Cup Fever (Children’s Film Foundation)

Barton United play a home game against Salford Road Villa at their ground in Barton-upon-Irwell, Eccles. This land lies between Trafford Road and Barton Lane with the King's Head Hotel in the centre and the chimneys of Barton Power Station in the left distance.

The pitch looks better now. With thanks to the Head Teacher and Staff of Holy Cross & All Saints School. (PW)

The match continues as the girls stoke a fire to heat water in old oil drums. Tooley House off Barton Lane stands in the background.

The same location but without the mill on the extreme left. (PW)

The Villa goalie allows the ball through, putting United in the lead. Looking across Barton Lane, now in M30, towards buildings on Twining Road, south of the Manchester Ship Canal.

The gap has been filled with housing. Taken with thanks to the Head Teacher and Staff of Holy Cross & All Saints School. (PW)

The full time whistle is blown and Barton United win the match. In the centre distance stands All Saints School, now known as Holy Cross & All Saints School, in Barton-upon-Irwell which is part of Eccles, in Lancashire at the time of filming.

With acknowledgement to the Head Teacher and Staff of Holy Cross & All Saints School. (PW)

Fatso Cooke (Gary Mason) checks with Vicky that the water is hot enough for the teams to take a shower. Facing north-east with Tooley House in the background.

Tooley House now. With thanks to the Head Teacher and Staff of Holy Cross & All Saints School. (PW)

Skipper and Rocket talk as they help deliver milk. Naysmith Road in Eccles with Roby Road and high rise blocks off Cawdor Street in the background.

The high rise towers are receiving a make-over. (PW)

Fatso brings the news that their football pitch is to be turned into a car park. Facing the corner of Edison Road and Adamson Road from the corner of Naysmith Road.

The children collect goal posts and equipment from the shed as Councillor Bates gets his way to redevelop the land.

The terrace stands on Trafford Road. With thanks to the Head Teacher and Staff of Holy Cross & All Saints School. (PW)

Councillor Bates (David Lodge) arrives with workmen. Facing buildings at the corner of Barton Lane and Trafford Road in Eccles, Lancashire.

The background buildings all still stand. With thanks to the Head Teacher and Staff of Holy Cross & All Saints School. (PW)

The players and the girls set out to find somewhere for them to train. Barton Road Swing Bridge spanning the Manchester Ship Canal in Barton-upon-Irwell. The bridge was also seen in 'Painted Boats' and 'A Taste of Honey'.

A modern comparison. (PW)

A van driver approaches a junction and stops to allow the children to cross the road. Police Street with Cromwell Road in the distance.

A few changes here. (PW)

A seemingly never ending procession passes in front of the van. The junction of Green Lane and Police Street with the rear of buildings on Liverpool Road in the distance and the former Police Station immediately to the left.

The far side of the road has been given over to residential use. (PW)

A Policeman holds up traffic as the kids reach the city centre. Portland Street, Manchester 1 with Piccadilly in the background and the junction with Newton Street to the top right.

From ground level and with an added building to cover the wasteful open space of Piccadilly Gardens. (PW)

Piccadilly Gardens from the corner of Piccadilly and Portland Street with the Sunley Building and Piccadilly Plaza in the background. The area was seen in 'Charlie Bubbles', 'The Lovers!', 'All the Right Noises', 'Hell is a City' and 'Billy Liar'.

Urban undergrowth hides the scene now. (PW)

The Skipper Davis (Denis Gilmore) is told that they have taken a wrong turn. The Piccadilly Hotel provides the backdrop.

The hotel has been re-branded but is virtually unchanged. (PW)

The Policeman watches as the team re-cross the road.

The homeless Barton United finally reach the park. The entrance to Winton Park at the corner of Sutherland Street and Cleavley Street in Eccles.

The park has a new gateway. (PW)

The Park Keeper moves the children on so they head to the Davis' house. Winton Park with Sutherland Street running from the left to centre and the corner of Cleavley Street on the right.

