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00:00to prove that cricket wasn't just for the elite.
00:02It's who this, isn't it?
00:04By creating a team like no other in his hometown of Preston.
00:07What has he got us wearing?
00:09Well, that's a shot, isn't it?
00:10Over the course of a turbulent season...
00:12Seriously, I'm getting f***ed off for you.
00:14...and an overseas cricket tour to India...
00:16We're all going to find out something about ourselves, me included.
00:19Freddie changed the lives of his unlikely team in more ways than one.
00:23We can do this, all right? Yeah.
00:25We're all here for you.
00:26Inspired by the success of the lads from Preston...
00:29Are you messing?
00:31Freddie now wants to see if he can expand the project...
00:33That's a shot.
00:34...and begin a Field of Dreams Cricket League...
00:36That's safe, yeah.
00:37Yeah, get a sense out of your depth.
00:39...with the hope of reaching even more kids across the UK.
00:42No, no, no, no, no, no.
00:43Not one bit of that is fun of.
00:47Despite a tricky start...
00:48Oh, he's done it!
00:50Freddie's teams in Liverpool and Blackpool are going from strength to strength.
00:54Three, two, one.
00:56Woo!
00:57But his third team in Manchester is proving a much tougher challenge.
01:02This would make a break now, wouldn't it?
01:04And his hope of bringing the teams together in a successful league...
01:07...is now hanging in the balance.
01:10I feel really bad because it's obviously not working.
01:14How do we get it to work?
01:15That's the problem.
01:16All right, good to see you.
01:28Resley, good to see you again.
01:30How are you, bro?
01:31Yeah, my brother.
01:32In Manchester, having struggled to get enough players to form a team...
01:37...the boys rallied round and numbers are finally on the rise.
01:40Guys, you're going to do some cricket?
01:42Yeah, come on.
01:43But Freddie's hopes of renovating Newton Heath Cricket Club have hit a brick wall...
01:47...as the club's lease is still missing...
01:49...and fundraising can't start without it.
01:52King Dick over here thinks he can get me out.
01:55Newton Heath at the moment.
01:57Well, it's in a state, isn't it?
01:59The clubhouse, the ground.
02:01Yo, can you guys hit the ball one time, please?
02:03Or I'll have to keep going back here.
02:06The pitch is in dire need of upgrading...
02:08...and there are no training nets or changing rooms for the boys.
02:12The clubhouse is...
02:14Ooh.
02:15Not very good.
02:16It's damp on the ceiling, mould everywhere.
02:18It's just hanging.
02:19Quite horrible, really.
02:22Coming in here every week.
02:23It's not the best.
02:25Honestly, it's a rat shittle.
02:26It's a rat shittle.
02:30Miles, run!
02:31At the minute, we're just trying to keep him engaged.
02:34Yes!
02:35But you've got to be realistic, haven't you?
02:37You know, and...
02:39You're thinking, what are we doing here?
02:43They deserve better than this, don't they?
02:44So, I think we've got to look for somewhere else.
02:51Five miles up the road,
02:53Freddie's heard about another cricket club
02:55in Blakely, North Manchester.
02:57And he's hoping it might be able to help him.
03:02And the lads.
03:04How do you?
03:05You're struggling with the nets.
03:06How are you doing?
03:07I'm a bit heavy in this ground at the minute.
03:08I know, I know.
03:09Catherine, nice to meet you.
03:10Hi, yeah.
03:10You all right?
03:11Welcome to our lovely, lovely home.
03:12I don't know too much about the cricket club.
03:15Well, we've got a first and second team,
03:17but we need youngsters coming through.
03:19I don't know if you know Newtony.
03:20It's a club which has got tradition.
03:22It's been a thriving club in the past,
03:24which has gone to rack and ruin.
03:26So, the reason I'm here, I'm looking around,
03:29hoping to place my lads somewhere else.
03:32I'm just trying to find options for them,
03:35or a different option.
03:37And a cricket club that's playing
03:39that maybe needs a bit of help as well.
03:41Yeah.
03:42We've definitely got the space here.
03:43I haven't worked artificial pitch there with the nets.
03:47Bring them here.
03:48I've got some really good kids.
03:50And I don't know, maybe if you bring your boys in,
03:51they can actually build a solid team.
03:53Could be perfect.
03:54Well, yeah, should we show them the club?
03:55Yeah, we'll show them.
03:56Come and see what we've got.
03:57All right.
03:57Like so many inner-city cricket clubs,
04:01Blakely has suffered with a lack of funding over the years.
04:04It's now one of the last grass cricket pitches
04:07left in North Manchester.
04:09We've still got this kitchen and all sauce to go in.
04:11Right.
04:12But their members recently rallied round
04:14and have started much-needed renovations on the clubhouse.
04:18Brand-new toilets in.
04:20A group of volunteers do everything in here.
04:22They put a new roof on.
04:23This is kind of the social area.
04:26You can see the start of it, can't you?
04:27We're getting there, we're getting there.
04:30Yeah, it's taken her back, actually.
04:32They're so proud of this place
04:33and they want it to do well and they want it to thrive.
04:35It needs help, it needs players.
04:38I think it could be a great fit.
04:40I think we should just bring the wads down here.
04:44Well, it's really big.
04:46It's on his way.
04:48It's Fred.
04:49Fred's here now.
04:50He got taller.
04:51I've definitely got smaller.
04:52It's this ground, we're sinking it.
04:54Soft, isn't it?
04:55How are you?
04:56Yeah, I'm good.
04:56Thank goodness.
04:58Right, just a quick one, Dad.
05:00I thank you all for coming week in, week out.
05:01We've got a few new members as well
05:03and we're slowly but surely getting towards the team.
05:06Now, I'm really aware of this place
05:08and what it's like at the minute
05:10and these facilities.
05:12It's stalled, we're trying to get it better,
05:13but things haven't happened the way in which we wanted it to.
05:16So what I want to do tonight,
05:18I just want to show you somewhere else
05:19that we could potentially use.
05:21Do what you think.
05:22One of the newest recruits to the expanding team
05:31is 16-year-old Miles,
05:34who's keen to find out a bit more about Freddie.
05:36Is your house by chance on Google?
05:42Top gay, Freddie Vliptoff
05:43splashes out millions to buy a pal luxury mansion.
05:47You shouldn't believe everything you read.
05:49Your bank account is looking nice.
05:54Freddie Vliptoff makes three mils profit
05:58on a house he's never lived in.
06:00Is that why you've not been here?
06:01Because you've been dodging the tax mark?
06:04What are you kicking at, you?
06:06Does the fact you have money...
06:08People make you happy.
06:10What's this time I've got on this bus
06:13and not start laughing?
06:14There you go.
06:22Hiya, you all right?
06:23Have a walk down, lads, see what you think.
06:27That's nice, you know, lads.
06:28It is good, innit?
06:30So much better.
06:31Big improvement from the other one.
06:33So I'm thinking now, for you lads,
06:35this club here, as it is now, I think is great,
06:38but these have got big ambition for it
06:40and they're going to do it up a bit more.
06:41But the other thing is, you've got five or six lads,
06:45summer age, so I was thinking between us,
06:47we get together, organise a session
06:50and we can start properly.
06:51Yeah.
06:52What do you reckon?
06:53Nah, yeah, we're staying here.
06:54Yeah, you're happy with it?
06:55Yeah.
06:55Do you want to look inside?
06:56Yes.
06:57Yeah, yeah.
06:57Let's get kettle on, shall we?
