Clackity Films present the first ever documentary on the incredible journey of the Northern Ireland football team of the 1950s who overcame all odds to transform themselves from constant also-rans to a team able to beat what seemed like an invincible English team at Wembley, beat the twice World Champions Italy to qualify for the 1958 World Cup and then come tantalisingly within reach of a semi final date with Brazil at the final stages in Sweden..

Today, with their story almost forgotten, only five of these heroic players remain alive. We have interviewed all of them and left no stone unturned in the search for photographs, memorabilia and moving images associated with their triumphs to bring vividly to life once more the glory of those far-off years.

And now we need your help.

The documentary will be screened as part of this year's 15th Belfast Film Festival. However, we have included lots of fantastic archive footage and photographs which need to be paid for, some of which, from the World Cup itself, are particularly costly.

We need £13,500 to pay for clearance rights to show this documentary at festivals around the world and once more shine a spotlight on the achievements of this remarkable team.

Whether you're a fan of the Northern Ireland team wanting to see for the first time a forgotten segment of their history or a fan of archive-based documentary making you can make a difference. We have the platform to screen this film in place and now all we need are the crucial funds to clear the wonderful archive we have spent so much time uncovering. We want to share this fantastic story with sports fans in Northern Ireland and around the world but it can't happen without your help.

As part of DoubleBand Films I was involved with bringing the very finest archive-based programming to Northern Ireland screens such as Super 8 Stories and Those Were the Days. Faced with choosing a project of my own there could only be one choice - this story. I wanted to give these few surviving stars of old their rightful due and wanted to bring it alive through the power of well researched archive. I think we've succeeded but to share the story with the public we need to clear the footage. And that's how you can help us.

Please donate anything you think you can spare to help us show our tribute to this fine team at the festival in April. You can donate any amount of your choosing or select from one of the pre-packaged amounts which come with perks and rewards. Anything you can give to help share this story and give these players the attention their heroics deserve will be greatly appreciated.