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Leeds United fans wanted to play legends in movie
Leeds United fans have a dream chance to fill the boots of some of the club's finest-ever players in a new £10m movie.
Shooting is due to get under way this month on the film version of The Damned Utd, a novel charting Brian Clough's infamous 44-day reign as Leeds manager.
The producers have already cast the key roles of Clough and Elland Road legends such as Don Revie and Norman Hunter. The all-important part of Clough's Elland Road predecessor Revie will be filled by Colm Meaney, best known for his appearances in the Star Trek spin-off serials Next Generation and Deep Space Nine.
Now the search is starting for people to portray other members of the all-conquering Leeds side of the 1970s.
And the man who has been drafted in to lead the selection process says skills on the pitch rather than acting ability will help decide who gets the nod.
Leeds-based football coaching guru Simon Clifford said: "I'm looking for lads who have played at Northern Counties East or Unibond league level or higher.
"They'll have to look something like their characters as well, we need that physical resemblance.
"These are non-speaking parts, although the people we pick will obviously have to react to what the actors are doing around them."
Soccer-style trials for the roles of stars like Allan Clarke and Joe Jordan will take place at the home of Clifford-owned Garforth Town in east Leeds between 10am and 6pm tomorrow (Wednesday 14 May).
Clifford is also aiming to cast members of other teams which feature in the script, such as Derby County, Liverpool and Manchester City.
The movie is being jointly financed by Sony Pictures Entertainment alongside BBC Films, Screen Yorkshire and production company Left Bank Pictures.
Michael Sheen, who starred as Tony Blair opposite Helen Mirren in The Queen, will play Cloughie.
Other cast members include Jim Broadbent and Timothy Spall.
The original The Damned Utd novel tells how Clough was fired from Leeds in 1974 after failing to win over a dressing room still fiercely loyal to Revie.
The book's author, Yorkshire-born David Peace, is being profiled on TV arts programme The South Bank Show this Sunday night.
* Places on next week's trial must be booked in advance. For more information e-mail g.williams@icfds.com or ring 0113 287 7145.
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Friday 25 May 2012
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