AFTER winning away all season, the lads of Eston Bank Hotel FC are finally to play nearer home turf.

But this team isn't in a Sunday league. It will be on stage at Stockton's Arc theatre in a play about the joys and miseries of playing football after 12 pints of lager and curry the night before.

The play, by Eaglescliffe playwright Gordon Steel, is called Studs and will be staged by the Hull Truck Theatre Company from next Tuesday to Saturday, June 12.

The story is about a team from Eston, in Middlesbrough, and has been staged all over the North.

Star of the show is Robert Hudson - as team manager - who has appeared in TV's Heartbeat, Peak Practice and Coronation Street.

However, North-Easterners Christopher Connel, of Newcastle, Graham Martin, of Middlesbrough, Laura Lonsdale, of Middlesbrough and Dannielle Williams, of Stockton, are also in the cast.

A spokesman for Hull Truck said: "The play is based on the 'studs' of the local Eston Bank Hotel team who strut their stuff and score both on and off the pitch as they aim to win the County Cup. However life, the council and their girlfriends threaten to disrupt them along the way."

Tickets cost from £5 to £12, with discounts for groups. Call the box office on (01642) 525199.

Published: 25/05/2004