A Macclesfield grassroots football club has become the first youth club in the country to ban mini shin pads.

Mini shinpads are smaller versions of shinpads that are used to protect the shins from heavy tackles.

Mini shinpads feel lighter, but increase more chance of injury with less of the leg protected.

Tytherington Juniors FC have banned the mini shinpads, against viral popularity, and have gone on a public campaign against them.

Football development officer Matt O'Brien said: "Mini-shin pads are the new style of shin guard that slip into your sock and are either 8x5cm or 10x6cm in size."

Tytherington Juniors has been going for 37 years.

"They have become trendy due to numerous 'famous' players wearing them and some online companies giving them away free when you buy grip socks.

"We have decided to ban them as they offer little to no protection, due to quickness of thought and experience - much easier for a 'star' player to see a tackle approaching than a small child, who could get a severe kick to the shins - in most cases by total accident.

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"It important for us to look out for the safety of players at Tythy Juniors, as young players, injuries sustained now - could have life long repercussions for players, thus - we have a moral obligation to ensure our players safety."

A few players had wore them after Christmas, before the ban.

Regular sized shin pads being sold in Macclesfield. (Image - Macclesfield Nub News)

When pressed about whether mini shinpads should be banned at an elite level as well Mat said: "Given grassroots players hold 'star'players in such esteem, it would certainly be the sensible decision to do so."

Tytherington Juniors wants to raise awareness in highlighting the risk players may face by not properly protecting their shin area.

Tytherington Juniors is a grassroots football club, with now close to 650 players and over 55 teams.

They are proud to represent Macclesfield at all levels of grassroots, with a thriving girls section - which is growing constantly with teams now from U8s to U13s.

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They currently have spaces available in our brand new U7s and U8s girls teams, for girls in years 1, 2 and 3, and also spaces in many other mixed teams.

Macclesfield: If you want to your child to join the club please head to their website.