Football charme: Le Ballon FC

It is not easy to explain what exactly Le Ballon FC is. For this reason we rely on the words of his founder, Jack Whelan, who told us everything you need to know about the best football league in the world. A fascinating travel among traditions and modernity.

Hello Le Ballon, and first of all thank you for your time. I’d like to start asking you a simple, but difficult question: what is Le Ballon?

Le Ballon is our interpretation of football. It is not “Modern Football Culture” or whatever it is that so many people try to talk about these days. I genuinely don’t know what that means any more! Basically, we started as a bar in 2014 because there was nowhere to watch the WC in Brazil. Paris is not a place that has football-watching in pubs in their blood - not like the English! We founded the bar, and we built it in our own image - that is to say, tongue-in-cheek. We didn’t want to take it too seriously, we didn’t want to have an angry, aggressive, ‘football’ atmosphere. Whether by luck or not, we ended up with a project that was interesting and that people appreciated. For the super keen football fans, we had little touches and design cues that let them know that they were in the home of someone that really knew the game. For those less familiar with the game, there were fashion touches, a launch party with colette, a fashion-week after-show etc. It meant that the crowd was fashionabel, outgoing and interested to learn about the game. There were people singing, girls came, there were people standing on the cars outside to try and get a view of the screens - it was a blast! From there, Le Ballon became an agency (NUTMEG) that works in fashion and sport, a football league, an art-gallery/pop-up shop, a series of soirées and a clothing brand. Unfortunately, the only thing that we are NOT anymore, is a bar! We had to sell the place at the end of 2015 because we just didn’t have the time to run it properly any more. I suppose, to answer the question, Le Ballon is what we think football should be. It’s not taking it too seriosuly, it’s playing with your mates, it’s enjoying the design and fashion of football throughout the years, the music, the culture, a shit tackle, a goal in off the underside of the bar and the tragic story of a former great who is now a taxi driver. Le Ballon is just a love for anything and everything surrounding the world of football. Apart from stutter-penalties, we can’t be dealing with that.

When did you start to think to organize a football league?

We started to think about playing the game as soon as we had the bar. Once the world cup was over, we set about making Le Ballon FC a real thing. We wanted to play ‘pub football,’ like we do in England. Unfortunately, the bars around us were not interested, they could not see the appeal. So, we started thinking about other projects that we liked around the world. Teams like Gastown FC, Chinatown Soccer Club, Nowhere FC were a big inspiration, as were competitions like the Fanatic Cup in New York. We decided that we had a big enough crew of regulars at the pub to start a league. They were all involved in interesting walks of life, fashion; media; art; journalism etc. so we realised we had a great creative pool. We worked with the 8 captains and devised a format before then taking the league idea to a few different brands. We got very lucky and had a major sportswear brand pick us up which allowed us to get the project off the ground. In terms of a timeline, I guess we had the idea of playing in June 2014, got rejected by everyone in September 2014, changed it up and pitched the idea in October 2014 and played Matchday 1 at Clairefontaine in January 2015. It was a VERY quick turnaround!

How much important is the aesthetical element in Le Ballon? All the teams seems to be very stylish and careful to the fashion aspect of the game…

The aesthetics are really important to us. We knew that without looking good and playing that card, it would not have been possible to get picked up by sponsors, and people around the world (like yourselves!) would not have cared about our little project. We wanted to create the best league in the world, not just your average amateur kick about in a 5-aside cage on the outskirts of Paris. I genuinely think we’ve achieved that, and it’s mostly due to the effort that every one of players puts in to looking the part and playing the fashion-football game. Beyond that, photography was really important to us. We didn’t just want standard football photos - if you want that, go to a football website and look at pictures of Zlatan playing the game, he’s way better than we are! Instead, we took photographers from the world of fashion, extreme sports, architecture and beyond to give us a completely different look. Most of them said they didn’t want to come to take pictures of football, but once we described the project and let them know that we wanted to see how they would shoot the game if they had no rules, they were keen and the results were awesome. As for the kits, it has changed year by year, but essentially we let the teams do whatever they like. We supervise and help them (we want everyone to look as good as possible), but there is no limit and no restriction on what they can design. For them its awesome to have completely free reign to do whatever they like. For us its great because we have talented guys making cool clothes.

