29 May 2026

Arsenal donates footballers’ socks to help horses and donkeys at Redwings

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 reached out to the us late last year after hearing they might be useful...

Watch the donkeys trying their hoof at football here!

“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.”

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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."