When Sarah asks Paul to quote Lord Byron, he quotes a famous couplet: "The Assyrians came down like the wolf on the fold; / Their cohorts were gleaming in purple and gold." But he changes "purple and gold" to "black and old gold," the colors of the Wolves football team.
Co-star Mark Strong is an avid Arsenal supporter in real life He also bears a strong resemblance to Arsenal defender Steve Bould. Colin Firth did not have a favorite team before the film, but since he has asked Strong to keep him updated on The Arsenal.
Stephen Rea wanted to play the cameo role of Ray The Governor because he is a huge Arsenal FC fan.
First of three films in which Colin Firth and Neil Pearson would appear but never share a scene.