Does it really seem like 10 years ago that we were introduced to Dean Hocknell, Georgina Jacobs, Sean Hocknell and the Baker's? Dream Team launched in 1997, the year that the website domain "google" was registered, the year that Diana Princess of Wales died, the year that saw Newcastle and Keegan bottle the title race and the retirement of the legendary Eric Cantona, the year when really TV came into it's own with the launch of Ibiza Uncovered, top music hits were Aqua – Barbie Girl, Louise – Arms Around the World and PF project Feat. Ewan McGregor – Choose Life. Who would have ever imagined that a home grown drama launched on Sky TV would still be running 10 years later? 2 FA cup finals, 2 UEFA cup runs, 1 season in the Championship and nearly 30 deaths, over 130 major characters have featured in Dream Team's 10 year run and hundreds of others have worked on the show. Here are some farewell messages from some of the cast and crew that have worked on the show during its 10 year run.
To the Dream Team family, I am really sorry to hear the show is coming to a close. My short involvement with the series was so much fun. I am a fanatical Liverpool fan and therefore to have the opportunity to live out the fantasy of being a premiership footballer for a series was just a dream come true. I know that Dream Team has provided huge entertainment to many many people and it has quite a big fan base here in the US. I bump into people here in New York from time to time who ask me about the show and who love it.. It's one of those shows where people are either very passionate about it or have never seen it. I wish it could keep going forever because I know those actors are having a blast, and that the audience is fascinated with the idea of what footballers get up to on and off the pitch.. But I guess all great things have to come to end sooner or later. Enjoy what's left of this little gem. Kind Regards
Paul Swinnerton (Matt Conlon)
For me, Dream Team was many things. Of course it was a job, but that was least on the list. Dream Team was very much a career defining moment for me, that spring-boarded both my experience and my passion. It was the first time I had ever been a regular character on a TV show, and the show, the team behind it, the cast, the crew and, of course, the devoted fans, very quickly became a sort of family to me. I'm am still very good friends with many of the people I worked with and met through the show. I also learnt a lot from playing Phil Wallis. For me it was like going to film school. And I believe I am a better actor for it. I was very sorry to hear that this season was to be the last one. It has been a great show that has inspired many others - with great stories, characters, and FHM pin-ups! It will be missed, and I, for one, will always be grateful to it.
Neil Jackson (Phil Wallis)
As a football fan and player, I'm proud to have worn the Dragon's shirt. I'm really going to miss the show. A big thank you to everyone on harchester.net! You're a proper sound lot, and your support over the years has been greatly appreciated.
Tim Smith/Clyde "Init Gaffer" Connolly R.I.P
It always gives me great pleasure to say I was a part of Dream Team and it's such a shame a cult series like DT is coming to an end. Every morning when I walked into the studios [ even at 7 am ] I would be smiling as I was greeted by 15 cheeky guys laughing and having banter with the crew, it really was like a family and everyone pulled together to make it a great show. It will always be remembered.xxxxxxxxxxx
Lucinda Rhodes Flaherty (Jodie Stone)
Oh my god is it really 10 years since the fabulous dream team was born.... will miss seeing all the gorgeous guys and girls on the box...The hard working crew were always there eating their bacon rolls at some ridiculous early AM time... I was always late... Lucy in make up waiting patiently... Georgia was always asking "Is it tea break yet?"... Nina cackling with her Sid James laugh... Adam over rehearsing...Casper pretending he could play football... Ali always pouting her big lips... Angela out-bantering the boys and Terry drunk at the Christmas party episode shoot stripping naked and running around without a care in the world... he was pretty embarrassed the next day... Here is to the original footballers and their wives TV drama... Congratulations for scoring the winning goal.
Frances Ruffelle (Dawn Daniel-Spears)
A very warm Hello to all Dream Teamers. Just wanted to say a HUGE THANK YOU to all you loyal fans on this quite brilliant site. It is a shame that all good things come to an end but I have had a life changing experience on Dream Team X. This is all due to your passion and love for the best Football Drama to hit our screens. I really hope that harchester.net continues after the show finishes, because I cannot think of such an informative fan site of a British TV show. I'm sure the internet will allow us all to watch old DT episodes in years to come....so no need to panic :-) Take care all and once again I thank you hugely for supporting Miguel and the final series. Keep watching!!! Peace and love.
