What a thoroughly lovely man Hector Bellerín is
Hector Bellerín has become the second largest shareholder in League Two club Forest Green Rovers.
The Arsenal full-back made the announcement while speaking to The Athletic’s David Ornstein, and said: “I’m so excited to be part of the FGR family. I’ll be helping where I can, supporting people who want to change the world for the better.”
Forest Green Rovers are the world’s most environmentally friendly team, going fully vegan in 2015 and becoming the first carbon neutral club in the world in 2017. Bellerín was impressed by their commitment to environmentalism and wanted to get involved.
“Forest Green are showing others the way,” the Spain international said.
“So many people feel there’s no solution to the world’s problems, but Forest Green are already doing plenty.”
9-months of planning & discussions of a shared vision for sustainablity in football & wider society.
So happy to have joined the @FGRFC_official journey. Loads more to come in the future to help our 🌏 #WeAreFGR
— Héctor Bellerín (@HectorBellerin) September 8, 2020
Bellerín is outspoken about a variety of social causes, having committed to planting 3,000 trees in the Amazon for every Arsenal win since the restart of the Premier League. He has also been a vocal advocate of the Black Lives Matter movement throughout this year.
“When I first played Forest Green Rovers [in a pre-season friendly in 2014], all I knew about them was that it was a long way from London!” he said.
“As I heard more about the club and its work, I knew I wanted to meet them and be part of it.”
Chairman Dale Vince said:
“I like Hector’s approach, his personal journey and the things he’s trying to do – they make sense.
“I’m looking forward to working with him on FGR and this wider agenda we have a shared interest in.”
Bellerín’s stake in the club is below the threshold that would cause a conflict of interest. The 25-year-old’s role at the club will be primarily focused on promoting the club’s eco-friendly agenda.
