Sterling Treatment 1

adjective: sterling
1.
(of a person or their work or qualities) excellent or valuable.
"this organization does sterling work for youngsters"
Synonyms: excellent, first-rate, first-class, exceptional, outstanding, splendid, superlative, of the first order, of the highest order, of the first water, magnificent, wonderful, fine, great, praiseworthy, laudable, admirable


Raheem Sterling is a phenomenon, not just one of the most exciting footballers of his generation, but a spokesman for that generation, a role model who has beaten opponents on the pitch with the drive and talent off that pitch which saw him overcome a deprived childhood and the twin evils of racism and prejudice.
Sterling is one of the best footballers in the world, and this documentary will showcase those talents, alongside the facets of a personality which has made even the most cynical observer sit up and take notice. The film was his idea, his way of reaching out to kids who face the same challenges he faced; to show a wider audience that not every footballer is besotted by bling at the expense of decent values; to show how prejudice can be overturned, and to show that story has only really just begun.
“Sterling” is a documentary series co-produced by the man himself. It’s his story told the way he wants to tell it.


The footballer
Raheem Sterling stars for his country and his country's best team. We document his rise to football's highest table.
From his birth in Jamaica and the loss of his father to a murderer’s bullet when he was just two years old.
From playing scrimmage – a freeform version of football – to his move aged six to the St Raphael’s estate, in the shadow of Wembley Stadium.
The St Raphz Soldiers were fighting drugs-related battles with other gangs. Violence escalated and police cruised the estate day and night.
Sterling failed to settle in a mainstream primary school, because of behavioural problems, but found salvation at the Vernon House Special School and in the Alpha and Omega youth team, coached by the man he credits with turning his life around, Clive Ellington.
"He asked me: 'what do you like doing?’ and I
told him football, so he gave me an opportunity
to play for the Sunday League team he managed.
"Him asking me that simple question was a
turning point in my life.
"People like Clive are massive. A lot of people
knew when I was younger I was a menace, I had
troubles at school and he's a person who helped me with that side and helped me to do something that I love.
Social services wrongly decreed he had special needs, but his only need was football. He used the game to prove himself, with his mother Nadine teaching the values of personal and mutual respect. And his sister Kima-Lee sitting beside him on the three buses -there and back - he took to training.
He joined Queens Park Rangers at the age of 11. As a 14 year old he was starring in the Under 18 team.
Brothers Tom and David Waller were among the first to realise Sterling's prodigious talent. David was watching the teenager playing in a jumpers for goalposts game in a park in Watford. David called his brother and simply said “Get down here, quick. This is something special.”’ Never before seen home video casts a new light on those early years.
Mark Anderson, Liverpool’s youth scout, tells us of the time he first saw Sterling play: couldn’t believe my eyes. There were some raw edges, but he was the best thing I’d ever seen. I flagged him up immediately and watched him countless times. He produced something special in every game, showed me everything.’
“England is still a place where a naughty boy who comes from nothing can live his
dream.”


Frank McParland, Liverpool’s Academy Director, responded identically, and the chase was on. Chelsea, Arsenal, Fulham and Manchester City were after him
But Anderson and McParland recall how they successfully lobbied Sterling’s family, and close friends, that Raheem’s best interests would be served by a £1 million move to Merseyside. A month before his 15th birthday, he was billeted with ‘house parents’ and installed in the fifth form at Rainhill School in St Helens.
Raheem reveals how the move away from London was a deliberate decision. The risk of becoming a naughty boy was too great. He needed to be away from dangerous streets of northwest London and to go somewhere where he could dedicate himself to becoming the best footballer he could be.
We hear from former Liverpool Manager Brendan Rogers and Director of Football Damien Comolli. They chart his rise through the Anfield ranks. A first team player at 17, Liverpool’s Young Player of the Year two years later, he scored 18 goals in 95 appearances for Liverpool. He had become an England international and won the
Young Player of the Year award a second time. Every highlight is covered with some spellbinding archive. And then Raheem announced his decision to leave the club.
Agent Aidy Ward recalls the furore, and his insistence that Sterling needed the move to Manchester City. At the time the muted transfer caused an uproar. We hear from Rogers and Liverpool stalwart Graeme Souness. But Ward’s decision was vindicated. Sterling moved for a British record 49 million pounds. At current prices, he was a steal. Rogers had called his man disloyal. Three months later he was sacked...


The 49 million pound bargain
Pep Guardiola outlines his reasons for going after Raheem. Arguably the best coach in the world, Guardiola describes how he took the still uncut diamond and polished it into one of the brightest jewels in City's glittering crown.
We look back on the goals which have lit up his City career. We hear from teammates Kevin De Bruyne and Vincent Kompany
We go behind the scenes at the Etihad, into the dressing room and back to the training pitch, gaining unrivalled access to the man and the club which has shaped him.
And Gareth Southgate is on hand to describe Serling's international career. The England manager has complemented Guardiola's coaching skills. He charts Sterling's England career, from early struggles to his development as one of the feared strikers in the world game. We watch Sterling in training at St George's Park and on duty at Wembley, and England teammates give their opinions – led by captain Harry Kane.


