The Red Lion
Bristol Old Vic, The Weston Studio

PATRICK MARBER’S  tightly written three-hander is both a paean and a critique of the beautiful game. Set in a the changing room of a semi-pro, non-league soccer team riding at the top of their league, traditional values and club loyalty face the challenge of the modern financial game.

The clash of ethics plays out around the new wunderkind discovery, Jordan trapped between fallen, local legend and now loyal, club kit man, Yates and bullish, ambitious manager, Kidd.

Thomas McGee does a solid job on his stage debut as the damaged youngster attempting to find his place in the murky world of football arrangements, agents and transactions where his principles and need for success are under strain from the outset.