07:00The building's got lights in it,
07:02there's a bat in there,
07:04there's actual covers for the greens.
07:06Yeah, it's mega compared.
07:07What's in there?
07:09Showers.
07:09I think this new cricket place is really good.
07:13I'm looking forward to be here
07:15and hopefully we can get a team up and running
07:17and get some games going.
07:19I'm mixed emotions about it,
07:22but look at them now.
07:24They're out on the ground, they're running round
07:25and they want to come back.
07:26So, I'm quietly optimistic.
07:32With all his teams now fully up and running,
07:36Freddie's looking to secure a long-term future
07:38for his league of dreams.
07:41Yeah, there's a lot of parts to this, isn't there?
07:43The thing in the back of your head saying,
07:46I'm seconding this on
07:47and I've got, like, this responsibility
07:50to prove that it works.
07:55They're going to have an impact on so many lives.
07:58So, I think we've got to look at how we're going to widen it
08:02and how we're going to show the strain a little bit.
08:07It's not a case of stepping back,
08:08it's, like, bringing more people in.
08:11There you go, quick.
08:13I've got a new coach today, guys.
08:16I feel like I'm really recognising.
08:17Freddie spotted coaching potential in Eli,
08:21one of the lads from his first Field of Dreams team,
08:24and has asked him to help train the girls.
08:26Two years ago, you know, I was just messing about,
08:29but being a part of a team like that,
08:31it's something that I probably remember
08:32for the rest of my life, you know.
08:34I sort of realised that I want a coach.
08:36He's from season one.
08:38Is he? Or two.
08:39No, he went to India.
08:40Was he the one who's actually from Blackburn?
08:41I think it's massively important
08:43to give other kids the opportunity,
08:46give it to as many as possible,
08:47pass the baton on to the next, like, generation of young people.
08:54I wonder how he's going to feel about coaching a women's team.
08:58But there's a problem before Eli's first session has even started.
09:04It's been a big crash on the motorway.
09:07Me and Kate will be there in, like, about 20 minutes.
09:10Right.
09:10Why don't you do, like, a little warm-up with them?
09:12Yeah.
09:12And hopefully me and Kate will be there then
09:14and we'll get going with the cricket.
09:16Right.
09:16I'll see you soon.
09:18I'll see you in 10.
09:20Yeah, see ya.
09:21Right.
09:24I said they did it with the lads,
09:25but they were the lads, weren't they?
09:28So it's a bit different.
09:29These are completely different.
09:30Ha ha ha!
09:31I'm very nervous, but I give it a go.
09:36Ha ha ha!
09:37Ha ha ha!
09:37Ha ha ha!
09:38Obviously, we're all from Blackpool,
09:39so hopefully they don't turn on me.
09:41Ha ha ha!
09:43Yeah.
09:44Girls!
09:45Do you want to come in?
09:47Ha ha ha!
09:49Ha ha ha!
09:50Ha ha!
09:51Say in.
09:52Someone don't scare me away.
09:53Right.
09:54Ah!
09:55Right, so obviously, I mean, like...
09:56You went to India, didn't you?
09:57Yeah.
09:58I went to India.
09:59Erm...
10:00And whilst I was there,
10:01I found out that I enjoy coaching and stuff.
10:03It's something I like doing.
10:04And I've got a chance to come and do something with you lot.
10:07What do you want to do?
10:08What do you want us to do?
10:09Tick!
10:10Woo!
10:11No.
10:12Is it going to throw the ball around to each other?
10:15Once you've made five catches,
10:17is it going to try and hit the stumps?
10:19Fighting!
10:20Shit, me.
10:21Sideways.
10:24Horrendous.
10:25Yes, go!
10:27I think I'm behind you, I'm behind you, I'm behind you,
10:29I'm behind you, I'm behind you.
10:30Behind me, I'm behind you.
10:31So when Kate and Kyle get here,
10:32are you going or not staying?
10:33I don't know.
10:34I don't know what to do after this,
10:36so I'll just sit and...
10:37****
10:38Go on, do you?
10:39Right, do you want to grab a drink or something?
10:41Somebody can grab a drink.
10:42I'm tired.
10:43Launch it!
10:44Do what you want.
10:45They can do what they want.
10:47We're lads, you know what you're going to get,
10:48and I can take grief off a lad,
10:50like, I'll just sit there.
10:52When a girl starts giving you rubbish,
10:54you're like...
10:57When you bowl, just ease up,
10:58because I can tell you,
10:59you're quite lit, aren't you?
11:00I don't know what that means, bro.
11:01Ease yourself up when you bowl.
11:03That's all I'm going to say.
11:06Young leader.
11:08Right, just because I'm more than...
11:10more successful than you at 65, I think.
11:13What school do you go?
11:15None.
11:16I've left school, you tip.
11:18I'm going to go.
11:19Right, what are you trying to say?
11:21Why are you trying to throw shade?
11:22That's more successful.
11:23Yeah.
11:24What are you on about?
11:25Shut up.
11:26He's trying to beef me again.
11:28They try to wind me up.
11:30Girls are good at doing that.
11:32Child!
11:33Hey!
11:34I'm f***ing for this.
11:36I'm sorry we're late.
11:38No!
11:39No!
11:40I'm so happy you're late.
11:43What do you think they're going to be like?
11:45I thought they might be shy or something, you know?
11:48Can anybody give Eli any feedback from being here tonight?
11:52You need to speak louder.
11:53Yeah.
11:54Yeah.
11:55Be more confident.
11:56Yeah.
11:57Make eye contact with somebody when you tell them advice.
12:00Right.
12:01OK.
12:02They were gunning for you, weren't they?
12:05Yeah.
12:06I felt...
12:07bullied me.
12:08I felt...
12:09Picking on you?
12:10Yeah.
12:11I got some grief.
12:12They're just mad at them, aren't they?
12:13I can't even explain it.
12:14Like, they actually are, like, a different breed.
12:1850 miles away at the Manchester boys' new cricket club,
12:28Freddie's also called on another of his Preston lads...
12:31Thanks for coming.
12:32...to join his team of coaches.
12:34You all right?
12:35Yeah, I'm good, thank you.
12:36What are you going to do?
12:37Just school stuff.
12:39After his success with the team, Adnan got a scholarship
12:43at a private boarding school and still has ambitions
12:46to be a professional cricketer.
12:48It's my last year.
12:49I'm trying to get into a good university.
12:51That's my B plan.
12:53You're going to get the grades for them, aren't you?
12:55Yeah, yeah.
12:56That's why I have to work hard in terms of cricket
12:59and studies as well.
13:00OK.
13:01So it's very important to you.
13:02You'll get it all figured out.
13:03Hopefully.
13:04So you're going to help me with these lads today?
13:05Yep.
13:06That comes through over.
13:07Yeah.
13:09He knows what we're trying to do and he's been a part of it.
13:12So he can pass on that knowledge, see how it's helped him.
13:15through the past three years.
13:17As well as a proper pitch to train on,
13:19the team have also inherited some new players.
13:22Fred, nice to meet you.
13:24What's your honour?
13:25Good job.
13:26Good job.
13:27Hi, nice to meet you.
13:28Nice to meet you.
13:29Good to meet you.
13:30How are you?
13:31I'm good.
13:32Is it all right if you can work with us?
13:33I can get to know you.
13:34Yeah, sure.
13:35I'll just come in a second.
13:36We've got some special help today.
13:38Adnan's joining us.
