THE Gala Theatre in Durham staged the premiere last night of a play about a tale of triumph that has passed into North-East legend.

Alf Ramsey Knew My Grandfather, commissioned by director Simon Stallworthy, was written by Ed Waugh and Trevor Wood, already wellknown to local audiences for their acclaimed Maggie’s End and several outrageous comedies.

It tells the story of how a team of football players from West Auckland came to win the first World Cup in 1909.

The competition took place in Italy, long before ordinary folks were in the habit of travelling much beyond county borders, never mind abroad.

The playwrights, who have had a string of successes, including Dirty Dusting, Waiting For Gateaux, Good To Firm and Raising The Stakes, knew the story from the 1981 film A Captain’s Tale, starring Dennis Waterman, Tim Healy and Richard Griffiths.

“I even took my kids to West Auckland club about 18 years ago when they were small to see the cup and pay homage to the lads. So it’s a story very close to my heart,” said Mr Waugh.

“It’s a wonderful tale and a marvellous achievement of these miners, who not only had to sell their belongings to participate, but also had no idea whether they had a job to go back to once the tournament was over.”

“We used the internet to find facts like the names, but other than that, there was little or nothing about the people,”

said Mr Waugh. “The script’s a bit like Hollywood – based on a true event.”

Now in their 50s, he and his playwright partner both used to play football.

“Trev played in the Navy and I played, with my brother Les, who lives in Hurworth, in the Darlington and Stockton league for William Brown from 1979-80. Before that, I played two seasons for Williamfield in Newton Aycliffe in the Church and Friendly League.”

The pair’s writing partnership began after they met at Darlington College on a journalism course in 1993.

“We both lived on Tyneside and travelled in daily together.

It was from there that we always had an idea to write comedy together.

“Alf Ramsey isn’t a football play as such. It’s a David and Goliath tale about some wonderful characters who achieve a great thing,” said Mr Waugh.

The play runs until April 26, at 7.30pm, with a 2.30pm matinee on April 25.

Tickets cost £13, £12 concessions; Monday is pay what you like night. Ring the box office on 0191-332-4041.