David James backs nationwide push to get unused football boots back on the pitch

Football Rebooted is asking families to dig out unwanted boots as football legends join events across the country aimed at cutting waste and helping more children afford to play.

There are probably thousands of pairs of perfectly usable football boots sitting forgotten in cupboards across Britain.

On Saturday, October 3, football fans are being asked to get them back onto the pitch.

Former England goalkeeper David James MBE is among the footballing names backing National Football Rebooted Day, a nationwide effort to collect unwanted boots and redistribute them to players who can use them.

Twelve Utilita Energy Hubs across the UK will become collection points for the day, with donated boots ultimately distributed through local football club foundations.

The premise is straightforward: one child's outgrown or unwanted boots could be precisely the pair another family needs.

Keeping children in the game

The cost of children's sport can quickly accumulate.

Boots are particularly unforgiving purchases for parents because growing children may need replacing them long before the footwear itself has reached the end of its useful life.

Football Rebooted attempts to address that problem while tackling the equally obvious waste of throwing away equipment that still has plenty of football left in it.

“For many young people, a pair of football boots can be the difference between taking part and sitting on the sidelines,” said John Olise, supervisor of Utilita's Luton Energy Hub.

“By passing on boots they no longer use, people can support the next generation of players, strengthen their communities, and ensure valuable equipment stays in circulation for longer.

“It’s good for the planet, and the pocket.”

Football names lend their support

James, who serves as an ambassador for Football Rebooted, will lead the day's celebrations from the Derby Energy Hub.

The former Liverpool, Aston Villa, West Ham, Manchester City and Portsmouth goalkeeper won 53 caps for England during an international career spanning more than a decade.

Elsewhere, former Southampton defender Francis Benali will appear at the Shirley Hub in Southampton.

Former Middlesbrough players David Wheater and Craig Hignett will join current women's player Megan Borthwick at the Hartlepool event.

Club mascots are also expected at the participating hubs.

The campaign will operate simultaneously in Luton, Leith in Edinburgh, Hartlepool, Huddersfield, Blackburn, Sheffield, Derby, Leicester, West Bromwich, Shirley in Southampton, Gosport and Newport on the Isle of Wight.

More than a boot collection

In Luton, members of Luton Town FC Community Trust will join the event at the town's Utilita Energy Hub.

People donating reusable football boots will be able to enter prize draws, with prizes including Luton Town tickets, an energy-efficient air fryer and tickets for Utilita Arena Birmingham.

There will also be football-themed activities including Guess the Footballer and the Lace Race.

The events are free and run from 10am until 2pm.

Football Rebooted says thousands of pairs of boots have already been given a second life through the initiative.

The environmental argument is an easy one to understand. Football boots require considerable materials and manufacturing to produce, yet children's pairs can become redundant simply because their owner's feet have grown.

Reusing them therefore tackles two problems at once: reducing unnecessary waste while lowering one of the costs associated with getting another child onto a football pitch.

And unlike many grand environmental schemes, this one requires relatively little sacrifice.

Just a look in the cupboard.

National Football Rebooted Day takes place on Saturday, October 3, from 10am to 2pm at participating Utilita Energy Hubs. Donated football boots should be in good, reusable condition.