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Mike Delaney was approached by a producer to choreograph Netflix’s The English Game, a series focusing on the early days of football in the late 1800s. This project presented a unique challenge, as Mike needed to recreate the authentic feel of football from a very different era. Intrigued by the opportunity to explore the origins of the game, Mike dove deep into research, uncovering fascinating historical details such as the much stricter offside rule, pack-like formations with eight forwards, and the culture around football at the time—where players could kick each other, but it was considered ungentlemanly to appeal for fouls.
One of the most striking differences was the divide in playing styles: the Old Etonians favoured a physical, rugby-like approach, travelling in packs to dribble the ball over the line, while the working-class teams from the North had to rely on passing to outwit their stronger opponents. This passing game marked the birth of “total football” as we know it today and the dawn of professionalism in the sport. Mike worked with both footballers and actors to master these unique playing styles and bring authenticity to every scene.
While artistic license was occasionally used—such as a training scene involving the Old Etonians, which was unlikely to have happened historically—the sequences captured the spirit of the time. Actors playing historical figures like Fergus Suter and Arthur Kinnaird were skilled footballers themselves, which helped enormously in getting the scenes right.
Overall, Mike’s attention to historical accuracy, combined with his cinematic approach to football choreography, made The English Game an engaging and authentic portrayal of the sport’s origins. His work on the series showcases his versatility as a football choreographer, balancing historical realism with dynamic, screen-friendly action.
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