David James Encourages Fans To Donate At Fratton Tesco Extra Boot Drop

Former international and Premier League goalkeeper, David James MBE, has officially kicked off Pompey in the Community’s efforts to collect and redistribute good quality football boots, as part of Utilita Energy’s Football Rebooted campaign. 

David launched Tesco’s first ever football boot collection box at Fratton Extra in Southsea on Saturday (January 18) before joining fans at Portsmouth FC's 2-1 home win against Middlesbrough.

Dubbed as ‘football’s biggest ever environmental movement’, Football Rebooted launched in May 2021 after findings from a Utilita-commissioned report into the combined impact of the pandemic and the cost-of-living-crisis on grassroots football.

The response from fans was immediate and within the first few weeks, thousands of boot donations had flooded in, not only reducing potential landfill but also making a difference to the lives of children and adults in the UK.

Speaking to Isle of Wight Radio, Portsmouth FC legend David James said:

"This is fantastic news regarding Football Rebooted, as an ambassador for Utilita they asked me to get involved with this campaign.

"The boots can be donated for one of the 'boot boxes' and distributed to those who will benefit from them rather than going into landfill.

"In partnership with Pompey in the Community and the Club Foundation we're doing something positive for the local community."

An icon at Fratton Park, David paid homage to the Portsmouth fans, saying:

"The thing about Pompey that will never leave me is how much they support their team through good and bad times.

"I can't recall too many clubs that have that kind of following when they've dropped through the leagues, it's still a full house whether it's top-flight or a League Two match.

Speaking about the Isle of Wight he added:

"I spent a bit of time (on the Island) when I was at Portsmouth and have a friend there who always reminds me of lighthouses for some reason!"

How can you get involved?

Anyone with a spare pair of football boots (or astro turf boots) who wants to get involved should simply give them a clean and drop them off at the Pompey in the Community’s dedicated boots collection point, situated at the Tesco Extra on Fratton Way in Southsea.

Pre-loved boots can also be donated at any of the Utilita Energy Hubs – located in Gosport, Southampton, Isle of Wight, Luton, Derby, West Bromwich, Edinburgh, Sheffield, Leicester, Blackburn, Huddersfield and Hartlepool – keeping them in the local eco-system to ensure they’re re-used. 

Anyone requiring football boots, including individuals and families, can simply reach out to their local collection point to check what sizes are available before coming to collect them.

Schools and clubs in need of football boots can also submit their kit requirements via the Football Rebooted website.

Pro-pocket, Pro-Planet

James Heyes, Utilita’s Head of Group Partnerships, commented on the environmental impact of rehoming boots:

“Since its launch in 2021, the Football Rebooted campaign has collected and reallocated thousands of quality football boots, saving hard-pressed families a small fortune and helping to reduce landfill and carbon emissions.

“To put the environmental benefits into context, our aim is to prevent at least a million pairs of boots from ending up in landfill and saving 136,000 tonnes of carbon — the same as taking 7,000 cars off the road for a year.”

Community Focus

Clare Martin, CEO of Pompey in the Community, commented on the why the charity is supporting the campaign:

“The Football Rebooted scheme not only saves old boots from going to landfill but it delivers an extremely fun and unique claim system that avoids any family needing to feel embarrassed at taking second-hand items.

"If you have any spare or unused football boots, please consider donating and helping us make football accessible to everyone in the local community!”

Campaign Ambassador, David James MBE, added:

"Getting pre-loved boots replayed through Utilita’s Football Rebooted campaign not only saves families a few quid but also acts as an important reminder about the power of upcycling and reusing items that still have a lot of life left in them.

"The Football Rebooted campaign not only has a great environmental message but is also working towards helping children to be active, participate and enjoy team sport."