On April 1st the Football Association of Wales (FAW), JD Cymru Leagues and Orchard Premier Women’s League football clubs will be announcing the launch of a new innovation for its domestic leagues that will be a world-first on the football pitch.

To promote its community partnership with the Welsh Blood Service, the FAW will be working with football clubs from across Wales to turn all pitch markings red for the start of the new season.

The decision will see Wales become the first nation in the world to adopt red pitch markings across its domestic leagues, replacing the traditional white markings that have been a common sight on football pitches since the late 1800s.