Rovers

This show is fairly typical of Craig Cash in as much as it is quite low key in terms of action. Not much really happens which is in the vein of Early Doors and the earlier episodes of The Royle Family That said, it's warm, funny and relatable.

A group of diverse characters who all support their local non-league football team gather in the club house bar managed by Doreen (played by the brilliant Sue Johnstone who Craig Cash played alongside in The Royle Family) to talk about life, love and football.

Every character is brilliantly drawn and the dialogue is engaging and funny in a gentle way. You can imagine these people existing in the real world rather than then being exaggerated sitcom characters.

This again is just a single series of 6 episodes, which at the time was something Sky seemed to have quite a few of. Looking at that it could seem they just weren't commissioning shows that people wanted to watch, and that could be true to a degree, but this one works as a completely self contained story that comes to a natural end. It's a lovely, sweet "small" show that doesn't do anything too ambitious or wacky, but just shows us a group of people who are friends because of their love of their local football team. Even a total non football fan like me could enjoy this. I've watched the entire series maybe 4 or 5 times now and it's just as enjoyable as when I first saw it broadcast back in 2016.

One of those bemusing shows that I immediately catalogue as a show that other people watch but I do not.

If you remember "The Royal Family" (the show, not those Germans in Windsor Palace) it's reminiscent of that but I like this a lot more.

A glimpse into a world that is totally beyond me; not only is it about sports followers but the lives of people whose primary passion is an Association Football Team and indeed, not one of those that Spanish people strangely know about.

The humor is often based on low hanging fruit but there is a charm in the mundanity of this landscape of fruit machines and smoking out in the rain as the fortunes of this football team fuel a million conversations. The sheer passion and devotion is both curious and oddly charming as it brings something to cheer about to these people who will never exactly go into the history books.

Romances emerge, lives change key, old-school sorts learn they have to adjust to change but the old friendships survive despite life throwing everything at them. The mocking affection for this community has no delusions that there is something a little crazy about the whole thing but one leaves this 6 episode meditation with a changed impression of these folks.

They embody comradery standing strong when we need it most.

Loved this.

Excellent group of actors all very low key. Well written.

I'd like to see more of their writing.

Really hope this gets a second series.

It's inoffensive and that is not a bad thing.

Characters are beautifully portrayed.

Having been a supporter of a non league team, it's not totally removed from reality.

It had laugh out loud moments as well as genuine cringe-worthy bits.

Look, it's got Sue Johnson in it, so it's going to be very watchable! Well worth watching. Go on. Give it a go.

Craig Cash's odyssey through comedies in limited situations continues with Rovers – set in the club house of Redbridge Rovers, a semi professional English football team in levels 7 & 8 of the footballing pyramid.

Is it a problem that Rovers' number 1 support Cash is also executive producer and director of the show? Having multiple roles means difficulties reigning in Craig's more excitable moments. But nothing is perfect.

Those familiar with "Early Doors" will recognise the setup: a group of locals gather in the club house before and after games. They all have their own seats where they settle for the day. Conversation can be limited to a single group or can travel around the bar. In fact step forward director Cash for a smooth transition between different groups. "Royle Family" favourite Sue Johnson turns in a good performance as bar manager Doreen. Otherwise the acting is solid. The script is okay and grows as the first series progresses. You have to watch the whole first series to really get an appreciation of the show. Individual episodes lead you to miss the bigger picture. The humour is ribald but doesn't step over any lines. And there are a few teary moments.

So a decent first series and hopefully more to come.

What to say? Just boring.. Over acting.. Shame really..