Bamboo shin pads to be used by English club

Forest Green -- whose environmental credentials have been recognised by FIFA and the United Nations -- had already become the first team to switch to bamboo kit at the beginning of the season. The club, presently second in League Two, are working with a US manufacturer of eco-friendly products on the bamboo shin pads.

"Forest Green Rovers are the first professional club to switch to bamboo shin pads - moving away from current products made largely from plastic," the club said in a statement. "The low-profile shin pads are impact resistant and are anti-microbial."

Forest Green chairman Dale Vince said bamboo was an ideal material for shin pads.

"Bamboo is a natural wonder, a sustainable material that's ridiculously strong and ultra-lightweight, making it perfect for shin pads as well as better for the planet and for our players," he said. "Reducing plastic use is an important part of the fight against the climate crisis and sport has a vital role to play in this."