The view today, with the trees more mature. (PW)

Pete the milkman's float appears and his brother Rocket makes a delivery that includes a note for team-mate Denis Fletcher. Looking towards Adamson Road from Ashridge Drive.

No milkmen in the cul-de-sac now. (PW)

The team gather for a training session. Many locations in this film are described by name and this is one of them. This field is located between the Manchester Ship Canal and Old Barton Road. Prominent are the chimneys of Barton Power Station which closed in 1974 to be demolished five years later.

The ground appears to a little too lumpy and overgrown these days. (PW)

Councillor Bates drives past and sees the boys practicing in the field. This is Old Barton Road, south of the Ship Canal in Urmston, part of Trafford Park.

The green fencing appears to be holding up what remains of the wall. (PW)

The session continues as the angry Councillor drives away. Barton Road Swing Bridge stands in the distance and the spire of All Saints' Church is visible to the left.

The swing bridge and the spire remain but the pylon has been removed. (PW)

The Councillor stops his car when a policeman is spotted. Looking from Bell Terrace into Edison Road with Kirkman Avenue in the left of centre distance.

The cobbles have gone . . . . . (PW)

The Policeman (Bernard Cribbins) is called over by Councillor Bates. Bell Terrace looking towards Higher Croft.

. . . . . and the street's been redeveloped. (PW)

Councillor Bates returns to the canal side field with the Policeman but the boys have gone. Old Barton Road with the long demolished Bromyhurst Farm in the background.

A passing security guard told me that the land was awaiting development. (PW)

The team hold their next training session in a quiet street. Darwell Avenue, Eccles in Salford.

A few too many cars for a kick about now. (PW)

The Policeman catches the ball as he approaches. Looking north-east on Darwell Avenue.

The same street. (PW)

The Skipper and Rocket Bailey (Jim Morgan) are told that they can't play football in the street. Darwell Avenue with the Godfrey Ermen School in the distance.

The top of the school can still be seen. (PW)

Look outs are posted for the next session and Vicky Davis (Susan George) scans the alleyways at the dead end of the street. Darwell Avenue in Eccles with properties on Ermen Road in the right background.

The same end of the street. (PW)

Jinny (Olivia Hussey) watches to the north. Looking into Darwell Avenue from the corner of Barton Road.

From the kerbside as the hedge has now taken over the corner. (PW)

Hovis (Amanda Humby) spots the Policeman approaching and alerts the others. The corner of Barton Road and Darwell Avenue.

Look what I found! (PW)

Quickening his pace, the officer draws near as the children scramble. Facing south-east on Barton Road.

From a similar viewpoint. (PW)

The Policeman is surprised to find only the girls playing hopscotch in the street. The corner of Barton Road and Darwell Avenue with one of the high rise blocks off Cawdor Street beyond the Bridgewater Canal.

All still there. (PW)

The team discuss preparations for the following Saturday's match against Salford Road Villa. The bus shelter is on Peel Green Road and, through the windows, buildings on Liverpool Road can be seen.

No bus shelter now but the background buildings remain. (PW)

After the arrangements are agreed, the children disperse. The Peel Green end of Peel Green Road, Eccles.

The same spot. (PW)

When the Policeman comes into sight, United's football is held firmly in Skipper's hands.

When it's discovered that their boots have been tampered with by Thumper and his team-mates, Rocket cycles home to get a replacement pair.

Fatso gets a lift from Pete and the two head for Bodger's shop to get the rest of the boots re-studded.

The milk float 'speeds' towards the shoe repairer's shop. The road is Old Barton Road and the church was St. Catherine's, demolished in the late 1970s.

The view across the Ship Canal from Peel Green Road to the grave yard that still exists. (PW)

Pete Bailey (Johnnie Wade) and Fatso arrive at Bodger's shop.

The match starts with some of the Barton United players wearing gym shoes.

Villa go into the lead as the boots are repaired.

Fatso returns with the boots and they are handed out to the team.

Denis Fletcher (Raymond Davies) and Twinkle Taylor (Jeffrey Sirr) lead their team out for the second half.

Vicky spots the Policeman wearing civvies and follows when he leaves the sideline.

