Renford Rejects
Encyclopedia
Renford Rejects was a teen sitcom produced and broadcast by Nickelodeon UK
between 1998 and 2001. The show briefly aired in the United States on Nick GaS
.
The show concerned a five-a-side school football
team, made up of aspiring players who had been turned down by their school's main team. They were named "Renford Rejects" when a rival player sabotaged their league entry form, but decided to stick with the name as it suited their "outcast" nature.
The show was filmed at Willesden Sports Centre, London, NW10 3QX. Eddie McAvoy's Gracelands Cafe was filmed at 118 College Road, Willesden, London NW10 5HD.
The 'Cafe' still exists to this current day.
In the first two series, the team were coached by Stewart Jackson (Matthew Leitch
), an upper-class older boy who had been the school team's star player until an injury (caused by Terry Stoker) prevented him from playing. He supports Chelsea
and often wears Chelsea shirts. By the third series, however, he had recovered from his injury and joined as a player. He left after the 40th episode. The club trainer Leo was played by Mark Smith (Gladiator)
, who had recently left the ITV show Gladiators (UK TV series).
For the first two series, Ronnie Supra (Adam Dean) was the fifth player. He was recognisable as always wearing the latest fashions, always combing his hair on the pitch during games and being the son of the sponsor for the team's strips - his father's firm 'Supra Drain', in which was said that Ronnie would someday work. After series two, Ronnie left the Rejects to start his own Agency, and would appear in one episode of series three to help the Rejects when their local pitch was under threat of having houses built on it.
In series four, Stewart was replaced by Dennis Quayle (Mohammed George
), who became the player/manager, and who successfully trained the Rejects to qualify for the European Beach Football Championships.
During each of the series, the rejects had a girl playing for their team. The first, was Robin Walker (played by Holly Davidson
), who was also by far the team's most skilful player, but joined the Rejects due to not being allowed to play for the school team. Davidson left to further her acting career at the end of the first series (Robin was written out by leaving the Rejects to play for the Chelsea
ladies' team), and her replacement was Sue White (Lucy Punch
). Her lack of footballing ability was more in keeping with the rest of the Rejects team, as was that of her own replacement Mia Smith (Megan Bertie), who outlasted her predecessors by staying for the third and fourth series.
Also appearing was James Corden
, who appeared in Don Bruno as Razor #1, where he, along with Terry Stoker, threatened to make Bruno eat his shirt; and Natasha Dilleyston (she appeared in "Heartbreak Hotel and "Ben In Tights"). She played Ben's "love interest" Justine. The episode "Ciao Bambino" featured Eastenders
actress Leila Birch
, playing Bruno's love interest Gina. Birch and Parris went on to become engaged in real life after meeting on the show.
The show also featured several comedians in guest roles, including Tony Slattery
("Boyband"), David Baddiel
("Reject TV") and Alexei Sayle
("Action").
, Gianfranco Zola
, Martin Keown
, Shaka Hislop
, Roberto Di Matteo
, Jon Harley
, John Terry
, Kasey Keller
, Harry Redknapp
, Jim Rosenthal
, Bob Wilson, Stan Bowles
, and various members of England's 1966 World Cup-winning team.
song as its theme tune - in this case, "Australia" by the Manic Street Preachers
.
Renford Rejects also used an edited version of Rob Dougan
's Clubbed To Death (Kurayamino Mix) from his breakthrough album Furious Angels
when the Rejects rivals, The Razors, would appear on screen.
The jukebox featured in the Graceland Cafeteria is a BAL-AMi
model I200M which was manufactured in Ilford
, Essex
, in 1958.
Nickelodeon UK
Nickelodeon is a children's television channel available on Sky, Virgin Media, Smallworld Cable, TalkTalk TV and UPC Ireland in the United Kingdom and Ireland, including on demand on BT Vision. The channel was launched on 1 September 1993...
between 1998 and 2001. The show briefly aired in the United States on Nick GaS
Nickelodeon Games and Sports for Kids
Nickelodeon Games and Sports for Kids was an American cable television network that was part of MTV Networks's suite of digital cable channels. The channel was available to all Digital cable providers and satellite provider Dish Network...
.
The show concerned a five-a-side school football
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
team, made up of aspiring players who had been turned down by their school's main team. They were named "Renford Rejects" when a rival player sabotaged their league entry form, but decided to stick with the name as it suited their "outcast" nature.
