As the writer and director behind "Metcalf vs Puskás", I wanted to share a little bit of information about myself and the background to why I want to make this film.

Growing up I was regaled with tales from my grandfather's footballing career. He was a hardworking but humble man, never boasting about his achievements but always happy to share stories from his life when I wanted to learn more. I would visit my grandparents every summer and find it strange how people would recognise and approach him whilst we were out shopping, like a local celebrity.

As I grew older, my passion for football blossomed into an obsession. I found myself constantly wanting to learn more about my grandad's career, and I was continually amazed by the wealth of fantastic stories he had involving superstar players, especially considering he played in the Fourth Division with Chester.

I learned that my grandad supported Chester and Blackpool in his younger days, largely due to his admiration for Stanley Matthews, the legendary "Wizard of the Dribble". Among the many stories that stood out were Chester's narrow 1-2 FA Cup defeat to a Manchester United team starring Bobby Charlton and an 18-year-old George Best, whose immense talent my grandad said he could immediately recognised. He also fondly recalled an entertaining 5-4 cup win over Derby County, who were two divisions above Chester at the time. So impressed were Derby that they offered £30,000 for my grandad after the game, an offer he declined.

But the story that always captivated me most was how he played against Ferenc Puskás. I remembered owning a biography of Puskás when I was around 10, as I was eager to learn more about football around the world, inspired by my love for the "Football Manager" computer game series. I was astounded when my grandad told me he had not only played against Puskás but also had a photo with him. He explained that it was a charity fundraiser featuring a Billy Liddell XI taking on a Puskás XI. Despite my attempts to find more information online, details about this remarkable game were scarce.

Growing up, I was always eager to share this story with others. While not everyone knows who Puskás is, the combined star power of Puskás, Liddell, and John Charles helped people grasp the magnitude of the players involved. Today, many are familiar with the Puskás Award for the best goal of the year, further cementing his legacy in football history.

My own career path led me to become a web designer, and I now run a local digital marketing business in Pembrokeshire. However, my passion for cinema has always been a significant part of my life. I'm not just interested in new releases; I watch black and white films, silent films, and foreign films, and I'm deeply fascinated by film history and filmmaking.

In 2016, I dipped my toes into filmmaking with a comedy short film I made with my brother and friends. Although it didn't turn out exactly as we had envisioned, it fuelled my desire to create. Since then, I've written several fiction film scripts that I hope to bring to life one day. I regularly write and share film reviews online and even had the opportunity to interview BAFTA-winning director Mark Jenkin in 2019.

My grandad passed away in 2018, and I initially considered making a film about his life as a personal tribute. However, life's demands put that idea on hold. Earlier this year, I decided to revisit the concept, inspired by the birth of my son, Theodore "Teddy" Metcalf. I want to create a film that I can show him when he's older, to demonstrate what an incredible man his great-grandfather was.

But I've decided to aim higher than just a "home film". I want to craft an ambitious project that appeals to the wider footballing community. The response from Chester FC, my family, friends, and others in the football world has been overwhelmingly supportive, which has further fuelled my determination.

"Metcalf vs Puskás" is envisioned as a love letter to the beautiful game, spotlighting two magnificent footballers with vastly different careers and how they came to share the pitch for one memorable day. Through interviews, animation, and other cinematic techniques, I aim to bring the events leading up to, and the match itself, vividly to life.

This film is not just about preserving my family's history or celebrating Chester FC's legacy. It's about capturing a unique moment in football history that bridges the gap between local heroes and international legends. It's a testament to the unifying power of football, where a Fourth Division player could share the field with one of the greatest footballers of all time.

As I embark on this journey, I'm excited to uncover more details about this historic match, to hear from those who witnessed it, and to pay tribute to the beautiful game that has been such a significant part of my family's story. Through "Metcalf vs Puskás", I hope to create a film that resonates with football fans around the world, reminding us all of the magic that can happen when passion, talent, and opportunity converge on the pitch.