This article was originally written by Faye Mayern for SWNS — the U.K.’s largest independent news agency, providing globally relevant original, verified, and engaging content to the world’s leading media outlets.
It’s been a banner year for Arsenal, the soccer club based in North London: The men’s team was crowned England’s champion last month, their first Premier League title since 2004, and the women’s team won the inaugural FIFA Women’s Champions Cup in February. But today we’re cheering for a different type of goal from the athletes.
The club donated footless socks from the players’ old kits to the charity Redwings Horse Sanctuary, where they’re now being worn by horses and donkeys at the org’s Horse Hospital in Norfolk, England.
Aside from giving the equines a fresh look, the socks help protect the animals from bothersome insects, keep their bandages in place, and hold back the hair on their legs when their hooves are being trimmed.
“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,” Nicola Knight, Redwings’ head of communications and campaigns, said in a news release. “They’re a game changer you might say!”
The idea of donating the socks came from Michael Lloyd, Arsenal’s operational sustainability manager. “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 well-being of animals,” he explained.
The U.K.’s largest horse welfare charity, per its website, Redwings is responsible for more than 1,500 horses, ponies, donkeys, and mules, with over 1,000 in its daily care. And the flashy red socks have been making a big difference.
“They are a fantastic bit of kit and we’re so pleased that Arsenal reached out to us,” Knight added. “This inspired donation has been very well received.”
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