FOREST GREEN players are set to have their shins protected by bamboo with help from legendary action-adventurer Dirk Benedict - star of iconic American television series the A-Team.

Following on from FGR’s switch to the world’s first bamboo kit at the beginning of the season, the club is now working with US-based Legend Soccer (http://www.legendsoccer.com/) on the new bamboo shin pad.

Dirk Benedict – best known as the A-Team’s Face Man, Templeton Peck is the company ambassador and is joined by son Roland Benedict and co-founder Sean Person.

Rovers are the first professional club to switch to bamboo shin pads – moving away from current products made largely from plastic. The low-profile shin pads are impact resistant and are anti-microbial.

Dale Vince, chairman of FGR, said: “Bamboo is a natural wonder – a sustainable material that’s ridiculously strong and ultra-lightweight, making it perfect for shin pads as well as better for the planet and for our players. Reducing plastic use is an important part of the fight against the Climate Crisis and sport has a vital role to play in this.”

Sean Person, co-founder, Legend Soccer, added: “FGR is making moves on and off-the-pitch and are being recognised for doing things another way. We’re excited to be working with them.”

The trio will visit the New Lawn on Tuesday to showcase their revolutionary product.