THE story of how a bunch of mill workers from Darwen helped changed the world of football forever will return home tomorrow night.

The Giant Killers is play based on the exploits of Darwen FC who, in 1879, reached the quarter-final of the FA Cup when they were drawn against the mighty The Old Etonians.

Hundreds of mill workers travelled down from the North West to watch their team take on the gentlemen of the country’s leading amateur team and earn a replay. In those days all games had to be played in London and so hundreds more made a second trip as battle re-commenced.

Husband and wife duo Andrew and Eve Pearson-Wright of the Long Lane Theatre Company devised the play which earned rave reviews at the Edinburgh Festival in 2017.

Now the play is touring the country and will be performed in its spiritual home at Darwen’s Library Theatre.

“It has been special to be able to take the story on the road,” said Andrew, “but this is the date that everyone has been most looking forward to.”

“It is also going to be a little nervewracking too,” said Eve. “We just want to do the town and its remarkable story justice.”

Andrew and Eve who are part of the four-strong cast are keen to stress that The Giant Killers is not just for football fans.

“Having a husband who is obsessed with football I sometimes loathe the sport,” laughed Eve, “and when we were writing it our goal was to make it accessible and interesting to everyone and I think we have achieved that.”

The Giant Killers is as much about social change as it is about football.

“It comes at a pivotal point in society,” said Andrew.

“I can’t believe the story hasn’t been told before and we do feel privileged to have got the chance,” said Eve. “You have this remarkable story of a bunch of mill workers going toe to toe with gentry. It was a unique situation which really did inspire the nation.”

Andrew added: “I don’t think it’s a coincidence that going on at the same time there were riots and strikes. People were beginning to question whether they should accept the status quo.

“I think once you realise can stand toe to toe with your betters, you come to question why they are your betters.”

The small cast even manage to pull of the neat trick of staging some football action during the play.

“In Edinburgh the audiences found it really tense and were completely caught up in the action,” said Andrew.

The pair hope that the play will take on a life of its own and continue to tour with the ultimate dream seeing it in the West End.

“We would just love to see this play get to the widest possible audience,” said Andrew.

The Giant Killers, Darwen Library Theatre, Friday, October 19. Details from 0844 847 1664 or www.darwenlibrarytheatre.com