Walsall's Russell Martin joins the green party and claims 'clubs can do more' to save environment

In an interview with the Guardian, the 32-year-old discussed his views on climate change and his decision to turn vegan four years ago.

Martin, who previously voted Labour, opted to join the Green Party after meeting former leader Caroline Lucas.

"I’ve voted Labour all my life," he said.

"But knowing Caroline a little bit, what she stands for, what the party represents, I just thought this aligns with my values and morals.

“I’ve been a vegan for four years, plant-based, so that awakens you socially to become a lot more conscious about things.

"I’ll be honest, that wasn’t for ethical reasons at first, it was purely health.

"I was struggling with ulcerative colitis and I did a lot of research into diet and what could help.

"But then when you become involved in that it raises your awareness of the ethical side. You actually look at it and think: 'This makes sense.'"

As well as being player-coach at Walsall, Martin runs a charity in Brighton.

The Russell Martin Foundation aims to improve the lives of children through sport and education. It also promotes sustainability and environmental awareness.

It initially began as a football foundation but has gone from strength to strength with Martin eager to give something back to his hometown.

“I wanted to go into more areas: disability football, walking football for the over-55s, and we’re really promoting girls’ football too," he said.

"The vision is that we have a community hub for our foundation that’s based on what we’re about as an organisation – giving more opportunities to kids from deprived areas and that it becomes sustainable, like Forest Green Rovers on a much smaller scale.”

Alongside being player-coach at Walsall and his charity work, Martin, who drives an electric car, part-owns Erpingham House, the largest vegan restaurant in the UK.

But despite his busy schedule, he believes it's vital everyone takes time to help the environment.

“There’s stuff we can’t control – the Brexit madness – but there’s stuff that we can have an influence on and help future generations," he continued.

"I’ve got three young kids and I want it to look as good as possible for them by the time they hit my age.”

Martin feels football clubs, in particular, could do more to help the environment.

“Clubs can do a lot more,” he says.

"A lot of times its bottom of their priorities, which sometimes you understand because they need to win matches.

"But I think they need to be a bit more socially conscious.

"At most Premier League clubs, there would be 100-plus bottles being used a day. I’d like to know if they’re being recycled. And I can almost guarantee that most aren’t.”

The chances are Martin is the only vegan footballer in the country who votes for the Green Party. But that doesn't bother him.

"I’m probably deemed a bit of a weirdo in terms of football,” he added.

“But, to be honest, I’m past the point of worrying what others think.

"It’s not like: ‘Is it going to harm my employment opportunities because of where I vote and what I stand for?’

"If it did, I wouldn’t want to work for those people anyway.”