Vladimir Tumayev

Who is Vladimir Tumayev?

Vladimir Alekseyevich Tumayev is a Russian businessman, football official and a former player. He last served as the president of FC SOYUZ-Gazprom Izhevsk, formerly known as FC Gazovik-Gazprom Izhevsk, the post he held since the 1990s until 2010.

He is most known for actually playing for his team, making his professional debut at 45 years of age and playing well into his fifties, while his team was playing on the second-highest level of football in Russia, Russian First Division. He would usually come in as a substitute close to the end of the game which was already decided. He played his last professional game so far in the Russian Second Division on October 29, 2005 against FC Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk on the last day of the season, scoring a goal in a 3:2 victory. He was 58 years, 10 months and 19 days old on that day, making him the oldest professional soccer player ever in Russia and, possibly, Europe.