Uprooted from home, a semi-pro footballer searches for friendship in a ragtag team of misfits, staking his business start-up loan on entering a tournament they’ll never win – a fact he neglects to tell his girlfriend.

SYNOPSIS:

DEANO’S eternal optimism is writing cheques his knee’s can’t cash. 34 and he still thinks he’s going to ‘make it’. He’s finally realising that he’s not a footballer that does a bit of plumbing on the side, he’s a plumber that plays a bit of football. AMIRA, Deano’s girlfriend, is now bringing this whole new reality sharply into focus - she’s a got a new job which requires them both to relocate down south. Now Amira’s the star player in the spotlight whilst Deano is the utility man, grafting in the shadows.

DEAN 'DEANO' CARLTON, 34, was athletic, midfielder, reluctant plumber, white van - exploits leaky defences, tackles blocked shitters - needs to let go of an old dream and aim for something else, something more achievable. Finds that new goal with the new football team he joins, and continues to nurture it no matter what hurdles and common sense he has to overcome. Dean starts his own plumbing company and gets a loan with Amira's help. He then uses that money to enter the team into a European football tournament in Serbia to inspire them to improve their teamwork and get out of the losing habit. Amira finds out. Deano's new dream of European football is something he now needs to impart to the rest of the team in a variety of ways, appealing to each players own desires and motivations. AMIRA LAL, 3rd generation Indian, 32, organised, quietly ambitious, always busy, VW, business consultant, Deano's girlfriend - only interest in football is how it affects her emotional boyfriend and the rollercoaster journey of Derby County FC - has worked hard to get a great new job in a new town and does all she can to excel at it, whilst also trying not to rub it in Dean's face. Amira finds out about Dean spending his business loan on a football tournament and helps him get out of this financial hole. She recognises that Dean has moved across the country for her, which doesn't excuse the lying but it at least helps him settle into their new life. So much so that she gets pregnant. TONY THOMAS, mid 30's, styled hair, catalogue model looks, charming, BMW, estate agent, divorced, full-back - a player who once he has nutmegged someone would then try and nutmeg them again rather than advance on goal - thrown himself into selling houses to keep his mind off his gambling habit, but this increase in commission payments means he has more disposable income so he goes along with Deano's harebrained scheme to go to an amateur European football tournament. Tony is inspired by Dean's determination and passion, albeit being totally misplaced in this team of misfits, but Tony is intrigued enough to follow just to see where it leads.