It has been quite some time since my last Top 3 and a bit post, so I felt a new instalment was long overdue. Next Friday, Saipan gets its UK release. It is a film about the notorious ‘Saipan incident’, which led to Irish manager Mick McCarthy sending bad-boy Roy Keane home from the 2002 FIFA World Cup Finals before the first ball was even kicked. I am very much looking forward to seeing it, so I decided to do my Top 3 and a bit films about football whilst I wait. Of course, films about football are, by and large, not really about football; they are about coming of age, and growing up, and taking responsibility and, basically, life itself. Philosopher Albert Camus said: “what I know most surely about morality and obligations, I owe to football” – and he was a goalkeeper, so he had plenty of time to think about it!

Anyway, without further ado, here are my Top 3 Films about Football, together with notes on a number of additional films which are worthy of attention:

(1)          Gregory’s Girl (1981 – Bill Forsyth)

Gregory’s Girl is a charming, innocent and very funny coming-of-age romantic comedy which touched the hearts of millions and was included at number 30 in the BFI’s list of the top 100 British films of the 20^th Century. Gregory (John Gordon Sinclair) plays on his school football team. They are very bad, so the coach holds trials to find new players. Along comes Dorothy (Dee Hepburn), who is much better than any of the boys on the team. She is selected in Gregory’s position, and he is relegated to goalkeeper; however, he doesn’t mind – he is completely smitten. She agrees to go on a date with him, but it is no ordinary date, as Susan (Claire Grogan) would no doubt testify. Film critic Roger Ebert said, “maybe only grown-ups should see this movie – it contains so much wisdom about being alive and teenage and vulnerable that maybe it would even be painful for a teenager to see it.”

(2)          The Keeper (2018 – Marcus H. Rosenmüller)

The Keeper is a British-German biopic of Bert Trautmann (David Kross), who went from the Hitler Youth to become a much-decorated German soldier, then spent time as a POW in Lancashire, and stayed on to marry a Lancashire lass, Margaret (Freya Mavor), ultimately becoming Manchester City’s inspirational goalkeeper. All I really knew about Trautmann was the story of the 1956 FA Cup Final (as every schoolboy of my generation did). However, this proved to be much more than a simple biopic; it is a film about the lasting damage done by war, redemption, and, ultimately, the possibility of forgiveness. Trautmann received both the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany and an honorary OBE for his work in Anglo-German relations.

(3)          The Damned United (2009 – Tom Hooper)

The Damned United is a fictionalised version of the story of Brian Clough (Martin Sheen) and Peter Taylor (Timothy Spall) taking over Leeds Utd after Don Revie’s departure to become England Manager. It is a tale of a clash of styles – Clough and Taylor who wanted to play a cleaner game of football and the ‘dirty’ Leeds players who wanted to carry on in the aggressive approach to the game preferred by Revie. It is not a spoiler to say that Clough failed and was out on his ear after 44 days. Interestingly, Clough and Taylor went on to manage Nottingham Forest with massive success; Revie failed as England manager and finished his career in the Middle East; and Leeds have spent 50 years failing to repeat the success they had under Revie. The film is a fascinating journey into the mindset of charismatic, yet controversial, Brian Clough – “the best manager England never had”.

And the Contenders

The following films are those that came very close to making my Top 3, but did not quite get there (the ‘bit’), listed in alphabetical order:

The Beautiful Game (2024 – Thea Sharrock)

A roller-coaster of a film about the Homeless World Cup, highlighting mental health issues and the importance of sportsmanship, with an unforgettable performance from Bill Nighy. Ultimately, a film about humanity – I cried!

Fever Pitch (1997 – David Evans)

Based on Nick Hornby’s book, and starring Colin Firth and Ruth Gemmel, this is a story about growing up, and understanding that there is more to life than football, set against the background of Arsenal’s 1988/89 (First Division) Championship winning season.

I.D. (1995 – Phil Davis)

Based on a true story, an uncompromising film about football hooliganism, starring Reece Dinsdale as John, a young police officer sent undercover with the hardcore fans of fictional Shadwell Town.

Joyeux Noël (2005 – Christian Carion)

A heartwarming film about the futility of trench warfare, depicting the Christmas truce in 1914, through the eyes of French, German and Scottish troops. It is a lovely uplifting film, although ultimately it is very much a romanticised version of the real events.

The Miracle of Bern (2003 – Sönke Wortmann)

The story of a struggling German family set against the background of the West German national football team’s success in the 1954 World Cup Finals in Switzerland, which was all the more astonishing given that Germany was still struggling both spiritually and economically following the war. 

Offside (2006 – Jafar Panahi)

Using humour and intelligence to highlight the ludicrous nature of Iran’s gender laws, a film about a group of girls who try to watch a World Cup qualifying match in Tehran. Director Jafar Panahi faced significant legal and professional punishments from the Iranian government in relation to this film. 

Sixty Six (2006 – Paul Weiland)

A comedy-drama recounting the true-life bar mitzvah of director Paul Weiland which took place in London on the day of the 1966 FIFA World Cup Final. An excellent performance by Eddie Marsan as the father.

There’s Only One Jimmy Grimble (2000 – John Hay)

More Manchester City, this time in the shape of a young boy playing for a school team who, with the help of a pair of magic boots, gets to play in an inter-schools cup final at Maine Road. Sounds a bit silly? Just go with it, and you won’t regret it. A starry cast including Robert Carlyle, Ray Winstone, Gina McKee and Ben Miller.

United (2011 – James Strong)

From City to United, the story of the ‘Busby Babes’ and the 1958 Munich air disaster, with a star turn from David Tennant as assistant manager Jimmy Murphy. Actually a Television film, but still deserving of its place in the list.

And the rest…

The following are all good films and worth watching, but didn’t come close to troubling my Top 3:

The Arsenal Stadium Mystery (1939 – Thorold Dickinson)

An old-fashioned tongue-in-cheek crime drama, but good fun and the football seemed authentic.

Bend It Like Beckham (2002 – Gurinder Chadha)

A film about a girl from a Punjabi background wanting to play in a women’s football team, very much against the societal norms.

Looking for Eric (2009 – Ken Loach)

Not a Ken Loach masterpiece, but a real crowd pleaser, with an interesting turn from Eric Cantona.

Purely Belter (2000 – Mark Herman)

A film about a couple of loveable Geordie kids, fighting against the odds to make enough money to buy Newcastle United season tickets.

Those Glory Glory Days (1983 – Philip Saville)

Another coming-of-age drama, this time about a group of teenage girls growing-up supporting Tottenham’s 1960/61 double winning side, featuring Danny Blanchflower as himself.

And the rubbish…

These films are worth mentioning simply as a warning – they are very bad!

Green Street (2005 – Lexi Alexander)

Elijah Wood as a football hooligan? A very silly idea – just watch ID instead.

When Saturday Comes (1996 – Maria Giese)

Formulaic and predictable – struggling alcoholic (Sean Bean) gets himself fit and scores the penalty that wins the big game – yawn.

Will (2011 – Ellen Perry)

On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has a score of 0% – need I say more?

Yesterday’s Hero (1979 – Neil Leifer)

Formulaic and predictable – struggling alcoholic (Ian McShane) gets himself fit and scores the penalty that wins the big game – sound familiar?

I am sure I have missed some great football films. If you know of any which you think I really should watch (i.e. that may deserve a place in my Top 3 and a Bit), please let me know. I will endeavour to find them and watch them. I will review Saipan in a couple of weeks, and report back on whether it makes the grade.