 How can a team be part of the Le Ballon? Did you receive many applications every year?

Unfortunately, LBFL is a closed league. We cannot have more than 8 teams thanks to logistical reasons. However, if a big multinational wants to get involved, I’m happy to expand!!! I’ll sell my soul for that! We get hundreds of requests to join the league, but unfortunately we have to turn them down at the moment. The players come and go, but the teams are more or less a constant. Although, this year we do have a new team - Glory Hunters FC have replace Paname Patriots. The Patriots just had too much work on this year, and were too busy winning the Super Bowl!

How should you describe the level of amateur football right now in Paris, or in general in France?

Amateur football in Paris is great. Unfortunately I can’t speak for the rest of the country - I’m a foreigner in this land! However, in the capital it is in good health. I play three times a week with a team based in the 17th arrondissement and it is well organized, professional and of all qualities. From very poor to very good! The only downside is that the pitches are all on the outskirts of Paris - they are easy enough to get to but it takes a bit of time. 

Football is now living his most shine fashion period since many years. Why do you think it happened?

Fashion and football have become intrinsically linked, that’s true. Sportswear has become huge over the past couple of years, so it was only natural for the football world to jump on board. High fashion labels have been using athletic codes, technical fibres and cuts for a little while now, so I think the sport world is pushing back. There are certain aspects that I’m not a fan of - the release of a new boot colour way every 12 seconds is getting a bit tedious, but I suppose if there are people to buy it - why not?! Furthermore, the music that is popular these days (grime, RnB etc.) lends itself well to the streets, to sportswear/streetwear. It isn’t surprising that it is taking off. Of course, it goes without saying that the athletes are turning themselves into brands as well - you only have to look at Pogba to see that. Kids want to be like him, adidas are smart and market him very well. It’s all very astute, but it is not something I like. I find it a bit sinister and a bit cold-hearted. The poor bastards aren’t allowed to go for a pint but they will be portrayed as a rockstar. At least let them do both!

You where in Clairefontaine some time ago, and I think it was quite a huge recognition. What kind of experience it was?

 This was an awesome experience, especially the first time we did it. The first match of LBFL season 1 was held there - the capital of French football. Home of the FFF and the CNF. It was awesome. We wanted to start the concept of LBFL with a bang, and what better way than to bring 100+ people to the place of their dreams. On the whole, you can’t play at CNF. You can’t rent it, you can’t buy a spot here, you have to be invited. With our contacts and help from the FFF, we were able to get an invite to bring the lads, get changed in the proper changing rooms, play on the hallowed turf and then go into the chateau (a place you’re not allowed to go until you’re a fully-fledged France international) for beers and a bite to eat. It really was great - the players were like kids at Christmas, and they still all have very fond memories of our two trips to CNF. Hopefully we can go back again.

 How does the league is changed during the two past edition?

 The league has changed quite a bit. We have upped the anti when it comes to kit customization. Everything is done bespoke now. The patches are designed with Avery Dennison down to the minute detail - an opportunity that we’re really fortunate and grateful to have. This season ProDirect Soccer have made the kits for 6 of the 8 teams, a process that was really enjoyable using all their different materials etc. The other two have been made by Puma, who are going to make bespoke kits, which is just unreal. Normally they make 25,000 shirts on these industrial looms, they’re going to make 25 shirts for our two teams. It really is unbelievable.

We have changed our home as well. We are no longer in the south of Paris at Paris Alesia with whom we had a great relationship. We are now in the north east at the home of Parisian football - Red Star FC and Stade Bauer. The stadium is 100+ years old and looms behind you like a spectre of all this history - it’s really moody and we love being up there. 

The big change for this year, however, is the lack of an equipment partner. This obviously was a bit painful from a financial side, but in terms of kit and look of the league, I think it helps. We no longer look like a corporate event league, rather a real league of football teams who have been able to pick brands based on their DNA and their vibe.

On the whole, this year has shown that the league can stand alone. That the players are still super-invested and love playing all together. They are no long spoiled ‘influencers,’ rather real players with real desires. I can’t wait to get started. 

Pictures by: Jeremy Josselin, Florent Brunel, Pierre Bdn, Mathias Fennatau, Studio White.