Plymouth Argyle FC has decided to cancel a planned documentary about its relegation battle, following the sudden departure of manager Wayne Rooney at the end of December. The filming had already begun but was paused due to a poor run of results.
The documentary was announced in November and was being produced by Lorton Entertainment. This company is known for its previous successful projects such as Prime Video’s acclaimed 2022 documentary "Rooney" and ITV series "Coleen Rooney: The Real Wagatha Story".
However, the filming had been halted after only two Championship matches were covered due to an unfortunate string of poor performances by Plymouth Argyle FC.
Wayne Rooney's tenure at Plymouth
Wayne Rooney joined Plymouth as manager in May 2024 but his tenure has been marked with difficulties. His team managed to secure victory in just one out of their last 14 matches. Currently, they are languishing at the bottom of the Championship table with a mere 19 points from 24 games this season.
The initial plan for the documentary was to provide an exclusive behind-the-scenes look into how the club battles relegation under Rooney's leadership. Around the time the film was announced, Rooney was hyped with prospects of giving fans experience of other side of football.
Wayne Rooney, Manchester United legend, said:
“I think [the documentary] will be good for the club. I know there is big brands looking at it to take it, where that goes we will have to wait and see. I think for the club, financially certainly it will help, which is really important for us with where we are at, but also if I’m a fan of the club I think it’s something I would be really intrigued to watch. Obviously, you have to take everything into account and we felt the positives were way bigger than the negatives.”
Impact on streaming services and clubs
Previous documentaries like Netflix’s "Sunderland ’Til I Die" and Disney+ series "Welcome to Wrexham" have proven beneficial for both clubs involved and streaming services. They not only raised global awareness about these clubs but also attracted sizeable audiences for streaming platforms.
A similar outcome would have likely followed if a Plymouth documentary featuring Wayne Rooney had gone ahead, attracting large audiences while generating significant publicity.
While it is disappointing news for sports fans that this anticipated project will no longer go ahead, it reflects some harsh realities faced by football clubs during challenging times. It remains uncertain what future holds for both Wayne Rooney and Plymouth Argyle FC, but fans will be hoping for a turnaround in the club's fortunes.
