Rugby Borough FC powers a greener future through the Greener Game

Across the country, grassroots football clubs are the beating heart of their communities, but rising energy costs and ageing facilities are putting increasing pressure on their ability to operate at their most effective.

England Football's Greener Game programme, supported by E.ON Next, is helping to change that, supporting clubs to become more energy efficient, reduce costs, and reinvest in what matters most: their people and the community.

At Rugby Borough FC, that support is already making a tangible difference by cutting energy use, driving long-term savings, and inspiring a wider culture of sustainability both on and off the pitch.

We spoke to Stu Bishop, General Secretary at Rugby Borough FC, about how the club is embracing sustainability, making practical changes, and inspiring both members and the wider community to think greener.

Were there any surprising findings from the energy audit that changed your original plans?

Yes! E.ON carried out an in-depth energy audit during a site visit that lasted around two and a half hours. They inspected the old clubhouse and identified where we were losing energy and where we could make quick improvements. All of this was put into a report with recommendations: some were simple, low-cost fixes, while others were more expensive.

Thanks to the Greener Game, we were able to install 41 solar panels on the roof, which will save us a significant amount of money over the year. We don’t yet know the exact savings as they were only recently installed, but the projected saving is just over £4,000 per year.

Off the back of the audit, we also changed some of our floodlights from halogen to LED, which will save even more over time. We’re a large club and the clubhouse and facilities are used seven days and evenings a week, so these changes make a big difference for a busy community club.

How have members, players, staff and spectators responded to the Greener Game changes?

Everyone has really embraced the changes around the club, and I think we’re inspiring people to make similar changes at home. It feels like we’re leading the way in energy saving within the local community, and that’s something people are proud of.

If another local club wanted to replicate what you’ve done, what single most important lesson would you share at the start of their journey?

Embrace challenge and embrace change. Start with the small changes because small changes at a club can lead to big benefits. It’s not just about the impact on the club, but the wider community too. Parents and grandparents see what we’re doing here and think, “If Rugby Borough can do it, why can’t we do it at home?” That ripple effect is really powerful.

Looking ahead, what are you most excited to achieve in the next five years in terms of sustainability and facilities development?

Once you start seeing the savings, and you’re no longer spending that money on energy, you can reinvest it into the club. That could mean adding more solar panels, installing batteries, or upgrading other facilities.

In 10 years’ time, you could have the entire roof covered in solar panels, more battery storage, and potentially be running the club largely self-sufficiently during the day. That can only be good for the club, as more money can be reinvested into facilities and development.

Overall, it’s very positive!

Has anything surprised you from this experience so far, and have you learned anything?

The biggest surprise has been the change in mindset. Once people start thinking about being greener, it snowballs—people begin switching things off, thinking about energy use, and asking what else they can improve around the club. This mindset shift spreads through committees and encourages longer-term thinking about investing in the facility.

Another surprise was people’s initial scepticism. When something is offered for free, people assume there must be a catch. But the installation process was painless, didn’t disrupt the club, and afterwards people realised there really was no catch. No contracts, no pressure, just genuine support. That kind of help doesn’t happen often, so people are naturally cautious at first. But once they see it’s real, it changes perceptions.

Clubs are vital community hubs, no matter their size. For some people, the local club is their main social outlet—a place to meet people, have a drink, watch the game, and feel part of something. Losing that would be massive for communities.

If clubs talk to each other and share positive experiences, this can create a snowball effect. In the long run, these changes benefit not just clubs today, but future generations too.

Small changes, big impact for communities

Rugby Borough FC’s journey shows what’s possible when practical support meets community ambition. Through the Greener Game programme, the club is not only reducing its environmental impact, but also strengthening its role as a vital local hub.

As Stu explains, “These changes aren’t just about saving energy—they’re about showing our members and our community that small steps can make a big difference.”

With more clubs following their example, initiatives like the Greener Game are helping to build a greener, stronger future for grassroots football and the communities they serve.