year-old explained how he heard “silence” coming from the playroom at 9am this morning and became suspicious.

He joked that his heart was “pounding” as he braced himself for the “chaos that awaited” him as he cautiously entered the room to see what she was up to.

Arthur found Blake sitting on Blu’s changing table covered in Sudocrem.

Blake looked up at Arthur innocently as he quickly ran her a bath to clean up her mess.

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How to tackle waste of the Irish food staple bread – from simple yet delicious recipes to storage tips and tricks

NO country goes wild for bread quite like Ireland during a time of crisis.

Last week shelves in nearly every supermarket were cleared out ahead of destructive Storm Eowyn’s arrival.

Happy woman kneading bread dough in a bowl.
Bread is an Irish food staple
Getty Images - Getty
Loaves of bread on a wooden table.
You can make various recipes with leftover bread
Getty Images - Getty

Sales manager for Too Good To Go Ireland, Machaela O’Leary, said: “Bread is a staple in almost every Irish household, but it’s also one of the most commonly wasted foods with 41 per cent of people reporting they throw away bread, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.”

But there are a number of ways that you can prolong the shelf life of the bread.

Here, Too Good To Go has shared practical and sustainable tips to help households make the most of their bread and reduce waste...

BETTER STORAGE

CLOTH bags are the best option for storing bread to retain its goodness longer.

A surprising tip is to put a potato in the bag as well, which prevents the loaf from drying out as quickly.

Toaster and bread bin on a kitchen counter.
A bread bin helps to extend the shelf life
Getty Images - Getty

Wherever you store your bread, make sure it’s dark, dry and fairly cool – a bread box is the ideal place and can be bought for a good price at many stores.

You should clean out any bread bins or cupboards regularly for mould.

If you have made your own bread, let it cool fully before slicing it and then packaging or freezing it.

EASY FREEZY

YOU can freeze bread for up to three months – just make sure it’s in a clean, sealed bag.

Almost every type of bread can be frozen, to extend its shelf life considerably.

Hand removing bag of frozen baguettes from freezer drawer.
Bread can remain frozen to extend the shelf life
Getty Images - Getty

Toasting from frozen is actually the best way to avoid unnecessary waste, by using what you need as and when.

Thawing bread is as just easy as freezing it. To thaw it, you can remove it from the freezer and let it defrost on your counter for between one and three hours.

Or, you can thaw it in the fridge overnight while keeping it in its packaging.

BAKE LEFTOVERS

THERE are many recipes that incorporate bread and help you to use it before it goes out of date.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, everyone was making banana bread – and this is a very simple and fast way to bake.

Baked banana bread in a loaf pan.
You can make a banana bread with leftovers
Getty Images - Getty

The quick bake is perfect for using up two different types of food that might be going out of date – bread and bananas.

Or, you can make a range of bread bakes or frittatas filled with whatever you want, which can also be made in the air fryer.

FRENCH TOAST

KICK-START your weekend brunch with some homemade French toast.

All you need is some cupboard staples such as eggs, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon and a bit of butter and salt and hey presto! A planet (and budget) friendly brunch.

French toast on a plate.
You can use your expiring bread to make French toast
Getty Images - Getty

And you can even be adventurous with it, adding in whatever ingredients you want.

You can add fruit for a sweet and healthy meal, or chocolate chips and even Nutella to start your day on a sugar rush.

BREAD AND BUTTER PUDDING

BREAD and butter pudding is a favourite for many, available in many stores and restaurants across Ireland and England.

But did you know it is super simple to make?

Close-up of Uzbek bread pudding with raisins and custard.
Homemade Uzbek bread pudding with cardamom, pear, raisins and custard
Getty Images - Getty

All you need is your stale bread, milk, eggs, sugar, lemon, sultanas, butter, double cream and vanilla.

It is commonly regarded as a comfort food and is so simple to make – what’s to lose?

And you can play around with the recipe and add different ingredients to sweeten it up or make it savoury.

PANZANELLA SALAD

MAKE your mouth feel like it’s the middle of summer by whipping up a classic Tuscan Panzanella salad.

Perfect for leftover sourdough or ciabatta, blend some basil in a food processor with capers and olive oil.

Transfer half of the herby oil to a bowl, add the bread and mix, then set aside. Place the tomatoes in a bowl and lightly squash them.

Mix with the olives, onion slices and a drizzle of olive oil. Add the bread, the herby oil and the vinegar, and mix well.

Summer tomato panzanella in a white bowl.
Summer Tomato Panzanella
Getty Images - Getty

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