Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp has revealed how Portuguese legend Paulo Futre was willing to cough up £100,000 in order to wear West Ham's No10 shirt.
He took up the story with the People: "'... Futre,' he said, pointing to his chest. 'Futre No.10.'
"I explained to him that he had to wear No.16, that it was FA rules that players were allocated a squad number and were stuck with it. But I may as well have recited a nursery rhyme. 'Futre,' he shouted, jabbing his chest again. "'Future Eusebio No.10. Futre No.10.'
"'But there's nothing we can do. Moncur is No.10. You are No.16. We can't change it now.'
"'No f*****g way 16,' Futre shouted. 'F***ing No.10.'
"'Look,' I said. 'Just wear the 16 shirt and we'll talk about it later.'
"But he wouldn't have it. He told me to eff off and next minute he was in a cab on his way home.
"The following Monday I hauled him in to my office. He had his lawyer and agent with him and started going on again about wearing No.10. I told him that in England kids buy football shirts with the name and number of their favourite player. John Moncur was No.10. It couldn't be changed. Too many shirts had been sold.
"'How many?' Futre asked. 'How much money?'
"'A hundred thousand pounds' worth,' I said.
"In truth we'd probably sold about six.
"'I pay,' he said. 'I pay. I give £100,000 and you take the shirts back. Give them the money back.'
"I couldn't believe it. He wanted to fork out 100 grand just to wear the No.10. I suppose in a way you had to admire his principles.
"Futre owned one of the most luxurious villas in Portugal and offered Moncur a fortnight there free if he handed over his No.10 shirt.
"I don't think Moncur gave a monkey's what number he wore, but he took the free holiday and all we had to do was square the change of number with the FA."
