Forest Green Rovers has unveiled a 'completely vegan' kit for the 2025-26 season.
The Nailsworth-based club's vibrant new strip, which was certified by the Vegan Society, is dyed using plant-based ingredients and is entirely recyclable.
Both the home and away kits feature a leopard print pattern inspired by nature. The new home shirt will be worn for two seasons as part of a commitment by the club to reduce waste and "lower the burden" on fans to purchase a new design every year, it said.
Dale Vince, chairman of Forest Green Rovers, 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."
In previous seasons, the club has experimented with making its kit from 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," added Mr Vince.
"I’m really pleased to unveil our bold, bright new kit that’s inspired by nature and helping nature - that’s pretty fabulous.”
The Vegan Society has worked with Forest Green Rovers for eight years and has awarded its trademark certification in a number of areas of the club's operations already.
"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," said Alex Markland of The Vegan Society.
Forest Green Rovers worked with sportswear fabric firm Reflo - its official teamwear partner - on the project. The kit is made from a special fibre that means when it reaches the end of its playing days, it can be broken down and remade into new products, such as furniture.
"It’s a practical solution to help tackle the millions of tonnes of textile waste generated by the sports industry each year," the company said in a statement.
The kit is emblazoned with Ecotricity across the chest, DPD on the lower back, Candriam on the left sleeve, and Smyths Toys on the back of the shorts. Below the neck features three stars, reflecting the club’s long-term ambitions to gain promotion into the championship.
Rory MacFadyen, co-founder of Reflo, added: “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.”
