Documentary on Soccer Fans to Have Philly Focus

Report From Philadelphia Union

PHILADELPHIA, PA (March 2015) –Ten years after the 1996 launch of  Major League Soccer in the United States, local fans took it upon themselves to gather supporters and establish a professional soccer team in Philadelphia.  SONS OF BEN: THE MOVIE depicts the journey of Philadelphia’s most passionate soccer fans, the Sons of Ben, who would stop at nothing in their goal to help bring a Major League Soccer franchise to the City of Philadelphia.

Director/Producer Jeffrey C. Bell and Producer Mike Dieffenbach decided to make this documentary because it portrayed something which had never been done before; fans creating and organizing supporters for a professional sports team that did not yet exist. In doing so, the Sons of Ben not only made their dreams come true, but also helped to bring change to the struggling community of Chester which the Philadelphia Union now calls home.

“In the process of telling this story,” says Bell, “I realized it was more than these guys/gals being just a supporters group. Something changed within them and they realized they could be bigger than what they set out to be.”

The Philadelphia premiere of SONS OF BEN: THE MOVIE will take place Wednesday, June 10, 2015 at the Ritz Five Theater (214 Walnut Street). Guests will be invited to the red carpet premiere and screening of the film, and tickets will be available to the general public for a screening at the Ritz East (125 S 2nd Street). There will be an official after party taking place after the screening with special guests, the details of which are soon to follow.