A NEW radio show about football is set in Sussex

And though it is an audio story, the team behind it filmed it for added authenticity.

The action took place at the Dripping Pan, home of Lewes FC and Lewes women FC.

Coach Karen’s Half Time Team Talk will premiere on BBC Radio 4 on Monday, April 1.

The story revolves round the fictional football team Hopperton Hoops.

Their under-13s side are coached by a woman called Karen, played by Karen Fishwick.

But the coach seems more interested in venting her problems to her players than playing football.

The show is being put together by Brighton-based company Sweet Talk Productions.

Karen Rose, executive producer, said: “She’s meant to be inspiring them and giving them tactics for the game.

“But they end up talking about her life, which is sort of falling apart.

“Although she’s there to guide this team they end up just getting very involved in her life. The more you hear, the more you learn about how life hasn’t gone so well for her.

The team, who are all about 12 years old, connect with their coach, who is portrayed as in her mid twenties.

Unfortunately this means that, although the players are talented, they are not a very good team.

Karen said that despite it being an audio show, it was decided to film at Lewes to help make the show more authentic.

She said: “We thought it would be nice to do it at a football ground.

“Even though it’s only audio, being in that environment is very nice and quite helpful.

“We recorded in their changing rooms. The club were fantastic. Without sounding too cheesy, it was a real joy working there.”

The young actors all came from the Natalie Sexton Associates casting agency in Brighton.

Karen was very impressed by their performances and hopes to work with them again.

She said: “The group of girls, who were just kids, got 70 minutes of drama in just two days. They were really engaged. They were so professional.

The show is on BBC Radio 4 at 10.45am Monday to Friday, from April 1