Duncan Edwards film set to premiere at Manchester United's Old Trafford

The Black Country filmmaker behind the project revealed it has been agreed for the short film to be launched at Old Trafford with a funding target about to be reached.

The Boy Who Had it All will focus on the football hero's childhood growing up in Dudley before he went onto glory with Manchester United, until his career was tragically cut short.

Scenes were shot at the Black Country Living Museum earlier in the summer, which was the setting for 1940s Dudley, while filming has also taken place at Dudley Museum and Dudley Cemetery.

Filmmaker Marcus Distant has managed to secure two suites at the Old Trafford. A £1,000 funding target needed to organise the event, which will take place on October 1, on what would have been Edwards' 81st birthday, has almost been met in just a week.

Just £30 was needed to reach £1,000 yesterday.

Cameron Hay plays to role of a young Edwards, with several other young actors and actresses from the region being given their chance to shine.

Several members of Edwards' family have been invited to attend the premiere.

Mr Distant said: "I'm over the moon we have managed to get it at Old Trafford. It will be great for the kids to be able to go to their first premiere.

"I'm then planning to do a screening in Dudley."

The 30-year-old, from Dudley, is indebted to a group of die-hard Manchester United fans who have donated a large chunk of the money.

He said: "They are based in Salford and this will be my first time meeting them. They are fanatical and have been to Duncan Edwards events before."

The writer and director spent more than a year researching the Manchester United and England player’s life.

The film is now in its final stages, with editing to be done before it is complete, and Mr Distant has big plans for it.

He said: "I want to take it to the Cannes Film Festival and the London Film Festival. I believe that's possible."