Green Football Auction: ex-pros donate kit

Posted on 21st March 2025

Green Football’s Great Save is up and running until Wednesday 2nd April, with this year’s focus on reusing football kit and equipment. An estimated 100,000 tonnes of sportswear ends up in UK landfills every year and reducing that figure can only be a good thing.

Many pros and ex-pros have also got into the spirit by donating worn training kit, boots, gloves and shirts for an eBay charity auction which will support the Green Football campaign, while extending the life of worn clothing.

Famous faces have been decluttering their wardrobes and donating their own gear including:

Rio Ferdinand’s signed shirt;
Gary Neville & Roy Keane signed Manchester United Shirt;
Mary Earps’ goalkeeping gloves;
Peter Crouch’s signed trainers;
Demi Stokes’ signed Newcastle United training top;
Mark Schwarzer signed boots;
Martin Keown player worn and signed training top;
Three upcycled football shirts transformed into unique, limited-edition KIT:BAGs by Christopher Raeburn, reworking England, Wales, and Scotland kits.

eBay: You can see the auction here (ends 3pm on 30th March)…

Green Football also points out that many in the local community might also be motivated to donate kit to those who otherwise lack it, while 32% of fans say they’d repurpose their old kit if they could make money from it.

With Gen Z (39%) and millennial fans (38%) leading the way in purchasing second-hand or vintage football kit, this mindset is helping to extend the life of kit and reduce waste.

Many fans own gear that has rarely or never been worn and the campaign aims to turn these forgotten items into valuable resources for others, as more than a fifth (22%) of fans see second-hand kit as an affordable way to access training gear, and 19% choose it for environmental reasons.

Green Football says: “Football fans estimate their kit collections are worth an average of £300. If you’ve got unused kit like replica team shirts, training wear, football boots, or goalkeeper gloves why not sell them? You’ll be helping the environment and earning money at the same time.”

How can I get involved?

Individual fans can donate, sell, or re-use your kit. Check if your club will have a donation point or visit your local Salvation Army shop which has dedicated drop off points. Register your donation with and you’ll be entered into a draw for a range of prizes, including match tickets.

Many clubs are also looking to team up with their own supporters’ groups on ideas for local initiatives such as promoting donation points, hosting repair/sewing workshops or even offering discounts on new kits for fans who trade in used ones (with the old kit upcycled or passed on). The FSA can help you liaise with your club while Green Football have prepared a toolkit for fan groups.