Treatmeant Idea

Documentary

Duration: 60 min (including 3x4min ad breaks)

Channel: Channel 4

The documentary follows the life of disgraced ex pro footballer, Keith Jelleyman, after being released from prison after serving 2 years for GBH, after beating up match referee Dermot Gallagher following Jelleyman’s debut for lower league outfit Accrington Stanley in 2008, in which he was sent off for head butting an opponent. Using archive footage, exclusive interviews and for the first time ever, an account from Dermot Gallagher, the documentary follows Jelleyman’s struggle to fit back into normal life, the highs and lows of infamy and retells the story of his early life, as well as that faithful afternoon back in 2008. Reporters Danny Richardson, Joe Beardsall, Nancy Smith and Jasmine Pearson are given exclusive all area access to Keith as he tells his story.

The documentary begins with a report from Gillett Soccer Saturday, 23^rd February 2008. Host Jeff Stelling reports of a red card in the game between Accrington Stanley and Torquay United. This is particularly significant as referee Dermot Gallagher is refereeing for the first time since his well publicised break up from his wife, who has fallen victim to John Terry’s, Russell Brand’s, Les Dennis’ and Sven Goren Erickson’s promiscuity. The report then takes a more sinister turn however, when pitch side reporter Chris Kamara states that he cannot believe his eyes. It appears that Keith Jelleyman, the 23 year old Accrington Stanley centre back, making his debut for the club, has started attacking the referee after being dismissed for a violent conduct, and that not even 5 security staff, 22 players, both teams coaching staff, the club mascot, or even the Ginsters pie sellers from half time can calm Jelleyman down, chaos has ensued.

Newspaper reports then appear on screen, revealing an anger problem that Jelleyman has, and his reasons for attacking the referee, before a voice over from Jelleyman himself tells his side of the story. He tells of his reasons for the attack, apparently Gallagher himself tried seducing Jelleyman’s wife in his own despair, therefore Jelleyman sought revenge, especially after being sent off by Gallagher. He also tells of his sentence to prison, and his rise in fame, as interviews with witnesses, including the pie sellers tell their account of events. A brief history of Jelleymans life is also told by narrator Danny Richardson, including Jelleyman being expelled from school for going on a rampage with a water pistol, anger management problems and beating up TV producers offering Jelleyman a contract to be the new face of Wobbly Jelly Inc. Interviews with members of Jelleyman’s family also appear, as well as reconstructed footage.

The programme then shows Jelleyman’s struggle to buy a house, with estate agents refusing to sell property to such an angry character – this then ends up with Jelleyman spending the night on the streets, as, ironically, a wrapper floats by with one Dermot Gallagher on the front, the new face of Wobbly Jelly inc, this entices Jelleyman more. More interviews appear about Jelleyman’s prison experiences, including a cooking contest, where Jelleyman was disqualified for lacing his ‘mousse de poisson fume’ with poison, in order to seek revenge after an inmate took the saying ‘nailing Jelly to a wall’ slightly too seriously. Jelleymans life seems to be coming to a sad end after it is revealed that he is still a public hate figure. At this point, our interviewees are forced to abdicate after a hate mob chases Jelleyman with large metal plates, chanting viciously ‘Jelly on a plate! Jelly on a plate! Wibble Wobble Wibble Wobble Jelly on a plate! ‘The screen fades with Jelleyman on the run. Screaming “I’m coming for you Dermott! “ Jelleyman is obviously still angered by Gallagher for sending Jelleyman off 2 years earlier and ruining his life.

The programme flashes forward to 3 months later, and concludes with Jelleyman trying out for local club ‘Dodworth Miners Welfare’ his life seemingly back on track, apologising to everyone for his actions, taking anger management classes, and finally buying a house in Barnsley. Jelleyman and his family tell through a series of photos and interviews that Jelleyman his finally on the up, that he is no longer the hooligan he once was, and that he is ready to start his life again. The last shot is of the main focus Jelleyman preparing to make his debut for Dodworth, and asking another team mate who the referee is. The team mate replies ‘Dermot Gallagher’ and Jelleyman’s face darkens.

Channel 4 is proud to present, Keith Jelleyman: Thrown a wobbly