Play for Today - Leeds United! (1974)

The true story of a strike in 1970 by female textile-factory workers in Leeds who wanted to be paid the same as their male colleagues, but whose efforts were undermined by the trade union that they belonged to. Starring Lynne Perrie, Elizabeth Spriggs, Lori Wells, Josie Lane, Bert Gaunt, Stan Stellant, Peter Cellier, Stanley Meadows, Terence Frisby, Peter Wallis, Bernard Archard, Pat wallis, Peter Russell, Christine Buckley, Frances Goodall, John Comer, Martin Dempsey, George Siver, Tony Heath, DJ Huckerby, Duggie Brown, Gwen Harris, Dennis Lawes, Terry Waddington, Sue Dexter, Nanette Ryder, Muriel Lawford, Wendy Marshall, Bernard Atha, Alex Robinson, Christine Early, Kenneth Hastwell, Suzy Daniels, Joyce Kennedy, Elizabeth Dawn, Patti Nicholls, Olga Graham, Don Scales and Poppy Lane. This was originally broadcast on October 31st 1974 as part of the Play For Today anthology series and told the true story of women workers who went on strike for equal pay. Colin Welland wrote the play, appears in it as a guide to the strike breakers, and got most of the true life details from his mother in law, who was one of the strikers. This was recently repeated on Talking Pictures TV channel, but typically my video recorder decided to play up, so instead I've managed to find another copy elsewhere to post on here. It's interesting seeing future Coronation Street stars Lynne Perrie and Elizabeth Dawn in this, as well as Last of the Summer Wine's Sid (John Comer) and Shine on Harvey Moon's mum (Elizabeth Spriggs). More a documentary style than a drama, it will nevertheless maintain interest for viewers of those times.