Ayre: Why Will is good for LFC
Ian Ayre believes Liverpool FC's involvement in the forthcoming 'Will' movie will be beneficial for the club - and is confident fans of all ages will enjoy it.
Released nationwide on Friday, the movie centres around the story of an 11-year-old schoolboy and his determination to get to the 2005 Champions League final in Istanbul against all odds.
It also features cameo appearances from Kenny Dalglish, Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher - and Ayre believes the film will prove a hit with the club's fanbase.
The Reds' Managing Director told Liverpoolfc.tv: "It was about two years ago when Ellen (Perry) approached me through a friend of mine, and we had a meeting in my office in Liverpool.
"She had this idea about centring the film around a very famous football match - and I think we have the most famous one.
"There was an amazing amount of work on her behalf. It's always difficult to fund and bring those things together, but she worked tirelessly at that. We just saw it grow and have more and more promise - and then it felt like something good for the club to be involved in."
He added: "Anything that has got our captain Steven Gerrard, Kenny and Jamie in it is always going to attract our fans.
"It's got a bit about our club in there and our greatest night, but I think it's a family film and we've got fans of all age groups and all over the world and it's going to be shown all around the world, so it's a great fit. It's a good movie and I think our fans will enjoy it.
"They may find some interesting acting abilities from various people within our playing squad, so we'll look forward to hearing people's feedback on that."
With several scenes of the movie filmed on location in Istanbul, The 'Will' production team left no stone unturned as they strived to re-create the never-to-be-forgotten scenes of May 25, 2005.
Ayre believes it succeeds in serving up an authentic representation of the look and feel inside the Ataturk Stadium on the night Liverpool brought Old Big Ears back to Merseyside for keeps.
"Ellen sat with people from within our media and journalistic team, and also our museum curator and fans, to get a sense of what it was really all about for all of us who were there and experienced it," he explained. "Capturing that in its true glory was really important.
"There were great scenes - the fans on the way there, the Ataturk Stadium and the approach to it. They are the memories everybody has and I think they have been well documented in the film."
While the presence of Liverpool Football Club is a constant throughout the movie, Ayre feels it offers up something for all the family.
He said: "I'm not personally convinced there have ever been any great football movies. Often they portray the darker side of football or other such things.
"What we liked about this is in particular is it's a family film - the football, Liverpool and Istanbul was the crescendo of the film, it wasn't really the main theme.
"It was nice for us to be involved and recognise that fantastic day in our history, but also to be involved in something that's for everyone as it's a family film."