Football Saved My Life

Football Saved My Life was a 10 part sports reality show commissioned from Granada Productions by ITV STUDIOS for Bravo. It was initially entitled "Saved by the Ball". This program took a group of 15 dysfunctional men and turned their lives around through the medium of football. The men all faced one or more present day life issues, including too much drinking, too much smoking, poor diet, anger management, depression, confidence and gambling. Ex-premiership footballer and self-confessed ex-alcoholic, Neil Ruddock took the manager position, along with Justin Edinburgh at his side as coach. Using a team of experts including Dr. Adam Carey from Celebrity Fit Club fame, Angie Dowds from TV's The Biggest Loser: UK Season 1 and Keith Power, the team got the contestants fitter, healthier, happier and on the road to a better future. Celebrity football stars were introduced during training to give the "team" tips and tricks to help them on the road to their full 90 minute match planned for the final episode at the Dagenham and Redbridge football ground. The series consisted of nine one hour episodes and one 60-minute special. The 10 part show was broadcast in late 2006 and has been repeated several times since on Bravo and Dave.