FOREST GREEN have switched their training base from the Royal Agricultural University in Cirencester to Stanley Park, Chippenham.

Mark Cooper's side start their pre-season schedule today at the 47-acre state of the art site, which includes a FIFA 3G floodlit artificial grass pitch, changing rooms and refectory facilities.

Rovers have agreed a two-year training deal and chairman Dale Vince is keen to introduce his green initiatives to the site, including a travel plan  to reduce the number of journeys being made by the players and keep CO2 levels as low as possible.

“The facilities at Stanley Park are of a high standard and we believe they will play an important part as we embark on our historic first season in the football league, said Vince. “FIFA recently named us the world’s greenest football club, so we’re looking forward to using our expertise to help Stanley Park emulate the success we’ve achieved areas of sustainability.”

Councillor Sandie Webb, leader of Chippenham Town Council, said: “These are exciting times at Stanley Park, and we welcome Forest Green Rovers who are both a progressive football club, and a leader in sustainability throughout all areas of the game. We look forward to the future working in close partnership with them”