Meet the vegans: Forest Green Rovers prepare for life in the football league

Forest Green Rovers are preparing to begin life in the football league as they kick off against Barnet this Saturday (July 5).

The club from Nailsworth in Gloucestershire won promotion to League Two last season for the first time in its history.

The rapid rise of the club means staff and players must adapt to new surroundings.

At the club's preseason media day there were 20 organisations present - last season there were 5.

Forest Green have gained a reputation for pioneering eco-friendly methods.

Chairman Dale Vince is a local businessman who owns green company Ecotricity.

The menu at the club is exclusively vegan and this extends to meals eaten by the players.

On the field, Forest Green have signed a raft of new players, with 11 new faces arriving at the New Lawn.

Chairman Dale Vince says promotion has made it easier to attract players to the club.

As well as new arrivals, Forest Green have also held onto most of the key players who secured promotion last season.

Captain Liam Noble and last season's top scorer Christian Doidge have both signed new contracts.

Rovers have received a financial boost from reaching the Football League with season ticket sales increasing significantly.

More than 2,000 fans are expected to attend the season opener this weekend.

But for Vince, nothing will compromise the club's ethical values.

He says as the club rises it will be even more able to promote environmental issues.

Forest Green Rovers v Barnet, Saturday August 5, kick off 3pm.