Rangers banking on green fans

Evo-Stik Northern Premier League Stafford Rangers have teamed up with an award-winning recycling firm to open a clothes bank at Marston Road raising funds for the club and local good causes.

Staffordshire-based European Textile Recycling - a family run national textile recycling company who earned a recent environmental award from Stafford Borough Council for their efforts - installed the clothes bank to coincide with the start of the pre-season programme at the Premier Division's Rangers.

The firm aims to increase sustainability and prevent recyclable goods going to landfill and in the process raise funds for community schemes and facilities for young people like skate parks and climbing walls.

Rangers were taking on neighbours Stafford Town on Saturday [July 13] and the club's commercial manager Stuart Maun was urging fans ahead of the game to start bringing along their old clothes and shoes and see them put to good use over the summer and coming season.

Maun said: "This really is a simple and effective way of raising vital funds, but most of all it’s free! Just start sorting out your wardrobes, clear out your lofts, and have that all important summer clear out. The more clothes that are recycled, the more money Rangers and community projects will receive from the scheme."

The new facility is open to all Staffordshire residents and Aaron Bunning, the eco firm's marketing & production manager, is pictured at the official opening with Chris Welch from the Community Council of Staffordshire.

Bunning said: "We are proud to be supporting Stafford Rangers Football Club with our community recycling scheme which sees funds being raised for the club in return for recycling. Our Stafford Cash 4 Clothes branch can be found just around the corner from Stafford's ground on Verulum Road."