Cameron's Corner World Cup bla

The adizero f50: The smart new kicks

2011-09-30T08:59:00.000-07:00

The adizero f50 has been dubbed the intelligent football boot and is powered by adidas miCoach . According to adidas the electronic soccer shoe tracks and uploads performance data to help improve the players performance. The boots have a cavity in the outsole unit which houses the miCoach SPEED_CELL™, which in turn captures 360° movement and measures key performance metrics including speed, average speed (recorded every second), maximum speed (recorded every five seconds), number of sprints, distance, distance at high intensity levels, steps and stride rates. On-board memory stores all the measurements during your game or training for up to seven hours and then wirelessly transmits the on pitch performance data to a tablet, PC or MAC. Other adidas technologies built in to the new shoe include the Sprintweb, which provides stability during high speed movements, Sprintskin, a synthetic lightweight layer to reduce the weight of the shie and Sprintframe, which uses geometrics and a new stud construction to balance between lightweight and stability.

The adizero f50 boots come with a Speed Cell™ and a smart device dongle miCoach CONNECT for iPod and iPhone as well as the miCoach CONNECT for PC / MAC. The boots weighs 165g and costs €245 ($330) and will be available at adidas retail outlets and specialist stores worldwide from November.

Safer soccer boots

2011-04-28T17:48:00.000-07:00

Bobby Robson's boot fail to sell at auction

2011-04-07T04:17:00.001-07:00

Recently an old pair of Bobby Robson’s football boots failed to sell when they went under the hammer. The unworn pair of size two boots, believed to have been owned by the England, Barcelona and Newcastle United manager when he was a schoolcboy, did not reach the reserve price of £300 during the auction at Thomas Watson’s in Darlington. The boots were put up for sale by Sir Bobby’s childhood friend, Thomas Robson.

Stramash

2011-01-23T02:43:00.001-08:00

Have a swizz at Stramash

F50 adiZERO: The Green Machine

2010-11-21T16:39:00.000-08:00

The colourful CR Mercurial Vapor SuperFly II

2010-10-29T17:09:00.000-07:00

Football boots are becoming more of a fashion statement these days as marquee players make them a focal point for TV cameras. Designs and colourways which might previous have not been out of place on the dance floor are finding their way to the green blaze and all in the name of selling product. The minute you see visible high end footwear on sports persons the more likely the industry has nothing else to offer. Traditionally dark coloured boots were associated with soccer but Hummel changed all that in the 70s with the introduction of white boots for Alan Ball * (England and Arsenal). Took a brave player to wear anything other than black for fear of being picked on by rival fans. “Who's the poofter in the boots?” would ring out from the crowd and low be tide anyone who dared wear coloured boots and have a poor game. Two decades later and high colour became a bi-word for companies like Adidas and Puma who seemed to realise soccer moms like their offspring in visibly fashionable boots. What is good for the amateur must be good for business and endorsed players became fashion doyons. Televised events such as the FIFA World Cups with its millions of viewers have made the football pitch the macho catwalk where the models i.e. players, demonstrate the new look and functionality of the footwear range from the companies that pay them thousands of dollars just to be “seen.” Always good then to see the antics of rival companies outdoing the official sponsor as with the red heels of Nike at the recent World Cup. Being top does not always mean being the best and when the great David Backham wore golden boots for his 100th cap for England (against France), his team lost 1-0 and David did not excel in the game. Now it is the turn of Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) to wow the faithful with shoe and deed as he sports his new safari-themed black-and-white-spotted CR Mercurial Vapor SuperFly II Nikes. I wonder if he may have an Alan Ball moment ?

*After Ball heard a rumour Hummel, were prepared to pay £2,000 to a professional willing to their white boots he took them up on their offer. The boots were uncomfortable and Ball substituted his own adidas boots after painting them white. All went well until the white washed away in the rain during the game and Hummel withdrew their £2,000.

Pink Dominate Pro

2010-09-26T20:26:00.001-07:00

Under Armour have released a limited edition pink (magenta) version of the Dominate Pro for women, in order to raise awareness towards breast cancer research. Moreover, 100 % of the proceeds from the sales of the boot will go to the 'Kicks Against Breast Cancer’ programme Imprinted along the sole of the boot is the slogan ‘Power in pink’, and the boot also has ‘She’s a fighter’ printed along the heel. The latter is a tribute to all women who struggle each day with the disease.

Umar Akmal wears football boots

2010-09-05T16:06:00.000-07:00

Recent match fixing controversy regarding Pakistan Cricket Team has taken its toll with many of the professional watching where they tred. Umar Akmal has taken it a step further and sports lime green football boots on the Green.

Soccer slippers: Pay more for less?