Filming
Series 1 was filmed in Autumn 1997, Series 2 in Autumn 1998, Series 3 in Autumn 1999, and Series 4 in Autumn 2000.The show was filmed at Willesden Sports Centre, London, NW10 3QX. Eddie McAvoy's Gracelands Cafe was filmed at 118 College Road, Willesden, London NW10 5HD.
The 'Cafe' still exists to this current day.
Cast
The regular cast, as is often the case with teen sitcoms, went through a number of changes as its four series went by; however, characters who remained throughout the run included :- Jason Summerbee (Martin DelaneyMartin Delaney (actor)Martin Delaney is a British actor.-Career:He started work in musical theatre, appearing in Peter Pan - The British Musical and Oliver! Following performances in the West End, Delaney swiftly moved into television with the Nickelodeon series, the Renford Rejects...
) - The team's captain, an average working-class teen who in his head was a genius player destined for the top. He is often seen wearing a Hull CityHull City A.F.C.Hull City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, founded in 1904. The club participates in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football...
jersey. - "Bruno Di Gradi" (Paul ParrisPaul ParrisPaul Parris is a British actor, best known for his role as Matthew Pearson in the long-running BBC school drama, Grange Hill, from 1988-1992....
) - Real name Barry Grade, he believed he was an AzzuriItaly national football teamThe Italy National Football Team , represents Italy in association football and is controlled by the Italian Football Federation , the governing body for football in Italy. Italy is the second most successful national team in the history of the World Cup having won four titles , just one fewer than...
superstar, and so constantly spoke in an Italian accent despite really being English. He often wears Italian football shirts. - Ben Phillips (Charlie Rolland) - The poetry-loving, bespectacled goalkeeper. Ben was noted for playing in a variety of Philosophy Football shirts.
- Vinnie Rodrigues (Roger Davies) - Just as the Renford players fantasised about being great footballers, Vinnie fantasised about being a famous commentator and anchorman. He frequently presented to-camera reports on the team, and in his fantasies famous presenters such as Jim RosenthalJim RosenthalJim Rosenthal is a sports presenter on British television.-Early life:Rosenthal grew up in Oxford and attended Josca's Preparatory School before going to Magdalen College School...
often appeared as his co-anchor. - Eddie McAvoy (Alex NortonAlex NortonAlexander Hugh "Alex" Norton is a Scottish actor. He is probably best known for his roles as DCI Matt Burke in Taggart, and Eddie in the Renford Rejects....
) - Owner of the local cafe "Graceland", and a fanatical ElvisElvis PresleyElvis Aaron Presley was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King"....
fan, Eddie often helped out the team, and even coached them later in the series. A running gag was that his wife Priscilla (the implication being that, as an Elvis fan, he had married her for her name) could always be heard, but her face never seenUnseen characterIn fiction, an unseen character is a character that is never directly observed by the audience but is only described by other characters. They are a common device in drama and have been called "triumphs of theatrical invention". They are continuing characters — characters who are currently in...
. However she does appear as other characters such as a nurse and an old friend of Eddie's - Basil and Terry Stoker- The Rejects' fiercest enemies. Basil (Bill Homewood) was the school's football coach and had been responsible for not picking the Rejects players for his team; his dimwitted son Terry (Tom Weller), meanwhile, played for rival team the Razors, whom Basil also coached. Terry was also responsible for giving the Rejects their name.
In the first two series, the team were coached by Stewart Jackson (Matthew Leitch
Matthew Leitch
Matthew Leitch is a British actor perhaps best known for his portrayal of Floyd Talbert in the award winning HBO mini-series, Band of Brothers.-Biography:...
), an upper-class older boy who had been the school team's star player until an injury (caused by Terry Stoker) prevented him from playing. He supports Chelsea
Chelsea F.C.
Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...
and often wears Chelsea shirts. By the third series, however, he had recovered from his injury and joined as a player. He left after the 40th episode. The club trainer Leo was played by Mark Smith (Gladiator)
Mark Smith (gladiator)
Mark Smith is an English Actor and body builder who starred as 'Rhino' on the popular ITV show, 'Gladiators'.-Career:...
, who had recently left the ITV show Gladiators (UK TV series).
