This Children’s Film Foundation production followed the kids of Barton United – a junior football team based in Barton-upon-Irwell, Eccles (Lancashire), who were trying to win the cup in their local football league.
Nasty councillor Mr Bates (David Lodge) didn’t like them, though, and wanted the team his son played for (Salford Road Villa) to win instead so he made life as difficult as he could for them. And so the team learned that their local home pitch was to be turned into a car park. Now they had nowhere to train or practice.
But Barton United were offered help by the local professional team – that just happened to be Manchester United – and the kids were invited to train at Old Trafford with the Man U first team and meet legendary manager Matt Busby.
The young team also received help from a group of local milkmen.
Shot on location in Manchester, Salford and Eccles, Cup Fever offers a glimpse of a time and an age of innocence long since lost when kids around Britain paid their bobs and tanners to watch the Saturday Cinema Club films at cinemas throughout the country.
This was the first feature film for both Olivia Hussey and Susan George (pictured).
Policeman
Bernard Cribbins Mrs Davis
Sonia Graham Bodger
Dermot Kelly Mr Bates
David Lodge Milkman
Johnnie Wade Driver
Norman Rossington Matt Busby
Himself Denis Law
Himself Bobby Charlton
Himself Nobby Stiles
Himself David Herd
Himself Pat Dunne
Himself Jack Crompton
Himself George Best
Himself John Connelly
Himself Pat Crerand
Himself Tony Dunne
Himself Bill Foulkes
Himself Shay Brennan
Himself Bert Trautmann
Himself Skipper Davis
Denis Gilmore Rocket Bailey
Jim Morgan Denis Fletcher
Raymond Davies Twinkle Taylor
Jeffrey Sirr Stan Matthews
Stephen Walters Nodder Bailey
Glenn Slowther Stopper Cook
Alan Harrison Puncher Brown
Roger Kelly Freddie Brown
Terence Kelley Pete Simmons
Barrie Beardall Jumbo Jarvis
Denis Tagell Fatso Cooke
Gary Mason Vicky Davis
Susan George Jinny
Olivia Hussey Hovis
Amanda Humby Thumper
Pip Rolls Big John
John Mills Stonewall
Robert Merril Wee Willie
Stephen Cox
The young team also received help from a group of local milkmen.
