Teds and clerics

Chris Steele-Perkins, Italy. Rome. Feburary 2009. Vatican. The Clericus Cup. Matches played at Oratorio St Pietro. Goal keeper for Redemptoris Mater.

The Clericus Cup is a Vatican-backed football tournament that takes place every year in Rome. Most players are seminarians studying to be Roman Catholic priests. A few are ordained priests. The first cup took place in 2007. Two years later, photographer Chris Steele-Perkins flew to the Italian capital and documented the tournament. The fans of each team were so enthusiastic that complaints were lodged by residents near the grounds about the noise being made by Africa supporters playing loud Reggae, American supporters shouting “Come on you Knackers, kick some caboose,” Italian supporters using megaphones and Mexican supporters banging drums.

I discovered the photo series (and the existence of the competition) last week while i was visiting the exhibition L’Italia di Magnum. Da Henri Cartier-Bresson a Paolo Pellegrin at CAMERA in Turin. I wouldn’t normally associate catholic priests with kicking a ball around a surface of grass. As for Steel-Perkins, i associated his name with one of my favourite photos series ever made (maybe that’s just my admiration for the fashion style that’s speaking here): The Teds. Because the sporty priests surprised me (they have the most abominable trophy ever created) and the teddy boys and girls charm me no end, i’m going to just copy/paste below a few images from both series before continuing on my merry day.

Chris Steele-Perkins, Southend Promenade, England, Great Britain. 1976. © Chris Steele-Perkins | Magnum Photos

Chris Steele-Perkins, Italy. Rome. The Clericus Cup. Matches played at Oratorio St Pietro. Seminario Gallico players warm up

Chris Steele-Perkins, Italy. Rome. Feburary 2009. Vatican. Seminary students (trainee priests) at the North American College, who field one of the competing teams, the North American Martyrs, members of the team practice before mass. Putting balls away.

Italy. Rome. May 2009. Vatican. The Clericus Cup. Matches played at St Paolo College. Finals and play off for 3rd place. Finalsts Redemptoris Mater supporters sing before the game.

Chris Steele-Perkins, Italy. Rome. Feburary 2009. Vatican. The Clericus Cup. Matches played at Oratorio St Pietro. A priest gives half time talk to team Almo Pio-Capranica.

Chris Steele-Perkins, Italy. Rome. May 2009. Vatican. The Clericus Cup. Matches played at St Paolo College. Finals and play off for 3rd place. Before the game Redemptoris Mater captain in yellow, accepts present from North American Martyrs captain of a Madona, Redemptoris Mater beat North American Martyrs 1-0

Chris Steele-Perkins, Italy. Rome. Feburary 2009. Vatican. The Clericus Cup. Matches played at Oratorio St Pietro. team Guanelliani Internazionale celebrate a goal, but lost on penalties to Guanelliani Internazionale.

Chris Steele-Perkins, Italy. Rome. May 2009. Vatican. The Clericus Cup. Matches played at St Paolo College. Finals and Redemptoris Mater beat North American Martyrs 1-0. Celebrating in front of fans at the end of the game they toss their coach, Father Simone Bionde in the air.

Italy. Rome. Feburary 2009. Vatican. The Clericus Cup. Matches played at Oratorio St Pietro. Sedes Sapientiae in orange top, beat Redemptoris Mater in a penalty shootout and celebrate after.

Chris Steele-Perkins, Italy. Rome. May 2009. Vatican. The Clericus Cup. Matches played at St Paolo College. the odd looking Cup, looks like a Pokemon. © Chris Steele-Perkins/Magnum Photos

Chris Steele-Perkins, Italy. Rome. Vatican. The Clericus Cup. Matches played at St Paolo College. Redemptoris Mater beat North American Martyrs 1-0 in the final. They celebrate with the Clericus Cup

And now for the super snazzy crowd:

Chris Steele-Perkins, Adam and Eve pub in Hackney. London, England, Great Britain. 1976. © Chris Steele-Perkins | Magnum Photos

Chris Steele-Perkins, ‘Sunglasses’ Ron Staples, self-acclaimed King of the Teds. London, England, Great Britain. 1975. © Chris Steele-Perkins | Magnum Photos

L’Italia di Magnum. Da Henri Cartier-Bresson a Paolo Pellegrin is at CAMERA in Turin until 21st May 2017.

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