A little Rio magic in Roath Park, Cardiff

21 June 2014

Roath Park football — Image caption,
Francisco from Spain originally, now in Cardiff

It's not just the World Cup in Brazil which is bringing together footballers from across the globe.

'Futbol Mundial' can be found in all weathers closer to home, at Roath recreation ground in Cardiff.

Photographer Dan Green has been playing there himself for 25 years and the midfielder decided to tap in to the wide range of nationalities playing there for a project.

Result? An exhibition at the Made gallery in Lochaber Street, Roath, Cardiff throughout the World Cup.

Dan Green

Kick-abouts and informal matches have been taking place at Roath recreation ground for years

Dan Green

Dan used the football sticker format to capture the portraits

Dan Green

'People just arrive from all over the city. Some play in groups, others mix in and there can be two or three matches going on,' says Dan

Dan Green

'Before the exhibition opened, some of them were only known by their nicknames - now they know more about each other'

Dan Green

'Cardiff's a port town with a history and has always opened its gates'

Dan Greenn

'The core of the work I do is about community and this is something I wanted to capture for years'

Dan Green

'We get everybody and anybody - people arrive in Cardiff and it's a focus to meet'

"I live around the corner and this has been going on for maybe 30 years," said Dan.

"People come from all parts of the city to play. It's a chance for to meet people from your own background but also lots of others. There are no ethnic, religious, political barriers - everyone just gets together and plays."

The exhibition includes short stories alongside the portraits.

The Roath Rec World XI exhibition is open 1000-1700 BST Monday to Saturday; 1100- 1600 Sundays until 13 July. Kickabouts take place in Roath at 1400 on Saturdays and Sundays.

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