ITV has commissioned McEnroe producer Silver Entertainment to make a feature-length documentary about former England captain Terry Butcher.
Terry Butcher: Invisible Wounds, directed by Stuart Burley, follows Butcher’s journey from extraordinary heights to tragic lows, including the loss of his son Chris, PTSD and recovery. The doc marks Burley’s feature directorial debut.
Butcher is one of the icons of the football world. He captained England 77 times and led his local team Ipswich Town to success on the European stage. But none of that made up for the personal loss he experienced following the death of his son Chris, a British Army veteran who died after experiencing severe PTSD.
The film will explore Butcher’s life on and off the pitch, including the impact of losing his son and his subsequent work with peer support organization Combat2Coffee.
“I wore my Three Lions shirt with pride and would have given anything for my country,” Butcher said. “But nothing could have prepared me for losing Chris. This movie is about believing that his life, and what we went through, meant something. If it helps even one person realize they’re not alone, then this movie has done its job.”
Burley said: “Terry Butcher, the footballer and warrior, is a great story in itself and an iconic figure, one of only three to have led England to a World Cup semi-final. But the story I wanted to tell goes much deeper. “It’s a story about a father and son who captained their country. It’s a film about courage, sadness and hope. The strength that Terry showed in making this film was inspiring. The wounds will never heal, but he shows courage with a newfound purpose.” On the other side of the bloody head. ”
The documentary, produced by John Grint, will premiere in the UK in May, with a regional release to follow. It will then be broadcast on ITV and ITVX in June ahead of England’s first World Cup match. Executive produced by Silver’s Victoria Burrell and Simon Lazenby. Paul Hamilton, sponsor of Ipswich Town Football Club and CEO of Halo Solutions, funded the film.
ITV Sports deputy commissioner Richard Botchway, who commissioned the film for ITV, said: “Terry Butcher is one of the defining figures of British sport and a symbol of dedication and resilience. But this film is about a different kind of bravery. It reveals the courage to speak openly about grief, trauma and loss. At a time when the nation is uniting around football, this story shines a spotlight on a deeper conversation that ITV is proud to provide a platform for.”
Burrell added: “Our focus has always been on exploring the human stories behind the greatness of sport. For Terry, that meant telling a story that goes far beyond football – one about loss, resilience and purpose. We’re proud to be able to bring this to audiences on ITV at a time when the message feels especially urgent.”