James Floyd (Miguel Lopez)
Dream Team was a lot more to me than just a job it was an experience I will never forget, it was a great opportunity; a chance for me to grow and prove what I was capable of. I have grown as an actress and have also matured into an adult in the business, understanding responsibility a lot more as a pose to a child actor who never really has to think about much except the task at hand. Being the youngest person in the cast and crew was great as I had lots of experienced adults to learn from and they were all more than willing to teach me, which I am forever grateful for. As the show is ending for good, I hope that myself and fellow cast members were able to offer the final series something worth remembering. I made great friends through working on the show,so Dream Team, in a way, still lives on with me! Dream Team and everyone involved with it, has become and will remain, a treasured memory.
Sapphire Elia (Gemma Craig)
I will never forget my time on dreamteam, it was so much fun -- a lot of laughter. I'm proud I was part of the most loved season of Dream team -- I met some great talented people like, Phil, Nathan, Sushil, Julie, Emma, Martin, Terry and Ali. It was my first real TV job (I don't count "top of the pops" -RIP -LOL) and an opportunity that opened a lot of doors for me and for that I'm very grateful. Best of luck to all that were involved and thanks to all the fans that kept a great show on the air.
Love Craig Robert Young (Alex Wilkinson)
I really sad to hear that Dream Team is coming to and end, because for me it was the best fictionalized fooball tv show ever. Through clever editing you could actually believe Harchester Utd was a real football club. Personally I was fortunate to portray the inspirational John Black a character Jane Hewland allowed to develope who was forthright, honest and full of integrity and happened to be in the wrong place when a sniper's bullet richocheted and killed him instantly. I miss playing John Black, but I'll miss even more not being able to tune into Sky One's Dream Team.
Nuff love Gary McDonald (John Black)
To be honest it's difficult to say something about Dream Team that hasn't already been said, but I'll do my best to tell you what it meant to me. Dream Team was a place where I met some incredible people and hopefully some lifelong friends. It was a place that I looked forward to going to work, and to be around such a young, enthusiastic, talented and determined group of people was my privilige. I can honestly say that every person that worked on the show, be it the cast, the accounts departments, the assistant directors, the camera crew, the casting department, the costume department, the design department, the directors, the editng department, the electrical department, the football department, head office, health and safety crew, our insurers, locations department, Millwall Football Club, post production department, the production department, our publicists, script editors, script supervisors, sound department and our producers worked our socks off every day through love and passion for you, the fans. At the end of the day it is you that has kept the show alive all these years and you that we turn up to work for. Dream Team will always have a place in my heart, as it will for most of you. I will leave you with my final words, 'Dragon till I Die.
Duncan Pow (Liam MacKay)
To all Dragons. I wish I could have risen from the flames of our bus explosion like a footballing phoenix, but my time had come to an end. Playing with the Dragon's and meeting all the fans has been a pleasure, mine and theirs! The team will always been playing, even though they have taken the fly on the wall programme Dream Team off the telly... even if it's in Premiership heaven. Long live the Dragons.You are all legends for supporting Mr Vivian Wright.
Philip Brodie (Vivian "Jaws" Wright)
Oh god how i've missed you guys! Well here I am back on the best forum on the net to say a final farewell, I have to try and sum up what DT meant to me.... What it meant to everyone. It had a small but hardcore following of the best fans i've yet come across, fans who kept it going for ten years of ups and downs, of course series IX being one of the ups. It was a cult show that was actually fairly realsitic, well observed and so much fun to do, it gave me a great opportunity and i'll always always be so grateful to the show and the fans that made my time there so enjoyable. I can't believe it's all over, I haven't been this upset since quantum leap came off air. I've been priviledged to work on the show, and ive been honoured to talk to you guys, the fans, the wholse reason for TV, Lots of love to everyone who watched, and made it possible.
