Awaydays

The film opens in 1979 with Paul Carty, his sister Molly, and his father at their mother's graveside. After a moment, Carty glances at his watch and bolts away, changing into casual clothes as he runs. He boards a football special train that will pull him toward a dangerous new world.

On the train, the leader of The Pack, John Godden, alerts Carty that there is no room for runners in his firm and that he must stand his ground. Carty is eager and restless, seeking a place among them, while Elvis's presence hints at something more. The encounter seeds the future clash between loyalty and ambition.

Backstory unfolds through flashbacks: Carty watches The Pack in Tranmere games and admires their fights, even trying to dress like them. Baby Millan taunts him, and Elvis intervenes, keeping him from backing down. The seeds of a dangerous obsession take root as Carty longs to belong.

Carty and Elvis connect over music and a shared wish to escape Birkenhead. They dream of leaving for Berlin, which fuels Carty's determination to join The Pack. After Carty demonstrates fighting skill by headbutting a rude sales assistant, Elvis finally tells him to meet The Pack on the train at 12:00 on Saturday.

During another train journey, The Pack confront a rival firm under Godden's leadership. Carty experiences a thrill as the fight escalates, cementing his desire to be part of The Pack. He returns home to learn that his sister knows about his fascination, which both worries and vindicates him.

Carty promises to take his sister shopping in Chester, but an argument with Elvis interrupts his plan. They go for a drink and forget the birthday entirely, with Carty's mind already occupied by the upcoming meet-the-Pack day in Wrexham. The dangerous ambitions strain their family bonds.

The Pack's confrontation with a rival firm continues at Wrexham, where police attempt to form barriers. Carty cuts a Wrexham fan with a Stanley and earns Godden's approval as a top member. On the train home, the mood is sour for Elvis and Baby Millan, who don't share the victory.

Back at The Pelican, The Pack's HQ pub, Carty is initiated with a girl, but the moment is undercut by Godden warning Baby Millan about selling heroin to club members. Baby Millan casually deflects the danger, and Carty's sexual performance becomes a joke among the crew.

Carty and Elvis pick up two women, Sonia and Jackie, on a bus, bringing them back to Elvis's bohemian flat. Elvis's heroin use rises and he becomes erratic, while Carty resists following suit and later spends a night with Sonia. The morning after, Elvis's jealousy surfaces as he mocks Sonia and lashes out at Carty.

In front of The Pack, Carty taunts Elvis about his women and the pair's dynamic becomes visible to the others. Godden taunts Elvis for heroin use, and Carty's stubborn pride pushes him toward a choice that will redefine his allegiance. The confrontation foreshadows the end of his leadership.

Carty steps back from The Pack to focus on family and studies, planning a Foundation Course. When his sister is roughed up by a local gang, he recruits Elvis and The Pack to beat them up, and they succeed. Afterwards, Elvis reveals a deep connection, telling him that he always loved him.

At Godden's funeral, Elvis asks Carty to hear his confession. In the confessional booth, Elvis inhales what appears to be heroin and urges Carty to come with him to Berlin, but Carty declines for now. Elvis repeats his line 'He always loved you' and asks for one more away day.

On the final away day, Carty waits on a station platform for Elvis, who never arrives. He boards the train anyway and glimpses Elvis on top of a bridge as the train passes; smoke clears and Elvis is gone, hinting at suicide. Back in town, Baby Millan knives Carty during a final encounter, and Carty walks away from The Pack, declaring that he is out.