As the episode begins, we join Arthur (Edward Holcroft) and Alfred (Henry Lloyd-Hughes) for a run. They stop briefly to let the others catch up before discussing their argument. After that, Arthur learns that the FA board voted to kick Blackburn out of the cup match. By the time Francis (Daniel Ings) and the others arrive, Arthur is mad that they made the decision behind his back. Next, Fergus Suter (Kevin Guthrie) takes his family to the house he has bought for them. Jimmy (James Harkness) arrives a few moments later and Martha (Niamh Walsh) shows up with flowers. Fergus introduces her to his family. After that, Martha and Fergus speak in private. Fergus wants to know if they’re a couple. She says they can be as long as he’ll have her.

She says yes before Tommy Marshall (Gerard Kearns) rushes up and tells them about being kicked out of the cup. Meanwhile, Martha Alma (Charlotte Hope) tries to convince Arthur to stay calm tonight. They join the others seconds later. During dinner, Arthur says he can’t understand why they voted behind his back and he says he feels betrayed. Alma tells them they should be ashamed of themselves. Alfred and Fergus pretend it is about the riot but Arthur doesn’t believe that. Arthur is worried that they’re going to kill the game and this causes Alfred to get up and leave. Francis leaves a bit later. Next, Fergus meets up with Walsh (Craig Parkinson) and congratulates him for becoming Chairman of the Lancashire FA.

He hopes he will be able to do something with it. They sit down with Hornby and Cartwright (Ben Batt) to discuss being kicked out of the cup. Monkey says they’re not acting out of spite and they believe they’re doing it for the good of the game. Walsh believes otherwise since they’re excluding people from playing the game. Fergus admits they broke the rules because they were getting paid to play football. Hornby agrees to help them as long as they tell the truth. And, he thinks they’re going to have a chance if they can get Arthur on their side. Later, James Walsh takes Fergus out to get a suit so he can look great when meeting with the board. Douglas Suter (Michael Nardone) returns home and finds that his family has left.

Then, Lydia Cartwright (Kelly Price) checks on Martha who is teaching a class. When the class ends, Lydia checks on her and Martha thanks her. She is told that Fergus is there to see her and she is surprised by his outfit. He tells her that he is going to London to fight the decision to kick them out of the cup and she encourages him to stand up to them. He leaves on a train before arriving in London. Meanwhile, Tommy goes to the pub and refuses to drink so he can be ready for the cup final. Douglas enters and begins causing trouble. Ted Stokes (Joncie Elmore) checks on Jimmy who is now working in his factory. He tells Jimmy that he should thank Doris (Kerrie Hayes) for giving him the idea to hire him.

Jimmy learns about Douglas causing trouble so he leaves in a hurry. Arthur meets with Walsh, Hornby, and Fergus. They chat about Arthur’s collection of FA Cup medals before they agree to speak in private after dinner. We jump forward to that point and Arthur tells Fergus that he had nothing to do with Blackburn being banned. Fergus is asked about being paid and he doesn’t deny it. He explains that players are being paid regardless and that Arthur and his teammates are at a great advantage. They have good food and they don’t have to break their backs working. This also gives them more time to train and such. They go back and forth before the conversation turns to the game. They admit they play for the competition so Fergus says they should let them compete.

We join the board after that. Arthur wants to get to the point which is money and professionalism. Fergus admits that he was paid for his skills and to entertain crowds that paid to watch them. He tries to get the board members to see how much the team means to the people in Blackburn. He goes on to say that banning them will hurt the fans and others. Fergus and Alfred aren’t willing to let Blackburn into the final so Walsh says The Lancashire Football Association no longer belongs to the organization and there are many others that will follow. We also learn that Arthur has agreed to be their president and that upsets Alfred and Francis.

After that, Francis tells Arthur that their game is violent and ruckus while their game is civil. Arthur says they gave the game rules but that doesn’t make it theirs. He says they’ll go their own way without them and their contest will dominate the game. He believes football is going to continue spreading to other countries so they shouldn’t stop that from happening. Francis doesn’t want to surrender it to the working class but Arthur suggests they would be sharing it. Alfred wonders why Arthur is doing this since he is supposed to be his friend but Arthur says it is bigger than friendship and bigger than them. Moments later, Arthur steps outside and tells Fergus that they’re back in the Cup. Fergus thanks him and calls him a fine man.

Arthur reminds him that they’re going to win. Later, Fergus returns home to find Jimmy and Douglas in his house. He wakes his father in the morning before trying to pay him to leave and stay away. Douglas says he isn’t going to let Fergus steal his family and he begins yelling for his wife and kids. He continues on and on until Fergus punches him in the face. That finally convinces Douglas to take his money and leave but he says he’ll be back for tea. Fergus tells Martha what happened moments later. She explains that Douglas is jealous of him and hates him. Next, Margaret Alma visits Arthur’s father. She says that he too once wanted Arthur to give up football but now she doesn’t.

She says she thinks he is trying to make the lives of many people better. Then, she suggests going along and watching him play. Next, Fergus and Tommy train together. Later one night, Fergus is asked to join Cartwright and the other top players. Cartwright explains that Tommy isn’t there because they only had room for the top stars. Arthur has dinner with his team too. He learns that Alfred isn’t going to play with Arthur as captain. Meanwhile, the others have a better time and Cartwright speaks to the group. Arthur says they should put their difference aside so they can win. As for Fergus, he tells Cartwright that he isn’t the same as him. He says he doesn’t play so he can eat off fine china with silver spoons and he says the others should be there.

He explains that he plays for himself and the people in the stands. Arthur goes home and learns that his wife is pregnant once again. He offers to give up football but she doesn’t want that. Fergus says goodbye to Jimmy and the others before leaving town. Douglas is there to nag at him before he can leave. We jump to the game and it is a tight contest. Alfred shows up a bit late. Arthur nearly scores at one point but misses. Then, one of Arthur’s teammates gets injured but he says they’ll play on anyway. This gives Fergus and his team a chance to score and they do. However, Arthur manages to tie things up a few moments later. The time runs out and Fergus lets Arthur decide what to do now. Arthur says that they’ll play with extra time.

Before the period starts, Fergus tells Morgan that he is out. He wants to make the teams even so they can’t say they won with an extra man. Then, Fergus gives his team a pep talk before they start playing once again. Fergus ends up scoring a goal before time runs out. Cartwright and the others celebrate moments later and the others back home do the same. The team celebrates before Fergus approaches Arthur who says the best man won. Arthur says it is time to claim his prize. Fergus steps up and gets congratulations from Francis before getting the cup. Arthur’s father is finally proud of his son. Later, Fergus returns home with the cup and celebrate with Martha and the others.

Then, we learn that the FA changed their rules to allow professional players in 1885. An amateur team never won the FA cup again. Arthur became the President of the FA and served for 33 years before passing away in 1923. Fergus and Jimmy are recognized as pioneers of the modern game.

 

The English Game Review

The English Game was easily one of the best things I watched in a while. It was entertaining, emotional, and exciting. The acting was great from top to bottom as well. I would recommend this to anyone who likes great shows. It wasn’t slow in the least. I can’t say enough good things about The English Game. Even if you’re not a fan of soccer, there is a good chance you’ll enjoy it.

If you haven’t watched it yet, I recommend doing so. The finale scores an 8.5 out of 10. Previous recaps of The English Game are available on Reel Mockery.