The Cup: Series 1 - Episode guide
Based on the Canadian series The Tournament, The Cup is a new six-part BBC Two comedy series shot in a documentary style about Bolton-based Ashburn United Football Club and their quest to win the North and Midlands Under 11s Cup in Birmingham.
Episode 1
Thursday 21st August 2008
As Ashburn United prepare for the league decider and the game that will qualify them for the North and Midlands' Under 11's Cup in Birmingham, joint leading scorer Malky McConnell misses a training session because his dad Terry insists he play in a trial for Bolton Wanderers' Youth team. Malky is dropped as per Ashes rules and Terry's wife Janice, desperate for a long weekend in Birmingham to rekindle their love life, is furious. So Terry goes on a mission to have Malky re-instated, begging first rival dad Dr Kaskar and then club owner Sandra Farrell to persuade Blackley the coach to change his mind in time for the vital league decider.
Episode 2
Thursday 28th August 2008
The Ashes have made it to the North and Midlands' Cup in Birmingham and, with coach Blackley now too unwell to carry on, his job is up for grabs. Terry and Kaskar, the fitness coach, vie for the coveted position. In order to gain brownie points with Ashes' owner Sandra Farrell, Terry volunteers his wife Janice to organise an auction of promises to raise funds for Tom Blackley. Will Janice manage to raise any money for Blackley and who will Sandra choose as the new coach?
Episode 3
Thursday 4th September 2008
The dishy Frenchman Raymond Mercier is appointed as coach – much to the delight of Debbie, who immediately sees romantic possibilities, but to the dismay of Terry and Kaskar – as the new comedy series shot in a documentary style about Bolton-based Ashburn United Football Club and their quest to win the North and Midlands Under 11s Cup in Birmingham continues. Yet more dismay is to follow, however, as Vincent Farrell, Sandra's husband and the local undertaker, informs his wife they, are unable to sponsor the Ashes' trip to Birmingham. It looks like the long-awaited trip will have to be cancelled unless Terry can raise the funds in time.
Episode 4
Thursday 11th September 2008
It's time for the North and Midlands Under 11s Cup. Terry is trying to get Steve Robson to use his influence to persuade Bolton's chief junior scout, Geoff Hinchcliffe, to come to Birmingham to see Malky play, as the comedy series shot in a documentary style about Bolton-based Under-11s football club Ashburn United continues. Steve, upset and distracted by the death of his father, agrees to ask Hinchcliffe as long as Terry can pay the scout's expenses. But Terry has no funds. Without knowing Terry is trying to raise cash, Janice reveals she has saved more than £400 for this weekend and has secretly booked a suite for Terry and her. Can Terry keep his hands off Janice's cash?
Episode 5
Thursday 18th September 2008
Terry's mate, Fourbellies, is out on a kebab hunt when he spots coach Mercier entering a gay club in Birmingham, as the comedy continues. Meanwhile, Janice tells Terry that her money has been stolen, and complains to the hotel manager. On the pitch, the Ashes win their first two matches and reach the semi-final. During a celebration dinner in the evening, a booze-fuelled Debbie accuses Mercier of being gay. Meanwhile, an incandescent Janice finds out that Terry has kept a suite reserved for Hinchcliffe, using her money. All hell breaks loose.
Episode 6
Thursday 25th September 2008
Terry hijacks Steve Robson's car and speeds off on a mercy dash to plead with Bolton scout Geoff Hinchcliffe to come to Birmingham, as the comedy series about Under-11s football club Ashburn United concludes. The pair turn up just in time to see the Ashes lose in the semi-final. Thankfully, Hinchcliffe spots an over-age player in the other team and, on appeal, the Ashes make it to the final. Everyone is thrilled; the dream is coming true – even for Debbie, who is chatted up during the game by the just-about-sober and recovered Steve Robson.
The nail-biting final reveals whether the Ashes can win the Cup, and if Malky can answer Terry's prayers by becoming the Player of the Tournament.
