About the Boot Project
In November 2023, I started this project after seeing too many young people turning up to
football sessions in school shoes, worn-out trainers, or even their parents’ oversized boots. The
issue became clear during the monthly girls’ football festival I run at the Emirates Arena, which
brings together 50–70 girls from local primary schools.
After speaking with teachers and Active School Coordinators, I realised the problem was
widespread across both primary and secondary schools. I launched an Instagram page to
collect pre-loved football boots—and the response was amazing. Parents, clubs, and
community members began donating boots in great condition, mostly outgrown by fast-growing children.
I clean, package, and label every pair before discreetly distributing them through teachers and
school staff who know which pupils need them most. I also reach out to schools and Active
School Coordinators to let them know that if they were aware of any young people unable to
access football opportunities due to lack of boots, they could get in touch, and I’d do my best to
provide a pair. I also bring a supply of boots to each monthly festival in case anyone needs a pair on the day—and they usually go home with them, which is exactly the goal.
A Growing Network of Support
Thanks to growing community awareness, I now receive a steady stream of donations from
various sources. One particularly helpful contributor regularly provides 20–30 pairs at a time,
collected through a local Facebook group and sourced from football clubs and community
teams.
Requests for specific sizes come in every couple of weeks—often to help young people join
football festivals, school teams, or community clubs. Donations arrive almost weekly now, and
it’s been brilliant to see more and more people spreading the word and getting involved.
One Highlight
One standout moment was supporting a Sports Leader at my school who was on trial with
Partick Thistle but struggling with worn-out boots. A friend had just donated a nearly new £245
pair of Adidas Predators—size 13, the exact size he needed. The smile on his face when he got
them said it all.
Where We Are Now
So far, I’ve given out around 50 pairs and have another 50 in storage ready to go, others still
being cleaned and prepared. Every pair donated helps a young person take part in football with
comfort, confidence, and dignity.
