Hornby adapted the book for the screen and fictionalized the story, concentrating on Arsenal’s First Division championship-winning season in 1988-89 and its effect on the protagonist’s romantic relationship. Firth plays “Paul Ashworth”, the character based on Hornby, a teacher at a school in North London, and his burgeoning romance with Sarah Hughes (Ruth Gemmell), a new teacher who joins Ashworth’s school. The film culminates with the real life events of Arsenal’s match against title rivals Liverpool in the final game of the season on May 26, 1989, a Michael Thomas last-minute goal giving Arsenal the 2–0 win they needed to win the title.Read More »