Ivor Allchurch - Golden Days premiere a success ahead of official launch at Taliesin next week
Swansea City Supporters Trust hosted the premiere of Ivor Allchurch – Golden Days documentary at the Swansea.com Stadium on Tuesday.
The film, made by Swansea City historian and author David Brayley and filmmaker Max Webborn, features interviews with Ivor's wife Esme, sons John and David, Swansea City archivist, Gwyn Rees, and Swansea City fan since 1948, Colin Short.
Funded by the Swansea City Supporters’ Trust, the film explores the Ivor’s journey from signing schoolboy terms at the Swans on his 15th birthday to becoming Wales’ golden boy and part of the country's famous 1958 World Cup side.
But the film goes deeper exploring Ivor’s journey as a man, husband and father who just loved playing football for his local team.
The event was supported by Swansea City controlling shareholders Brett Cravatt and Jason Cohen who paid for the event, while CEO Tom Gorringe and commercial director George Alston were in attendance along side those who starred in the films and supported in making it.
Brayley said: “Max Webborn and I were delighted to have been asked by the Swans Trust to work with the Allchurch family to make a film about Ivor’s legacy as both a footballer and family man, following our work together on, ‘Wonderland - The Alice Street Story’.
“It was such a special evening on Tuesday at the stadium to be with the wider Allchurch family and guests for a special premiere screening of our finished film, ‘Ivor Allchurch - Golden Days’.
“As filmmakers, there’s always that feeling of nervousness as to how a film will be received, especially this one as it’s the family’s view on Swansea’s greatest ever player, but we were both thrilled with the positive and emotional reception the film received at the end. It’s been an absolute privilege to work on this film, telling the great Ivor’s story, and we’re looking forward to sharing it with the wider Swans fan base on 17th October at the Taliesin Theatre.”
Dave Dalton, Supporters Trust chair, added: “What a wonderful evening this was for everyone, and we are delighted with the film that Dave and Max have produced for us.
“We are sure it's going to be enjoyed by anyone who has an interest in Swans or Welsh football history and we are already looking forward to working on more projects of this nature in the years ahead."
Swans fans can be among the first people to view the new film by purchasing tickets to the screening at the Taliesin on October 17.
Those in attendance at the event were also treated to one of the first cans of Golden Boy, a lager launched earlier this year by the Swans and Dhillon's Brewery, and named in honour of Allchurch.
Supporters can pre-order the exclusive beer by visiting The Swansea Jack shop here.