Roots
Roots is a project documenting the positive influence that football has in communities. The title coming from the term grassroots football. This is the level of the game I’ve been photographing, and the root of the community fostered by it. It closely follows Ilford EJA U15s, showing their community strength through the highs, the lows and the every day.
“Football has made my life amazing.”
“Football keeps me fit and active, through the sport I’ve made more friends and opportunities.”
“I do what I do to benefit others and I enjoy seeing others happy and creating memories. It’s nice to feel I helped make that happen, it gives me a feeling of great pride.”
This project spanned from the 27th March - the 8th May 2026. Following this team has been a great experience and I’m happy to say I’ve made connections of my own whilst doing this project. The theme of community, in football, is something I can relate heavily to, as someone who’s grown up in a strong footballing environment always surrounded by other fans. I’ve made my own long-term friends through loving this sport, and I’m glad I was able to document this type of connection within Ilford’s youth team.
Special thanks:
Tony Leach
Kirsty Vazquez
Jerry Vazquez
Jay Ozcan
Raj Ramasamy
And the players representing Ilford EJA U15s during this project