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.

Early doors and Royle family style comedy about a football club with a hint of Phoenix Nights. Great cast. Understated comedy. Very British with lots of British references so may not be for everyone.

Don't know how this passed me by as I'd never even seen it advertised. Some hilarious scenes but mostly nice chuckles throughout with relatable comedy and story lines. If you support a lower league football club or have ever been to your local workingman's club, then this will appeal to you. Nothing groundbreaking but just a nice, British, calm, heartwarming comedy. Enjoyed every episode and pleased it cropped up.

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..

I watch a lot of TV.

Netflix automatically started playing this show after I watched (and loved) Detectorists. Honestly I was so swept up I just didn't stop it. That was 4 weeks ago and I've now seen Rovers 4 times all the way through.

Hilarious, intelligent, stupid, wonderful, compelling, adorable, complicated, emotional. Ultimately, it's on my top 5 all time list. And, I watch a lot of TV.

I'm going to keep watching this show over and over, too. And there's nothing you can do to stop me.