In 2015 I wrote a semi-fictional book called ‘Just 14’ about a 14-year old boy following his beloved Aston Villa during the incredible 1980/81 season, when of course only 14 players were used. Full of laughs and a real ‘coming of age’ story with the Villa amazing season the backdrop. The book has to date sold over 35,000 copies. It is really based on me (a season ticket holder in the Trinity for the last 40 seasons) and has proved very popular with Villa fans of a similar age.
In 2020, just before Covid, I was approached by a Birmingham film producer to turn the book into a movie. Things have snowballed since, with a number of Villa celebrity fans now lined up for parts, screenplay being written by a Villa fan and some key investors lined up. You can find out more about it at Just14TheMovie.com.
We are looking to create a feelgood film that is a blend of ‘Fever Pitch’ and ‘Adrian Mole’ with a blend of ‘Gregory’s Girl’. It won't just be a football film but will be very much a 'Coming of Age' comedy. It'll have romance, bullying, local football rivalries and tearjerkers along the way. Obviously the ending at Highbury is euphoric, oh dear spoiler alert.
We have a number of high profile investors lined up as well as famous actors (many with a Villa connection), but we need to prepare a full project budget and finalise the script before we can confirm investors and actors. So we are crowdfunding to try to cover a development budget of £20,000.
This money would be used for the following;
1. Scriptwriting
2. Line Producer (to produce initial budget)
3. Create a Sizzle Real
4.Pre-book Studio
5. Create Contracts
6. Employ Casting Director
We are also offering all crowd-funders the opportunity to be involved in the film.
