"Football is a very expensive game now. times are tough for a lot of people," said former England goalkeeper David James.
The former Liverpool, Portsmouth. Watford player was in Peterborough to promote two organisations which try to make football kit more affordable.
He co-founded Football Rebooted. which rehomes second-hand donated boots, andis an ambassador of Goal2Grow, which sells donated football kits for £10 each.
"There are people who want to play football for fun, social, mental. physical benefits who can't access football because of the prohibitive cost," said James.
"To represent my country in the World Cup, the biggest football event in the calendar, it was an honour for me. fortunately, because I did that, it helps me promote football boots as well."
Goal2Grow was set up by Peterborough-based Up The Garden Bath in Maylast year, while James, who grew up in Welwyn Garden City. also played for Manchester City and West Ham, became a project ambassador this March.
He attended a FIFA World Cup 2026 celebration in the city centre, which the community interest company helped organise, with the support of Peterborough City Council. Utilita Energy.
Kez Hayes Palmer, from Up The Garden Bath, said: "This is about more than football.
"This is about community, creativity, sustainability, and showing what is possible when people come together with heart and purpose."
James, who lives near Peterborough. currently works as a football pundit, helped set up the Football Rebooted project in 2021.
It aims to support families facing financial difficulties by providing access to pre-worn boots.
James said he had donated many boots himself, as had his friends and family.
"What we've realised is first of all on the environmental level, that a lot of football boots get put into landfill, which we need to avoid,. secondly, these boots are reusable," he said.
"I think there's 800 boxes or donation spots we have now in the country."
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