MovieChat Forums > Auf Wiedersehen, Pet (1983) Discussion > Question for AufPet Footy fans

Question for AufPet Footy fans

posted 12 years ago by drjulianweinstein
11 replies | jump to latest

In series 1 episode 3, can anybody tell me whether the Liege v Sunderland match that Oz & Dennis supposedly attended actually took place?

The reason I ask is that if Clement / LaFrenais were inventing a fictional match for the lads to attend, then the logical thing would be to have Newcastle playing. The fact that they attended a Sunderland match suggests maybe sunderland did play a friendly in Liege around that time and working it into the series added to the realism.

as the series starts in August 1981, and they had been there about a month by the 3rd episode the match would have been played around September '81, it was a 1-1 draw and (according to Dennis) was 'not especially' a good game, but Sunderland 'werent disgraced'.

Thanks, pet(s)

[–] 12 years ago

[deleted]

[–] wears-alan 12 years ago

It was a fictional game, but with it being set in 1982/3 Newcastle were in the old division 2 whereas Sunderland were in the top flight. So it was more likely that Sunderland would be playing a European match than Newcastle at that time!

You are entitled to my opinion, whether you want it or not!!

[–] lifeonloop-2 12 years ago

According to the book they spent 6 months out there...Now if we take Newcastle signing Kevin Keegan in July 1982 when Oz was in hospital then I`m assuming the whole of Series is set in Feb-July 1982?

[–] nephihaha 12 years ago

I always thought it was strange that Oz, a rabid NU fan went to a Sunderland game.

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It's not "sci-fi", it's SF!

[–] lifeonloop-2 12 years ago

Where does it say theseries starts in August 1981?

The novelization of the book states they spend 6 months out in Germany, so if we take Kevin Keegans arrival in July/August 1982 then the series would start in February that year...mind you it did look pretty warm weather when Oz` clapped out Zephyr broke down on the autobahn so maybe thats another discrepency.

The writers did make a massive Faux Pas making the geordies attend a Sunderland game though, they were all big Newcastle fans and there is no way any self respecting Newcastle (or Sunderland fan for that matter) would go to cheer on their biggest rivals. I think they made it Sunderland just so that part of the north east got a mention. It`s mentioned that the match was a friendly so there`s no excuse really, Newcastle did play a couple of big european friendlies in the early 80`s too.

[–] alexlarge 12 years ago

The Sunderland thing is made even more confusing by the fact that two episodes earlier, in the first episode, they were very keen to point out the three weren't Sunderland fans when Dennis questioned Oz about the Sunderland sticker on the car. But in the episode where they go to the game, Nev defends Sunderland and tells Bomber they're better than Bristol Rovers! So it is a strange anomaly.

On the timings of the series, I always thought it felt like it started in January and finished in June (we dont see them go home for xmas). There are a lot of rainy wintry scenes and dark nights early on, but the days definitely get longer at the end of the series (when Oz is rushed to hospital after the pub brawl it's broad daylight!). But then in a very early episode Ulrich says he hired them in a letter "dated August 4" - so it sounds like the autumn to spring time period is most likely.

[–] popalu 11 years ago

Here's another noodle scratcher, Franc Roddam, whose ideas and experiences where turned into the show is from Stockton and supports Middlesbrough LOL

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Do as I say, not as I do. New "Liebour"

[–] Dr_Yang 11 years ago

I believe Clement and Le Frenais were both Sunderland fans rather than Newcastle fans, so might just be a hint at their own allegiances

[–] newcastle1989 11 years ago

Something I wondered was that bit where Bomber says "Citys always my team" when they're discussing the sunderland game. However in series 4 he's wearing what I'm fairly sure is a Bristol Rovers shirt

[–] brisomboy 10 years ago

Sorry about the late addition to the topic, but I have only just come across it.

Yes newcastle1989 you are right, Bomber is wearing a Bristol Rovers shirt in series 4, after declaring himself a Bristol City fan in series 1. Being a City fan myself, I quickly picked up on this.

However, in regards to the lads going to see Sunderland play this is quite understandable. I live in New Zealand and British football fans will go and watch any British team that comes here to play. It's sort of if you're overseas you have to support any team from Britain take on any team from outside of Britain, even if back home, you never would, if that makes sense!

In answer to Dr_Yang, I don't think the writers are Sunderland fans. In 'The Likely Lads', the two main characters are Newcastle United fans, in 'Auf Wiedersehen Pet', Dennis, Neville and Oz are all Newcastle United fans and in 'Goal', Santiago signs for Newcastle United. I think it's safe to say at least one of the writers is a Newcastle United fan. As Ian La Frenais comes from Newcastle-upon-Tyne, it's most likely him! Dick Clement was born way down south in Essex!

[–] Daveyhaze 10 years ago

Just a quick note on when series one took place. In series 2, episode one, Barry is telling Trev all about the lads in germany and how they roughed it, and goes on to say "Dusseldorf in January is no picnic," or words to that effect. So I'm thinking they went out mid way through January and returned midway through July