A film celebrating the life of Middlesbrough hero Bill Gates and his battle against Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy has been very well received.
'The Billion Pound Game' centred on the impact repeated heading of the football had on Bill Gates' brain.
His widow, Judith Gates, made a promise to him that she would campaign to make sure the young players of today did not have the same story to tell.
The 40-minute film was played on the first day of the Tees Valley International Film Festival, which is set to run until this weekend and was met with a huge round of applause.
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After the film, Mrs Gates made a short speech explaining the purpose of her organisation Head Safe Football and urging people to get involved.
She explained that Bill had told her that what was happening to him must not be allowed to impact future players.
Mrs Gates said: "We need to make a difference.
"We can make the footballing world a better place.
"Everything we have done is Bill's legacy and it has been my privilege.
"We as a family are doing all that we can.
"We need help for everybody. It's the kids that play football in every school across the country.
"It's them that need to know the risks."
She rounded off the speech with a rousing call to get involved and help Head Safe Football.
Mrs Gates added: "We need you to contact the branches in your area to volunteer to help.
"We can all try to make the game we love safer so that Bill's story is not repeated in the future."
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A spokesperson for Tees Valley International Film Festival said: "This is the story of Bill’s wife’s campaign to raise awareness of CTE, leading to a non-heading football game at Spennymoor Town FC.
"The film features former Middlesbrough greats such as John Hickton, David Mills and Alex Smith and traces Bill’s football and millionaire business career.
"It culminates with heart-wrenching footage of his life today in a care home, surrounded by his football memorabilia but not his memories."
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