Forest Green Rovers Partner Event: Celebrating 10 Years of Vegan Football

On Tuesday 11th November, partners and supporters alike came together at The Bolt New Lawn to celebrate the 10 year anniversary of Forest Green Rovers becoming the world’s first vegan football club.

The event followed the FGR vs Tamworth fixture, where the Gloucestershire side made it three wins on the bounce with a well-deserved 4–2 victory. This result provided the perfect backdrop for an evening of connection, reflection, and shared pride in what the club has managed to achieve.

It wasn’t just Forest Green marking a milestone either. Long-time partners Ecotricity and Lush were both also celebrating their 30th anniversaries, recognising three decades of innovation and environmental impact – a fitting tribute to the shared commitment to sustainability that brought everyone together.

For Optimising IT, it was an opportunity to celebrate a partner that continues to lead by example, who have showcased how sustainability, innovation, and success aren’t mutually exclusive.

Match Highlights

The celebrations kicked off with Forest Green Rovers battling through heavy rain and howling wind to claim a 4–2 win over Tamworth, their third league victory in a row.

Tamworth struck first through Manny Duku, but Forest Green responded with determination. Kyle McAllister levelled from the spot, and Temi Babalola put the hosts ahead before half-time.

Despite the conditions, Rovers kept control after the break. Babalola grabbed his second, Nick Haughton added a fourth, and although Tamworth’s Joseph Rye pulled one back late on, it wasn’t enough to dampen the mood.

The win lifted Forest Green to third in the Enterprise National League – the perfect result on a night that was all about shared success.

A Decade of Innovation at FGR

The event marked a full decade since FGR removed all meat and dairy products from its matchday menu back, replacing its entire menu with fresh, plant-based food. But that didn’t mean saying goodbye to the matchday favourites, just rethinking them.

It was seen as a fairly radical move back in 2015, one that sparked a lot of debate, curiosity, and even some scepticism. But the club stood firm.

Under the leadership of Dale Vince, and with the backing of Ecotricity, Forest Green Rovers became the world’s only certified vegan football club.

Since making the switch, the club has reached an audience of billions, spreading the message about sustainable vegan food to fans, players, and football clubs around the world.

An Evening Celebrating Progress

The evening began with an introduction and an FGR update, followed by the premiere of the 10th Vegan Birthday video, which captured the club’s remarkable journey over the past decade. Guests also enjoyed:

• A presentation on the Vegan Trademark, followed by an engaging Q&A
• An Ecotricity business update, exploring the role of green energy in sport and beyond
• An inspiring Q&A with Dale Vince, reflecting on ten years of leadership and change
• A lively team talk from Robbie Savage, offering his own take on teamwork and resilience
• Networking opportunities with FGR’s partners and supporters
• Guests also received thoughtful goodie bags, packed with gifts and items from Forest Green’s partners

Partnership Built on Purpose

For Optimising IT, being part of Forest Green Rovers’ journey feels natural. Both organisations share a belief that positive change starts with bold ideas and a commitment to doing things the right way.

As a B Corp certified IT services provider, we understand the importance of balancing performance with purpose. Forest Green has changed the way football thinks about sustainability, and similarly we help businesses rethink how they use technology; making their business smarter, greener, and more secure.

Our ongoing partnership with FGR is built on our shared values of innovation and responsibility. Whether through sponsorship, or community events like these, we’re proud to support a club that continues to lead the way in sustainability.

Building the Next Chapter

After the final whistle blew, and the evening celebrations drew to a close, there was a real sense of optimism. Ten years on from their bold switch to veganism, Forest Green Rovers continue to prove that leadership built on strong core values can create lasting change.

We were proud to celebrate this milestone with the club – and we look forward to seeing what the next decade of innovation brings.

Here’s to ten years of eco-conscious football, and to a partnership that shows how purpose-driven organisations can spearhead change.

If your business shares the same passion for sustainable progress, Optimising IT supports businesses that want to make a lasting difference – through smarter IT strategy and secure, sustainable technology.