This two-part documentary follows the decision of ex-Manchester United stars, Ryan Giggs, Phil and Gary Neville, Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt, as they decide to buy a soccer club, Salford City FC and try to transform it into a professional outfit.
The narrative follows a familiar progress, depicting the clash of values between ex-pros trying to impose their own form of discipline on a semi-professional club, the majority of whose players have to combine their love of soccer with full-time jobs. The stresses and strains are evident; some of the club's traditionalists resent the professionals' influence, while the ex-pros think that Salford's players are slightly lackadaisical. The difference in value-systems is paramount: the ex-pros either work at Manchester United or have full-time media jobs, while the Salford City players have more menial tasks.
The documentary makes for good viewing, but throughout we are made aware of how the narrative has been consciously constructed for television, based around the idea of "Them and Us." This opposition had a class basis in the past; in this documentary it is based purely on money and status within the footballing world. Throughout we are left wondering why the ex-pros have decided to take on the club's affairs; do they genuinely have an interest in soccer, or are they doing it simply to enhance their media profiles, now they are no longer players themselves? Or is it both?
With hindsight, the questionable nature of this documentary has become more apparent, now that Salford City are in the second round of the FA Cup and the BBC have chosen to screen both of their games live. Is the whole idea media-generated, with little concern for the future of the semi-pros or amateurs that make up the majority of the playing staff? Regrettably this question has not been answered.
