News

World’s Greenest Football Club Promoted To EFL League One For First Time

Forest Green Rovers have long been an example for other clubs to follow for being the most environmentally conscious club in the world. Now they’re making waves on the pitch, too.

The world’s greenest football club earned promotion to EFL League One for the first time ever thanks to a 0-0 draw with Bristol Rovers on Saturday. The Rovers currently lead EFL League Two with 83 points, and Saturday’s point was enough to clinch a top-three place and promotion to League One. 

It’s the first time in the club’s 133-year history Forest Green has been promoted as high as League One. 

Embed from Getty Images

Before this season, Forest Green’s best-ever season was a fifth-place finish in League Two in 2018-19. 

The club is better known for its environmentalism. Forest Green Rovers became the world’s first carbon-neutral club, honored by both FIFA and the UN for its eco-friendly initiatives. The club’s facilities are powered by renewable energy, players are served only vegan food and the grass is cut by a solar-powered robot. 

Forest Green also plays in jerseys made from bamboo, one of the best sustainable materials on the planet, and coffee bean waste.

Next season, those environmental priorities will be on display in England’s third tier. Better yet, promotion was clinched the day after Earth Day. 

And for the American perspective, there is one U.S. player on the roster: Vaughn Covil, who was born in San Diego but grew up in the UK. 

Videos you might like