Flicks and kicks

The film he picked is arguably one of the best of British, albeit not necessarily about sport.

Blackwell’s inspirational choice was Kes, the 1969 film in which a young boy befriends and trains a kestrel.

The film was shot in grainiest, grimiest Yorkshire – you could almost hear the whippets howling the theme from the Hovis ad – and the choice clip was the school football match featuring a hectoring bald teacher, brilliantly portrayed by the late Brian Glover.

He believes ferociously that he is the White Rose incarnation of Bobby Charlton while all the kids are nothing more than human cones for him to dribble around. It’s a poignantly humorous scene which surely resonates with every lad who ever donned dubbined boots and stood perishing in a muddy school-field in the sixties.

So without further ado, what cinematic treats from my own fave top 20 – not in any particular order of preference, mind – could I suggest to be applied to other football players, personalities or predicaments?

First off, the best Western ever, Shane. That’s got to be Randy Lerner, the Yank who rode into town, laid the spectre of Dougie Ellis and transformed Aston Villa into a well-run, honours-chasing club and without saddling the outfit with a load of crippling debt.

The Wizard Of Oz – never mind citizens or dogs of Kansas, not many Australians ply their trade in England. A certain H Kewell would never figure. So how about Mark Schwarzer, the goalkeeper behind Fulham’s startling ascent?

The Third Man – has to be the manager who will succeed Roberto Mancini, who himself was the successor to Mark Hughes after he was deemed not good enough for the Manchester City “project”. A Night At The Opera – every time Didier Drogba, the diva of Chelsea, plays it’s an epic of wide-palmed exhortations, gestures and eyeball-rolling emotion. The Exorcist – what is currently needed at York City to dispel the dead-hand spirit of Conference football. Now that would be a real head-turner.

The Usual Suspects – Tom Hicks and George Gillett, owners of Liverpool FC, who hoodwinked everyone to pull off a major heist.

The Godfather, Part II – Jose Mourinho. Cue the violins and bank on him returning to England next season.

Blue Velvet – David Moyes might have the wild eyes of Frank Booth, but he has painstakingly solved the riddle of unearthing talent with very little outlay.

Taxi Driver – Portsmouth FC as it hails yet another cab to send yet another player out of Fratton Park and on to pastures new.

Raging Bull – Sam Allardyce, who rails and spouts a load of the smelly stuff.

Some Like It Hot – whichever fool actually achieves his goal of slipping his posterior into the managerial chair.

Once Upon A Time In America – a modern-day fable starring a certain D Beckham, who expands his empire as the world’s greatest shifter of shirt units.

The Deer Hunter – should be re-titled the idea-hunter starring Rafa Benitez as he seeks in vain for a Plan ‘B’.

12 Angry Men – whatever team and manager who feels the rub of the green has not gone with them, or they are the victims of a poor refereeing decision. Coming to a TV screen every weekend and usually on most days that end in a ‘y’.

Reservoir Dogs – all the opponents ever faced by Arsenal.

Field Of Dreams – this is Anfield, where the dreams have been shattered like so much trophy cabinet glass.

When We Were Kings – journeys back to 1966 when England delivered a prime knockout blow to the rest of the world, and, of course, West Germany, to lift the World Cup.

Blade Runner – replicants of the likes of Bobby Moore, Bobby Charlton, Ray Wilson and Gordon Banks urgently needed before time runs out. Just how else will we rule the globe again.

The Natural – none other but Wayne Rooney, England’s biggest, brightest hope for potential success in a South African summer.

The Dark Knight – there’s only one and it is the leader of the Got ’Em (all trophies) metropolis, Sir Alex Ferguson.