There’s Only One Jimmy Grimble

There’s Only One Jimmy Grimble

Year: 2000

Runtime: 106 mins

Language: English

Director: John Hay

Comedy

Jimmy Grimble is a shy teenager in Manchester who endures relentless bullying at school and the tension of his mother’s new boyfriend at home. When he discovers a pair of unusual football boots, they unlock his confidence and skill, allowing him to transform the school team and guide them all the way to the final of the local schools cup.

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Timeline & Setting – There’s Only One Jimmy Grimble (2000)

Explore the full timeline and setting of There’s Only One Jimmy Grimble (2000). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

Oldham, Greater Manchester, England; Maine Road, Manchester, England

The story is set in a working-class corner of Greater Manchester, centered on Oldham and the surrounding Manchester football scene. It touches on the everyday lives of families and communities connected by a local club culture. The landscape includes a derelict housing area slated for demolition, mirroring the characters' struggles and hopes.

🏙️ Urban environment ⚽ Football culture 🧱 Urban redevelopment

Last Updated: October 03, 2025 at 14:31

Main Characters – There’s Only One Jimmy Grimble (2000)

Meet the key characters of There’s Only One Jimmy Grimble (2000), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Jimmy Grimble (Lewis McKenzie)

A shy, football-obsessed teenager who is bullied by the popular crowd. His fortunes change when he believes, with the help of old boots, that he can shine on the field. His growth centers on finding confidence, fairness, and leadership under pressure.

⚽ Prodigy 🫶 Belonging 🧠 Growth

Donna Grimble (Gina McKee)

Jimmy's single mother, navigating a new relationship while worrying about her son's wellbeing. She remains protective yet supportive, encouraging him to pursue football and confront his challenges. Her decisions shape the emotional core of the family dynamic.

👩 Mother 💪 Resilience 🧭 Support

Harry (Ray Winstone)

Donna's former partner who reconnects with Jimmy and shares a fond history of taking him to City games. He represents a bridge between past and present, offering guidance and stability in the boy's turbulent life.

🧷 Former partner 👨‍🏫 Mentorship 🕊️ Reconciliation

Eric Wirral (Robert Carlyle)

A school football coach who cares little about winning at first but grows into a mentor who rekindles his own passion for the game while guiding Jimmy and the team. His quiet leadership helps the players believe in themselves.

🏈 Coach 🧭 Mentor 🕊️ Redemption

Gorgeous Gordon Burley (Bobby Power)

The team's cocky star player and bully, whose aggressive tactics and taunting put Jimmy under pressure. His power plays with his father to control the team, highlighting class tensions and rivalry.

💪 Bully 🥇 Rival 🧱 Class tension

Ken Burley (John Henshaw)

Gordon's boastful father and former pro who arrogantly boasts of his past and tries to steer the team funding for his own advantage. He embodies the older generation's stubborn pride.

👨 Father figure 💼 Ambition 🧭 Obsession

Sara (Samia Longchambon)

Jimmy's friend and love interest, who supports him and accompanies him at key moments. Her presence adds warmth and emotional depth to Jimmy's journey.

💬 Friend ❤️ Support 🫶 Affection

Alice Brewer (Jane Lapotaire)

Old homeless woman who befriends Jimmy, giving him the magical boots and revealing their backstory. Her death at the demolition site marks a turning point in Jimmy's understanding of life and fate.

🧭 Wisdom 🏚️ Urban hardship 🕯️ Sacrifice

Robbie Brewer (Daniel Harrison)

A City mascot figure who reveals that the boots are not City lore but a symbol Jimmy’s own talent and resilience. He represents the messy mythmaking around football culture.

🎭 Mascot 🕵️‍♂️ Mystery 🏟️ City lore

Last Updated: October 03, 2025 at 14:31

Major Themes – There’s Only One Jimmy Grimble (2000)

Explore the central themes of There’s Only One Jimmy Grimble (2000), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

⚽ Underdog Triumph

A shy, overlooked teenager discovers confidence through football and a belief in his own ability. The magic boots become a metaphor for self-belief and the moment when talent is recognised by others. The team’s success hinges on resilience, teamwork, and Jimmy’s willingness to take risks rather than rely on luck alone.

🧭 Mentorship

Eric Wirral's return to coaching reveals the importance of guidance and real passion for the sport. The former City player reconnects with his own forgotten love for the game and helps Jimmy see beyond bullying and doubt. His influence helps the team redraw lines between fear, ambition, and loyalty.

🫂 Bullying and Belonging

The narrative confronts schoolyard harassment from Gordon and his father, highlighting the pain of social hierarchies. Jimmy's struggle to fit in fuels his growth and eventual acceptance within the team. The story stresses that true belonging comes from courage, integrity, and mutual support.

💞 Family and Reconciliation

Family tensions—Donna's dating life, Harry's absence, and Jimmy's longing for stability—drive the emotional arc. Reconciliation occurs in the stands as Jimmy is celebrated, and the relationships around him find a path back to trust. The finale reinforces that love and loyalty can outpace rivalry and hardship.

Last Updated: October 03, 2025 at 14:31

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