Green Football Weekend: Pomegranate Pods and Car Wash Controversies‪.‬ Emergency on Planet Sport

Ahead of Green Football Weekend (2nd-6th February), Jonathan and Melissa get busy with some easy, everyday environmental wins, "scoring goals" for their chosen clubs!  At www.greenfootballweekend.com you can send your team soaring up the sustainability league table by achieving positive results in and around your own home.  Jonathan's been whipping up some veggie delights in the kitchen and - somewhat controversially - using rain water to wash the car!  [Looks great - Ed]. Melissa, meanwhile, is car-less in the most remote part of the UK and pledging to cut down on shower times. Good luck with that!  It's all part of the partnership between Planet League, PledgeBall, Count Us In, the FSA, BT Sport and Sky Sports, aimed at engaging the football community in easy-to-achieve sustainable living.  Jon and Mel agree; it's easy, family-friendly and just a little bit competitive!  Tom Gribbin, founder and CEO of Planet League, joins the pod to explain more.

Times Codes:

00:00. We establish Melissa is in the Outer Hebrides!  Any other podcasts come from the Outer Hebrides?!  Do get in touch!  Jonathan's been down at Southampton FC a lot recently and he talks about their big new wins in the sustainability space.

04:00. We set up Green Football Weekend; an initiative formed by Planet League, Pledgeball, Count Us In, The FSA, BT Sport and Sky Sports.  Why not cruise their website while you listen to the pod?  www.greenfootballweekend.com

05:00  Guiding us through it is Tom Gribbin, founder and CEO of Planet League (formerly Planet Super League); someone who's doing as much as anyone in the sport and sustainability space.  www.planetleague.co.uk is his website; we'll even let him off being a Nottingham Forest fan. 

06:15  Tom talks about the positive contribution of Funso Ojo, the Port Vale and Belgium midfielder.  Great work Funso!

09:00. The "Layer Up Challenge" is one of the fun ways Tom wants football fans to engage.  He talks about the challenge of making sustainability "fun".   Look out for some big names getting involved over the next few days!

10:45. Melissa wants to know more about last year's "Scope F" report, released by Tom and his team at Planet League.  Sports organisations are relatively small businesses, but with huge brand influence.  The power is in the reach and passion; we must use this more, argues Tom.  More info here: https://www.scope-f.com

15:45. Jonathan explains more about the Green Football Weekend league table and how he intends to bring the trophy home for Arsenal with his high-flying team; "XhakaSakaLaka".

17:45. Tom brainstorms ways of linking these individual efforts with the football clubs themselves; there's great creative potential here!  It really would be an easy win for clubs to align themselves with all this positive action among fanbases.

19:15. Some unexpected controversy as Melissa doubts Jonathan's car washing claims.  Tom's in the VAR booth and surely has to arrive at the common sense decision, based on video evidence. [We've checked, it's real: - Ed]

21:15.  More information on what's coming up during Green Football Weeekend from Jonathan; including mentions for Norwich City and Everton. The WSL are doing some great work and I know several broadcasters who are leaving the car at home this weekend; great job guys!

22:30.  Tom rejoins the pod to talk about presentation and language around the sport/sustainability challenge.  Planet League's all about sending a very clear message about the benefits of individual actions; whether that be saving money, reducing calories or protecting animal welfare. 

25:30.  Kitchen concoctions!  Jonathan's very pleased with his Broccoli and Pomegranate Frittata.  Melissa's sounding keen...