Shame of the beautiful game
THIS powerful feature-length single drama tells the harrowing story of Andy Woodward.
November 2016, the former professional footballer found the strength to go public about sexual abuse by his youth coach, Barry Bennell.
His revelations sent shockwaves throughout the industry and across the globe, plunging British football into crisis.
Hundreds more men, many also victims of Bennell, found the courage to speak up about their experiences of abuse, lifting the lid on a national scandal.
The factual drama begins with police approaching Andy (played by Gerard Kearns) about Bennell (Jonas Armstrong), who is soon to be released from a spell in prison, but a scared Andy says it’s “nothing to do with me”.
Flashing back, we see a young Andy (Max Fletcher), a boy with a passion for the game and thrilled to be taken under Bennell’s wing and signed to his youth academy.
Bennell tells his new cohort of lads: “Trust in me. If you work with me and you relish this great opportunity, then there is absolutely no reason why I can’t make your professional football dreams come true.” Before long Bennell is stripping naked in the boys’ changing room, then invites them over for a sleepover. Morven Christie and Steve Edge play Andy’s mum and dad, Jean and Terry, who also believe Bennell is looking out for their son. The film makes for uncomfortable viewing as it examines the power and control held by Bennell and Andy’s journey through the ordeal.