Alf Ramsey Knew My Grandfather at Gala Theatre, Durham, until April 25

Using a small cast of six, director Simon Stallworthy and North East writers Ed Waugh and Trevor Wood take a satirical look at the story and, in turn, expertly manage to create some fascinating characters.

Charlie 'Dirty' Hogg, played superbly by Wayne Miller, is a cynical defender on the pitch but a revolutionary socialist off it, whereas young 'Tucker' Gill is undoubtedly one of the quickest players on the pitch but not so sharp away from it.

Even team manager Sydney Barron, who is the antithesis to the otherwise working class theme, becomes likeable after a hilarious portrayal of an overactive modern manager in the final.

As such there is no need for an expansive set design because the essence of the play is the dressing room style banter and interplay between the cast.

Yet, alongside this humour there is also an ordinariness of the characters which allows the audience to really engage with them.

Rob Gubbins, who is a serial womaniser, is this way because he is scarred by the death of his childhood sweetheart whereas Hogg, who resents authority, harbours this belief because he lost his brother in the West Stanley pit disaster.

True, the play is very funny with some well thought out jokes but it is this ordinariness which makes the play such a success.

All of which is a long way away from some of the modern day players but, then again, for most North East football fans such silverware for this season is too.