Season 9 Episode 4 Episode 360 Sky One Transmission Date: Sunday 6th November 2005 Directed By Maurice Hutchinson

Chloe, Harry Redknapp, Liam Katrin, Felix Ash bg: Tim Clancy Cass, Gene

GS: Katrin Hahn (Sandra Darnell) Harry Redknapp (as himself) Felix assembles every member of the playing and reserve team to the club, where he announces they will have a training match, saying if a youth teamer like Gavin performs better than Ryan, no matter how many England caps he has, he will take his place in the first team on Saturday. Ashleigh and Alex each take a team and be their coach. Liam misses the meeting and hands Felix a cheque for his signing on fee saying he isn’t staying where he isn't wanted. Picking each player's name out of a trophy cup, Ashleigh gets mostly the first team, while Alex the reserves. Liam visits St. Mary's Stadium at Southampton, where Chloe admits she isn't sorry about what she did - putting him into a Premiership side. Ryan is offended by Ashleigh’s file notes on his playing, following which her side are keen to take the piss out of her. When Amy tells her Felix has now moved into the Barrons Ashleigh heads over there, and is answered by an unknown woman who Felix introduces as his wife, Katrin! Ashleigh realises Felix leaked her report to Ryan to undermine her authority. Chloe reminds Alex all he has to win this game is a bunch of kids, and plants the seed that in order to one day be managing a place like Harchester, he needs to be seen to be winning. Liam is surprised when Harry Redknapp points out Alex waiting for him. It soon turns into them settling old scores, first over Alex's injury and then how Chloe asked Alex to come here. Feeling down, Ashleigh gets glammed up, wig included and calls for Casper. Ashleigh cries how she's screwed if she doesn't win this game tomorrow, as Casper and Eugene refuse to play with each other and Ryan hates her guts. As they sit down to a team dinner, Alex gives his speech on how he isn't expecting miracles as they are up against much stronger players, but the most important thing is to be able to hold their heads up after ninety minutes. To everyone's surprise Liam turns up ready to play with them. Casper puts Ashleigh to bed and tells her if there is going to be a next time between them, they will both know what they are doing. Ashleigh's team use the Away dressing room, but they are still refusing to give her an easy ride. As Alex's team head out he gives Liam the captain's armband, though adding this changes nothing between them. The game kicks off, and Liam gets to show his potential, running rings around most of Ashleigh's side. Before long Alex's side are 1-0 up after a pass from Liam to Gavin scores. Ryan is furious and things get worse when Ashleigh tells him he is being taken off. The half time whistle goes and Ashleigh's side return to their dressing room, bitching about her. They are surprised however when she re-emerges in her party gear, and berates them for how they are throwing this game away because they can’t handle their coach is a girl. Ashleigh manages to win them round whilst making her half time team talk, and tells them they are going to be on their own for the next half. Ashleigh finds Ryan in the Players' Lounge. They have another clash of opinion but Ashleigh stops when she realises Ryan is in a lot of despair. She tells him it's understandable after breaking his leg and being out for a season, then the crash, but assures Ryan they can work to get him back. Cass tells Eugene they have to team up or lose it, and before long a pass from Casper makes a goal for Eugene. A further goal from Cass and the final whistle goes with Ashleigh's team winning, whilst both Liam and Alex believe their side was robbed. Felix says he wants to see both coaches in his office. In the showers Gavin congratulates Liam on marking Ryan out of the game before half time, adding he must have made the team after that. Chloe waits for Liam and asks where this leaves them and he replies that he doesn't know. A smiling Alex comes out from Felix and tells Ashleigh he's looking forward to working with her. She goes in, and when Felix acknowledges she of course had the stronger team, Ashleigh reminds him she still won. He concedes and tells her that was all, and Ashleigh leaves, cheering outside that he still rates her. Notes: The Best: Harry Redknapp in his third DT appearance. Prepared to do business with Harchester again since Jeff Stein’s departure! Ashleigh throws darts at a board containing two photos each of Sully and Ryan with Felix the bullseye. Strangely no Casper though. Lynda observing Ashleigh after Ryan’s “Subbed by a girl” jibe, clearly admiring her determination as a fellow female in football. Ashleigh giving her half time team talk in her party gear, wig included. The beginning of the friendship of Liam and Gavin. Foreshadowing: Lynda’s disinterest at possibly meeting Felix’s wife. It’s a shame we don’t get to see Amy’s face as she walks with them too (9.6 Dreaming of England) What Was The Score?: What looked so promising for Alex’s side ended with two goals from the Rose brothers, winning the match for Ashleigh 2-1. Soundtrack: Craig Armstrong: "Rise", Damien Rice: "Cannonball", Hard-Fi: "Hard To Beat", Ian Van Dahl: "Inspiration", JC Chavez: “100 Ways”, Scissor Sisters: “Take Your Mama” <<SE09 EP03 |  Season 9 Main Page | SE09 EP05>>