Scully was a British television drama with some comedy elements set in the city of Liverpool, England, that originated from a BBC Play For Today episode "Scully's New Years Eve". Originally broadcast on Channel Four in 1984, the single series was spread over six half-hour episodes plus a one-hour final episode. It was written by playwright Alan Bleasdale. The drama is notable for featuring many of the Liverpool football club first-team squad of that era. Francis Scully is a teenage boy who has his heart set on gaining a trial match for Liverpool to hopefully fulfil his ambition of playing for the club. Francis, in everyday situations during his waking hours, occasionally "sees" famous Liverpool players such as Kenny Dalglish when they are not really there. These dream-like sequences recur throughout the episodes. The main plotline is the efforts of Scully's school teachers to persuade Scully to appear in the school pantomime which they attempt by promising him a trial with his beloved Liverpool if he will cooperate. When Scully and his friends are not in school making trouble for the teachers and the school caretaker, they are seen roaming the local streets upsetting the neighbours and getting into trouble with the police. Scully sometimes has visions of the school caretaker appearing as a vampire due to the caretaker's nickname being Dracula. These frequent waking dream sequences give the show a somewhat surreal atmosphere.
DirectorLes Chatfield
CreatorAlan Bleasdale
Episode One
May 14, 1984
Francis 'Franny' Scully dreams of playing at Anfield but his immediate concern is how to avoid being conscripted into starring in the school pantomime. His best friend Mooey doesn't help the situation either.
Episode Two
May 21, 1984
While playing football with Mooey, Scully spots Dalglish again. The boys steal saplings from the park and try to sell them on the estate, narrowly avoiding being caught red-handed by policeman Isiah.
Episode Three
May 28, 1984
Scully fancies Joanna but Mooey interferes when Scully tries to get to know her better. It's not helped by Marie Morgan, who fancies Scully and tries to fix a date with him. At school his classmates torture a relief teacher who jumps out of the window and Scully follows to avoid the panto.
Episode Four
Jun 4, 1984
It's a Friday night out - the boys are banned from the disco by the vicar and end up in the local cop shop for a while. It's a wet night but, bored, they try to play football until it ends up in Cracker's garden and she dashes out and confiscates it.
Episode Five
Jun 11, 1984
Scully's teacher wants to do a deal - he'll arrange a football trial if Scully agrees to act in the school pantomime. The boys decide to get their balls back from Cracker's house and they find them in the bathroom. Scully imagines he sees Dalglish again.
Episode Six
Jun 18, 1984
It's the moment Marie Morgan's been waiting for - her night out with Scully! He's annoyed when Steve tells him he's managed to get a trial with Liverpool but things go further downhill when he's taunted about his date and is then given the part of Fairy Godmother in the panto.
Episode Seven
Jun 25, 1984
Scully dreams about becoming Footballer of the Year and is in a daydream at school until Steve takes him for his trial at Liverpool. Scully's dreams are shattered by, amongst other things, his failure at the football trial and his mother's association with "Dracula", the school caretaker.
