Harry Redknapp insists English football needs to go back to basics to survive.

The Pompey boss has spoken of the need for youngsters to rediscover their love of the national game to invigorate its flagging fortunes.

Redknapp's passionate salvo comes in the wake of the FA's promise to plough £200m into grass-roots football.

Redknapp told The News: 'Having the money doesn't mean we are going to produce players still.

'Just because you have the facilities doesn't mean you are going to produce players.

'It's nice, but the kids have got to want to do it. They've got to have the hunger.

'They need to practise. Do they want to do it badly enough?

'It's difficult now for kids. There seems to be so much more in life than football.

'There used to be nothing but football. We used to play football and play football.

'We didn't know anything else. We'd play football until it was too dark.

'It's all changed now. The cultures changed. Where are all the kids?

'The kids used to all be out playing in the street. Now they can't do it. We used to come in from school at four and play until eight. You can put as much money into football as you like. It's how much the kids want it.'