2010-08-30T07:04:00.001-07:00

This season’s lightest football boots are produced by two German brands, Puma (150g) and Adidas (164g) , one American brand in Nike (210g), and the British brand, Umbro M(236g). Fashion for speed boots started with the adiZero boot (adidas) but when Puma developed lightweight footwear for sprinter, Usain Bolt (Jamaica) they transferred the same technology to soccer slippers. The Puma v1.10 Lightning SL is the lightest football boot ever made.
Currently the top seller is the Nike Mercurial Vapor Superfly II ($427 US). These boots are heavily promoted and endorsed by many of the Nike sponsored players including: Cristiano Ronaldo, Didier Drogba, Robinho, Nani, Arshavin, Robin Van Persie, Zlatan Ibrahimovic , Theo Walcott , Gabriel Agbonlahor <.a>, Aaron Lennon ,and Adam Johnson .
Next on the price scale is the Puma v1.10 SL lightning (@ $288 US). These are the lightest shoes and have the classic Puma which are most suited to speed players like Samuel Eto’o who currently endorses them.
Adidas F50 adiZero (@ $194 US) are generally thought to be the perfect combination of affordability and weight. These lightweight boots feature state of the art technology (according to the manufacturers) but one well reported flaw is brittle studs which break easily. Players who are paid to wear Adidas F50 adiZero include: Lionel Messi, David Villa, Diego Forlan, Goran Pandev, Arjen Robben, Lukas Podolski, Samir Nasri , Salomon Kalou, Shunsukie Nakamura, Steven Pienaar, and Jermain Defoe.
The Umbro GT (@ $132 US) is bargain basement for speed shoes but at a fraction of the cost of the most expensive soccer slipper many more are likely to join Darren Bent, who currently plays in Umbro GTs.

Remote controlled football boots: Letter to Santa

2010-08-27T16:44:00.001-07:00

Dear Santa

The vuvuzela is much cheaper than bagpipes and makes equally as much din. So in my stocking this year I want a vuvuzela. One with all the customised decals would be best. If I am really a good boy and eat my crusts I would like remote controlled football boots (read soccer for football Santa since you are American and drink Coca Cola). The kit comes with a ball, 2 boots, a couple of nets and remote controls. Each boot has an electric motor with 4 hidden wheels which allow them to move: forwards, backwards, to the left and right. Each boot transmits a different frequency which allows them to be remote controlled. The boots are colour coded in red or blue with orange. I want to amaze my friends with trick back-heel shots and expert scoring skill. Eventually I can join a team and play Thunderboots Remote controlled football in competition with others. If there are no remote controlled football boots left then can I please have R/C Robot Soccer . The set contains a mini soccer field, one soccer ball and two miniature soccer playing remote control robots. These are fitted with four wheels and move just like the boots.

Thank you in anticipation, and who is you most favourite player by the way? Mine is Jim Baxter.

PS
Santa can you please include 10 AA batteries, because they do not come with the kit.

PPS I am over three years of age.

New football from Nike seems a winner

2010-08-21T15:51:00.000-07:00

A new season of the Premier League has just kicked off with yet another new football. Nike are the official ball supplier to the Premier League and have been since the 2001/01 season. The new Nike Total 90 Tracer PL Football was developed over two years to develop using Nike’s Geo Technology (sic. whatever that is?) to make the match ball rounder and more balanced. Not to be outdone by adidas World Cup ball , Jubulani , which met with overall disdain, the Nike match ball seems to have been generally accepted with no major problems reported. The almost perfect sphere of the new ball has been created by the clever panel geometry which places hexagons and pentagons precisely together. This is thought by the manufacturers to produce a "360-Degree Sweet Spot." The almost perfect shape is retained by cross-linked nitrogen- expanded foam with polyester support fabric to enhance structure and stability. The evenly distributed pressure across the round ball always responds in the same way when hit. The perfect symmetry allows the ball to fly faster, farther, and be hit more accurately. The ball is encased in a compressed polyethylene layer which helps store energy at impact before releasing it at launch. The black asymmetrical band encircling the ball generates a more powerful visual signal as it rotates, providing a quicker read on ball location, spin rate, speed and trajectory from any angle. The ball’s colourway help fans pick up ball movement as well as promote the Premier League brand on television. Before a new ball can be accepted they must go through vigorous tests outlined as a FIFA requirement. This includes wind-tunnel tests for aerodynamic performance, testing with athletes at the Nike Science & Research Lab (NSRL), and finally, elite athlete testing on the training pitches of multiple Premier League clubs.The Nike Total 90 Tracer PL Football match ball was tested for more than two years in Nike research labs. The new ball will be used not only in the English Premier League but also in the Italian Serie A, and the Primera Division in Spain.

Dancing Shoes: The George Best Story

2010-08-03T01:35:00.001-07:00

Dancing Shoes: The George Best Story is a new musical about George Best and was written and produced by Martin Lynch and (Sarah) Marie Jones (Stones in His Pockets). Music and songs are composed by Pat Gribben (The Adventures and Starjets) and JJ Gilmour (The Silencers) . The lead role is taken by Aidan O'Neill, who has an uncanny resemblance to the famous Belfast boy and international football player. George was one of the most skilful players ever, with magic feet and hence the title of the show, Dancing Shoes. Throughout his carteer he enjoyed a champagne life style off the park but eventually succumbed to chronic alcoholism. The show had its opening at the Grand Opera House in Belfast and the first performance was met with a standing ovation. The hope is the musical will eventually have a run at London’s West End.

