Growing up, I was regaled with tales of my grandfather's football career, always fascinated by stories of his encounters with legends of the game. I remember him recounting the time he played against an 18-year-old George Best in the FA Cup, his eyes lighting up as he described the young stars immediately recognisable talent. But one story always stood out: his unlikely face-off with Ferenc Puskás.

I was about ten years old when I had bought a biography of Ferenc Puskás. Football was my obsession and I was keen to learn as much as possible about the sport's history. That summer, I proudly told my grandad about the book I was reading. His response stunned me: "I played against him once, I even had a photo with him."

This connection between the personal and the global is at the heart of why I want to make this film. As someone who manages a local team in Pembrokeshire, I understand the passion and community spirit that exists at the grassroots level of football. It's a world away from the glamour of top-flight football, yet it's where the sport's heart truly beats. My grandfather's story bridges these two worlds, showing how the beautiful game can create magical connections across cultures and generations.

My love for football is exceeded only by my passion for film. As an avid cinephile, I've immersed myself in cinema from all eras and corners of the globe. I'm fascinated by the power of film as a medium to tell stories, evoke emotions, and preserve moments in time. While I've dabbled in filmmaking before, creating a short film with friends in 2016, this project represents my first foray into feature-length filmmaking. And what better subject to start with than a story that's both deeply personal and universally appealing?

The timing of this project feels particularly poignant. My grandfather passed away on Boxing Day 2018, and with his passing, I felt an urgent need to preserve his stories. This film is not just a celebration of a remarkable football match, but a tribute to an incredible man. It's a way of ensuring that his legacy lives on, a tangible piece of family history that I can share with my own son, Theodore Metcalf, born in October 2023. I want “Teddy” to know about his great-grandfather's extraordinary life and the values he embodied.

This film is where my passions converge – football, film, family, and storytelling. It's a deeply personal project, but one that I believe will resonate with anyone who appreciates the romance of sport and the power of unexpected connections. Through this film, I aim to craft a narrative that's intimate yet universal, a story that will appeal to fellow football fans and film enthusiasts alike.

This project is more than just a documentary; it's a labour of love, a family legacy, and a tribute to the beautiful game. It's my way of preserving a remarkable moment in time, celebrating the life of an extraordinary man, and exploring the enduring power of football to bring people together across all boundaries.

Daniel Metcalf