Fever Pitch is a 1997 film starring Colin Firth based loosely on the book of the same name by Nick Hornby. Hornby adapted the book for the screen and fictionalized the story, concentrating on Arsenal's First Division championship-winning season in 1988-89 and its effect on the protagonist's romantic relationship. Firth plays "Paul Ashworth", the character based on Hornby, a teacher at a school in North London, and his burgeoning romance with Sarah Hughes (Ruth Gemmell), a new teacher who joins Ashworth's school. The film culminates with the real life events of Arsenal's match against title rivals Liverpool in the final game of the season on May 26, 1989, a Michael Thomas last-minute goal giving Arsenal the 2?0 win they needed to win the title. The film also starred Neil Pearson as Paul's father, and Mark Strong as Steve, Paul's best friend. Nick Hornby himself has a cameo role as a beaten opposition manager in a School football match in one scene. Parts of the film were shot on location in the surroundings of Arsenal Stadium in Highbury; however as the terracing at Highbury had since been replaced, the scenes of fans on the terraces were instead filmed at Fulham's Craven Cottage stadium.

release year: 1997

star(s): Mark Strong