Latest news with #RobbieSavage
Daily Mail
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Fans turn against football's wokeist kit: Club unveil '100% vegan' strip ahead of new season
Forest Green Rovers fans have hit out at their 'horrendous' new kit after the club unveiled the 'world's first' vegan strip. The National League side, who dropped out the English Football League last year, released the bright pink and green kits, which are fully recyclable, on Tuesday. They will wear them for two seasons as the club looks to reduce waste and 'lower the burden on fans to purchase a new design every year'. Both the home and away kits include a leopard print design and will be broken down and remade into new products, in a 'practical solution to help tackle the millions of tonnes of textile waste generated by the sports industry each year'. The Gloucestershire-based oufit, who recently appointed Robbie Savage as manager, worked alongside charity the Vegan Society to create the fully certified vegan kit. But despite their reputation as the country's most sustainable club, fans were quick to blast the new strip. We're at our best when we're bold. Introducing the world's first Vegan-certified kit from @RefloOfficial Inspired by nature. Designed to be recycled. 💚👕 — Forest Green Rovers (@FGRFC_Official) July 22, 2025 'Well these are absolutely vile, one wrote. 'Genuinely didn't think it could get any worse than our previous home kits but that tops it, absolutely horrendous,' another added. A further fan said: 'Bold!? Lads that's not bold that's just horrendous.' 'How can I unsee something,' another wrote. Supporters will be forced to cough up £50 for the kit, described as 'fabulous' by chairman Dale Vince. He added: '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. '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.' Forest Green will spend their second consecutive season in the fifth tier, having failed to achieve promotion back to League Two at the first time of asking. The club reached a record high of League One in 2022 but suffered consecutive relegations, ending their seven-year stint in the English Football League last year. Forest Green became the world's first vegan club in 2015 under Vince, while there hasn't been red meat on the menu at their stadium, The New Lawn, since 2011. They also became the world's first carbon-neutral football club.
Scottish Sun
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
‘Have to say, that's horrendous' – Fans horrified by club's new kit ‘designed by Year 11 on work experience'
Club will wear the 'fully vegan' strips for two seasons YELLOW MOAN 'Have to say, that's horrendous' – Fans horrified by club's new kit 'designed by Year 11 on work experience' FOREST GREEN ROVERS have unveiled their new kits for the 2025-26 season - and it's fair to say it's not gone down well with fans. The National League side - relegated from the English Football League after a seven-year stint - are known for their bold yet sustainable choices. 4 Forest Green Rovers have unveiled their vegan, recyclable, luminous football kits for 2025-26 Credit: FGR 4 The away kit is a pink colourway to complement the home yellow Credit: FGR 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 COFFEE GROUNDS 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. READ MORE SPORT STORIES IT'S FERGIE TIME Sir Alex Ferguson gatecrashes Rio's podcast... but refuses to take part 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." CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS 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." 4 Forest Green went for a "bold and bright" colour scheme for 2025-26 Credit: instagram/fgrfc_official 4 One Forest Green fan even apologised for his side's latest endeavour Credit: instagram/fgrfc_official 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." If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the Samaritans for free on 116123.
The Sun
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
‘Have to say, that's horrendous' – Fans horrified by club's new kit ‘designed by Year 11 on work experience'
FOREST GREEN ROVERS have unveiled their new kits for the 2025-26 season - and it's fair to say it's not gone down well with fans. 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." 4 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."
Scottish Sun
20-07-2025
- Health
- Scottish Sun
Footie tickets to be prescribed on NHS in bid to stop over-use of antidepressant pills
It is hoped the scheme will encourage those with mental health issues to engage in social activities, boosting their wellbeing BEAT THE BLUES Footie tickets to be prescribed on NHS in bid to stop over-use of antidepressant pills Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) FREE tickets to football matches will be dished out on the NHS to people with depression under a landmark mental health scheme announced today. Patients at GP surgeries in Gloucestershire will be given the chance to attend games at National League side Forest Green Rovers as an alternative to medication. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Robbie Savage, Forest Green Rovers manager, has previously spoken openly about his own mental struggles as a player and coach Credit: Getty 2 Free tickets to football matches will be dished out on the NHS to people with depression under a landmark scheme Credit: Getty The scheme is designed to wean those suffering from mental health conditions off addictive antidepressants and get them out of the house to meet pals. Some 91 million prescriptions for the sadness-busting drugs were dispensed in 2024, the equivalent of around three every second. A record amount of antidepressants were also handed to children, including almost 4000 prescriptions for those under ten in 2024. The new footy proposal follows suggestions by Labour MP Dr Simon Opher, a key advocate for social prescriptions for patients with mild mental health conditions. Dr Opher, 61, has previously championed NHS-sanctioned comedy nights and gardening to help improve mental wellbeing. The Labour MP for Stroud, in south Gloucestershire, joined widescale conern over the increasing number of people being prescribed pills where doing so could be avoided. Dr Opher found that 80 per cent of patients who are prescribed social activities instead of drugs continue with them even after their 'course' runs out. Many patients say meeting new people through their chosen activity, including exercise, walking groups or cooking clubs, reduces lonliness and makes them feel better. The doctor went on: 'I do think there's something about watching football which does give you a sense of community. 