Season 7 Episode 11 Episode 303 Sky One Transmission Date: Sunday 7th December 2003 Directed by David Penn

Stuart, Ryan Tony Bill Kenwright, Matt Jeff, Dean, Stuart, Tony Stuart

GS: Paul Boardman (as himself) Bill Kenwright (as himself) Stuart, now aware of Ryan’s accidental killing of Steve, tries to organise a transfer that will send Ryan to Liverpool in order to help him get back on track. He manages to convince Pilar it would help the club financially but when telling Ryan himself, Lee overhears the conversation. He goes home and tells Jeff, who is preparing Matt for his head-to-head debate with Dean on Sky, and decides to use this to Matt’s advantage as future chairman, starting the “Saving Priceless Ryan” campaign. With the live Sky debate only two days away, Tony is worried about the press learning of Dean’s absence. Karen reminds him that the Mersey Derby is tomorrow, and he’ll be sure to find Dean there. Tony goes to the game at Goodison Park and finds Dean, eventually persuading him to come home and fight for his £30 million claim. The press capture Tony and Dean at the Everton game, and in an attempt to explain their defection back from Harchester, they send Everton Chairman Bill Kenwright an offer for Wayne Rooney. This only plays to Matt’s advantage however, and he appears on TV with Bill saying that Wayne will be going nowhere but Old Trafford shortly. With his eye operation coming up, Luke goes to Pilar and gives her an ultimatum: if Ryan goes, then so does he. Stuart threatens to resign if Ryan isn’t sold, and Luke continues to pressurise Pilar into stopping the deal. Acting as an anonymous (but official) source, Pilar goes to the press in an attempt to destroy the Liverpool deal, and tells them Ryan is hooked on anti-depressants. She then has to deny the story when Gérard Houllier phones her in front of Stuart, and asks Ryan to go for a medical that afternoon. Stuart later hears that Liverpool want Ryan, and a disgruntled Luke overhears them celebrating. The Harchester United Christmas party is held at Studs, and the team present Ryan with a leaving present – his No.29 jersey framed and signed by them all. Meanwhile, after Luke presents her with his own transfer request, Pilar has the final say – if they lost Luke they would be finished, so Ryan stays. Stuart resigns on the spot, and upon telling Ryan the news, his anger overtakes him and he punches Luke causing further damage to his sight. Matt hears the fans outside praising Pilar for keeping Ryan, and makes a statement backing her as his choice for Chief Executive when he gets the club. Following this, a disgruntled Jeff joins alliances with the Boyles. The next day, Stuart takes Ryan to a clinic where he will stay until he is well again. As Ryan is taken away, Stuart breaks down and cries. Notes: Ricky Whittle takes a break from the show after this episode, as Ryan leaves to recover in a rehabilitation clinic. During his time away he appears in an episode of "Holby City" and returns in 7.22 (#314) 11 Angry Men after ten episodes away. The Best: Ryan, envisaging with Stuart in the dressing room, playing and scoring for Liverpool. The visit to Goodison Park, and Ryan outside Anfield. Bill Kenwright, previously seen as Jerry Block’s Athletic Bilbao contact Gregory in 2.23 (#87) appearing as himself. Matt and Dean on “You’re On Sky Sports” with TV show references from Dean “Just say no” (Grange Hill) and Paul Boardman’s “Calm Down, Calm Down” (Harry Enfield). Jeff phoning in under the guise of Amos Brearly from Emmerdale Jessie from Leeds. The team singing “You’ll Never Walk Alone” to Ryan. Quotes: Stuart imagines explaining to Pilar the truth of why Ryan has to leave the club: “He killed someone. He didn’t mean to, but he beat a man to death with his bare-hands. It’s tearing him apart. And it’s tearing me apart, and I’m trying to save him for it, why can’t you understand that you selfish cow!”. Luke (to Pilar) on Stuart: “You only like him because he’s a puppet… find a new one” Pilar (angry): “He is not a puppet!”. Tony (to Dean at the Everton game): “That’s my boy” Dean (on Rooney): “Come on Wayne!” Tony: “That’s my boy!”. Neal from London phoning “You’re On Sky Sports” with: “I may be in the small minority, but as far as I’m concerned, there’s only one person who should be running this club, that’s Donna Connelly. Wow, she’s fit and has a great pair of… [before being cut off]” Foreshadowing: Stuart mentioning “we need a new keeper” [7.15 (#307) Baptism Of Fire] Continuity: Nikki’s “Every party we have is a disaster” is a reminder of the two previous Harchester United Christmas parties she has been present at [5.12 (#240) It’s My Party and 6.11 (#271) Three’s A Crowd]. Stuart tells Ryan “I knew you’d been having problems, even before Birmingham” [6.4 (#264) The Root Of All Evil]. Stuart’s last ditch attempt to make Pilar let Ryan go is threatening to tell on her torching Fletch’s contract [7.1 (#293) Groundhog Day] and faking Bruce’s injury [7.6 (#298) The Usual Suspects] Additional Info: Liverpool offer Harchester £9.25M for Ryan. The “You’re On Sky Sports’ poll puts Matt in the lead with 56%, Dean with 42% and Donna with only 2%. The clinic Ryan checks into is called The Jacob Trust Clinic. What Was The Score?: Wayne Rooney scores for Everton at the Mersey Derby. Soundtrack: Catcher: “Destiny Sunrise/INDOOR”, CeCe Peniston: “Finally”, Dido: “Life For Rent”, Dirty Vegas: “Lost Not Found”, Gerry & The Pacemakers: “You’ll Never Walk Alone”, Husan: “Bhangra Nights”, Macy Gray: “Winter Wonderland” and “When I See You”, The Farm: “All Together Now” <<SE07 EP10 | Season 7 Main Page | SE07 EP12>>