As The English Game begins, we find out that it is England and the year is 1879. Football is in its infancy. It is an amateur game dominated by the upper-class teams who invented the game’s rules. Arthur Kinnaird (Edward Holcroft) is the captain of the Old Etonians and he has played more FA Cup Finals than any other player. He has also won the cup three times. Arthur returns home with his wife Margaret (Charlotte Hope) and they’re surrounded by fans. Arthur is asked about his quarter-final opponents the Darwen FC. Arthur isn’t too worried about them. Then, we learn that no working-class team had ever reached the Quarter-Finals of the FA Cup until 1879.

After a brief intro, a man tells Fergus Suter (Kevin Guthrie) that they’re going to make history. Fergus and Jimmy Love (James Harkness) get off a train while the man speaks about the way they play in Scotland. They meet with James Walsh (Craig Parkinson) and he leads them to his office. Fergus says they’re ready to get started as long as James lives up to his end of the bargain. Next, Tommy Marshall (Gerard Kearns) and other players chat about the new boys. The team receives new jerseys moments later. Walsh arrives and asks Jones and Harris to step out so Fergus and Jimmy can have a chance.

Walsh explains that the boys don’t play for Patrick anymore. They’re Darwen players now. They receive their jerseys after a bit of back and forth. Then, they head to a motel room where they meet a widow and Jimmy seems to like her. When they leave, Fergus encourages him to keep his mind on the game. Meanwhile, Arthur tells his father about the upcoming game. He is surprised that the millhands have gotten so far. Papa tells them that he shot but never hunted. He explains he is not against football since he thinks it is a good way for little boys to get fit. We jump to the day of the game and the Dawren team rides on a train.

James tells Fergus why he brought him to Darwen. Arthur meets up with the boys and introduces himself as the Captain. Fergus tells James that he is very good but things have changed now. James learns about Fergus and Jimmy changing teams. In the locker room, Arthur, Alfred (Henry Lloyd-Hughes, and others discuss the two men changing teams. They say it is fine to change teams but it is against the rules to get paid to play. Arthur isn’t worried about it since they’re going to beat them today. James tells his players that they’re up against a rough team before they head out of the locker room. The game begins moments later.

Arthur and his team are rough and tough. They push their opponents around and end up scoring about 5 goals. The Darwen team scores one though. During a break, Tommy gives his teammates encouragement. Arthur gives them advice but Tommy doesn’t want to listen to it. James tells everyone that Arthur is the captain so they’ll listen to him. The game restarts and the Darwen team does very well with Arthur leading. The time ends with a tied game and Fergus is ready to start the extra time but Arthur is not. Arthur explains that no extra time was agreed before the game so it’ll end in a tie. They want to speak with the president of the Football Association.

That happens to be Marindin (Daniel Ings) and he is on Arthur’s team. Every member of Arthur’s team is on the board so they are not going to play any extra time. Later that night, Margaret speaks with Arthur about the game during dinner with others. Laura (Kate Phillips) and the others believe Arthur refused to let them play extra-time. They wonder if the team would’ve lost if they would have played extra time but Alfred refutes that idea. Arthur explains that they took the ragged pastime and reformed it. The dinner ends on a low note while the Darwen team celebrates elsewhere. Fergus doesn’t understand why they’re celebrating like they won. James explains the game feeds the soul so they gave people something to believe in.

Margaret believes Arthur is afraid new teams like Darwen will take over his game but he denies it. She says the game brings out the worst in him. She wants them to be good parents so they can set good examples for their children. Martha Almond (Niamh Walsh) sings outside the pub. Fergus introduces himself to her and she does the same. She tells Fergus she has a 2-year-old dad with no dad because she never married him. She asks if he still wants to want her home and he says yes. Jimmy stays at the pub and drinks with Tommy. Jimmy is asked how much Walsh paid them to play. In the morning, Doris (Kerrie Hayes) sits with Jimmy and tells him it is nice to have a man back in the house. They chat a bit before Jimmy kisses her.

They stop when Fergus enters and they leave. Next, we learn that the mills are struggling to make a profit. The banks are starting to call in their loans so the mills will have to cut wages. Cartwright (Ben Batt) explains that the alternative is for the mills to go out of business. Arthur asks papa if he worried about being a good father and he says no. He thought it would the same as it was for his father. Arthur admits he can’t remember seeing his father much he was young. His father says that he wouldn’t have done anything differently. Arthur returns home and Margaret realizes there was another argument. The workers find out that their wages are going to be cut. Walsh promises everyone that it’ll be sorted out by tomorrow.

He meets with all members of the football club seconds later. He explains they foreclosed on the loan but he can get it open tomorrow using all of the liquidity. Their argument turns to Walsh paying Fergus and Jimmy to play before Fergus says they can have it back. Next, Jimmy and Fergus prepare to leave since Walsh won’t be able to pay them. Jimmy tells Doris he doesn’t want to leave but he has to be with Fergus. They head to the train station moments later until Doris arrives and tells Jimmy to come with her. They learn that Tom Hindle came up with a plan to convince the locals to donate to the football club. They’re going to the rematch. We jump forward and the two teams prepare to play once again.

Fergus tells Tommy that they had them beat before so they can do it again. Alfred and Arthur come up with a plan to beat Darwen. The game begins and Laura and Margaret realize that Arthur is going things that aren’t quite right. The Etonians take the early lead. Fergus and his team lose before the accuses Arthur of shadowing him to stop him from playing. Arthur accuses him of being a bad loser. Margaret doesn’t seem thrilled with Arthur’s actions or the win. Walsh tells Fergus that they’ll get the cup next season. He wants Fergus to stay since he is the only chance they have of taking the cup. Plus, he gives people hope when he plays. Arthur enjoys dinner with everyone again and he is celebrated.

Arthur speaks before Margaret interrupts and leaves. Arthur follows her to the bedroom after everyone leaves. Margaret finds out she is bleeding. She panics and cries out no while Arthur goes for help. Meanwhile, Fergus and the others ride on a train. Fergus is celebrated when they arrive back in the city.

 

The English Game Review

I really love these period dramas and The English Game is very unique. It is interesting to see a new take on the genre and to learn more about the history of football. The cast is excellent so you won’t have to worry about poor acting or anything like that. I like the fact that the show has immediately established a hero and villain. Fergus falls into the first category and Arthur the latter. The same can be said about the two football clubs. However, it seems that they’re going to make Arthur a sympathetic character.

While he isn’t the most likable, that may change with the loss and all. The first episode was promising. I can’t wait to watch the rest of the season. The episode scores a 7.5 out of 10.