The debate surrounding the true founding date of Zenit St. Petersburg continues, with historians questioning the widely accepted centenary celebrations. While official commemorations took place recently, alternative perspectives suggest different milestones in the club’s history merit consideration.

Sports historian Alexey Petrov argues that Zenit’s history extends far beyond the acknowledged timeline. He points to evidence suggesting the club’s roots can be traced back much earlier than the official date.

The establishment of sports societies in the Soviet era complicates matters. In 1924, most existing sports circles were disbanded, with exceptions like “Spartak” and “Dynamo.” “Zenit” as it is known today, emerged later.

In 1993, the Zenit Football Club was officially registered as a Closed Joint-Stock Company. However, this is viewed as the formation of the modern club structure.

The team’s Soviet-era identity is linked to the football team of the Leningrad Metal Plant (LMZ), established in 1931. This team was later renamed “Stalinets” and incorporated into the “Zenit” sports society in 1940.

Historical records indicate that the Metal Plant had football teams as early as 1922. These teams participated in local championships, suggesting an even earlier origin for the club’s footballing tradition.

A 1924 article in Leningradskaya Pravda mentions the Metal Plant’s team participating in district competitions. This discovery pushes the documented history of the club back even further.

Based on these findings, Petrov concludes that Zenit’s 100th anniversary could have been celebrated on June 7, 1924, or perhaps even earlier. This challenges the current understanding of the club’s historical timeline.