FOR many, the day of the 1966 World Cup final was one they would never forget.

However, for actor John Challis, best known for his role as Boycie in Only Fools and Horses, it will be memorable for a different reason.

As part of a small theatre company trying to perform a matinee of William Shakespeare’s ‘Twelfth Night’ while the game was on, the whole cast were secretly trying to watch the game in full costume back stage.

Now a Basingstoke filmmaker is looking to bring this unique tale to the big screen.

Mark Brennan, from South Ham, had previously worked with Mr Challis on his short film Tea for Two.

The 35-year-old said: “I heard John tell the story as part of his touring act and I just couldn’t believe it.

“So I e-mailed him to say would he mind me making it into a short film and he seemed to be really up for the idea.”

Mr Brennan and his crew have now launched a kickstarter campaign for his film ‘The Twelfth Man’ for what the director is calling an “ambitious challenge”.

He added: “I know we are asking for a lot of money, but unlike a lot of short films, we have 15 speaking roles, several different locations and all the period costumes that we need to get.

“But I really believe this is a story worth telling and at its heart it is just funny.

“This is something that I have never seen, especially for a short film, so we need as much support and backing as possible to get whatIthink is a great project off the ground.”

If successful the film will be shot across five days at two theatres - the Theatre Royal in Winchester and The Plaza in Romsey - as well as the Milestones Museum in Basingstoke to get the aesthetic of the time period.

The campaign hopes to raise £25,000, of which they have already raised £5,000, so they can shoot at various locations across Hampshire.

Mr Brennan added: “Making a short film of this scale requires extensive planning and budgeting, as despite our high target, every penny has been stretched to it’s maximum.”

Some of the perks if pledges are made include an on-screen role, receiving a personalised shout-out video from John Challis, go on location with a cast and crew meet and greet or be listed as an executive producer.

The funds for the film need to be raised by July 28 or the film will not get its funding.

To support the project, visit http://kck.st/2tggTxf.