The most unusual football club in the world
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It's been a long wait, but the new football season is underway at last!
Here at Ecotricity, we’re passionate supporters of our sister club Forest Green Rovers. They’re joining us on our mission to beat climate change by showing the world that there is another way to do things.
Here are seven reasons why FGR is the most unusual football club in the world!
1. The world’s first carbon neutral football club
In 2018, the United Nations recognised FGR as the first carbon neutral football club in the world as part of the UN Climate Neutral Now pledge. In the same year, our founder and FGR chairman Dale Vince was appointed a UN Climate Champion.
2. The world's first vegan football club
In 2015, FGR went vegan. They replaced all the food available in the stadium with delicious homemade plant-based food. Two years later, they were officially recognised as the world’s first vegan football club by the Vegan Society.
3. Their pitch is organic
The playing field and all the areas around the stadium are managed without chemicals or pesticides. What's more, the pitch is designed to capture rainwater so that it can be reused for irrigation. They even clean up the wastewater from the away fans’ toilets to water the pitch!
4. There are solar panels everywhere
Around 20 per cent of FGR’s energy is provided by solar panels covering the EESI Stand at their ground. We provide the rest of their needs, so they're seriously green when it comes to energy.
5. Their new stadium will be super sustainable
FGR’s 5,000-seat future stadium, Eco Park, will be the most sustainable sports venue in the world, made almost entirely from wood. With plans for 500 trees and 1.8km of hedgerows, it’s designed to boost biodiversity as well as football.
6. Their kits are legendary
The new strip for 2025 features a fluorescent pattern inspired by the barking tree frog and is the world's first fully certified vegan kit. It's made from recycled materials and will be used by the club for two years in order to reduce waste and make supporting the team more affordable for fans.
7. They’re good for your health
Football on Prescription is a collaboration with a dozen surgeries across Stroud, Gloucestershire, the initiative makes football part of the treatment plan for mental health. From this season, doctors and nurses can prescribe football if the patient and doctor feel it could help mental illness or feelings of isolation. It’s the first scheme of its kind in the UK and maybe the world.
Want to do your bit for the planet in other ways?
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