HAVE you ever wondered what happens to footballers’ old kit when it’s no longer needed? Well Arsenal Football Club are donating their unwanted socks to Redwings!

The Gunners, who celebrated winning the Premier League with a victory parade drawing hundreds of thousands of fans in London yesterday (Sunday 31st May), reached out to the horse welfare charity late last year after hearing they might be useful.

“This was one of the more unusual donations we’ve been offered here at Redwings, but professional football socks, which these days are often footless by design, can be invaluable – they’re a game changer you might say!” said Nicola Knight, Redwings’ Head of Communications and Campaigns.

“The socks are being used at our Horse Hospital in Norfolk, for anything from protecting our rescued residents’ sensitive legs from flies, to holding their vet bandages in place, protecting them from headcollar rubs and even holding back the hair on their legs while they get their feet trimmed. Our donkeys at Redwings’ Caldecott are using them for enrichment activities too!

“They are a fantastic bit of kit and we’re so pleased that Arsenal reached out to us. This inspired donation has been very well received.”

Watch Redwings’ Caldecott’s resident donkeys enjoying their new football socks on YouTube here.

Michael Lloyd, Arsenal FC’s Operational Sustainability Manager, came up with the idea of donating the players’ unwanted socks and contacted Redwings. He said: “We’re always looking for ways to reduce waste and make a positive impact through the actions we take as a club, and it’s great we can work together to repurpose our old kit towards the care and wellbeing of animals.”

Redwings is responsible for more than 1500 horses, ponies, donkeys and mules, with over 1000 in their daily care. If you’re able to make a donation so the charity can continue to help those who need them, please go to www.redwings.org.uk/support-us/donate