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“ The changes at Forest Green Rovers have not only subverted closely-guarded traditions within the football ecosystem but also engendered a very tangible sense of pride among local communities ”
FGR is the case study , then the answer is unequivocally , ‘ yes ’.
FGR ’ s transformative ‘ ideological ’ milestones have coincided with inspirational performances on the field . In 2015 and 2016 they reached the semi-finals of the National League play-offs , but the following year they achieved victory in the final , securing a place in League Two and professional status after over 120 years in non-league football .
While you can ’ t put this meteoric rise down to eating more falafel , there is an indisputable link between the FGR ’ s paradigm off the pitch and its fortunes on it . Psychologists the world over will explain that making a positive difference – respecting nature , taking care of the planet and embracing diversity – breeds confidence among the exponents of it .
While some of the elite clubs – Real Madrid , Barcelona , Manchester Utd , Juventus et al – are taking measures to meet their responsibilities , they are not even close to living and breathing ‘ sustainability ’. In the final analysis , there is an underestimation among the top brass , regarding what fans will embrace , but the story of Forest Green Rovers Football Club proves that keeping it real has never been more popular .
After all , when a butterfly flaps its wings in a forest , it has the power to make the whole football world listen .
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