Turning Fever Pitch the book into Fever Pitch the film took over four years, though actual filming took just six weeks during May and June 1996. The film was shot at a host of locations in London and Maidenhead, including an Indian restaurant in Brick Lane, a pub in Stoke Newington, a school in Muswell Hill and, of course, the Arsenal stadium itself. 

However, filming inside Highbury proved problematic. Being faithful to the period when young Paul (the name given to Hornby's character -the book is written in the first person) visits the North Bank terraces in 1972, and also of his girlfriend Sarah's first visit to a game in 1989, the production team were unable to shoot inside the ground due to the fact that it's now an all-seater stadium. The problem was solved by filming all-terrace scenes at Fulham's Craven Cottage ground, where devout Arsenal fans provided authentic crowd scenes by singing, chanting and surging on cue. 

Meticulous attention to detail was paid to the prevailing fashion and hairstyles of the film's two periods. "Getting the detail right was extremely important to us," explains producer Amanda Posey. "The scenes set during the 1988/1989 season are just as much period as those set between 1968 and 1972. Fashion and hairstyles have changed considerably, as did the football strip between 1988 and 1996." 

Choosing songs for the film's soundtrack turned into something of an obsession for Hornby, who constantly updated a 'wish-list' throughout the making of the film. "He would bemoan the fact that Arsenal won the League at generally such a bad time for British music," laughs Posey. "But luckily we managed to clear some of the best tracks of that time for the film." For the record, the soundtrack features hits from Van Morrisson, The Who, Fine Young Cannibals, Lisa Stansfield, Paul Hardcastle and New Order. The Pretenders also re-recorded the '60s hit Going Back, which will be. released as a single to coincide with the film's release. Ironically, the role of the adult Paul was the last to be cast. Director David Evans was keen on Colin Firth, but it had been difficult to meet as Firth was filming in Italy at the time of casting [Nostromo]. Evans was also aware that, after the huge success of a Pride And Prejudice, in which he played Mr Darcy to universal acclaim, Firth was being offered big-budget movies. Nonetheless, a script was despatched to Firth in Italy, and he phoned immediately enthusing about the project. After a two-hour meeting at Heathrow's Terminal Four, Colin Firth was secured in the lead role. 

Firth later met up with Hornby and accompanied him to an Arsenal match. Three matches later, the actor was converted and admits to becoming a Gooner [Gunner?]. 'I have to say, Arsenal have begun to have a disturbing influence on me,' grins Firth. "I have actually woken up with football chants in my head and the other day I was watching a documentary and thought, 'Oh, they're wearing Arsenal colours', only to realise it was filmed at Christmas and they were wearing Santa Claus outfits." Somehow you get the feeling that Hornby would approve.