Fields of Russian amateur football clubs

What goes unnoticed behind the opulent façade of official projects? It would seem that Russian football is waiting for huge changes - in 2018 the country will host the 21st World Cup, following the Olympic construction projects, large-scale construction of new sports arenas will begin. 11 cities selected to host the tournament by the Russian Football Union and FIFA - Moscow, Kaliningrad, St. Petersburg, Volgograd, Kazan, Nizhny Novgorod, Samara, Saransk, Rostov-on-Don, Sochi and Yekaterinburg - will have ultra-modern stadiums and related infrastructure . In anticipation of the championship, media attention will be riveted on the performances of our top clubs in European competitions and news about the next crazy transfers.

Meanwhile, throughout Russia, hundreds of non-professional football teams take part in the championships of their territories, republics and regions. Their matches often take place in silence, without camera flashes, sometimes in empty stands and do not attract much sponsors. This is not to say that this football has less passion or is somehow different (the ball is still round, the match lasts 90 minutes), but it definitely lacks our attention.

The Grassroots photo project seeks to draw the attention of the general public to the problems of amateur football in Russia, to show the diversity of the country's football landscape, the unique location of Russian football arenas, their role in urban infrastructure, regional identity and impact on the local community. The project includes photographs of stadiums scattered across the country and group shots of non-professional football teams from various regions. The result of the work will be a series of exhibitions and the publication of a photo book.

You can support the project by purchasing the previous book by the author FC Volga United.

(Total 28 photos)

1. Kuvshinovo, Tver region, 2012

2. Kirovsk, Murmansk region, 2014

3. Helyulya, Republic of Karelia, 2013

4. Totma, Vologda region, 2014

5. Polyarny, Murmansk region, 2013

6. Valdai, Novgorod region, 2013

7. Tuapse, Krasnodar Territory, 2014

8. Snezhnogorsk, Murmansk region, 2012

9. Veliky Ustyug, Vologda region, 2014

10. Beloomut, Moscow region, 2013

11. Kurganinsk, Krasnodar Territory, 2014

12. Borodinsky, Tula region, 2014

13. Kovdor, Murmansk region, 2013

14. Yugo-Kamsky, Perm Territory, 2014

15. Tsivilsk, Chuvash Republic, 2014

16. Chusovoy, Perm region, 2014

17. Torzhok, Tver region, 2012

18. Troitsk, Moscow, 2012

19. Istra, Moscow region, 2013

20. Fedino, Moscow region, 2013

21. Yarn, Republic of Karelia, 2013

22. Bologoe, Tver region, 2013

23. Zapolyarny, Murmansk region, 2012

24. Moscow, 2013

25. Lazarevskoe, Krasnodar Territory, 2014

26. Monchegorsk, Murmansk region, 2012

27. Olenegorsk, Murmansk region, 2012

28. Gubkin, Belgorod region, 2013