Forward of "Fakel" Alexey Kashtanov shared in an interview with "SE" about his communication with the president of "Ural," Grigory Ivanov.
— How did your communication with the club president Grigory Ivanov go at "Ural"? He mentioned that you asked him several times to let you leave the team.
— For me, Grigory Viktorovich will always be like a father. How did I end up in the RPL? I played for "Volga" from Ulyanovsk against "Ural-2". He came to that match. A few days later, he called me: "Do you want to join us?" Can you imagine my emotions? I was playing in the second league, and the president of a RPL club was calling me! Even my wife couldn't believe it was true! Tears of joy streamed down my face when I heard that on the phone. At that moment, I was ready to walk to Yekaterinburg!
— But what about his words that after last season you wanted to leave "Ural"?
— I did receive calls from other clubs. There were invitations. I approached Grigory Viktorovich and told him about it. Now I think: maybe I shouldn't have acted that way? Perhaps I should have focused on "Ural." You see, I am that kind of person...
— What kind?
— Ambitious. Money has never been my top priority. I even worked at "Pyaterochka" for a time. And I don’t hide it, I’m not ashamed! I understand that while I have the strength and health, I need to play football. Yes, my contract with "Ural" will only end in a year. I could just sit quietly in the FNL, receiving my salary (Under Evgeny Averyanov, Kashtanov stopped making the starting lineup for "Ural." — Note: "SE"). But I’m not like that! I always tell my son that money doesn’t solve everything in our world.
I want Grigory Viktorovich to work at "Ural" for as long as possible. He is a good person and is interesting to everyone: players, fans, and the press. It seems to me that the RPL has become boring without him. He is vibrant. When we had training camps, he would walk around the field, teasing: "Why can't you hit the goal?" He would come to the gym. You look at him and think: what a handsome man! In the morning, he plays tennis, keeping himself in shape. You should see how Grigory Viktorovich plays with his grandchildren!
— How?
— He sits on the bench with his grandson, watching the training. Then they go out on the field to kick the ball around. Isn’t that cool? That’s what life is about. Grandchildren should be proud of such a grandfather!