AFC Monton is to be used as a filming location for the latest series of hit Sky TV show Brassic.
Film crews will spend a week at the local amateur football club while filming season four of the hit Sky TV series.
Club chairman Kieran Rabbitt said contact with production companies already existed due to the club having been used previously for ITV drama Scott and Bailey (2011-2016).
He said: “We’re quite proud, and grateful to Sky for the collaboration.”
The Northern comedy-drama series, which stars Michelle Keegan, has previously filmed scenes at the University of Salford, as well as near the AJ Bell Stadium.
Although specific dates cannot be revealed, Mr Rabbitt says the programme will be filming at the club for a week sometime in January.
The news comes in the same week the British Film Institute (BFI) announced that a record £4 billion has been spent on making TV shows in the UK this year.
This is almost double pre-pandemic levels and is 10 times higher than in 2013.
AFC Monton hosts matches every Saturday and Sunday, and has 16 teams, one of which is a recently formed ladies’ team.
Keith Harwood, bars manager and board member, said: “We are one of the oldest amateur clubs still in existence.”
AFC Monton began in 1916, and has been at its current location off Worsley Road for 26 years.
“I mean, that’s a good heritage that – a really good heritage,” he said.
The money received by the club from filming will be seen as a donation towards the club’s future.
A large part of AFC Monton’s plans are to extend the club, in a project that the club has already received planning permission for.
With £20,000 already having been raised, they estimate the full project will cost £70,000, and it is hoped they will be able to hold more functions and build an all-weather AstroTurf as a result.
It is thought that this will be incredibly useful for the club, whose games have had to be called off for the past few weeks due to the weather conditions.
As well as raising funds for their own future, the club have always been keen to support and raise money for local charities and recently held a celebrity match featuring Coronation Street and Emmerdale stars.
Speaking of their charitable giving, Mr Rabbitt said: “Things like that are so important to us.”
Earlier this year, the club were granted a license to serve alcohol in its clubhouse bar and hold outdoor events for up to 2,000 people.
The decision ended up going to Manchester Magistrates Court, when a local resident appealed the decision. However, the appeal was overturned in October and the club’s license was upheld.
Speaking of the case, Kieran said: “One of the things the judge said in his summing up at the court appeal was that ‘I’m going to find in the club’s favour, because clubs like AFC Monton, and football clubs in general, are the backbone of our community, and if we don’t have anything like that, crime and disorder will increase.
“Things like this are the bedrock, the backbone of our community and he realised that – and on the basis of that he dismissed the appeal.”
He continued: “These people need somewhere to go and attach themselves to and identify with, and 16 teams is a lot of people.”
The license stipulates that the club must hold quarterly meetings with residents and last Thursday, the first meeting was held.
Kieran is pleased these meetings are taking place, and believes they will avoid the spread of misinformation and will help to establish and maintain a good relationship with local people.
He said: “It’s right that that happens, so if people have got some issues, they can come and talk to us about it.
“Talking is the best way through.”
The non-profit football club is run by volunteers, who have continued working to improve and maintain the club throughout the pandemic.
“If anybody wants to help us out, that would be fantastic.”
The club can be found on Twitter, and the chairman can be contacted via email kieranrabbitt@me.com with any questions or to enquire about becoming a volunteer.
Season 4 of Brassic is expected to air in 2022.
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