Premier League trophy to encourage coach and sustainable travel

Premier League football teams will have a new trophy up for grabs next season in the form of the ‘Black Boot’.

The trophy will go to the team who made the most contributions to the beautiful game’s carbon footprint, rather than use coach or another sustainable transport option. The award has been introduced after a study in 2023 found that Premier League clubs took 80% of their journeys by plane. The average journey time was 42 minutes, with the shortest flight just 27 minutes.

“Domestic flights are simply bad news for the planet, especially when the same journey could be taken by train or coach” – Michael Solomon Williams, Campaign for Better Transport

Campaign For Better Transport is one of the environmental groups behind the campaign. Michael Solomon Williams from the transport charity said: “Domestic flights are simply bad news for the planet, especially when the same journey could be taken by train or coach.

“Changing the way we travel is one of the most effective things we can do the reduce carbon emissions. Football clubs should be leading the way and playing a bigger role in our fight against climate change.”

Throughout the season, the worst offenders will be called out on both Black Boot’s X account and their website, with ‘Player of the Season’, ‘Man of the Match’, and ‘Team of the Month’ awards up for grabs.

Fans are being asked to keep an eye out for players’ and clubs’ social feeds, and tag Black Boot whenever they spot something.