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Danny, Spears
Fletch
Lisa, Danny
Claudia, Nikki, Stevie |
GS: Paul Hankin (Leigh Cranston) Charlie Gerard (Lloyd Martin) Ollie Byrne (as himself) Lynda receives a call with disturbing news, and brings David and Fletch to the boardroom. The results from the drugs test at Shelbourne show one of the two players failed, which they automatically assume is an offended Fletch. When UEFA's statement comes through, Lynda and David are stunned to learn it was in fact Danny's test that came back positive. Shelbourne Chief Exec Ollie Byrne calls for the match result to be overturned and Harchester to be kicked out of the UEFA Cup. The press are out in force after Danny, who has camped out in the dressing room. He goes to Claudia for help finding Lisa through Charlie's details on the Junior Dragon's list. Nikki has taken a job as a chambermaid at The Grange, and wants Gary to cough up his Charlton game cheque to replace the items the burglars stole when he left his keys in the door. Gary bluffs the cheque was in the house at the time and the burglars have taken it. Danny runs into Spears in the tunnel, and he gets it out of him that Danny took food supplements Andrei has been sharing with the team. Nikki is on housekeeping duty when she finds herself in Claudia's room, and phoning reception, learns that Claudia isn't in fact Spence... but Irving! Danny tracks down Lisa and explains his situation, asking if he could stay with she and Charlie as it’s the only place the press won’t look. Lynda gets some relief when she learns from UEFA that a player is responsible for failing a test and not the club, so Shelbourne can't get them kicked out. She, Sam and David now have to work out what to do about the rest of the team having Andrei's "Eastern Delight" in their system. When Nikki decides to have some revenge in the players’ rooms, Stevie catches her, and upon hearing her story on how it wasn't even her fault she was fired, and how Claudia is in fact Sam Irving's daughter, Stevie makes it his mission to help Nikki get her job back. Danny is persuaded to come back to the club, where David orders the remainder of the supplement be flushed down the toilet. Andrei takes offence at the money being wasted, and accuses Danny of doing other drugs and blaming it on this. Danny flies at Andrei and has to be held back by the team. Danny fears Andrei's actions will cost him going to the World Cup. The results of Danny's B sample come through and because of a contamination the test came back negative and UEFA will not be taking the matter further, meaning Danny is cleared. As they didn't make it to the Dublin game, Sam asks Lynda would she accompany him to the club's next UEFA fixture - which will be a freezing Glasgow. Lynda fines Andrei the maximum two week's wages, though he still seems unbothered about all the trouble he caused. Stevie lets Claudia know he is aware of who her father is, and if she wants her secret kept, she will publicly take responsibility for the cock-up in Ireland which will see Nikki reinstated. The next day's papers arrive and are all gunning for Danny, asking whether he got off on a technicality. Danny feels he should give his side of the story rather than have this continually hang over him, and contacts possibly the worst person he can - Hankin. Claudia enters the changing room where she does as Stevie instructed, and asks David to give Nikki her job back, otherwise she could take them to a tribunal for unfair dismissal having been at the club for over a year. Tash goes to Danny having learnt of his intention to speak to Hankin, and points out he will have to admit taking Andrei's substance, thus confirming his guilt however unintentional. Tash says the best option is to go with the club's official statement standing by him, and to take accusations of being a cheat on the chin by playing his best football. Notes: The Best: David left flabbergasted when the team all raise their hands to having taken Andrei's supplements, even Monday! Not Fletch though. Nikki impersonating Claudia’s Australian accent, so she can learn which players have rooms at The Grange. Quotes: David: "I don't believe it" Fletch [clears his throat to speak] David: "What?" Fletch: "Well not me boss! [tuts disapprovingly at the room] Who's been a lot of naughty boss then?! Eh?" Foreshadowing: Nikki holds up the framed photograph of Claudia and Sam, which is later seen again when she is packing Claudia’s desk in 6.1 (#261) It Could Be You. Continuity: David brings up Fletch’s Season 1 past when he asks was his failed test due to him taking cocaine. Additional Info: Harchester are set for a Monday game against Liverpool followed shortly by Rushden in the 3rd Round of the Worthington Cup. Nikki talks of having a B Tech qualification in Sports Management. Soundtrack: Raven Maize: "The Real Life", Spooks: "Heartbreak Hotel", Taylor & Libra: "Calling Your Name", Artful Dodger feat. Melanie Blatt: "24/7", American Pie Soundtrack: "Calling Your Name", Groove Armada: "My Friend", Travis: "Follow The Light" |
