Fever Pitch

Hornby adapted the book for the screen and fictionalised the story, concentrating on Arsenal F.C. Football League First Division championship-winning season in 1988–89 in English football and its effect on the protagonist's romantic relationship. Firth plays Paul Ashworth, the character based on Hornby, a teacher at a school in south Hertfordshire and his 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 F.C. in the Liverpool F.C. 0–2 Arsenal F.C. (26 May 1989) on 26 May 1989. A Michael Thomas (footballer, born 1967) last-minute goal giving Arsenal the 2–0 win they needed to win the title.