13:40He's decent at cricket.
13:41He's got plenty to talk about.
13:42You can't shut him up once he starts.
13:44All right, so pick his brain, speak to him,
13:46and he's going to help out with the coaching.
13:48To be part of Field of Dream, it was great.
13:51Like, it was massive in my life.
13:53And I'm happy, I'm so happy to help with him
13:56and try to share those experiences
13:58that we gained from Freddie and Kyle.
14:02Oh, I miss my best.
14:04Oh, sorry.
14:06Yeah.
14:07Don't get that.
14:08OK, we stop here.
14:10Now we're going to do bowling, OK?
14:12The way we started, it was the same, yeah.
14:15What's that?
14:16You're throwing.
14:17When you bowl, complete your action.
14:19Like, can you see me there?
14:21So, I completed it.
14:23Yeah?
14:24Keep going.
14:25Good, good.
14:26Most of us didn't know anything about cricket,
14:28but after two years, like, we're smashing it.
14:31Hopefully they are the same and they work hard
14:33and hopefully they do something that make us proud.
14:38Shot!
14:40It's not something small now.
14:41It's a massive project.
14:42He's dealing with three teams, like, oh, my gosh.
14:45But whenever Freddie wants me,
14:48I will be there and try to help.
14:50Yeah!
14:51It's really good.
14:52It's been good.
14:53It's heartening looking forward.
14:55And it just makes you think
14:56that actually we've made the right decision by coming here.
14:58Well, let's get all this kit together.
15:00So hopefully this might work.
15:05In Liverpool,
15:07despite poor attendance
15:08and a lack of enthusiasm at the beginning...
15:12Right, let's have two people on each cone.
15:15..the Bootle boys have started to turn a corner.
15:18Whoever's on that side has to back their stumps up.
15:22One, two, one.
15:25The thing that always worries me with Bootle is the behaviour,
15:28but I actually feel now like they're starting to behave a bit better.
15:32You can see they're actually, you know,
15:34they're becoming friends between themselves.
15:38You don't feel like you're shouting at them all the time.
15:40So it's actually, you know,
15:41it feels like it's getting quite rewarding now.
15:43Come on, boys, you've got this.
15:46I think over time, cricket's become enjoyable.
15:49Straight into plank, boys.
15:51Why are you shaking?
15:52Clara, don't do plank.
15:53You just get along so well
15:55because you're all there for the same thing.
15:57We all want to push each other to be better than what we can be.
16:02Oh, no, you're not...
16:04It makes me feel excited to see how far we can go as a group.
16:08Come and stay there.
16:11Oh, yes! Almost took your head off.
16:14I'm starting to get more, like, appreciative of it.
16:17You get involved with your team,
16:18you have a laugh and you just learn, but...
16:20All right, watch the ball.
16:23Yeah, Stevie, good.
16:24People stereotype cricket as a posh sport.
16:28That's it.
16:29I think it's just for anyone.
16:31And again.
16:33Are you practising?
16:34No.
16:36Don't try and be cool about it, haven't you?
16:39You've got an infectious personality
16:41and they're full of fun and mischief at the same time
16:45and you just want to temper it
16:46and you just want to shape it
16:47and channel it into the right areas.
16:50That's coaching, that is.
16:53A lot of coaches, they get it wrong, I think.
16:56They want the big jobs, they want the jobs with the kudos
16:58and they want to work with the best players.
17:00That's easy.
17:02This is where you learn about yourself as well.
17:13Right, everyone good?
17:14Right, Eli?
17:16You're nervous, Eli?
17:17No, we're good, eh?
17:18I'm good, eh?
17:19I'm good.
17:21Up the coast in Blackpool,
17:23Freddie's girls team is also going from strength to strength.
17:26Right, shall we get cracking?
17:27When Maddie first turned up to training,
17:30having grown up in care, she struggled to trust the group.
17:33How are you?
17:34But tonight, she's introducing Cody to the rest of the team.
17:39You can play if you want.
17:40Come on.
17:43Oh, young love.
17:46We are official.
17:48Come on, come on, Maddie.
17:50How would I describe Maddie?
17:53She's just a big ball of energy
17:55and she's brought a spark out in me.
17:59I think she struggles to trust a lot of people
18:01because she's been through not what every person has been through
18:06and she's been hurt so many times.
18:11What?
18:12But I think, for me, being patient with her and trusting her,
18:16that's gaining trust with her for me
18:20and she believes I'm going to stay
18:22and I'm not just, like, coming and going.
18:26But she's just...
18:28She's amazing, to be honest.
18:31Yes!
18:32One two!
18:34Oh, here we go, not wrong with that.
18:36As well as gaining a new team-mate,
18:38the girls are embracing training with a new-found confidence.
18:42Yes, there we go, that's better.
18:44There's a nice feeling about the place, isn't there?
18:45Yeah, Maddie, she's turned up with a girlfriend.
18:48Cody, who seems lovely, actually.
18:50She's so happy, isn't she, with her?
18:51She just keeps smiling at her.
18:54You ready?
18:58That's good.
18:59Eli's over there doing catches with Molly
19:01and she's trying to catch her.
19:03You know, he managed to capture her in an hour
19:06that I haven't done in months.
19:08So, that's great, that is.
19:10Who's next?
19:11Come on, Cody, are you going?
19:12How are they?
19:13Come on, then.
19:20You know, like, you have love at first sight.
19:22That's what it was like with us.
19:24We just clicked, we just got on, we just, like...
19:27It was like a match made in heaven.
19:29Oh.
19:31Yes!
19:34That was good.
19:35You didn't tell me she was a secret cricketer.
19:38I'm like, oh!
19:40Maddie sometimes can be, you know, quite hard work at these sessions,
19:44but tonight, having a girlfriend here, Cody, saw a different side to Maddie.
19:48She's laughing, joking, not once did we have to tell her to behave.
19:52Well done tonight, girls.
19:54With this club now, I'd love to see this place full of people playing cricket.
19:58And we've started something off so far, but I think we can take it a hell of a lot further.
20:02But for that, I need your help. I really do.
20:04So, if you've got mates or anybody you can think of who'd come down and join us on practice sessions.
20:10Perfect.
20:11Exactly, you've done well tonight.
20:13My arm hurt.
20:15Brilliant for the first time, you did so well.
20:17Thanks for coming.
20:18You coming back?
20:19Yes, she is.
20:21Brilliant, you've never been as happy.
20:23Right, let's tidy the bag off.
20:24Let's tidy this up.
20:25Put your kit away.
20:26Thank you so much.
20:27That's not smarter than you, man, have you?
20:29Look at you.
20:31This is very new.
20:32It's so new.
20:33Coffee!
20:35I didn't really expect to be doing any cricket tonight
20:38and I'm definitely going to get dragged back here and be put on the pitch again.
20:43It was great.
20:45That's what happens when you fall in the ball, right?
20:48As a team, everyone's really comfortable with each other now.
20:51I think Cody has settled really well into the team
20:54so I do think that the numbers will keep growing.
20:58We're getting there now.
20:59No seems to be enjoying it.
21:02I'm in good shape.
21:03I'm really excited about this.
21:06But I think what we want to do, we want to have a club and a pitch
21:10that match their enthusiasm.
21:13Despite the girls throwing everything into their team,
21:16they are still training with run-down facilities.
21:19The dilapidated nets and outdated clubhouse need upgrading
21:23if Freddie's to achieve his dream of making this a hub for girls' cricket
21:27in the North West.
