Documentary:
Filmed in Manchester, London & Barcelona. Year of Production: 2015.
Following the intimate personal stories of five remarkable individuals, documentary filmmaker John Gubba explores the world of disability and football. We are United: The Story of MUDSA is an emotional roller coaster celebrating the first 25 years of the world’s oldest Disabled Supporters’ Association. Featuring Phil Downs MBE, Alex Nield, Stephanie Bisceglia, Kevin Peak, Chas Banks and other prominent members of the Manchester United Disabled Supporters Association, this is an emotionally charged film that has won universal acclaim. The documentary premiered in more than 100 countries on the official Manchester United TV Channel, MUTV on 12 November 2015. Subsequently screened on the MarketPlayer at the world renowned Sheffield Documentary Film Festival in June 2016, the film was nominated by the Royal Television Society for an RTS Award.
‘We Are United: The Story of MUDSA’ is a documentary commissioned by MUTV to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the world’s oldest Disabled Supprters’ Association
Directed by independent filmmaker John Gubba, who also produced and narrates the film, this one hour special tells the story of Mudsa through the eyes of its inspirational leader Phil Downs MBE and a strong supporting cast including Chas Banks, Stephanie Bisceglia, Kevin Peek and young Alex Nield, who was just eight years-old at the time. Alex has since become a popular influencer with a substantial social media following, and in 2026 commissioned Gubba to make a documentary mini series capturing matchday experiences.
At the premiere in 2015 of the original documen Gubba: “I have cried more than once filming and watching some gut-wrenching scenes. We took Phil Downs back to the gymnasium at Hendon Police Training Academy where he broke his neck as an 18-year-old in the mid seventies. It was the first time Phil had been back in that room.
“When young Alex Nield was born with cerebral palsy, his parents were told he would never walk or talk. Watching him learn to walk has been another emotional experience. In this film I have focused on the incredible abilities and achievements of a remarkable group of characters. And I hope that viewers will have a better understanding of what Mudsa is all about by sharing their stories.”
Sir Alex Ferguson, whose PA Lyn Laffin helped get Mudsa started back in 1989, contributes some fascinating insights and talks passionately about the achievements of the organisation. There are also appearances by Wayne Rooney, David de Gea, Juan Mata, Bryan Robson, Martin Buchan and David Gill.
