Harry Redknapp tracked Charlie Austin from non-league days

Harry Redknapp tracked Charlie Austin’s progress since his non-league days before snapping him up for QPR, the striker told Soccer AM.

Austin is currently in a rich vein of form and has netted five goals in nine Premier League appearances this season for the West London side, after playing a key role in their promotion to the top flight last year.

The 25-year-old was signed from Burnley in August 2013 for an undisclosed fee, believed to be around £4m.

As long as I keep scoring then who knows what can happen for me.

However, Austin says Redknapp had known about him since his time in charge of Tottenham – thanks to Austin’s granddad.

“Gramp met him a couple of times and mentioned me to him,” said Austin. “At the time I was only playing for Hungerford Town, 18 years old and Harry was manager of Tottenham.

“Tottenham had just got into the Champions League and I was thinking to myself ‘Gramp, what are you doing speaking to him for?’

“But lucky enough I worked hard, got my breakthrough and now look where I am.”

Rise

Austin moved from Hungerford Town to Poole Town in 2008 and a prolific season caught the eye of Swindon scouts – and the chance to turn pro.  

The forward seized the opportunity, scoring 20 times in his debut Football League campaign and stepped up another level when he joined then-Championship side Burnley in 2011.

Forty-five goals in 90 appearances later, Austin eventually linked up with Redknapp at title-chasing QPR and is now showing his ability in the Premier League.  

Austin netted an equaliser against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge last weekend and on Saturday Night Football takes on title-holders Manchester City - and is relishing his time among England's elite.

“I need to cherish those moments because you never know when it’s going to happen again,” he said, referring to his strike against Chelsea.

“I’m doing what strikers are asked to do. I’m lucky the ball has fallen to me in the right places and I’m putting it in the back of the net. It’s all going well. As long as I keep scoring then who knows what can happen for me.” 

Watch QPR v Manchester City live on Sky Sports 1 HD from 4.45pm on Saturday Night Football.