21:28Yeah, I'm just outside Blackpool Council, trying to get some money, I suppose.
21:41I just have to sell them a dream, aren't I?
21:43Hopefully they'll see what we're trying to do and they want to get involved.
21:46Hi, Lyn, how are you?
21:50A couple of years ago now, I did a project in Preston
21:53where I got some lads playing cricket who wouldn't have the chance of playing.
21:56So as a step on from that, I'm now doing a girls' team in Blackpool
22:01at South Shore Cricket Club.
22:02I want to make that like a hotbed of girls' cricket in Blackpool.
22:07Well, it needs to do enough of it.
22:10Yeah.
22:11Is there a particular ask of us, you know, or is it just a general...?
22:16Well, I'd like some money, to be honest.
22:18But I appreciate that everyone must come through these doors asking for money.
22:23What's the priority that you think that you really need to get done down there,
22:27you know, to make this kind of...?
22:28I think they need practice facilities, first and foremost.
22:32You know, there's other things like the clubhouse could be more welcoming,
22:36the ground could be better.
22:38We do get it.
22:39And it is something we really want to encourage
22:41and have for all of our young girls across the town.
22:44But we will need to go and look at our finances and see what we say.
22:48I understand that, yeah.
22:49Any help you can would be amazing.
22:51I don't know.
22:52Go pick the cheque up on the way out.
22:56No, thank you so much.
22:57Thank you very much to meet you.
22:58I appreciate that.
22:59Thanks very much.
23:00It's not easy, is it?
23:01You go ahead and they're begging
23:02and there's so many things they want to spend the money on.
23:05I got the sense that they really want to help.
23:08I think, at this stage, anything, I'll take anything off.
23:14What are you doing if I just catch it in my mouth now?
23:19Oh, best shot ever.
23:21Back in Manchester, building work has restarted
23:23to finish the clubhouse renovations.
23:26Thank you so much for coming down and helping us out.
23:29And Freddie wants to see if the boys are committed enough
23:31to dedicate a day of hard graft to their new home.
23:35We'll get cracking.
23:37I don't know how they're doing this without getting paid.
23:38I'll be real, like...
23:39Are that between you?
23:40Yeah, yeah.
23:41It's a tight fit.
23:42Oh, that's for some...
23:43Ka-ching, ka-ching.
23:47Oh, shit, that's sick.
23:53That stinks.
23:55It's a nice tap, isn't it?
23:57Yeah.
23:58Make our lovely bruce.
23:59These lads give us a home, like...
24:02I wanted to come and help and come and show what I can do.
24:06Mmm.
24:11You can enjoy that nice, yeah?
24:13It's nice, yeah.
24:16Dom!
24:17What are you going to do when you're all about?
24:19No clue, bro.
24:21Nah.
24:23Did you pass your GCSEs?
24:25Erm, I got a Grade 3 English and I got a U in maths,
24:28but I didn't...
24:29I walked out my maths.
24:31You walked out my maths, yeah?
24:32Mmm.
24:33So, like, I do regret doing that.
24:36I think...
24:37I think I should have took school more serious, so, like...
24:40I've never been to a mainstream school, like...
24:43I think that's due to, like, my needs, isn't it?
24:45Like, I have ADHD and anxiety.
24:50So, I got kits out of nursery early,
24:53so I had to start a non-mainstream before year one.
24:57After nursery, primary was just not a mainstream, innit?
25:01And then I went to high school.
25:04High school wasn't a mainstream.
25:06Obviously, like, from the teachers' perspective,
25:08it's disruptive, innit?
25:10Disruptive, not listening, stuff like that.
25:12But, like, for me, it's just...
25:14I never really could, like, listen.
25:16College, for me, was, like, the one time, like,
25:19I felt like I could be normal.
25:20Because, like, I remember people used to ask me, like,
25:22oh, what school do you go to?
25:23I used to be like, don't worry, innit?
25:25Like, cos I felt like I'll get looked at differently
25:28or, like, judged in a certain way.
25:30Yeah.
25:31I would have always, like...
25:32That was my dream, even from, like, primary.
25:34I was always, like, wanting to go to a mainstream.
25:37I just wanted to feel normal, innit?
25:38I guess you could say.
25:39Even though, like, I act normal, I guess.
25:42I just wanted to, like, be normal, like,
25:44do what everyone else is doing.
25:47Oh!
25:49As I got older, my anxiety got worse.
25:54I'd be real, there was a point where, like,
25:55I didn't even leave my house.
25:58And it was only till recently I realised, like,
26:01I need to get over this.
26:03And that's why I want to give cricket a go right now.
26:05MUSIC PLAYS
26:06MUSIC PLAYS
26:07MUSIC PLAYS
26:08MUSIC PLAYS
26:09MUSIC PLAYS
26:10MUSIC PLAYS
26:11MUSIC PLAYS
26:12MUSIC PLAYS
26:13MUSIC PLAYS
26:14You got a stetle on her for Tom?
26:15No, no, buddy.
26:16LAUGHTER
26:17MUSIC PLAYS
26:18MUSIC PLAYS
26:19I felt good giving them something, like, you know,
26:22putting, actually, effort into making the establishment
26:24looking better.
26:25It's just to give back to the community.
26:29I think Freddie will be very proud with what we've done.
26:39Hopefully he puts a little smile on his face.
26:45MUSIC PLAYS
26:46At Freddie's next training session with the boys,
26:48he's keen to see their handiwork for himself.
26:51You all right?
26:52Look at that.
26:53Look at that.
26:54That's a...
26:55Do that.
26:56I like that.
26:57I'm jealous.
26:58I'm kind.
26:59You good?
27:00Yeah, I'm all good, how are you?
27:01Nice to see you, man.
27:02You all right?
27:03I like that.
27:04I do like that.
27:05I'm all right.
27:06Thanks for yourself, are you?
27:07You all good?
27:08Come and have a look.
27:09Presley's kitchen.
27:10Good, innit?
27:11Come and talk me through your work, Presley,
27:12what you've been doing?
27:13All right, so we're doing the work talks,
27:14we're doing the tiling.
27:15Colin, probably the builder.
27:16We're doing electrics as well, I hope not.
27:17LAUGHTER
27:23Yeah, yeah.
27:24But we did good, we did good.
27:25Are you impressed what the lads have done then?
27:27Really am, yeah?
27:28Give me some cricket, what do you reckon?
27:30You all right?
27:31Let's see how far them big arms can hit you.
27:32Right, not quite.
27:33Not quite.
27:34And just a quick one before we start, lads,
27:35thank you so much for your efforts.
27:37I think this place is really taking shape now.
27:39What I'd like in the very near future,
27:41I'd like you to have your first game.
27:42So when we're practising now,
27:44let's start thinking about that first game.
27:46Come on, boys, let's have some energy now, eh?
27:48Well, let's go, let's go, let's go!
27:50These lads are new to it all, aren't they?
27:54They're very, very basic in their knowledge of cricket.
27:58That.
28:00That.
28:01And we just need to throw them in there,
28:03they keep asking for a game, let's give them one.
28:05Yes, Presley!
28:07So shoot, Pres!
28:08LAUGHTER
28:11Last year we didn't have a team, now we do.
28:13I mean, last year we didn't have a cricket club, now we do.
28:16But I'm feeling a bit nervous.
28:18Pick your batter up.
28:20Yeah.
28:21Yeah, yeah, perfect, I like that.
28:22Nice.
28:23I think the tricky part for these lads is
28:25it's going to be matching them against the right opposition.