For the first two series, Ronnie Supra (Adam Dean) was the fifth player. He was recognisable as always wearing the latest fashions, always combing his hair on the pitch during games and being the son of the sponsor for the team's strips - his father's firm 'Supra Drain', in which was said that Ronnie would someday work. After series two, Ronnie left the Rejects to start his own Agency, and would appear in one episode of series three to help the Rejects when their local pitch was under threat of having houses built on it.
In series four, Stewart was replaced by Dennis Quayle (Mohammed George
Mohammed George
Mohammed "Mo" George is an actor who played Gus Smith on the soap opera EastEnders from 2002 to 2008. Before appearing in EastEnders, George made guest appearances in Holby City, Bottom and The Last Detective...
), who became the player/manager, and who successfully trained the Rejects to qualify for the European Beach Football Championships.
During each of the series, the rejects had a girl playing for their team. The first, was Robin Walker (played by Holly Davidson
Holly Davidson
Holly Davidson is a British actress, model and personal trainer.She is most known for her recurring roles on the TV series' Renford Rejects, The Bill and Casualty, and roles in the films Final Cut, Van Wilder 2: Rise of the Taj and Essex Boys.She is the daughter of the photographer Robert Davidson...
), who was also by far the team's most skilful player, but joined the Rejects due to not being allowed to play for the school team. Davidson left to further her acting career at the end of the first series (Robin was written out by leaving the Rejects to play for the Chelsea
Chelsea F.C.
Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...
ladies' team), and her replacement was Sue White (Lucy Punch
Lucy Punch
Lucy Punch is an English actress. Her credits include the television shows Doc Martin and The Class, and the films Hot Fuzz and Bad Teacher.-Life and career:...
). Her lack of footballing ability was more in keeping with the rest of the Rejects team, as was that of her own replacement Mia Smith (Megan Bertie), who outlasted her predecessors by staying for the third and fourth series.
Also appearing was James Corden
James Corden
James Kimberley Corden is an English actor, television writer, producer and presenter. He is co-creator and star of BBC comedy shows Gavin & Stacey and Horne & Corden, and acted in the 2009 film Lesbian Vampire Killers....
, who appeared in Don Bruno as Razor #1, where he, along with Terry Stoker, threatened to make Bruno eat his shirt; and Natasha Dilleyston (she appeared in "Heartbreak Hotel and "Ben In Tights"). She played Ben's "love interest" Justine. The episode "Ciao Bambino" featured Eastenders
EastEnders
EastEnders is a British television soap opera, first broadcast in the United Kingdom on BBC One on 19 February 1985 and continuing to today. EastEnders storylines examine the domestic and professional lives of the people who live and work in the fictional London Borough of Walford in the East End...
actress Leila Birch
Leila Birch
Leila Birch is an English actress, known for portraying Teresa di Marco in EastEnders.-Background:Birch grew up in South East London. She is of British, Italian and Irish descent...
, playing Bruno's love interest Gina. Birch and Parris went on to become engaged in real life after meeting on the show.
The show also featured several comedians in guest roles, including Tony Slattery
Tony Slattery
Anthony Declan James "Tony" Slattery is an English actor and comedian who has appeared on British television regularly since the mid 1980s, most notably as a regular on the Channel 4 improvisation show Whose Line Is It Anyway? As a film actor, both comedic and serious, his credits include The...
("Boyband"), David Baddiel
David Baddiel
David Lionel Baddiel is an English comedian, novelist and television presenter.-Early life:Baddiel was born in New York, and moved to England when he was four months old. His father, Colin Brian Baddiel, was a Welsh research chemist with Unilever before being made redundant in the 1980s, after...
("Reject TV") and Alexei Sayle
Alexei Sayle
Alexei David Sayle is a British stand-up comedian, actor and author. He was a central part of the alternative comedy circuit in the early 1980s. He was voted the 18th greatest stand-up comic on Channel 4's 100 Greatest Stand-ups in 2007...
("Action").
Guest stars
A number of famous guest stars from the world of football appeared as themselves throughout the course of the series. These included Ian RushIan Rush
Ian James Rush, MBE, is a retired football player from Flint, Wales. He is best remembered as a player for Liverpool, where he was among the top strikers in the English game in the 1980s and 1990s. He also had spells playing at Chester City, Juventus, Leeds United, Newcastle United, Sheffield...
