‘Have to say, that's horrendous' – Fans horrified by club's new kit ‘designed by Year 11 on work experience'
The National League side - relegated from the English Football League after a seven-year stint - are known for their bold yet sustainable choices.
From their proposed stadium to their kits, Forest Green - managed by Robbie Savage - have always pushed boundaries.
Having unveiled strips made out of bamboo and even in the past, this year the eco-friendly team have unleashed the world's first fully vegan outfit.
The luminous yellow and pink kits - which both feature a bold leopard print design - are also fully recyclable and feature three stars on the neck, representing the club's desire to reach the Championship.
However, the eye-melting strips haven't gone down well with fans.
Taking to X, one wrote: "Have to say, that is horrendous."
Another disgusted fan asked: "Did the Year 11 on work experience at FGR design this?"
A third commented: "Forest Green are that whacky uncle who tries too hard to be different."
One resigned supporter even apologised, posting: "I'm actually a little heart broken by this. Being a FGR fan is hard enough without this added humiliation. Sorry."
Another bluntly poked: "This is possibly the worst kit ever released."
Forest Green chairman Dale Vince said: 'We like to push the boundaries on sustainability issues, including what our shirts are made from because the materials we use to make things really matters.
From vegan pies to bamboo kits, Forest Green Rovers are the greenest football club in the world
"In pursuit of the most sustainable football kit we've experimented in previous seasons with both bamboo and with coffee grounds.
"This season our new strip pushes the boundary again - we've created the world's first fully certified vegan football kit, by making sure the dyes we use, which are an often overlooked ingredient, are plant-based.
"Our new shirt is also fully recyclable and will be turned back into future items by Reflo.
"I'm really pleased to unveil our bold, bright new kit that's inspired by nature and helping nature - that's pretty fabulous.'
On the kit release, The Vegan Society's Alex Markland said: "This is another exciting development in The Vegan Society's relationship with Forest Green Rovers.
"We've been working with the team for eight years and have awarded our Vegan Trademark certification in a number of areas of the club's operations...
"But this kit is the first in the world to be certified vegan and is the most visible demonstration yet of Forest Green Rovers' pioneering approach to sustainability in football."
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Rory MacFadyen, co-founder of Reflo, said: 'This is exactly what Reflo was built for — pushing what's possible for sustainable performancewear.
"Partnering with Forest Green Rovers to create the world's first fully vegan shirt, made from recycled materials with the ability to be recycled at end of life.
"It's a milestone moment for us. FGR have led the way in showing football can be a force for good, and we're proud to help them take another step forward with a shirt that looks amazing, performs at the highest level and helps keep kit out of landfill for good.'
Meanwhile, Forest Green Rovers have launched a pioneering scheme offering football tickets on prescription to help battle depression.
Vince, alongside MP Stroud - Dr Simon Opher - have put together a plan affording Gloucestershire patients the chance to attend the club's games.
The hope is to treat patients suffering from mild to moderate depression without the need for anti-depressants.
Dr Opher - who has previously prescribed comedy and gardening - said: "Football clubs are in the centre of our communities and it's a way of getting people who perhaps are a bit socially isolated back into the community and back chatting to people.
"It's a different way of treating mental illness that doesn't involve tablets.
"When you play football you often go out and socialise after. I think one of the problems in our society is we've lost that ability and a lot of people get quite isolated - which leads to depression."
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