the inheritance. The mercenary Pat jumps at the prospect, begins to work her charms on Bob and soon lures him to London to be with her. He is talent-spotted by scouts, and signed up by Arsenal F.C. In due course Bob becomes aware of Pat's true colours, seeks his release from Arsenal and returns to Oldchester, where reformed jail-bird Tony Warren (Houston) becomes his unofficial bodyguard. The end of the football season approaches with Oldchester needing to win their final home match to gain promotion. The game starts well, with Bob's goal giving the team a half-time lead. However Nick, in a last attempt to derail Oldchester's chances, succeeds in kidnapping Bob at the half-time interval. Following a car chase involving Tony and Jackie, the tables are turned and Bob is freed. He gets back to the football ground during the closing stages of the match, to find Oldchester trailing by one goal. Returning to the pitch, he scores two late goals to seal Oldchester's victory, promotion and financial windfall. As a bonus, he realises his attraction to Jackie and the couple embrace. Cast Donald Houston as Tony Warren Susan Shaw as Pat Lane Alan Wheatley as Nick Hammond Kent Walton as Bob Regan George Merritt as Mike Collins Margaret Harrison as Jackie Collins Norman Williams as Elton Arthur Rigby as Alf Benson Michael Balfour as Turner Richard Wattis as Marsh Molly Weir as Maid Billy Milne as Trainer Denis Compton as Himself Raymond Glendenning as Himself Reception On its release, Small Town Story found little favour with critics. The Monthly Film Bulletin said: "The film may find sympathy among incorrigible football fans (the matches are neatly staged and efficiently photographed) but the inadequacy of both script and direction severely limits its appeal". Kine Weekly described it as "So-so quota support. The acting is very second eleven...it's definitely off-side". See also List of rediscovered films References External links BFI 75 Most Wanted entry, with extensive notes 1953 films 1950s thriller films British black-and-white films British association football films Films directed by Montgomery Tully 1950s rediscovered films British thriller films Rediscovered British films Films scored by Eric Spear 1950s English-language films 1950s British films