Scene from the film, Awaydays _300

AWAYDAYS (Cert. 18, 105 mins)
Stars: Nicky Bell, Liam Boyle, Stephen Graham, Oliver Lee, Lee Battle, Sean Ward, Michael Ryan
Directed by  Pat Holden

PAT HOLDEN directs a gritty depiction of 1980s football hooliganism and male bonding, based on the acclaimed book by Kevin Sampson, which unfolds through the eyes of a teenager struggling for acceptance in late ’70s Liverpool.

Paul Carty longs to run with The Pack: the pent-up young followers of Tranmere Rovers, who get their kicks – literally – by beating up rival supporters or taking a Stanley knife to the face of anyone who dares to strike back.

Unfortunately, Paul doesn’t have a way in, not even with his box-fresh pair of Adidas Forest Hill trainers, until he meets music fan and dreamer Elvis (Liam Boyle) at a gig and the pair become friends.

Elvis, in turn, introduces Paul to gang leader and ex-squaddie John (Stephen Graham), who welcomes the new boy with open arms once he proves himself on the field of battle. As Paul becomes a vital cog in the machinery of the Pack, his friendship with Elvis deteriorates, culminating in a heartbreaking confession by one of the teenagers.