Gridiron UK

Gridiron UK is an upcoming British Sports Comedy Drama Film, directed and written by R G Delaney. Based on a true story set in 1985 about the formation of the Crewe Railroaders American Football Team. Starring Green Bay Packers Hall of Famer Dorsey Levens

Plot

Derek Simmons is a dreamer. After reading about American Football clubs being formed in Great Britain his latest dream is to play American Football. He decides to start his own team in his home town of Crewe. Using money he gets from a local loan Shark he buys some kit. The new dream causes tensions between Derek and his long suffering wife Kym who has seen all his previous schemes and money making ideas fail miserably. But the dream becomes a reality and the Crewe Railroaders are born despite facing constant abuse by a local soccer thug who makes life difficult for the new team. A stroke of luck brings an American to Crewe who becomes the head coach and things seriously take shape. Derek starts funding the team behind his wife’s back and slowly get’s himself into financial difficulties. Kym finds out and threatens to end the marriage unless Derek rectifies things. Under threat of losing his house and his now pregnant wife Derek gambles everything on the financial success of the team’s first game.

Main Cast

Michael Dixon as Derek

Rebecca Summers as Kym

Andrew Harwood Mills as Sean

Stephen Marcus as Eddie

Paul Nicholas as Mr Stanyer

Dorsey Levens as Coach James

Anthony Quinlan as Cadillac

Giles Alderson as Gerry

Annie Vanders as Sharky

Mem Ferda as Laddo

Gil Kolirin as Soccer Bully

Helen Lederer as Mum

Russell Floyd as Dad

Rebecca Ferdinando as Angie

Becky Bugg as Debbie

Jon Paul Gates as Mozzer

Richard Fairbrass as Mike

Fred Fairbrass as Bernie

Kiki Kendrick as Nurse

Tamsin Dunwoody as Gwyneth Dunwoody

Neal Higham as Drawing Office Boss

Alison Carroll as Jenny

Production

The feature film Gridiron UK was shot in the summer of 2012 and it will be finally released in September 2016 having been completed last in December 2015. Straight after the three week shoot in July/August 2012 the film ran into financial difficulties caused a pre-sale deal with a major studio not being signed off. This caused a £200k post production deal to fall through. Then collapse of Blockbuster and HMV the pre-sale agreement was cancelled and the Producers found themselves with a £400K shortfall. Over three long years the film was finally finished and shown to distributors and it is hoped that before the film is released all the outstanding debts to the cast and crew will have been settled.

Music

Ex NFL offensive Lineman Kyle Turley has four tracks in the film. Right Said Fred members Richard and Fred Fairbrass appear in the film and recorded a new version of their hit Stand Up (for the Champions). This is the song chosen for the end credits. 1980's bands Go West and ABC feature. In 2008 Producer/Director R G Delaney was having a coffee in Universal City Los Angeles and he heard Clare Means playing her music. He bought her CD and years later got in contact to ask if she would like two of her tracks featured in the film.