The Policeman is seen to make a phone call and Vicky believes that he's phoning the police station.

Mrs. Davis orders the goal posts from her garden and the boys take them to Mr. Fletcher's allotment. Shaftesbury Avenue in Barton-upon-Irwell.

The distant buildings have changed. (PW)

The Policeman walks his beat. Ermen Road in the Borough of Eccles.

The same road with younger trees and newer lamp-posts. (PW)

A scooter is held up whilst young children cross the road. Facing towards the south on Edison Road, Eccles.

No scooters, children or police officers today. (PW)

The children are spotted as they leave the allotments. Edison Road with the corner of Ermen Road to the right.

Was a more secure fence needed? (PW)

The friends run for it when the Policeman calls to them. Facing westward on Bell Terrace.

Fifty years on and this street has changed completely. (PW)

Another training session is held and the girls keep watch. This is Kirkman Avenue adjacent to Darwell Avenue.

The early warning system works well. Looking along Kirkman Avenue towards Barton Road and the Bridgewater Canal.

Rocket delivers more notes advising of the location of the next match. Shaftesbury Avenue in Eccles.

A lot of parked cars but it's somewhere along here. (PW)

Thumper Bates (Pip Rolls) discovers the note.

The houses stand on Shaftesbury Avenue. (PW)

The girls keep a look out from roof of the Bingo Club. The roof belongs to The Pavilion, which is still a bingo hall in 2015, and the waste ground is The Avenue off Liverpool Road in Eccles.

A general view of the land that still hasn't seen any development. (PW)

Vicky keeps her eyes peeled. To the left stands Christ Church, Patricroft on Liverpool Road with Nelson Street to the right.

Yes, a similar view from the same roof now. With thanks to John, General Manager of Cosmo Bingo. (PW)

The shot moves with Vicky as she scans the street below. Liverpool Road in Eccles.

The Police Station at the corner of Police Street along Green Lane come into view.

The same location from the roof of the former cinema. With acknowledgements to John at Cosmo Bingo. (PW)

The Policeman cycles into view and the alarm is raised. The junction of Liverpool Road and Green Lane in Patricroft, Eccles with The Bridgewater Hotel prominent.

The junction now. With thanks to John, Manager of Cosmo Bingo for assistance in taking this shot. (PW)

Jinny, Hovis and Vicky lay low as the Policeman looks across the deserted waste ground. The terrace is Station Road and the arched roof belongs to the Rainbow Rooms on Liverpool Road.

From ground level this time. (PW)

Finally catching up with Skipper at home, the Policeman tells him that he's arranged a day's training with Manchester United. Looking onto Shaftesbury Avenue, Eccles in the borough of Salford.

The Barton United players walk towards United's ground. The bridge was also seen in 'Charlie Bubbles' and carries Warwick Road North, now Sir Matt Busby Way, over the railway line runing between Manchester and Warrington via Urmston.

Peter Brown could only obtain a street level shot which demonstrates how much the East Stand has been extended.

The team approach their namesake's Old Trafford stadium. Other views of the stadium can be seen in 'The Lovers!' and 'Billy Liar'.

Peter Brown provides this up to date view showing that the turnstiles for the South Stand, re-named and extended as the Sir Bobby Charlton Stand, now find themselves in the Munich Tunnel.

Standing in their best clothes, the boys wait to be let inside. The buildings in the background stand on Railway Road in Stretford.

The view of the houses on Railway Road is obscured in Peter Brown's shot by the entrance to Old Trafford railway station and the stadium hospitality suite.

Barton United meet Manchester United on the pitch. Old Trafford stadium in Manchester.

Antony Blair returned to a very different stadium at Old Trafford where he was one of 74,000attending the match between Manchester United and Brentford.

Is this a young George Best training with Twinkle? It is, confirms David Wraith. The tower of Kilvert & Sons lard refinery rises to the right of centre.

When half the United fail to turn up for the cup tie against Tooley Green, Vicky and Jinny run to the depot where Pete works to enlist the help of the milkmen.