28:27You know, I want them to play and I want them to enjoy it.
28:29I don't want a side turning off here.
28:31We're just going to hammer them.
28:32I want to be competitive.
28:34I don't want to dent their confidence neither.
28:36Good job!
28:37Now we're a six up!
28:39Is there any more chairs?
28:50We've got plant pots in the way.
28:52Can't do you this, Bill.
28:54A few weeks later, the day of the Manchester boys' first ever match
28:58has finally arrived.
29:00Look at this.
29:01This is nice, isn't it?
29:02We've got a game today, haven't we?
29:04Yeah.
29:05Work has been completed on the clubhouse
29:07and family and friends have been invited to come and watch.
29:10Today's a day.
29:12For years, the cricket club has been run down
29:15and now it's like, it's actually looking good, you know what I mean?
29:17Like, we've actually put effort into this.
29:19Honestly, I've been waiting for this day for a very long time.
29:24We've overcome a lot of hurdles as a team
29:26and it's all led to this day.
29:28This is our home.
29:29All my family's coming
29:31and I just want to show them how far I've come.
29:34Everything looks perfect, really, doesn't it?
29:36In the clubhouse, it's all been renovated.
29:37They've got furniture in there, they've got a bar.
29:39It's probably more important to be a bigger day for the lads.
29:42Come in, lads, come in, come in.
29:44I know you've all been desperate to play your first game
29:46and that day has come today.
29:48Throw yourselves into it.
29:49Let's have some fun today.
29:50Let's enjoy playing.
29:51But firstly, we've got the kit.
29:54Pick yourselves some kit, some boots
29:56and then we'll start looking like a team.
29:58Are you fishing at?
29:59Yo!
30:00Hey!
30:03Looking sharp there, Dom.
30:04You look great.
30:06Feel good?
30:07Yeah, yeah.
30:08Yeah?
30:09I think we look like we're on a stag table or something.
30:11I think I'm rocking with me personally.
30:13I feel like I look nice, I'm posh, well collected.
30:17Do I have something wrong? Go ahead.
30:22For the boys' first game, Freddie's picked opponents
30:25who are also keen to put their hard work at training to the test.
30:29Right, are we ready for the match?
30:30Yeah!
30:32Come on, then.
30:35Here we go.
30:36Here come the girls.
30:37Oh, no.
30:38This is ridiculous, sis.
30:40Ultimately, they're all in the same boat.
30:43It doesn't matter if they're boys, girls, the novices at cricket.
30:47So hopefully, there'll be some enthusiasm and it'll rub off on each other.
30:51You all right?
30:52You ready to get smashed?
30:53Hey!
30:54Oh, my God.
30:55Oh, my God.
30:56We're not happy with you.
30:57Are you...
30:58Are you the only man playing cricket for?
31:00Same time as you, probably.
31:01Yeah, but, like, are you good?
31:02You reckon?
31:03Better than you.
31:04Like, I personally really want to beat them because they're lads.
31:07Come on, boys!
31:08Come on, guys.
31:09Do you know what I mean?
31:10I've played with them my whole life.
31:11It'll be nice to be on the other side this time with people like me, like my own age.
31:17I'm not actually playing with the lads this time, so I'm really excited.
31:22Both teams have 12 overs to score as many runs as they can.
31:27And having won the toss, the girls are fielding first.
31:31You need to go over that way.
31:33Look here.
31:34I've got this, brother.
31:35Come on!
31:36The last time the girls played a match, some of the teams struggled with nerves.
31:41So today is a chance for them to put that behind them.
31:45Ready?
31:46There you go.
31:47Oh!
31:48Wonderful first ball.
31:53Shot.
31:54What a start.
31:56Come on, the boys.
31:58Wazzup!
31:59But despite playing in their first ever match, the boys are quickly starting to get runs on the scoreboard.
32:07Shot!
32:08Well, it's me now, isn't it?
32:10Can I go?
32:11Next to bowl is 16-year-old Madison.
32:15I hope this goes well.
32:16Who's been part of the team from the very beginning.
32:19Sorry!
32:20It's all right!
32:21I can't bowl.
32:22I'm lucky, Maddie!
32:23Maddie, you're OK!
32:24Easy, man!
32:26Oh, she's gutted, man.
32:28But the pressure of bowling her first over...
32:30Come on, Maddie!
32:31..is affecting her performance.
32:33It's all right, Maddie!
32:34Don't worry!
32:35Maddie, you're OK!
32:36Don't worry!
32:37Oh, no, I'm OK.
32:38Oh, she's well disappointed.
32:41You're going mad!
32:42Maddie, stop stressing!
32:43You've got it!
32:44Sorry!
32:45Why?
32:46She crying?
32:47I think so, yeah.
32:48Oh, bless her.
32:49It's hard, isn't it?
32:50Pressure, man.
32:51Maddie, you're doing great.
32:52You're trying, all right?
32:53Don't worry about it.
32:54No-one's trudging.
32:55No-one's trudging.
32:56Hey, you did amazing.
32:57You did amazing.
32:58Well done.
32:59I'm proud of you.
33:00Maddie, you're trying and that's all that matters.
33:01You've not thrown the ball down when you've got it wrong,
33:02which is amazing.
33:03And you kept going.
33:04You kept going.
33:05Resilience in front of all these people.
33:06Come on, Maddie!
33:07Everyone clap for her.
33:08Come on.
33:09Be nice.
33:10Don't look.
33:11Don't think about them.
33:12I've got two more today.
33:13I've got two more today.
33:14Maddie.
33:15Maddie.
33:16Maddie.
33:17Maddie.
33:18Maddie.
33:19Maddie.
33:20Maddie.
33:21Maddie.
33:22Maddie.
33:23Maddie.
33:24Maddie.
33:25Maddie.
33:26Maddie.
33:27Maddie.
33:28Maddie.
33:29Maddie.
33:30Maddie.
33:31Maddie.
33:32Maddie.
33:33Maddie.
33:34Come on, Maddie.
33:36Thank you, I'm sorry.
33:37Come on, Mads.
33:38Come on, Mads.
33:39Come on, Maddie.
33:40Well done.
33:41Yes, Maddie.
33:42Maddie's all right.
33:43That's it.
33:45Well done.
33:46Come on, Maddie.
33:47Come back well there, Maddie.
33:49Maddie.
33:50Well done.
33:51I'm proud of you.
33:53You did amazing.
33:54Come on, Tilly.
33:55Yeah, push right back.
33:56Good, Tills.
33:57Next up to ball is 16-year-old Matilda.
34:00One of the few girls on the team who has played cricket before.
34:04Shot.
34:05But who has never had the opportunity to play for a girls team.
34:08Shot.
34:09What's her name?
34:10Matilda.
34:11Nice, isn't it?
34:12You got this, yeah?
34:14Why are you scouting them?
34:16I'm not scouting them.
34:17She's just my favourite out of all of them.
34:18Chicken ball.
34:20Touch!
34:21Touch!
34:22Oh!
34:23Lucky.
34:26Oh!
34:27Someone's got a wicket.
34:28Yeah!
34:2932 for one on five, is it?
34:30Doing all right, aren't you?
34:31Mo!
34:32Oh, Molly's on.
34:35Yes, Mo!
34:36Yeah!
34:37Despite a shaky start, the girls are rallying round and the wickets are starting to fall.
34:43Are you next in, President?
34:46Next into bat is the boys' captain, 17-year-old Presley.