'I think one of the biggest problems in our society is social isolation. Britain's greenest football club Forest Green Rovers create eco-friendly kit made from coffee beans 'Football is about socialising and roaring on your team, getting excited, taking yourself out of your own life for a short while, and living through something else.' Forest Green Rovers, who appointed tough-tackling ex-Wales midfielder Robbie Savage as manager earlier this month, have provided the tickets for free as part of the trial. BBC pundit and radio host Savage, 50, has previously spoken openly about his own mental struggles as a player and coach. In 2017, he said: 'As soon as the lights go out and the mic is off, I go back into my shell. I go home, I worry. I am insecure, very insecure.' 'Lots of current and ex-footballers, or just people in the workplace, suffer from these mental health issues but don't speak.' The club, which boasts of being Britain's most eco-friendly footy side, were relegated from the Football League to the National League last year — but are looking to be promoted back to League Two this season. Club owner and major Labour donor Dale Vince said: 'I think it'd be a great thing if football clubs up and down the country could reach out to people and do this. 'Men typically don't really talk about their issues, that's the thing, and you get loneliness and things like that as well.' Dr Opher's concerns about over-prescribing began early in his career as a GP in 1995. Depression... the signs to look for and what to do Depression can manifest in many ways. We all feel a bit low from time to time. But depression is persistent and can make a person feel helpless and unable to see a way through. They may also struggle to about daily life. Mind says these are some common signs of depression that you may experience: How you might feel Down, upset or tearful Restless, agitated or irritable Guilty, worthless and down on yourself Empty and numb Isolated and unable to relate to other people Finding no pleasure in life or things you usually enjoy Angry or frustrated over minor things A sense of unreality No self-confidence or self-esteem Hopeless and despairing Feeling tired all the time How you might act Avoiding social events and activities you usually enjoy Self-harming or suicidal behaviour Difficulty speaking, thinking clearly or making decisions Losing interest in sex Difficulty remembering or concentrating on things Using more tobacco, alcohol or other drugs than usual Difficulty sleeping, or sleeping too much No appetite and losing weight, or eating more than usual and gaining weight Physical aches and pains with no obvious physical cause Moving very slowly, or being restless and agitated If you feel this way, visit your GP who can help you. If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support. The following are free to contact and confidential: Samaritans, 116 123, jo@ CALM (the leading movement against suicide in men) 0800 585 858 Papyrus (prevention of young suicide) 0800 068 41 41 Shout (for support of all mental health) text 85258 to start a conversation Mind, provide information about types of mental health problems and where to get help for them. Email info@ or call the infoline on 0300 123 3393 (UK landline calls are charged at local rates, and charges from mobile phones will vary). YoungMinds run a free, confidential parents helpline on 0808 802 5544 for parents or carers worried about how a child or young person is feeling or behaving. The website has a chat option too. Rethink Mental Illness, gives advice and information service offers practical advice on a wide range of topics such as The Mental Health Act, social care, welfare benefits, and carers rights. Use its website or call 0300 5000 927 (calls are charged at your local rate). He said: 'I'd started seeing there are a lot of people depressed out there, a lot of people with low mood, so I started putting a lot of them on antidepressants or referring them to mental health. 'Quite a few of them, one in four, maybe even more, would just come back no better, but with intractable problems. 'What I realised is that tablets didn't help them, we had nothing to help them. 'I thought we needed to try something different and do a different behaviour.' Football clubs have previously been involved in so-called social prescriptions. In 2019, Championship side Portsmouth FC ran a 'Men's Kitchen' club for men who were recently divorced or bereaved and suffering from social isolation. Sheffield United put on walking groups for fans struggling to get out of the house, while Bristol Rovers organised a kickabout for supporters with anxiety.
Scottish Sun
07-07-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Football star reveals he has become a vegan after joining eco-friendly non-league club as manager
The former ace has given up eating meat and replaced dairy with oat milk GOING GREEN Football star reveals he has become a vegan after joining eco-friendly non-league club as manager Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) TOUGH-tackling footballer Robbie Savage has become a vegan after joining a non-league team as manager. The ex-Wales midfielder, who once held the Premier League record for yellow cards, is the new boss of eco-friendly Forest Green Rovers. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Former football hardman Robbie Savage has gone vegan - aligning with the values of his new club, Forest Green Rovers Credit: Getty 2 Eco-warrior and green energy boss Dale Vince, is owner of the non-league club Credit: Getty The club serves only vegan food in the players' canteen and to fans on match days. And Robbie, 50, says he has aligned with the club's stance and has given up eating meat and replaced dairy with oat milk. The ex-Leicester City and Derby County star won his first pre-season game, beating Slimbridge 3-0, and is determined to get his team, based near Stroud, Gloucs, back to the football league. He added of the Cotswolds: 'It's a beautiful place, though I have a little French bulldog and I'm not sure her legs will get over the hills, I'll have to carry her.' Meanwhile, the club's owner, eco-warrior Dale Vince, has been told he needs permission to fly a giant Palestinian flag hoisted on his firm's HQ - as it is not recognised as a country. The Ecotricity boss was ordered to get planning consent for the banner, which has been hung from his offices in Stroud, Glos. Vince, who owns Forest Green Rovers, said: 'We are flying the flag out of solidarity with Palestinian people. "The council got in touch and said 'Oh, you can't actually fly that flag without planning permission because Palestine is not recognised by the British government'." What is up with you-' - Robbie Savage's harsh halftime dressing room team-talk that inspired Macclesfield to title win Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme - Sun Club.
