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Spotlight Beckons For NCEL Players

9th May, 2008

NCEL players have a dream chance to fill the boots of some of Leeds United's finest-ever players in a new ?10m movie.

Shooting is due to get under way this month on the film version of The Damned Utd, a novel charting Brian Clough's infamous 44-day reign as Leeds manager.

The producers have already cast the key roles of Clough and Elland Road legends such as Don Revie.

The all-important part of Clough's Elland Road predecessor Revie will be filled by Colm Meaney, best known for his appearances in the Star Trek spin-off serials Next Generation and Deep Space Nine.

Now the search is starting for people to portray other members of the all-conquering Leeds side of the 1970s.

And the man who has been drafted in to lead the selection process says skills on the pitch rather than acting ability will help decide who gets the nod.

Leeds-based football coaching guru Simon Clifford said: "I'm looking for lads who have played at Northern Counties East or Unibond league level or higher.

"They'll have to look something like their characters as well, we need that physical resemblance.

"These are non-speaking parts, although the people we pick will obviously have to react to what the actors are doing around them."

Soccer-style trials for the roles of stars like Allan Clarke and Joe Jordan will take place at the home of Clifford-owned Garforth Town in east Leeds between 10am and 6pm next Wednesday.

Clifford is also aiming to cast members of other teams which feature in the script, such as Derby County, Liverpool and Manchester City.

The movie is being jointly financed by Sony Pictures Entertainment alongside BBC Films, Screen Yorkshire and production company Left Bank Pictures.

Michael Sheen, who starred as Tony Blair opposite Helen Mirren in The Queen, will play Cloughie.

Other cast members include Jim Broadbent and Timothy Spall.

The original The Damned Utd novel tells how Clough was fired from Leeds in 1974 after failing to win over a dressing room still fiercely loyal to Revie.

The book's author, Yorkshire-born David Peace, is being profiled on TV arts programme The South Bank Show this Sunday night.

If successful, players must be available between 25th May and 2nd July for what could range from two days to thirteen days of filming.

Places on next week's trial must be booked in advance. For more information e-mail g.williams@icfds.com or ring 0113 287 7145.

(Story Source: Yorkshire Evening Post)

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Season 2007/08 Tables

NCEL Premier Division P Pts +/-
1 Winterton Rangers 38 91 79
P 2 Glapwell 38 78 48
3 Pickering Town 38 73 26
4 Liversedge 38 68 32
5 Nostell MW 38 64 17
6 Hallam 38 62 13
7 Selby Town 38 60 24
8 Parkgate 38 58 26
9 Armthorpe Welfare 38 58 4
10 Arnold Town 38 56 5
11 Eccleshill United 38 50 -17
12 Long Eaton United 38 49 -15
13 Brodsworth Welf (-2) 38 45 -30
14 Mickleover Spts 38 43 -20
15 Shirebrook Town 38 42 -25
16 Thackley 38 40 -21
17 Sth Normanton (-3) 38 39 -21
18 Maltby Main 38 36 -20
19 Lincoln Moorlands 38 33 -30
R 20 Glasshoughton Welf 38 18 -75
NCEL Division One P Pts +/-
P 1 Dinnington Town 32 78 48
P 2 Hall Road Rangers 32 67 23
3 Bottesford Town 32 62 22
4 Rainworth MW 32 57 22
5 Scarborough Ath (-6) 32 55 35
6 Gedling Town 32 55 25
7 Leeds Carnegie 32 55 22
8 Staveley MW 32 46 -4
9 Barton Town Old Boys (-3) 32 45 20
10 Teversal 32 42 -8
11 AFC Emley 32 38 -7
12 Tadcaster Albion 32 34 -18
13 Borrowash Victoria 32 30 -27
14 Yorkshire Amateur 32 29 -30
15 Worsbrough Bridge 32 27 -27
16 Rossington Main 32 24 -40
17 Pontefract Collieries 32 9 -56

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