Football Shirts VS The Environment: Meet The Voices

As we begin to build up to the release date of 15th December and continue to bring exclusive content, it is time to meet the voices of Football Shirts VS The Environment.

These voices from the environmental and football communities will demonstrate the damages a polyester football shirt has on the environment whilst also giving hope and reason to act upon some of the amazing work these people are doing.

A quick shout out to the wonderful Zoom. One of the only positives to come out of Covid, Zoom has allowed me to connect with individuals across the country to really get the ins and outs of the problems we face and the solutions making a difference.

Ric Dennis - Founder of Hope + Glory Sportswear

Image: Interview with Ric Dennis

Based in the Greater Manchester Area, Ric officially started delivering kits as Hope + Glory Sportswear in the 19/20 season. The EcoKit was created and made available from the 20/21 season. A graphic designer in trade, Ric and his team of 4 in the UK have ambition to eventually have the EcoKit as the sole product they deliver, fazing out the more traditional polyester. Covid unfortunately put delays into this plan but something Ric and the team continue to work towards.

Operations go beyond the UK borders, with a factory in China but also a factory in Pakistan that only manufactures for Hope + Glory. It is ensured both are ran in ethical conditions.

Featuring as a voice in Football Shirts VS The Environment, we are shining a light on the creative initiative Ric and Hope + Glory have in the EcoKit. With their goal to make football more sustainable, whilst also making it affordable for clubs lower down in the football pyramid, they are helping make a difference. Make sure to give Hope + Glory's website a visit here.

Emily Stevenson - Environmental researcher, activist, campaigner.

Image: Interview with Emily Stevenson

For over half her life, Emily has been passionate about the environment and our beaches, having been part of beach clean ups from a young age. Her experiences and the evidently worsening situation of the environment led her to focusing on environmental research in her studies, attending Exeter University and also Co-Founding with her Dad Beach Guardian in Cornwall. As a Community Interest Company, Beach Guardian are dedicated in tackling plastic pollution in and around UK waters; from organising beach cleans to providing educational workshops.

Featuring as a voice in Football Shirts VS The Environment, Emily provides an insight into the damages she has witnessed in her work as a result of materials such as polyester and the problems we face from microfibres. Take a look at the amazing work Beach Guardian do here, and find out what you can do to help tackle plastic pollution in our waters!

Jack Miller - Chairman of Basingstoke F.C.

After being a long-time supporter and eventually a member of the community club board at Basingstoke F.C., Jack was elected as the clubs chairman in January 2022. Working before as commercial and marketing director, Jack then took temporary charge of the chairman role before being voted into the permanent position. With help predominantly made up of valued volunteers, Jack is working hard to grow Basingstoke F.C. into a community hub, looking to rise up the football pyramid and also grow the services of the non-league team. Part of the ambition is to make the club more sustainable, and as a result of the standout services and work from Hope + Glory, they became a part of the ambition to make football more environmentally friendly.

To help the community and beyond, they also provide sportswear for less fortunate people and also help recycle old polyester kits through Football Shirt For Charity. A great charity selling nothing but old football shirts, with all proceeds going to the Bobby Moore Foundation and Cancer Research UK. Check out the Football Shirt F.C. here to find out how to visit their store!

Featuring as a voice in Football Shirts VS The Environment, Jack and Basingstoke F.C. demonstrate the success of the EcoKit initiative in providing an affordable way for non league clubs to be sustainable.

Imogen Napper - Researcher & academic

With a degree in Biomedical Science, a masters in Biotechnology and a PhD in Marine Science, Imogen is a leading researcher in marine conservation and plastic pollution in our oceans, currently based at Plymouth University.

From appearing in the Welsh Parliament (National Assembly), to being a National Geographic Fellow, to featuring on Sky News, Imogen has been prominent in voicing the threats and damages our oceans have incurred as a result of plastic pollution. Part of her indefatigable work is to look into how microfibres being polluted into our oceans can be supressed from one key source, the washing machine. She was part of a research team that brought the microfibre filter to fruition. An excellent initiative created by PlanetCare, in which Imogen was deemed responsible to test and try.

It is now a leading product in tackling the issue. Check out the Planet Care microfibre filter here.

Featuring as a voice in Football Shirts VS The Environment, her investigations into plastic pollution in our waters and expertise of microplastics, Imogen is able to detail and make aware the problems our oceans face from materials such as polyester.

These four voices are able to excellently demonstrate the problems we face from polyester football shirts as a result of the damages from unrecycled plastics and released microplastics. Football Shirts VS The Environment is entirely grateful to the four for providing their time and insights to allow the production of this audio documentary.

Be sure to keep up to date with all Football Shirts VS The Environment content with exclusive clips from the four voices to be released ahead of the final release on the 15th December.