Ray Winstone reminisces under a wall of heroes and former sparring partners in the first installment of Shorts on Sundays, Season Two. Directed by leading fashion photographer Alasdair McLellan, today’s evocative film stars the rogue veteran of Scum, Nil by Mouth and Sexy Beast, who tells stories about old haunt the Repton Boxing Club to the establishment’s current star, Ryan Pickard, who also wrote the screenplay. “My dad boxed, my grandpa boxed and everyone where I lived in the East End was involved in boxing in some way,” says Winstone, who was awarded the club’s coveted John H. Stracey award after winning all 13 fights in his first senior year at 17, retiring soon after as his acting career kicked off. “You would meet kids from all walks of life,” says the actor of his influential early days. “Repton boys have gone on to become government officials in Africa, and photographers and writers. It gave you the confidence to mix and learn how to behave socially—it was my education.”

Do you ever daydream about a parallel universe where you have achieved accolades in boxing instead of acting?
Ray Winstone: “No, I did everything I wanted to do in boxing. I was a lucky boy, as I had another choice and found something I could do. I was never good enough or dedicated enough to be a professional. We had three world champions while I was around but the most important thing for me is the boys who come through that club and take something away with them, in the form of a discipline and social behavior.

Do you think that is the legacy of the Repton?
RW: Yes. I wasn’t deprived but there were plenty of kids who were. There were a lot of people who through boxing aren’t in prison today. They found something else to do and stayed off the streets.

Are you quite surprised it’s survived this long?
RW: I think it’ll last forever; it would be a travesty if something like the Repton collapses. People would have nowhere to go. I can’t imagine the area without it. The boss Mark Newman is sorting out the club’s own clothes line that will put some money in and hopefully keep it going.