34:50Come on!
34:51Come on, my dude.
34:52Same again!
34:57Oh!
34:58Oh!
34:59Oh!
35:00Oh, Presley.
35:03It's it, Presley!
35:05Oh.
35:06Oh!
35:07Yeah!
35:08Well done.
35:09Well done.
35:10Well done.
35:11Well done.
35:12Fair dues, man.
35:13I've lost to a girl in a few minutes.
35:16Come on, Cody!
35:19Yes, Miles!
35:20Run!
35:21Faster!
35:22Oh, Miles, go on!
35:23Yes, lad!
35:24Come on, Cody!
35:26Yes!
35:27Well done, Cody!
35:30Got a boundary.
35:31Well done, lads!
35:32I'm going here!
35:33That's it.
35:34That's it.
35:35After an impressive first innings, the boys have scored a total of 84 runs.
35:40Well done, girls!
35:41Well done!
35:42Well done, boys!
35:43Well done, boys!
35:45Batters, you ready?
35:48Let's go, guys!
35:50Needing 85 runs to win, Madison and Summer are first in to bat.
35:55Presley is going for first hover.
35:58You ready, Matt?
35:59The hard thing is, is who's going to win this game?
36:01Come on, boys!
36:02Come on, come on, Maddy!
36:06I think he'd be great for the girls, because they've played one game already and they got
36:10beat and they're desperate to win.
36:12But it's all the boys, you know, this is their first game of cricket.
36:15And again, Presley!
36:16Come on!
36:17Come on, Maddy!
36:18Come on!
36:19Come on, Maddy!
36:20Come on!
36:21Come on!
36:22Come on!
36:23Come on!
36:24With just his second ball, Presley's managed to get Madison out.
36:27Come on, Maddy!
36:28Come on, Maddy!
36:29Come on, Maddy!
36:30Come on, Maddy!
36:31That's me, man!
36:32I'm so embarrassed.
36:35I go out first, boy, in front of 60,000 people.
36:37I don't know about that.
36:38That is embarrassing.
36:39Walking off on your own.
36:40You get a big cheer when you go out.
36:42Everybody's thinking something's going to happen.
36:44You go out first, boy, and you get booed off.
36:46I tell you what, you've had it easy, girl.
36:48Don't you worry about that.
36:50Miles, I don't think these are winning.
36:51I don't want them to get hokey.
36:53Come on, tail!
36:57Oh!
36:58There we go.
36:59Get it! Get it!
37:00Oh, shit!
37:01It's a slow start.
37:02Run!
37:03With Katie and Matilda now at the crease,
37:05the girls are starting to close in on the boys.
37:10Go!
37:11Short!
37:12Short!
37:13Well done, Tilt.
37:14Thanks.
37:15She's well hard to get out.
37:19Short!
37:20You've done well.
37:24Come on, boys!
37:25Get you in in the game!
37:26It's all right, boy, you got that.
37:27Go on, Maddy!
37:28Go on, Maddy!
37:30With a score of 77, the girls need just eight more runs to win the match.
37:35There's one more over left, so...
37:38Come on, lads, one more!
37:40Now this is a drama.
37:42We've got it.
37:43We've got it.
37:44We've got it.
37:45Well, it's actually close, you know.
37:46There you go, Chance.
37:47Nice!
37:48Yes, Maddy!
37:49Oh, my God!
37:50Oh, my God!
37:51Oh, my God!
37:52Everyone up!
37:53Come on, Mila!
37:54Yes!
37:55Yes!
37:56Yes!
37:57Yes!
37:58Yes!
37:59Yes!
38:00Yes!
38:01Yes, Mila!
38:02What?
38:03Yes, Mila!
38:04Oh, my God!
38:05That was an amazing shot!
38:06Two to tie!
38:07Two to tie!
38:08Two to tie!
38:09Two to tie!
38:10Yeah!
38:11Two!
38:12Oh!
38:13This is horrible, this, mate.
38:14Oh, my word!
38:15Oh, my word!
38:20Run!
38:21Go wide!
38:22Come on!
38:23Come on!
38:24With another run on the board, the girls now need just one more to equal the boys' score.
38:29Last ball.
38:31I'm shaking!
38:32Come on!
38:33Come on!
38:34Come on!
38:36Yes!
38:37Yes!
38:38Yes!
38:39Yes!
38:40Yes!
38:41Yes!
38:42Yes!
38:43Yes!
38:44With both teams totalling 84 runs, the game has ended in a draw.
38:49Well played.
38:50Captain!
38:51Good game, that.
38:52Well done enough to all of you.
38:54Don't proper well.
38:55Really scared of you.
38:56I am.
38:57All of you.
38:58We did it!
38:59We didn't lose!
39:00Quite proud of myself.
39:03I didn't hit my wickets either this time.
39:05Well played.
39:06Well played.
39:07Well played.
39:08Just the adrenaline of, like, the score's going up.
39:11I was actually getting excited for them, and I'm not even on their team.
39:13You guys played amazing.
39:14You guys played amazing.
39:15I'm not going to...
39:16I'm actually so, like, happy and proud of myself that I've done this.
39:19We're all champions at the end of the day, aren't we?
39:21We're all champions.
39:22Presley, I just want to say well played, isn't it?
39:24Well done.
39:25Well played.
39:26Well bowled.
39:27Well done.
39:28Well done.
39:29Well done, Presley.
39:30Well done, Presley.
39:31Keep it going, mate.
39:32Wow.
39:33Wow, wow, wow, wow.
39:34Honestly.
39:35I feel like it just shows that boys and girls can be equal in cricket, and there is nothing
39:37wrong with that.
39:38And I feel like, for the first time in my life, I've actually seen that happen.
39:39Like, genuinely, the way that the boys treated me today was better than I've ever been treated
39:43on a cricket pitch in my life.
39:44And it actually does make me pretty emotional, because it's so nice to be treated like that
39:48after getting the grief for all the years, and seeing them encourage you, and just being
39:52genuinely nice.
39:53Well done.
39:54Well done.
39:55Well done, Presley.
39:56Keep it going, mate.
39:57Wow.
39:58Wow, wow, wow.
39:59Honestly.
40:00At least we drove and not lost.
40:03When we were at Newton Heath, and we only had three to four people, I thought, that's
40:07it.
40:08That's it.
40:09But we've got a good team with us, and I didn't know this was going to happen.
40:14Let me say, I feel like I'm dreaming.
40:16Now and then I pinch myself to see if I'm asleep.
40:18Honestly, it's been amazing, and it speaks to us of how well it's actually gone.
40:35Matilda, don't break a nail.
40:37That one.
40:38This is a proper workout.
40:42Back in Blackpool, Freddie's had good news from the council.
40:47They've agreed to fund work on the clubhouse to completely update the interior.
40:54And outside, word has spread, and a sports company have stepped in to install state-of-the-art
41:00nets.
41:01It's starting to take shape a little bit now, isn't it?
41:03I think what they're going to do is going to make a big difference.
41:06The nets at the back is going to be huge for this club.
41:08But then also, just doing something inside there, where these girls will come down, be
41:13proud of it, enjoy it, and want to spend time.
41:16Because it's all very well, you've got a group of 10, 11 girls, but we need this club to be
41:22bigger and be sustainable.
41:24If you can turn 10 to 20, and then 20 to 40, all of a sudden we've got a cricket club that's
41:30thriving.
41:35New facilities are one thing, but to help secure the future of the club, Bredy needs the next
41:40generation of players to be enthused by cricket.
