The series is set in the 1870s(Image: NETFLIX)
There’s nothing better than tuning into Netflix and allowing yourself to not only be entertained but learn about the early days of one of the world’s biggest sports.
Taking viewers on a journey through time this series is based on the real life events that formed English football as we know it today.
Transporting you back to the 1870s, The English Game centres on a distinct era, brought to life brilliantly through its authentic settings and costumes.
It chronicles the pivotal moment that transformed football forever, shifting it from a pursuit reserved for the privileged classes in the UK to a sport enjoyed by all.
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Viewers follow a working-class sporting hero, Arthur Kinnaird and the remarkable journey he undertakes alongside his upper-class counterpart, Fergus Suter, to revolutionise the game.
The show is based on real-life events(Image: Netflix)
Arthur served as president of The Football Association for 33 years and as a leader in the sport is widely considered to be the first real football star. Meanwhile Fergus was one of the earliest players, that has been recognised as potentially the first ever professional footballer.
After his legendary football career, Fergus gave up the sport when he was recruited into the Royal Marines but sadly, three years later when he was stationed in Egypt, died of enteric fever.
Taking on the two principal roles are Edward Holcroft and Kevin Guthrie, alongside Charlotte Hope as Margaret Alma Kinnaird and Niamh Walsh as Martha Almond.
The cast appears to have delivered an excellent portrayal of the story, with one person stating it is “Binge worthy for sure.”
Addressing such thought-provoking themes, the show has garnered considerable admiration, with one viewer noting: “Great characters and fun plot. This is the kind of programming that will keep us subscribing to Netflix.”
It shares the same creator as Downton Abbey(Image: Netflix)
The mastermind behind this 2020 short series also happens to be one of the most prominent figures in British television. Julian Fellowes first achieved widespread recognition as the creator, writer and executive producer of the award-winning period drama Downton Abbey, and he’s since taken his talents in a new direction.
One admirer of the series posted their review on Rotten Tomatoes: “Very well acted with tons of care and consideration put into the show as a whole. The period drama mixed with football makes for a very interesting and entertaining watch to say the least.”
Another viewer wrote: “There are times when experienced critics get things embarrassingly wrong. This show is an example of that. It’s well acted, carefully crafted and was made with passion. Even though it is about football but the football element merely appears. It’s been well received by the audience so ignore the pundits.”
However, others have taken issue with the programme’s historical accuracy, pointing out that Suter didn’t secure the cup with Blackburn the year following his move to Darwen. In reality, he claimed his first FA Cup after his sixth season in Lancashire.
While not directly shown in the series, it’s implied that this triumph occurred within the same year. Further criticism highlights that the show conflates the two Blackburn sides, as the town boasted two teams at the time – Blackburn Olympic and Blackburn Rovers.
Yet many are delighted with how the story captures the essential details of the real-life events and, more importantly, the deeper significance in demonstrating how much the sport means to its followers and British society.
All six episodes of The English Game are available to stream now exclusively on Netflix as the perfect weekend binge-watch.