, Gianfranco Zola
Gianfranco Zola
Gianfranco Zola, OBE, Ufficiale OMRI is a retired Italian footballer and manager, who most recently managed West Ham United from 2008 to 2010, after having been assistant manager of the Italy U-21 under Pierluigi Casiraghi...
, Martin Keown
Martin Keown
Martin Raymond Keown is a former English footballer. Widely regarded as one of the best man-markers of his generation, Keown played for six different football clubs during his career but it was with Arsenal that he will be best remembered. Keown made over three hundred appearances for Arsenal...
, Shaka Hislop
Shaka Hislop
Neil Shaka Hislop, CM is a former professional football goalkeeper. The majority of his career was spent in the top division in England where he was a part of the Newcastle United team which finished second in the Premier League for two successive seasons under Kevin Keegan's first tenure...
, Roberto Di Matteo
Roberto Di Matteo
Roberto Di Matteo is a Swiss-born Italian former professional footballer and the current assistant manager of Chelsea. As a midfielder, he enjoyed spells at Schaffhausen, Zürich Aarau, Lazio, and Chelsea. He was capped by Italy 34 times, scoring two goals for the Italian national team, and played...
, Jon Harley
Jon Harley
Jon Harley is an English footballer who has played for Chelsea, Wimbledon, Fulham, Sheffield United, West Ham United, Burnley, Watford and Notts County.-Chelsea:...
, John Terry
John Terry
John George Terry is an English professional footballer. Terry plays in a centre back position and is the captain of Chelsea in the Premier League...
, Kasey Keller
Kasey Keller
Kasey Keller is a retired American soccer player who last played for Seattle Sounders FC in Major League Soccer....
, Harry Redknapp
Harry Redknapp
Henry James "Harry" Redknapp is a former English footballer who has enjoyed a long career in football management starting in 1983 with Bournemouth. He is the current manager of Tottenham Hotspur....
, Jim Rosenthal
Jim Rosenthal
Jim Rosenthal is a sports presenter on British television.-Early life:Rosenthal grew up in Oxford and attended Josca's Preparatory School before going to Magdalen College School...
, Bob Wilson, Stan Bowles
Stan Bowles
Stanley Bowles was a leading English footballer who gained a reputation as one of the game's greatest mavericks. He was a cousin of Paul Bowles.-Career:...
, and various members of England's 1966 World Cup-winning team.
Music
As with many similarly themed series, Renford Rejects used a popular contemporary indieIndie (music)
In music, independent music, often shortened to indie music or "indie" is a term used to describe independence from major commercial record labels or their subsidiaries, and an autonomous, Do-It-Yourself approach to recording and publishing....
song as its theme tune - in this case, "Australia" by the Manic Street Preachers
Manic Street Preachers
Manic Street Preachers are a Welsh alternative rock band, formed in 1986. They are James Dean Bradfield, Nicky Wire, Richey Edwards and Sean Moore. The band are part of the Cardiff music scene, and were at their most prominent during the 1990s...
.
Renford Rejects also used an edited version of Rob Dougan
Rob Dougan
Rob Dougan, also known as Rob D , is a genre-blending music composer. Mixing elements of orchestral music, trip hop, and bluesy vocals, his work is tangentially relatable to electronic music. He was known primarily for his breakthrough 1995 single "Clubbed to Death ", further popularised by 1999's...
's Clubbed To Death (Kurayamino Mix) from his breakthrough album Furious Angels
Furious Angels
Furious Angels is the debut album by Rob Dougan, released in June 2002 in the United Kingdom and in July 2003 in the United States and Europe...
when the Rejects rivals, The Razors, would appear on screen.
The jukebox featured in the Graceland Cafeteria is a BAL-AMi
BAL-AMi Jukeboxes
BAL-AMi Jukeboxes were manufactured in the UK from 1953 to 1962 by the Balfour Engineering Company, mostly being derivatives of those made by the American AMi jukebox company.-History:...
model I200M which was manufactured in Ilford
Ilford
Ilford is a large cosmopolitan town in East London, England and the administrative headquarters of the London Borough of Redbridge. It is located northeast of Charing Cross and is one of the major metropolitan centres identified in the London Plan. It forms a significant commercial and retail...
, Essex
Essex
Essex is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of England, and one of the home counties. It is located to the northeast of Greater London. It borders with Cambridgeshire and Suffolk to the north, Hertfordshire to the west, Kent to the South and London to the south west...
, in 1958.