Reflections on Tosh - Pete Jones
The director of Tosh, Pete Jones, reflects on making the film, meeting his hero and why you should always take a phone call on Aberavon beach!
I suppose it starts in autumn 2016 when I put a shout out with a few mutual friends to see if John Toshack wanted to make a film with me.
He’d been my hero since I was 5 years old when he arrived in Swansea in 1978 so this idea had been percolating in my brain for nearly forty years.
““It’s Toshack!!” my pal cried, and we all ran up to him. “Fuck off” he told us.”
Pete interviewing Liverpool and Swansea great Ian Callaghan during the making of Tosh. Photo: EatSleep Media
I’d met Tosh a few times; as a nipper outside the Vetch in 1982 getting his autograph and again in 2005 when he was at the Liberty Stadium for the first-ever game at our new stadium.
Then in 2011 when the Swans were in the Premier League and I came out of Fulham Broadway station ahead of our game with Chelsea and in a crowded throng of thousands of people me and my pals all picked out Tosh, on his way to the ground to work as a summariser for Sky Sports. “It’s Toshack!!” my pal cried, and we all ran up to him. “Fuck off” he told us.
So I knew Tosh came with a prickly reputation. And then one day I was walking my dogs on Aberavon beach when my phone rang: a weird number that simply said “Spain” on it. I just knew it was him.
“Hello?”
“Pete Jones? John Toshack here. You want to make a film or something?”
Pete interviewing Swansea and Burnley legend Leighton James for Tosh. Photo: EatSleep Media
I couldn’t believe it. That voice that I knew so well, that I’d grown up with - the Cardiff accent that redeems the whole city - and here he was, calling me.
We arranged a meeting in a private club in Cardiff, just off Pontcanna Road for a few weeks time and as I rolled up in a cab I was giddy walking to the gaff and seeing Tosh through the window in a full Wales tracksuit.
“That initial, stiff “Pete Jones? John Toshack” has been replaced with a customary “Swansea Pete? Johnny Tosh!” and that’s good enough for me.”
This was January 2017 and it would be a full five years before the project would eventually be green-lit, and we’ve had a few ups and downs along the way but I wouldn’t change it for the world.
Making this film I’ve had the full John Toshack experience; we’ve laughed together and he’s bawled me out a few times too. Fine, now I know how Dai Davies felt.
I wouldn’t say we were friends - Tosh doesn’t give much away but I’m happy where we are with each other now. That initial, stiff “Pete Jones? John Toshack” has been replaced with a customary “Swansea Pete? Johnny Tosh!” and that’s good enough for me.
I feel the film took as long as it did for a good reason; the Tosh that we filmed in Barcelona in November was the gentlest, warmest version of himself I’ve ever witnessed - he’s finally mellowed in his 74th year - and that really lends itself to the tone of the film.
Pete smoulders with a middle distance state while Swansea legend Alan Curtis looks a little suspicious. Photo: EatSleep Media
It’s an unashamed nostalgic romp and Tosh really is the star of the show. The Guardian reviewed it and described it as “likeable” - which isn’t the most powerful adjective but in a weird way I’ll take that description. If people like it then we’ve done our job. Cheers Tosh.
(Ed’s note: The Guardian also said “this is a fascinating glimpse into a football world that has entirely vanished, for better or worse.” Which is lovely)