Forest Green Rovers in controversial sponsorship deal

Forest Green Rovers rarely follow convention when it comes to the world of football. They were the first club in the world to declare itself vegan, for example, and it has an organically grown pitch.

Today it's announced a new shirt sponsorship - but, in typical Rovers style one unlike any other. If this is the first time you've heard the name Sea Shepherd, chances are it won't be the last.

The charity concentrates its work in the south seas, fighting for the conservation of marine life and taking on the whaling industry, often with direct action.>It's a world away from rural Gloucestershire but that is where the name will be growing in prominence after a shirt sponsorship deal struck with Rovers' green energy activist Dale Vince.

The club chose a ships graveyard in Berkeley for an unconventional kit launch with Sea Shepherd's skull and crossbones logo proudly displayed beneath the player's number.

It's advertising which could have earned Rovers thousands of pounds but the charity is getting the space it for free as well as advertising boards around the stadium and maybe even its flag flying over it.

Forest Green will again bid for promotion to the Football League next season - this time with a pirate on their backs. It should be quite a voyage.