The eighth series of Dream Team was broadcast on Sky1 from October 2004 to May 2005, covering the 2004-05 English football season. It followed the story of Harchester United attempting to return to the Premier League after relegation the previous season and their first participation in the UEFA Champions League.
Episode 1
Down
Oct 17, 2004
Series 8 starts just after Series 7, with the players still celebrating their Champions League qualification. Then when they find out the news that they have been relegated, the majority of the team wants out. However their new owner, Eli Knox, and their new manager, Don Barker, explain to them that if they leave they don't get paid for their efforts last season (they still have a two leg qualifying round before they have actually qualified for the Champions League). The players try to adjust to life in the Championship, with the help of two new signings - defender Frank Stone (signed from Wigan) and midfielder Tommy Valentine (on loan from Chelsea). Clyde Connolly causes problems - made to play central midfield against his will, at half time in the Dragons' opening match he switches positions with Tommy. The team lose one nil, and Don blames Clyde for the shock defeat.
Episode 2
Out
Oct 24, 2004
As the team prepare for their first leg Champions League qualifier in Lisbon, Nikki and Jeff are locked in discussions with Manchester United trying to negotiate a deal for Lee. However, Lee is unwilling to move. He also wants to play in the Champions League match, but can't as Man Utd don't want him cup-tied. He eventually plays in the match and stays loyal to Harchester, and also sleeps with Nikki. Meanwhile, Tommy has injured his shoulder. He tries to keep it secret as he sees this big match as his big chance to prove himself to potential buyers. Everything goes wrong for the team when a brawl breaks out and all the players except Viv get arrested. Holly, the new trainee physio, hides Tommy's passport resulting in the whole team being bailed out except for him (she found out about his injury, and didn't want him to play).
Episode 3
Last Exit to Harchester
Oct 31, 2004
Fed up with life in the Championship, several players hand in transfer requests in the hope of securing moves back to the Premiership. However, Eli gets Dean to stall the moves, so that none of the players leave. The team lose the first leg of their Champions League qualifier 2-1, but in the second leg get a 1-0 victory to qualify for the group stage (away goal ruling). It is then that Dean tells them they can't leave. Also, Jeff admits he has feelings for Nikki, only to find out about her and Lee. However, Lee is done with both of them (as agents anyway). He gives them a cheque for the money they would have made if he'd joined Barcelona, and they both leave.
Episode 4
Boot Camp
Nov 7, 2004
The players are put through a gruelling two days at a Boot/Training Camp. Curtis proves himself worthy as captain in this time, despite competetion from Frank Stone for the armband. Meanhile, Ryan suffers a further setback. Already struggling to recover froom his broken leg, an incident at a party means that it will now be about ten weeks until he is fit to play again. But at least he's not alone - he finds a friend in Chelsea.
Episode 5
El Burro
Nov 14, 2004
The team start the episode on a high. Since Boot Camp, they have gone five games unbeaten without conceding a goal, and Don Barker is Manager of the Month. However, it all goes wrong in the Champions League game against Barcelona. The team are mauled 4-0, mainly because of Frank Stone's poor performance. Clyde isn't helping - he is constantly taunting Frank. Their arguments reach boiling point when Frank viciously assaults Clyde. Meanwhile, Chelsea can no longer hide her feelings for Ryan. They kiss, then during the Barcelona games things get steamy between them in the boiler room.
Episode 6
Stonegate
Nov 21, 2004
Episode 7
The Long Kiss Goodnight
Nov 28, 2004
Episode 8
Blame
Dec 5, 2004
Episode 9
Coupe De Foudre
Dec 12, 2004
Episode 10
Who Ate All The Pies?
Dec 19, 2004
Episode 11
A Contract Killing
Jan 2, 2005
Episode 12
This Town Ain't Big Enough
Jan 9, 2005
Episode 13
The Man Who Knew Too Much
Jan 16, 2005
Episode 14
Playing God
Jan 23, 2005
Episode 15
Hangover From Hell
Jan 30, 2005
Episode 16
Gamblers Ruin
Feb 6, 2005
Episode 17
Purple Reign
Feb 13, 2005
Episode 18
The Race Card
Feb 20, 2005
Episode 19
In Blood This Far Steep'd
Feb 27, 2005
Episode 20
The Attack
Mar 6, 2005
Episode 21
Before A Fall
Mar 13, 2005
Episode 22
Mind Games
Mar 20, 2005
Episode 23
The Sting
Mar 27, 2005
Episode 24
Show The Don Respect
Apr 3, 2005
Episode 25
The New Gaffer
Apr 10, 2005
Episode 26
A Champions League Outing
Apr 17, 2005
Episode 27
The Hand That Rocks The Cradle
Apr 24, 2005
Episode 28
Fear And Loathing
May 1, 2005
Episode 29
Ten Green Bottles
May 8, 2005
Episode 30
Caught In A Trap
May 15, 2005
Episode 31
The Day Before Tomorrow
May 23, 2005
Episode 32
Play-Off
May 29, 2005