Rob Kazinsky (Casper Rose)
First of all I would like to say a big hello to each and everyone of you who has took the time and effort to hold dream team so close to their hearts and let me into their living rooms every sunday evening! As a member of Dream Team I follow your website intensely and take on board the comments you make, good and bad. I realise that my character is not to everyones satisfaction, but if you are not talking about me then I would not be doing my job properly. What you must understand is that Dempsey came to a club and had to work with a player that had ended his career, day in day out. There isn't a feeling in the world that will replace stepping out onto that pitch infront of 30,000 fans. I would just like to say a massive thankyou to Jane Hewland, Ben Harris and Jesse Ohmaney, for writing such a brilliant character. They took Dempsey through the mill and gave him some fantastic storylines, working with some fantastic actors and som fantastic crew. To them I owe everything. Thankyou once agian to Jane Hewland, for giving me the opportunity to work on an amazing programme like Dream Team!! I would also like to say a big thankyou to all the cast and crew on Dream Team and Wilko and Fletch and everybody who has stood by my character on Dream Team. I wish you all every happiness in the future, and remember 'Dempsey For England' long live Dream Team!!!!!! ......Come on you Reds!!!
Jamie Lomas (Alex Dempsey)
I have absolutely loved working on dream team, i have made some great friends on the show both cast and crew. i have some great memories to take away with me. the series has a great finale (credit to the writers) and i'm just sad that this is the end for harchester united. can i also just take this oppurtunity to say thanks to all the fans out there and all those who contribute to the website. Best wishes!!!
Jonathan Howard (Gavin Moody)
I owe Jane Hewland so much as she created ryan naysmith and gave me fantastic storylines for 4 years. there were times he should have been written out, but jane saved his and my neck and im very grateful for that. I wouldnt be where i am now if it werent for her, so thank you jane. I would also like to thank all the cast, crew, makeup, costume, art departments and production office, ive had a great family there and love them all dearly. A massive thanks to tez maynard (stoooart), terry(fletch), chucky (curtis) and tim (clyde), they taught me so much, little tips and improved me as an actor and a person so big thanks to them. Finally i would like to thank you guys, without you we wouldnt be doin what we do. You are the reason we do this and the support you give us helps us when times get hard. You are loyal and hardened fans and we and I couldnt ask for anymore, thanks for all your support when I broke my leg, you helped me through my worst times and I wont forget that. I hope you follow my career and keep supporting me in whatever I do. I will always have a place for the show and this site in my heart, thanks again for everything, love to all.....sniff sniff. Thanks guys.
Ricky Whittle (Ryan NaySmith)
I think its sad Dream Team's coming to an end... can't believe its been going for ten years!! Hopefully the producers will come up with a similar programme to replace it! xx
Zoe Paphitis (Receptionist Zoe)
I'm really not sure what to say as a final statement. This show has been ten years of my life. And when it is on the air and I am involved, it takes over everything - evenings, weekends there is simply neever enough time to storyline and supervise the writing and editing of 32 hours of drama a year. Only a madwoman would take it on. You know the sums people do to work out how much of their lives they have spent eating or sleeping or whatever? I did that on DT and worked our that I had been working on the show continuously night and day for three and a half years between 1997 and now. At times I have cursed the tyranny of it and longed to walk away. But it has also given me so much. A dozen international awards, sales to countries around the world, a fantastic education in the craft of producing drama. I've also been able to pretend I ran a football club, to immerse myself in a sport that I love. I've loved the chance to make up characters, create a world and determine its destiny. Harchester is a real place to me. But most of all I am grateful for the chance to work with so many fantastically talented people - actors, writers, directors, camera people, editors, managers. So many have gone on to justified stardom in front of and behind the cameras. Many of them have become personal friends. I've been to weddings, there are even babies who would not exist but for DREAM TEAM. These co workers have all taught me so much. And learning is what life is all about. I hope I can take some of those relationships on now into new projects and new success. And finally there's this site and you, the fans. We were having this dialogue years before it became so fashionable for TV to be 'interactive' Sometimes I have dreaded coming on here and reading what you have to say. You've made me angry, you've made me laugh, the script department had to be stopped from declaring a vendetta against Stevey D at one point last year. But I would defend to the death his and your right to make the criticisms you do. And then of course there are the times - so many of them - when I came here a bit lost or depressed and found friendship, support, encouragement and a love of Harchester United which gave me the energy to keep going. I haven't met any of you but you too are valued friends and collaborators now. Thank you so much. I will miss you.
Jane Hewland (Executive Producer)
RIP Dream Team, October 1997 - June 2007
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