Blue Heaven (BBC Scotland TV series)
Encyclopedia
Blue Heaven is a Scottish
television documentary series filmed by BBC Scotland
which followed aspiring young footballers at Rangers Football Club
as they tried to forge a career in football. The series was originally broadcast in the winter of 2003.
. The show documented the hopes and aspirations of a group of young footballers as they try to make the breakthrough at Rangers.
The production company, Saltire Films, was given unprecedented access for two years, the series begins during the Dick Advocaat
era and continues through to the Alex McLeish
's reign. The length of filming allowed for the following of particular youngsters.
Some of those would go on to graduate to the first team, Chris Burke
for example. His Rangers debut covered during the series. Other players never made it as a professional footballer at all. Rangers-daft David Ford and his families story is covered as Ford struggles to make an impact due to his lack of height and slight frame.
The Head of Youth Development, Jan Derks is replaced made way through filming the series and is replaced by George Adams. Derks was seen deciding on the futures of young players, including Kevin Morrison, who was eventually released by the club.
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
television documentary series filmed by BBC Scotland
BBC Scotland
BBC Scotland is a constituent part of the British Broadcasting Corporation, the publicly-funded broadcaster of the United Kingdom. It is, in effect, the national broadcaster for Scotland, having a considerable amount of autonomy from the BBC's London headquarters, and is run by the BBC Trust, who...
which followed aspiring young footballers at Rangers Football Club
Rangers F.C.
Rangers Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, who play in the Scottish Premier League. The club are nicknamed the Gers, Teddy Bears and the Light Blues, and the fans are known to each other as bluenoses...
as they tried to forge a career in football. The series was originally broadcast in the winter of 2003.
Background
The building of Rangers new training facility in July 2001 was the catalyst for the filming of a six-part television series by BBC ScotlandBBC Scotland
BBC Scotland is a constituent part of the British Broadcasting Corporation, the publicly-funded broadcaster of the United Kingdom. It is, in effect, the national broadcaster for Scotland, having a considerable amount of autonomy from the BBC's London headquarters, and is run by the BBC Trust, who...
. The show documented the hopes and aspirations of a group of young footballers as they try to make the breakthrough at Rangers.
The production company, Saltire Films, was given unprecedented access for two years, the series begins during the Dick Advocaat
Dick Advocaat
Dirk Nicolaas "Dick" Advocaat is a Dutch football manager and former player currently the manager of the Russia national football team.He has been moderately successful as a football player and as a coach, which included two stints with the Dutch national football team...
era and continues through to the Alex McLeish
Alex McLeish
Alexander "Alex" McLeish , is a Scottish former professional footballer and manager, who is currently managing English Premier League club Aston Villa...
's reign. The length of filming allowed for the following of particular youngsters.
Some of those would go on to graduate to the first team, Chris Burke
Chris Burke (footballer)
Christopher Robert "Chris" Burke is a Scottish footballer who plays for Birmingham City.Burke began his career with Scottish Premier League club Rangers, playing in almost 100 league games, but without establishing himself as a regular first team player. He then played more than 100 matches over...
for example. His Rangers debut covered during the series. Other players never made it as a professional footballer at all. Rangers-daft David Ford and his families story is covered as Ford struggles to make an impact due to his lack of height and slight frame.
The Head of Youth Development, Jan Derks is replaced made way through filming the series and is replaced by George Adams. Derks was seen deciding on the futures of young players, including Kevin Morrison, who was eventually released by the club.
Episodes
| # | Title | |Production code |
|---|
Players who graduated to first team
- Charlie Adam
- Steven SmithSteven Smith (footballer)Steven Smith is a Scottish footballer who currently plays for English Football League One side Preston North EndA left back, Smith made an early breakthrough with Scottish side Rangers, and was capped by Scotland B in 2006, aged 21...
- Chris BurkeChris Burke (footballer)Christopher Robert "Chris" Burke is a Scottish footballer who plays for Birmingham City.Burke began his career with Scottish Premier League club Rangers, playing in almost 100 league games, but without establishing himself as a regular first team player. He then played more than 100 matches over...
- Jordan McMillanJordan McMillanJordan McMillan is a Scottish association footballer who plays for Scottish Premier League club Rangers.-Career:McMillan was born in Glasgow and began his career with Rangers. He featured on Blue Heaven, a BBC Scotland programme following the lives of young footballers at Rangers...
Players who made careers with other clubs
- Steven Campbell
- Calum ReidfordCalum ReidfordCallum Reidford is a Scottish professional football goalkeeper, currently with Stirling Albion.-Career:Rediford began his career at Scottish Premier League side Rangers...
- Peter LevenPeter LevenPeter McDonald Leven is a Scottish professional association football player who plays for Oxford United.Leven, who was a youth player with Rangers, signed for Kilmarnock in 2004 but he struggled to establish himself in the first team...
- Scott AgnewScott AgnewScott Agnew better know by his nickname, Aggy is a Scottish footballer who currently plays for Scottish Football League Second Division club Dumbarton.-Football career:...