The two girls ask and the supervisor agrees that the milkmen can assist in searching for the missing players.

Vicky spots a milkman at the end of a street and races towards him. Facing southward on Mellor Street, Eccles.

A different style of house in this street. (PW)

The milkman is asked to help. Parr Street at the entrance of Lewis Street School with the rear of properties on Renshaw Street forming the background.

The left gatepost has been moved and the background terrace has been replaced with bungalows. (PW)

Jinny signals another milk float to stop and jumps on board. The corner of Lewis Street and Ivy Street.

The same junction. (PW)

The camera follows as the truck swings around the corner.

The junction of Lewis Street with Ivy Street. (PW)

A third milkman is asked to join the hunt. Lewis Street in Eccles.

There are many similar terraces along this street so I can't be sure that this is the right one. (PW)

Renshaw Street, Eccles with shops on Liverpool Road and the roof line of the now demolished Patricroft Congregational Church visible in the distance.

Half the street has been redeveloped. (PW)

Two floats race through the streets. Looking along Ivy Street from the junction of Lewis Street with Station Road in the distance.

Not enough room for racing milkmen today. (PW)

More floats meet as the seach carries on. Station Road in Patricroft with Ivy Street to the right and Elm Street to the left.

A remarkably similar view. (PW)

Another player is found. Ivy Street at the end nearest to Station Road.

Back alleys now securely locked. A sign of the times. (PW)

Ivy Street facing the junction with Station Road.

A slight pan to the left and this is the view now. (PW)

Stopper Cook (Alan Harrison) is picked up. Liverpool Road facing the junction of Green Lane and Station Road with Christ Church in the left distance.

The same junction. (PW)

Puncher Brown (Roger Kelly) is collected. Peel Green Road with Barton Power Station in the distance and Chesham Road on the right.

Same road but no power station chimneys now. (PW)

The milkman drives Stopper to the ground. Edison Road with Shakespeare Avenue to the left.

From street level. (PW)

The Morrison-Electricar float is joined by another. Edison Road with Nasmyth Road to the left and Adamson Road on the right.

The building in the distance is the Rock House Hotel on Peel Green Road. (PW)

Once all the missing players are found, a procession of trucks makes it's way through the streets. Linda Martin identifies Stamford Park Road in Hale, Altrincham, Cheshire at the junction with School Road adding that the building top left is the old Woodwork and Metalwork department of Bradbury Secondary Modern School, which was demolished in 1984.

The same junction captured by Linda.

The milk floats follow each towards Altrincham F. C.'s ground. Looking along Acacia Avenue from the junction with Stamford Park Road in Hale, Altrincham.

Graham Crawford send us this ground level shot taken from Moss Lane looking across to Stamford Park Road, the distinctive black and white building remaining the central attraction. The road running up the side of the shop can just be seen behind the tree, this is Acacia Ave where the milk floats emerge from. (RL)

This is the junction of Moss Lane and Golf Road in Hale, Cheshire and to the right is the boundary wall of Altrincham F.C.'s ground.

The scene as it is today from Graham. (RL)

The floats come to a stand and the missing players rush towards the ground's entrance. Golf Road with buildings on Moss Lane in the background.

A greener view of the same location from Graham. (RL)

With just minutes to spare the boys enter the ground of the, then, Cheshire County League team. Moss Lane, Hale in Altrincham.

A further shot from Graham revealing that the main entrance to the ground has changed significantly since the film. (RL)

The Manchester Junior Cup Final gets under way. Altrincham F.C.'s Moss Lane ground dating from 1910.

Stopper heads the ball. In the right background stands Wellman House, once the North West Gas Board's Regional Offices and now only remembered by residential Wellman Way that occupies part of the site.

Excitement mounts as the game continues. Golf Road runs from left to right in the distance.

Puncher gets ready as the ball nears the goal mouth. Golf Road again in the background.

Graham provides this shot of Golf Road and the background houses, advising that they would be totally obscured by trees if taken from the same spot and the screen capture. (RL)

Barton United go on to win. In the distance stands Wellman House at the end of Golf Road in Hale, Cheshire.