41:43Some kids here for you.
41:44This is actually embarrassing.
41:46You can't be swearing in here.
41:47I know.
41:48It's a primary school.
41:49So Kyle's roped in Molly, Summer and Maddie.
41:52Cheers, my dear.
41:53To help run a cricket taster session at a local primary school.
41:58The really important thing about today is trying to showcase what cricket is and what
42:04it's about.
42:05No club survives without junior teams, so we need to capture their imagination from a
42:11young age and hopefully get them down to South Shore and become part of the club.
42:17Right, what ideas have you got for this session?
42:19Just shut them down and leave them.
42:22Really, really nervous actually, can't lie.
42:25Never done it.
42:26I need to watch my language and everything.
42:28It's going to go horribly wrong.
42:30So when they all come out, what are we going to do with them?
42:33Are you going to have to think this is bloody rounders?
42:35You have to explain to them it's cricket.
42:38I think they're a bit under-prepared.
42:41I think they think they're just going to wing it.
42:43And when you're with, like, eight, nine, ten-year-olds, it's full on.
42:46I want to be a kid.
42:48I've got faith in them, but I think they're taking it very lightly.
42:54I think blagging a cricket session is quite hard.
42:57You need to give it some thought.
42:59Oh, here they are anyway now.
43:00Shit, they're coming down.
43:01They're coming down, quick.
43:03So, we'll soon see.
43:06Oh, my God!
43:07Can I have them up now?
43:08Oh, gosh.
43:09No swearing.
43:10Maddie, Summer and Molly have now got an hour to teach 29 young girls
43:15how to play cricket.
43:17Oh, my God.
43:18But despite Kyle's suggestion, they haven't done any prep.
43:22Why is there so many of them?
43:24Minions!
43:25Tonight!
43:26We see you on the moon!
43:30Right, right, so, hello.
43:32I'm Maddie.
43:33Nice to meet you all.
43:34I'm Summer.
43:35Oh, I'm Molly.
43:38Please don't call us Miss.
43:40So, cricket, does anybody know what it is?
43:43Yeah.
43:44Yeah.
43:45It's not the same as rounders.
43:46It's quite hard there.
43:4729 nine-year-old girls.
43:50Um...
43:52Yeah, it's quite intimidating.
43:54Right, so, the plan for today is we're going to split you in half.
43:58Split...
43:59..and...
44:00Sorry.
44:02You can't split me down.
44:05Right.
44:06Do you want to get into partners?
44:08I've never played cricket.
44:11Catch it.
44:12And then you just throw in.
44:13Oh, right, like that.
44:14So, like this, all the way round.
44:15But once you drop it, you've got to do five star jumps.
44:18You ready?
44:19Right, you ready?
44:22Five star jumps.
44:26There they are.
44:27There's a lot of kids everywhere.
44:28There they are!
44:30Oh, my God.
44:32This is going horribly wrong.
44:33Hold on.
44:36Who thought what?
44:37We'll do the next?
44:39Come on.
44:40Come on, my minions.
44:45Charging on me like Bulls, mate.
44:48Right, guys, listen.
44:49What should our team be called?
44:51Minions.
44:52Minions.
44:53We're called Minions!
44:54Minions!
44:55Yeah!
44:56Come on, we saved the world!
44:57Right, go on.
44:58Roll it to me.
44:59And then you're going to try.
45:00You're going to throw it.
45:02And then you're going to run round me.
45:06And then sit down.
45:07And the first team to sit down is the winner.
45:09Minions!
45:10Yeah!
45:11Millions!
45:12Yeah!
45:13Tenere!
45:14Steal!
45:15The moon!
45:16Yay!
45:19She's funny.
45:21Come on, Millions!
45:23You're going to steal the moon.
45:25Yeah.
45:26Ready?
45:27Go!
45:28Copy!
45:29I think Mandy's been brilliant.
45:32Really surprised.
45:34Millions!
45:35Go!
45:36Go!
45:37Go!
45:38We're winning.
45:40It's not sworn either, which I'm even more surprised at.
45:43Woo!
45:44Yeah, really good.
45:46Guys!
45:47We won!
45:49You can see, like, we've got a lot of confidence from this,
45:52which is, I guess, what we wanted.
45:54Maddie!
45:55Maddie!
45:56Maddie!
45:57Maddie!
45:58Maddie!
45:59Maddie!
46:00Maddie!
46:01Maddie!
46:02Maddie!
46:03Maddie!
46:04Maddie!
46:05Maddie!
46:06Maddie!
46:07Maddie!
46:08Maddie!
46:09Maddie!
46:10Maddie!
46:11Maddie!
46:27powy
46:28Maddie!
46:29Maddie!
46:30Maddie!
46:31Mobile?
46:32and put them in a white bucket. Go!
46:35I thought they did so well to come into this so new
46:39and not know what to expect.
46:41I want to give us high fives.
46:43Go, Chase! Maddie!
46:45Go get Maddie.
46:49Every little girl there had a smile on the face.
46:52They loved it.
46:54And actually seeing our girls in a different light was really good.
46:58Yeah, amazing, really. That was brilliant.
47:01I'm absolutely exhausted.
47:0418-year-old Maddie is currently unemployed,
47:07but Kyle spotted some untapped coaching potential.
47:11I think in that session there, that's the best I've ever seen you behave.
47:15It was.
47:17I didn't swear you're proud of me. That's what I mean.
47:19There's no swearing, no bad behaviour.
47:21Could you see yourself doing something like that?
47:24I could, and I've done it.
47:28I look into it. Definitely should.
47:30You were laughing, joking. They all loved you.
47:33It was really good.
47:34Tonight, we steal the moon.
47:40Careful.
47:41Success for this project.
47:54I think you could say, you know, everyone being able to play on a cricket club that's fit for purpose.
48:02I think it's having an impact on kids' lives, I think.
48:15I love cricket, don't get me wrong.
48:16I think at the heart of this is cricket and it's making it more accessible and opportunities and all the things that everyone talks about.
48:24But I think the most important is actually seeing the kids thrive, seeing how we can help them in their lives.
48:33I think that sucks ass.
48:36Who is that?
48:37Who is it? Is it the Preston lads?
48:39Three years ago, Freddie put together a team of unlikely lads from Preston.
48:43Oh, my God.
48:44Which launched his dream of creating a new cricket league in the North West.
48:51And today, his clubs from Blackpool, Manchester, Liverpool and Preston will all be competing together in a knockout tournament.
48:59Hello, Eli.
49:00Hi, Eli.
49:01Hello.
49:02Nice to see you again.
49:03Hosted by the girls' team at South Shore Cricket Club.
49:06Today's our big, like, tournament day.
49:08It is on our ground, but I find that when you're on your ground, you have more confidence.
49:12So I do hope today that we prove a point and show that girls' cricket is a movement and that we can play against lads and still have that confidence.
49:20A big day, isn't it, where we've got the four teams that we've worked with, even the Preston boys, to come and play in like a little mini festival.
49:29You know, it's interesting to think that when we started that, we'd have four teams all playing against each other on a ground which has improved.
49:36You've got nets out of the bag, the clubhouse has had a bit of a revamp.
49:40It's got the makings of a good day, hasn't it?
49:42You pick it heads, lads.
49:44The first game of the day is a rematch and a chance for the Liverpool lads to finally beat Freddie's original team from Preston.
49:52We're the first team, so, like, it's up to us to play well, but respectfully.
49:58Yeah.
