The Corinthians: We Were The Champions gets BBC run

Feature doc, The Corinthians: We Were The Champions, from Manchester production company Films Not Words, has been acquired by the BBC and will air on BBC Four and iPlayer on Tuesday 19th May at 10pm.

The Corinthians Ladies FC “are the globetrotting champions of women’s football that history forgot.” Banned from playing by The FA – who declared it ‘quite unsuitable for females’ from 1921 to 1971 – the groundbreaking team from Manchester “defied the rules to win worldwide trophies.”

The 90 minute film, told in the words of 10 surviving Corinthians players, not only shines a light on the huge international success of the banned team, it has enacted real and lasting change.

The film premiered at Manchester’s HOME earlier this year, where it has experienced a sell out run, followed by screenings at The Light’s 14 national cinemas. The film won Best of The Fest (Feature) at NEIFF, Best Documentary at the Northampton Film Festival and has been selected for the Krakow Film Festival in June.

Since the premiere, The Football Association has made a public apology for the ban, Greater Manchester Mayor, Andy Burnham has pledged to build a statue to the team in Manchester, plans for which are already under way.

In addition, last week, The Corinthians were given a Special Recognition award at the Women’s Football Awards, from Gabby Logan, Carol Vorderman and Jamie Caragher, for being ‘the most pioneering team in the history of women’s football’.

There are also discussions underway to start a ‘Corinthians Charter’ of equal access to football pitches in Greater Manchester for girls and boys.

“The film really makes me see how what we did was a cornerstone for developing women’s football,” says former Corinthian Monica Curran. “It lays down an important historical marker. I am so pleased to see it getting out there at last!”

“The Corinthians Ladies FC were one of the best women’s teams this country ever produced – so we are absolutely thrilled that their story is now being shown on the BBC, where the whole nation can watch their inspiring story,” says Director Helen Tither, of Manchester-based production company Films Not Words. “For the film to be screened on BBC Four is a real moment of pride for all the Corinthians involved, as well as the crew.

“The reaction to the film in cinemas has been unbelievable, from The FA apology, to all the emotional feedback we have had from audiences in awe of these pioneering players. We’ve had so many people tell us their daughters watched it and signed up to a football team as a result!

“We always hoped the film would get a national TV audience, so we are delighted that the Corinthians’ amazing story will be available for everyone to see. It’s a real testament to the players themselves, brilliant and inspiring women who have won the hearts of everyone who has seen the film.”

The first women’s team to tour South America in 1960, they beat Germany to an unofficial European Cup in 1957, triumphed over Juventus to bag a cup in Europe in 1970, and have been named as ‘one of the most successful women’s teams the UK ever had’ by the National Football Museum. Yet their story has been all but forgotten.

Now, more than 70 years after their team was established, the team being dubbed ‘the original rebel girls of football’ will finally see their names in lights as The Corinthians: We Were The Champions, is being screened on BBC FOUR on Tuesday May 19th, 10pm and catch up on iPlayer.

This first feature-length documentary to reveal the team’s amazing real life David Vs Goliath story has been made by Manchester-based production company Films Not Words. Told exclusively by 10 surviving players, it features a soundtrack from Manchester punk act Loose Articles and never-seen-before archive.

Produced and directed by BAFTA winner Helen Tither, the filmmaking team includes former MEN journalist and Producer Sarah Walters, Manchester-based Director of Photography Greg Cheetham, Editor Craig Leedham, BAFTA-winning animator John Whittington and award-winning Exec Producer Zoe Callan.

picture copyright: Films Not Words