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GS: Eli Knox (Shane Lynch) Mandy Connelly (Tracy Brabin) DC Bradman (Rosie Thomson) Journo 3 (Alex Bartram)
Harchester celebrate their win against PSG, but the team’s joy is shattered when Don has to break the awful news to them about Clyde. The lads find it hard to believe, and Tommy turns on Don, saying he told him about Clyde and he chose to do nothing. Ryan gets back from the airport, though it is unclear whether he is more upset over Chelsea leaving than Clyde. Don takes Dean aside and tells him this could destroy them both and to tell the police that there is no way Clyde would have killed himself. Detective Bradman plays them the footage of a broken Clyde from the stairwell CCTV and asks whether he looks like a boy who was in high sprits as they say.
Ryan is dreading joining the lads at Studs, and when Viv finds the letter Chelsea has left him he orders everyone out and smashes a beer bottle onto the bar. Later that night Viv goes round to Ryan’s house and it becomes clear that he has no idea about he and Chelsea. Viv tells Ryan he is going to kill the man responsible. Coming to terms with Clyde’s death, the players return to the club, and Clyde's mother Mandy arrives. When Lee says none of the lads knew about Chelsea’s affair, Viv realises they are covering for someone. Tommy finds Holly sobbing over Clyde's letter and persuades her to let him show the police. However, after meeting Mandy who desperately wants answers, Tommy decides to show her the letter. Mandy goes out to the press where she reads the letter aloud and furiously announces that she is calling for the resignation of Don Barker. Viv comes to the conclusion that Tommy was having the affair with Chelsea and headbutts him before elbowing Detective Bradman in the struggle, and is taken down the station.
Don puts it to Viv that Chelsea was likely to be carrying on whilst the boys were away playing, making Viv realise that none of the regular team could be responsible. That night Ryan finds Viv in his room brandishing a shotgun. He pins him against the door, and Ryan squirmishly tells Viv that it was Clyde who was seeing Chelsea. Viv is forced to accept what Ryan is saying and adds he can't kill a dead man. The next day Harchester face Wolves and the two teams hold a minute's silence for Clyde before kick off. After a poor first half, Don grudgingly hands the floor over to Tommy and when he tells Viv to show Clyde some respect, Viv declares that he knows Clyde was sleeping with Chelsea and that Ryan has told him everything. Curtis persuades Tommy they need to go along with it or two of the team will be dead. As the team head out, Don phones Jodie and tells her what he's just heard.
Jodie goes to the Players' Lounge where she approaches a reporter from the Harchester Echo. Mandy overhears her and is shocked when Jodie announces that Clyde was having an affair with Chelsea and how he killed himself because she left him. Jodie tells Mandy that if she doesn't believe her she can ask Ryan, who has to lie to Clyde’s mother. After winning the match Eli is prepared to fire Don as collateral, but when Don convinces the press that Chelsea leaving was the real reason Clyde killed himself, thus taking the heat off both he and the club, Eli is impressed and decides to let Don continue. At Clyde's funeral, Ryan makes his speech saying he hopes Clyde can forgive him for everything he has done, whilst back at Studs Viv is removing all trace of Chelsea from his life which includes every picture and his wedding ring.
Notes:
Although he only appears at the beginning being placed in a body-bag, this is Tim Smith’s last appearance as Clyde Connelly.
Holly Jones (Lamorna Watts) is absent without mention after this episode until 8.18 The Race Card.
Best Known For: Tracy Brabin’s long acting career included Tricia Armstrong on "Coronation Street" from 1994-1997, evil Roxy Drake on “EastEnders” (2001) and writing for a number of TV series. She switched to politics in 2016, as the MP for Batley and Spen before becoming the mayor of West Yorkshire in 2021.
The Best: Frank’s guilt over Clyde's death: “I killed him”. Millsey's face when Viv announces that Chelsea has left him, obviously remembering the last time in 7.27 In His Hands. Mandy Connelly’s press conference. Johnny Cash’s “Hurt” for Clyde’s burial scene, with writer Andrew Hunt believed to be responsible for the track’s use in this, his last episode.
Logic: Feel it was a mistake Clyde’s agent Sofia not being present for the aftermath of his death or funeral.
Quotes: Viv: "Valentine. The pretty boy with a taste for banging his team mates’ wives" and a big favourite; Ryan (coming across Viv with his shotgun): "Jesus Christ" Viv: "Nah. I ruled him out!". Don (to the team after an unimpressive first-half against Wolves): "You want me to put a rocket up you? Will it help? I can if you like"
Continuity: Curtis mentions to Tommy how Clyde scored the goal that kept them up two seasons ago [6.32: Just The Ticket]. As the players reminisce about Clyde, Sully reminds them of how he was when Marcel died [7.31: Thrown To The Wolves] and Curtis remembers when Clyde bought the car with the B0S5 number plates which Deano smashed up with a piece of scaffolding [7.7: A Little Less Conversation]. Dean and Mrs Connelly meet on better terms here, unlike the last time in 7.1: Groundhog Day.
Foreshadowing: Frank: "Where is that little freak Connelly 'cause he's going to get the biggest kiss he's ever had!" 8.13: The Man Who Knew Too Much.
Additional Info: Don says he's been a manager for 22 years.
What Was The Score?: A goal from Tommy wins the Wolves match 1-0 and the team dedicate their win to Clyde.
Soundtrack: Damien Rice: "Moody Mooday", Deadly Avenger: "We Took Pelham", Johnny Cash: "Hurt", Snow Patrol: "Run”
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