Independent film chronicles the remarkable story of Chester FC legend Mike Metcalf and his remarkable encounters with footballing royalty.
Principal photography has successfully wrapped on the highly anticipated football documentary "Metcalf vs Puskás", following nine intensive days of filming across historic football venues throughout North Wales and North West England.
The independent production, directed by Daniel Metcalf - grandson of the film's subject, Chester FC legend Mike Metcalf - captured compelling interviews and atmospheric footage at some of football's most iconic locations, including Old Trafford, the Deva Stadium, Belle Vue Stadium in Rhyl, and the Racecourse Stadium in Wrexham.
The documentary explores the extraordinary story of Mike Metcalf, who faced off against Hungarian footballing legend Ferenc Puskás during a 1967 charity match at South Liverpool FC. The film promises to illuminate not only this remarkable encounter but also Metcalf's distinguished career across Chester, Rhyl, and Wrexham.
Director Daniel Metcalf commented: "We're absolutely thrilled with how the filming has progressed. The generosity and warmth we've encountered from everyone involved - from club historians to former spectators - has been extraordinary. These personal testimonies will form the heart of our documentary."
The production team secured exclusive interviews with a remarkable array of contributors, including Chester FC General Manager Albert Davies, club historian Chas Sumner, and former broadcaster Charlie Lambert, who is currently writing a book about South Liverpool FC's history. Of particular significance was the interview with Dennis Reeves, a surviving member of Chester FC's squad who actually played alongside Mike Metcalf, offering unique first-hand insight into the legendary footballer's playing style and character.
A highlight of the filming schedule was unprecedented access to Manchester United's facilities, including Old Trafford and the club museum. Club historian Jason provided invaluable context for Chester's FA Cup encounter with United in January 1965, when a team featuring George Best and Sir Bobby Charlton faced off against Metcalf's Chester side.
Director of Photography Sam Thomas led the technical aspects of the production. The team employed carefully selected professional equipment, including Cooke lenses chosen specifically to capture imagery with vintage characteristics that complement the documentary's historical themes, paired with a DJI Ronin 4D system (recently used in the TV show Adolescence) that allowed the crew to remain agile whilst maintaining full cinematic control over the image. Young Pembrokeshire filmmaker Ethan Ellis joined the production team as assistant, bringing additional technical support to the project.
Beyond the interview content, the production captured atmospheric footage at historically significant locations, including the former site of Holly Park at Liverpool South Parkway, and Metlab in Saltney, the business Mike Metcalf established after his football career and where his sons Ian and Barry currently serve as managers.
The filmmakers have also secured substantial archive material, including photographs and newspaper clippings documenting pivotal moments throughout Metcalf's career, which will be integrated into the final edit.
With principal photography now complete, the production enters post-production, where Director Daniel Metcalf and his team face the considerable task of editing hundreds of hours of footage and photographs, remastering a rare 30-minute audio recording of his grandfather, and creating original animation and musical score.
"We know the edit will be absolutely crucial for a documentary of this nature," Metcalf explained. "We've still got additional scenes to capture in Pembrokeshire, narration to record, and archive footage to licence, but we're confident we're on course to create a truly compelling film that honours my grandfather's legacy."
The project was made possible through a successful crowdfunding campaign and has received overwhelming support from the football community, particularly in Chester, where the club's fan-owned status reflects the community spirit that underpins the documentary.
"Metcalf vs Puskás" is expected to complete post-production in early 2026, with the goal of being submitted to film festivals before looking to secure a domestic release.
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