Pitchero Non League

......stage play `Alf Ramsey Knew My Grandfather`.

La Frenais, who co-penned television classics like `The Likely Lads` and `Auf Wiedersehen, Pet` with Dick Clement, sent an email to Tyneside-based Ed Waugh and Trevor Wood, whose play is being performed at Darlington Civic Theatre from July 24th to 27th to raise funds for Darlington Football Club.

La Frenais said: “I wish Darlington fans all the best in their campaign to keep their club alive. Alf Ramsey Knew My Grandfather is a great way to celebrate north east football and raise funds for the Darlington cause.”

The play, which is about the team of West Auckland miners from County Durham who won the first World Cup in 1909, played to sell-out crowds at Durham Gala Theatre and transferred to Newcastle’s Theatre Royal where it received standing ovations.

All profits from the Darlington Civic run of the hugely popular show will go to the 1883 DFC cause to rebuild Darlington Football Club, and Hollywood-based movie writer La Frenais is familiar with the problems facing the club.

Wood said: “We told Ian about the show when we worked together with him and Dick earlier this year at the Sunday For Sammy shows at Newcastle City Hall, and Ian has been following Darlington’s misfortunes on line.

“Ian and Dick have been great supporters of our work since Ed and I started writing ten years ago. All of our plays carry a little tribute and homage to the work of these inspirational writers.”

Wood added: “Alf Ramsey is about working people overcoming the odds and Ian laughed when we described it to him as Auf Wiedersehen, Pet with balls!”

Directed by ITV`s `The Bill` star Mark Wingett, Alf Ramsey is about the men and women of West Auckland overcoming the odds to succeed.

`Alf Ramsey Knew My Grandfather` runs at the Darlington Civic Theatre from Tuesday, July 24, to Friday 27. Tickets, which are now on sale, cost from £10 to £20. Box office: 01325 486555.

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