London based photojournalist Alex Amorós witnesses stadiums standing empty as, come matchday, the Covid crisis left grounds and surrounding streets eerily deserted.
Before the lockdowns, such a thing would have been unimaginable, and for photographer Alex Amoros, it presented a whole new challenge.
But he discovered the soul and the spirit of each club very much intact as he put his camera to work, focusing not just on the grim reality of vast, empty stadiums, but also on the clubs’ lifelong devoted fans.
Now his pictures appear in a new photo book, LFF 20/21, where he turns his attention on sides throughout London and how they and their fans faced up to a new season following the pandemic that once again left stadium gates locked and bolted.
Recalls Spanish born Alex: “After the coronavirus pandemic disrupted the Premier League in 2019 and 2020, the new season began with the stadium doors closed once again.”
His project captures fans and stadiums from clubs in the capital that have been part of the old First Division or Premier League.
Fans from Arsenal, Brentford, Chelsea, Charlton Athletic, Crystal Palace, Fulham, Leyton Orient, Millwall, Queens Park Rangers, Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United come under the spotlight in a series of fascinating picture stories.
The project has been shot on film to invoke feelings of nostalgia from a bygone era, explains Alex.
“It is my belief that film is the only medium that can truly capture the raw passion of the 12th Man, the crowd, ” he said.
“The spirit of Football lies in the fact that it is for everyone.”
As a youngster growing up in Alicante, Alex followed his first love, Hercules de Alicante CF. But Barcelona had similar appeal and seeing Michael Laudrup live, with all his elegant skills, created a lifelong memory. “It seemed he was dancing with the ball,” recalled Alex.
The total football philosophy of Johan Cruyff made a similar impression.
“What I like is good football,” said Alex. “In that sense I understand this sport as a show.”
He is donating five per cent of profits from sales to the Cruyff Foundation, who support and develop impactful sports projects for children with special needs, while a similar sum also goes to the Bobby Moore Fund which raises money for pioneering bowel cancer research.
Spurs fan Isaac Instance on the importance of the fan. Copyright: Alex Amorós
“I believe that football is a sport for everyone, ” he said. “The concept of democratic football open to all classes is what makes it great. I grew up playing in the street with stones as goal posts and where the best players played in the team of their neighbourhood or city.
“Now the children pay to play. I don’t know what we are turning football into”.
By focusing on the fans for his LFF photobook, Alex gave a voice to their frustrations and their aspirations for when life returned to normal. One Brentford fan knew exactly what he’d be doing:
“Drink a pint, eat a pie. Then sing until I nearly pass out”.
Said Alex: ” The project arose with the idea of giving fans a voice during the pandemic. I had done other documentary and music projects, but I had not done anything for a long time with football and I considered that this was the moment.
“The inspiration came to me because I thought it was time for the fans to have a voice and to be considered the soul of the clubs.
“I am interested in people and stories. Through them you can express your way of seeing the world and try to change those things that you think can be improved. “Documenting through photography is showing and freezing in time through scenes of everyday life something that can no longer be repeated and that is something that fascinates me.
“Football is culture and is integrated into communities. For many people it is something very important. Through the feelings and thoughts of the people we can show the importance of football in their lives.”
He fears big business and outside investment is stripping clubs of their identities. But having stuck with his native Hercules de Alicante throughout his life, he recognises the passion shown by the supporters of the London club sides he encountered as he put together his book.
“I love the fans of football in the United Kingdom and the loyalty to their teams, however small they may be.”
Alex Amoros knows they are the “soul of their clubs”.
His pictures, and his photobook, make the point perfectly.
Alex will attend a live launch of LFF 20/21 at The Photobook Cafe in London on March 30th. LFF 20/21 is available to purchase online now. For editorial or commercial proposals Alex can be contacted directly through his website and for any licensing enquiries please contact IMAGO, the agency which represents Alex.