Roots
“Growing up my mum has always told me that I am a wonderful black child,”
There is little doubt Sterling’s mother Nadine has been the greatest single driving force in his life. She tells of his birth in Maverley, one of Jamaica’s most marginalised communities, where gun crime is rife, and drug gangs dispense summary justice.
Sterling was just two years old when his father shot dead. Nadine showed the sort of fight her son was later to emulate when she up sticks and left for England to get an education.
Raheem lived with his grandmother. We go back to Waverley, to meet the people him who knew then and those who are trying to follow in his footsteps.
In England, Raheem introduces us to the friends he made on the Saint Raphael Estate, friends who remain closest to him today – a real mix of cultures and races.
“My mum was working as a cleaner at some hotels to make extra money so she could pay for her degree. I’ll never forget waking up at five in the morning before school and helping her clean the toilets at the hotel in Stonebridge. I’d be arguing with my sister, like, ‘No! No! You got the toilets this time. I got the bed sheets.’”
According to Chris Beschi, his teacher at Vernon House Special School, “it is a testament to his strength of character and the support system around him that led him to fulfil his dream.”
Clive Ellington was a major influence. He still runs the Alpha and Omega Club where Sterling discovered the talent which would make his fortune. He goes back to the club, and talks of plans to build a youth centre of his own.
Sister Kima-Lee is sitting in the living room of the house her brother bought for her. It's an unasked for payback for the hours she sat on one of three buses, there and back, to training at Queens Park Rangers. Nadine would not let him travel on his own.
Sterling never knew his own father. But he is always there for his own children, and his girlfriend Paige Millian. We spend time at home with the family and hear how Sterling aims to give his family the sort of upbringing he never had.
Nadine also has a new home. She talks of her pride in her son. And the fight she put up to get him there.
“If people want to write about my mum’s bathroom in her house, all I have to tell you is that 15 years ago, we were cleaning toilets in Stonebridge and getting breakfast out of the vending machine”.


The Man
Raheem Sterling is only 24. He’s a good footballer. Better than that. He’s had his share of damning headlines, many based on jealousy and ignorance, sometimes something worse. Many saw him as a typical product of a money-fuelled sport: mile high wages, flash cars, bling and no brain. And the issue of race raised its nasty head.
Until he decided to do something about it. In December 2018 Sterling wrote on Instagram: “For all the newspapers that don’t understand why people are racist in this day and age all I have to say is have a second thought about fair publicity an give all players an equal chance.” His post received 650,000 likes.
The change in perception was dramatic. Sterling, though no desire of his own, became a beacon for others who had no voice. He took on racism in a measured, calm way. This was no ordinary footballer. This was a man who had seen enough. Who spoke calmly and intelligently about the world as he saw it.
Almost overnight a stream of derogatory headlines trickled to a stop. Sterling had unwittingly become a role model, a term he hates. But like it or not, he as being seen as a force for good. At once he was seen in a new light, he actually seemed a good guy, a bright guy and one with that view on the world.
This documentary delves into the man that Sterling has revealed himself to be. With the help of his agent and friends, with the people who knew he had it in him along, the friends he has kept since childhood, we chart a new depth to his character.
We hear from the London councillor who Sterling has asked to help set up an academy for underprivileged children.
As a child Sterling grew up in the shadow of Wembley's iconic arch. When City reached this year’s FA Cup semi-final, he arranged for 500 pupils of his former school to go to the game.
Last year he visited 12-year-old cancer fighter Damary Dawkins in hospital in London on his day off to appeal for potential bone marrow donors of African- Caribbean heritage to come forward.
He made a substantial donation to the Grenfell Tower fund. He's a crime ambassador and pays for schools to be built in Jamaica. He also uses his time to partake in charity work in the community.
There are more instances of his philanthropy. He baulks at the mention of any of them. But the simple fact that Sterling is more than a footballer. Despite the reputation, an angry press has been anxious to give him, Sterling is a good man. A gentleman. And this film gives others – the man himself is reluctant to speak – the chance to tell the world.
We hear from Aidy Ward, QPR coach Steve Gallen, City Blogger Howard Hockin (who listed Sterling’s good deeds in a series of Tweets), Pep Guardiola Clive Ellington, Ian Wright, and teachers from the schools in Jamaica Sterling has funded.


Fun and Family
Sterling is a young man with the world at his feet. He’s a follower of fashion, from Givenchy to H&M, he’s into Grime and Drill, and he’s had his share of fancy cars. It’s part of the package and it’s fun to see him having fun. He affords us a rare glimpse of his life behind the headlines, away from the pitch.
He takes his own camera and shoots his own film, involving friends and fellow players as well as family.
And at least one member of that family looks set to follow in some famous footsteps.
What price a documentary on Thiago Sterling in 20 years’ time?


The Producers
• Conrad Riggs, former global head of Unscripted Programming, Amazon Studios (credits include: The Grand Tour, Survivor, The Apprentice, All or Nothing NFL series).
• Sadoux Kim, former global unscripted sports lead, Amazon Studios, who lead the creative execution, production, and rights negotiations for the All or Nothing: Manchester City doc on Amazon Prime Video (other credits include: The Grand Tour, Grand Prix Driver F1, All or Nothing: All Blacks, Six Dreams, All or Nothing: The Michigan Wolverines, The Apprentice, The Voice, Shark Tank, and Eat.Race.Win).
• Matthew Lorenzo, Presenter/Journalist (Sky Sports, ITV, BBC) and Film Producer (credits include: Bobby; Bobby Robson: More than a Manager).
Distribution
Producers are targeting global streamers, including, but not limited to: Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, Apple, ESPN+, Warner Media, and YouTube.