English Non-League Club Promotes Seatbelt Safety Campaign With Special Kits

A non-league football club in England donned special kits last weekend to help promote road safety in the United Kingdom.

Basingstoke Town FC—which is based in Hampshire and play in the Southern League Premier Division South—wore the kits in their match against Merthyr Town on Saturday, April 26, which they won 3-0. They were part of a campaign in support of the AA Charitable Trust meant to encourage drivers and passengers to use their seatbelts on every car trip.

While, Basingstoke’s usual home kits are yellow with three vertical blue stripes on the front, the special kits had only one blue stripe running diagonally across the front, mimicking a seatbelt.

The kit also featured the AA Charitable Trust’s logo on the left sleeve.

“The seat belt kit is a striking reminder of a simple action that saves lives, and we’re proud to wear it,” said Basingstoke Town chairman Jack Miller. “Hopefully, it sparks conversations and makes a lasting impact.”

The road safety campaign is backed by former Arsenal and Crystal Palace striker and current football pundit Ian Wright.

“Wearing a seat belt is the simplest thing you can do to protect yourself when you’re in a car, no matter if you’re driving or getting a lift.
“It reduces the risk of death in a crash by 50%.”
— Ian Wright

Along with the kits, a “Buckle Up” message was also displayed on perimeter boards, napkins, flags and coasters at Basingstoke’s home ground, the Winklebury Football Complex.

According to the AA Charitable Trust—which promotes road safety and eco-driving to help the environment in the U.K.—43% of people ages 17 to 29 and 27% of all passengers who died in collisions on British roads between 2019 and 2023 were not wearing seatbelts. Their analysis also found that 29% of young drivers who die in collisions are not belted, and 95% of those fatalities are male.

“For any football club, young players are their most valuable assets and therefore ensuring they stay safe on the roads is vitally important. Research shows that teenagers are most at risk from serious injury as passengers or drivers when unbelted. Even on short journeys it’s absolutely vital to wear your seat belt.
“We hope this initiative will inspire other clubs to consider backing our campaign and even switching their kits for a one-off match.”
— Edmund King, director, AA Charitable Trust