A new drama telling the story of former professional footballer, Andy Woodward, has been commissioned by BBC Two.
Woodward’s revelations about the sexual abuse by his youth coach, Barry Bennell led to hundreds more victims speaking up and highlighting a national scandal across football.
Floodlights is written by Matt Greenhalgh, who also penned Joy Division biopic, Control, and Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool. It’s directed by Nick Rowland (Calm with Horses, Hard Sun).
“Since speaking out in 2016 I’ve wanted to continue to encourage people to talk without fear, to make a change,” explained Andy Woodward.
“Floodlights tells my story, which no child should ever have to go through. I hope this film helps to stop abuse in football and in all areas of life.”
Woodward will be portrayed by Gerard Kearns (The Last Kingdom, Shameless) with Jonas Armstrong (Hollington Drive, The Bay), Morven Christie (Lockwood & Co, The A Word), and Steve Edge (Benidorm, The Madame Blanc Mysteries) also starring.
The factual drama depicts his life, from a boy with a passion for football, to becoming a professional and then no longer being able to ignore the memories of abuse.
“I was in the crowd at Maine Road when Bury FC beat my team, Manchester City, 0-1 in 1998. Andy Woodward was playing for Bury… and was outstanding,” explained Matt Greenhalgh.
“When his brutal story broke I remember being stunned not only by the magnanimity of his courage, but by how this could happen in our national sport. His horrific revelations were undoubtedly a pivotal moment for football… but also for many, many men. Andy’s story more than deserves telling as drama, so that it can keep on telling, and informing the next generation of parents and kids. And I am very proud to be part of his honourable fight to expose those who prey on children in any walk of life.”
The 1×80 minute drama is made by Expectation, an indie in which BBC Studios holds a minority stake.
“Andy Woodward didn’t set out to be a hero, but he certainly became one. Growing up in the world of youth football in the eighties I witnessed first-hand the power coaches had over teenage players, and I can only imagine the courage it took for Andy to speak up, even years later,” said Colin Barr, Creative Director, Factual and Factual Drama at Expectation and Executive Producer.
“People didn’t see – or didn’t want to see – the shadow of abuse in the game, and only now are we beginning to understand the full horror of what happened. I hope this film is one more step towards acknowledging that and making sure it can never happen again.”
Floodlights will air on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer this Spring.
