ALAN Powdrill is one man who appreciates the importance of grassroots football.

While many sports photographers dream of snapping big Premier League stars, Alan focused on the characters who perform in Sunday leagues across England.

He travelled around seven cities, including Nottingham, taking portraits of up to 200 players for his Reality Football project.

And when bosses from Wembley Stadium saw the images at an exhibition in Shoreditch, London, they liked them so much they wanted to exhibit them too.

About 60 of the pictures now adorn the walls of the Club Wembley area of the stadium.

Mr Powdrill, 42, who lived in Gotham before moving to London, said: "To have the project shown in Wembley is amazing.

"When I was standing in Clifton getting shots on a Sunday morning I never thought they'd end up at Wembley."

Mr Powdrill spent three years taking the photos. The exhibition is likely to run until at least June next year, meaning fans at big matches like the FA Cup Final and the Champions League Final will see them.

Fifteen of the photos feature players from Nottingham.

Mr Powdrill, who works as an advertising photographer, added: "I tried to photograph players from cities with a football legacy. As a Nottingham Forest fan, I think that, thanks to the endeavours of Brian Clough, Nottingham is now a big footballing city.

"I took photos of players from ten Sunday League teams in Nottingham, including the Wollaton Pirates, Real Bulwell and the Mapperley Men.

"I think it's quite fitting that all these characters that would never in a million years get to play there are now at Wembley for all the big games."

The exhibition has been praised by some well-known names from football.

Former England and Arsenal captain Tony Adams said: "Alan Powdrill's Reality Football project is a great achievement.

"His portraits reveal how great a hold football has on our society and our culture and what an important role it plays in so many thousands of people's lives."

Radio broadcaster Mark Radcliffe said: "He has absolutely brought the truths of football before our eyes.

"Here are the hardy, dirty underdog dreamers who need to pull on a team shirt of a weekend to make them feel whole. Some of them may once have dreamed of fame, riches and wags, some perhaps still do, but here is a beautifully compiled reminder of what football is really about."

Gordon Taylor, chief executive of the Professional Footballers' Association, said: "I would like to congratulate Alan Powdrill on his Reality Football project and his ability to demonstrate the unique and special attraction the game has for many millions of spectators and in particular players."

For more information on the exhibition visit www.realityfootball.org