49:59I'm batting first, so I'm going all or nothing.
50:02Bang.
50:05Should have caught that.
50:06The girls would have.
50:07Hey, I've got faith in you, lad.
50:09You'll f*** this to the sky for us to catch.
50:11I've heard you've got a small penis.
50:13Hey, the batting was trying to get verbal.
50:15Is he?
50:18Yeah!
50:20Hey!
50:21Oh!
50:24I didn't think it would ever get this big, to be fair.
50:27I didn't think Field of Dreams would go to four Fields of Dreams.
50:32Yes!
50:34Yeah, I do actually think it will change a lot of people's lives,
50:36because it gives you a different perspective on life.
50:38It gives you that little bit of, like, a push.
50:40A push, but in a good way.
50:41Hey, you've got to get in his head.
50:43Call him a Muppet.
50:44For Fred to do what he's done for us for other teams,
50:46I think it's fantastic, really.
50:48I know how lucky I was to have this opportunity.
50:53Catch it!
50:55Yes!
50:57Well done, lad.
50:58Knowing that they've gone through what we've gone through,
50:59and how it's changed us massively.
51:01Come on, anyway!
51:02Come on!
51:03So, if it can change other people, I think it's brilliant.
51:07Hey, this is horrible, this, lads.
51:09We need to win.
51:10Come on, man!
51:11Yes!
51:12Yes!
51:13Yes!
51:14Yes!
51:15Yes!
51:16Yes!
51:17Yes!
51:18Yes!
51:19Yes!
51:20Yes!
51:21The original Preston team have put in a good effort.
51:24Oh, the Scouts, look at them.
51:26But the Liverpool lads have managed to win by just one run.
51:30It feels good.
51:31Like, last time we trained and got beat,
51:33and this time we've carried on training and we've beat them,
51:35so it just shows that we can beat anyone if we train enough.
51:39With the Liverpool lads through to the final...
51:42Catch it!
51:43Over on the other pitch,
51:44the Manchester boys have made a strong start in their rematch
51:47against the Blackpool girls.
51:50All my family at home and all my friends have said,
51:52since I've been doing cricket,
51:54I've been a different person completely.
51:56My mood's been shining a lot more.
51:58Catch!
52:01And I've made some amazing mates.
52:05Pretend like you're hitting somebody you hate!
52:07On the head!
52:08See?
52:09Nice!
52:10Oh, maybe I can!
52:13Come on!
52:14What are you doing?
52:15Catch the ball!
52:17Come on, Blackpool!
52:21It's been great to be a part of it.
52:23I didn't think I would have carried on with it, but I did,
52:26and I've enjoyed every little minute of it.
52:29Despite a valiant effort...
52:30Cut!
52:31Cut!
52:32Cut!
52:33Yes!
52:34..the girls have lost their rematch to the boys.
52:39Over the past year, being with the girls,
52:42I feel like winning isn't even the point for me anymore.
52:44I have a girls team.
52:45I've honestly made some of my best friends probably for life here,
52:49who I know I'll play with in the future,
52:51and who I know I'll train with,
52:53and for me that's all that really matters.
52:56Come out of the room, lad!
52:57Come out of the room, lad!
52:58For the final match, and a chance of taking home the trophy,
53:01the lads from Liverpool will be battling it out
53:04against the boys from Manchester.
53:07You know, we've managed to throw something together
53:08where four teams of kids who don't really play cricket
53:11have competed against each other.
53:14But then, I suppose some of the things I'm happier about
53:17are, you know, Ryan, for instance.
53:19Kevin, drop.
53:22Keep going.
53:23Keep going, drop, lad.
53:24Drop.
53:25You know, I first met him,
53:26and he showed himself to be a very different kid
53:28to what we're seeing now.
53:33Yes!
53:34Come on!
53:36You see a definite change in his behaviour.
53:37Stevie, Kev, Dylan as well.
53:42Come on!
53:44You know, Presley's exactly the same.
53:45I'm a kid that has struggled at school with friendship groups
53:48and finding his belonging.
53:49I think he's found more of that.
53:51You know, the more I get to know Miles,
53:53the more he reveals about himself.
53:54Just this big kid who just wants to be liked.
53:58It's a massive change in Maddie.
54:00She has a moment, but, you know,
54:02I think, ultimately, she'd make a great coach.
54:05So, we could speak about all the kids
54:07and whether cricket's going to be on the radar.
54:11In some ways, the cricket for these kids
54:13isn't really the important thing.
54:15They found mates and they found something to do
54:16and they found a belonging at a place.
54:19I think we've made an impact in a group of kids' lives
54:21moving forward.
54:23Come on, Manchester!
54:25Catch!
54:26Catch that!
54:27Catch that!
54:28Yes!
54:29Come on!
54:31With family and friends watching from the sidelines,
54:33the Manchester boys have won the match
54:35and this year's Field of Dreams League Cup.
54:38Never in a million years would I expect this.
54:42I've never ever seen him, like,
54:44so connected with such a group.
54:47They're like a family.
54:49His confidence is like a different child.
54:52Yeah, I think it's been brilliant.
54:54Yeah!
54:55He just seems much more grown up,
54:56more independent.
54:57Like, he's a part of, you know,
54:58he belongs to something, you know,
55:00he's got, like, a new community of people.
55:03Happy Owens!
55:04Happy Owens!
55:05Happy Owens!
55:07Happy Owens!
55:08Happy Owens!
55:11You're all young people.
55:12You sure will have aspirations and dreams
55:14and no-one should ever take that away from you.
55:17Seat your talent.
55:19Push for it.
55:20Keep pushing forward all the time.
55:23You never know where it's going to take you.
55:25And I hope, through what we've done over this past year or so,
55:28we've helped you on that journey.
55:30Without further ado,
55:32come and get your trophy, Captain Miles.
55:34It means so much to me, honestly.
55:44Like, it's just the best thing that has ever done to me.
55:48I've never been in a team and, yeah, it's, uh, yeah,
55:51pretty emotional, to be fair.
55:55Lifting up the trophy and stuff,
55:56and it's just a big deal for everyone.
55:59Thank you, everyone.
56:00Thank you, everyone!
56:05I'm sure we'll all get together and keep playing cricket, I'm sure,
56:07because I think it's something that once you start doing,
56:09you sort of just keep doing, so...
56:11All the boys enjoy it, so we'll see where that takes us.
56:16I feel like to be a part of Field of Dreams
56:19is probably the best experience of my life,
56:22and I will never, ever forget it.
56:25I am passionate about grassroots cricket,
56:27but giving kids a chance in general, you know,
56:30and maybe the way in which I or we can do it best
56:33is through cricket,
56:34and that's the one thing we know.
56:37And trying to give kids an opportunity to do something
56:39which, hopefully, will impact their lives
56:41moving forward for the better.
56:45Where it goes for me, I've got no idea
56:48from when this started.
56:49I think all our lives have changed a little bit,
56:53but it's definitely a start.
56:55It's something to build on,
56:57and we'll have to see what happens.
56:58We'll have to see what happens.
57:04You can now watch bonus content from the Open University
57:07and discover the pioneers and trailblazers
57:09who changed the game for women's cricket.
57:12To access it, scan the QR code on screen
57:15or visit connect.open.ac.uk
57:19forward slash field of dreams.
57:28I'll see you next time.
57:29I'll see you next time.
57:30Bye-bye.
57:46Bye-bye.
57:51Bye-bye.
57:56Bye-bye.
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