Not from the show but here is a tribute from Don Fardon

Football - a funny old game

2010-07-29T16:51:00.000-07:00

Much is made in the media about stress fractures and association with 'light boots' but there is little real evidence to associate the two. The soccer slipper to the best of my knowledge appears to include all that is known about the sport plus the clever inclusion of new polymers. Genuine concerns were expressed when players used the cleats to rip and tear at the flesh of opponents but otherwise despite the focus on high profile players suffering from 'generic'stress fractures there is no independent evidence of 'cause and effect.

Fractures of the middle three metatarsals or March Fracture was well named and historically relates to 'square bashing' (British military slan for drill on a barracks square)in military training. From the First World War on wards preparation for disciplined combat involved marching on hard parade grounds. Many new recruits suffered fatigue fractures from endless marching. As military sartoria developed and over the ankle boots were introduced, fatique fractures of the metatarsals were replaced with shin splints. The more enlightened countries realised whilst boots had their place in combat, physical exercise was best achieved wearing less restrictive footwear. There is reference to this in the literature relating to reported injuries in the Israeli and New Zealand recruits.

Over use of elite athletes has the same effect resulting in exhaustion and in those prone, fatigue fractures. Wayne Rooney is certainly a case in point where the man has such a punishing regime to earn his money he is prone to ‘niggling injuries’ which I would suggest have more to do with overall fatigue, serendipity and trauma with the ball (in the case of Jones' fracture) than anything else. The aftermath was pretty obvious at the recent FIFA World Cup with many marquee players distinctly off form after horrendously long playing seasons.

The media are always keen for a good story and have seldom let the truth come between them and a headlining scoop. The recent works on football boots and injuries from Dundee Univ was quickly picked on and sensationalised somewhat. Good copy because of the impending FIFA World Cup but from what I read little more than conjecture.

In similar mode the disdain of ‘old farts’ (Sir Alec being one on this occasion) uncomfortable with the new light boot (in bright colours) brought a tirade of complaint. No better way to criticise than demonise them as injury causing. No need for hard evidence when there are A & E experts were to hand to extrapolate concerns to the wider population of amateur footballers.

Quid pro quo

adidas boots scored more goals but did they sell more boots?

2010-07-24T23:26:00.000-07:00

Spain won the 2010 FIFA World Cup > but according to adidas, it was the F50 adizero football boots that scored more goals (41 in total) than any other boot brand during the championship. All very well but main rivals Nike are claiming they made more sales out of the event than the main sponsor, adidas. Sales of the F50 adizero football boots did soar but adidas remain tight lipped by how much. The company have also been silent about the sales of the Jabulani (official ball), which was heavily criticised by players for being too light and unpredictable.

The real star of the World Cup

2010-07-12T01:22:00.000-07:00

Goalkeeper Gloves: a brief history

2010-07-09T01:14:00.000-07:00

Come the final of the FIFA World Cup 2010 South Africa one thing for sure is goalkeeper gloves will be in full view. Very much part of a keeper's kit there was a time not too long ago it was the exception for goalies to wear gloves. The first pair of goalie gloves to be patented was in 1885 by William Sykes. Sykes made footballs but his glove patent featured an India (latex) rubber layer, to give the goalkeeper protection from the ball. Goalkeeper gloves were not especially popular and it took until the 40s before Argentina's, Amadeo “Tarzán” Carrizo started wearing them when keeping goal for River Plate. Keen to keep up with Continental and South American trends the first reported use of goalkeeping gloves in the UK came in 1952 at an Airdrie vs Celtic match. Whether the goalie had them on the keep his fingers warm is not recorded.

An early convert was Italian goalkeeper, Stefano ‘Stanno’ Andreotti who after a dismal game in wet conditions let the ball slip through his fingers and drop into the goal. Determined to improve his performance he designed a fingerless glove with ropes of leather on the outside to improve his grip. Later he substituted bits of rubber on the outside improving the grip further and providing the game with the first goalkeeper gloves specific to the task. He encouraged others to use his gloves and started the brand name “Standreo.” He later changed this to ‘Stanno’ for ease. Despite a growing number of keepers wearing gloves sales were poor and the company changed from glove manufacture to making football boots and footballs. “Stanno” goalkeeper gloves were reintroduced in the sixties and remains among the more popular gloves today. Other companies keen to compete in the glove market during the late sixties and early 70s were Sondico , Reusch (Est. 1934) and Uhlsport (Est. 1948) .

Televised events such as the World Cup saw attitudes gradually change and by the early seventies, about the same time boots became more streamlined, goalkeepers started wearing gloves. German company Reusch worked with goalkeeper Sepp Maier (FC Bayern Munich ) to develop quality goal keeper gloves. Individual keepers like Neville Southall (Everton and Wales) were experimenting with gardening gloves and washing-up gloves to improve their goal keeping skills. Since the 1980s significant advancements have been made in the design of gloves, which now feature protectors to prevent the fingers bending backwards, segmentation to allow greater flexibility, and palms made of materials designed to protect the hand and to enhance a player's grip.

Depending on the way the glove is cut and stitched determines its properties. The ‘cut’ refers mainly to different ways the glove palms are stitched around the fingers. There are three basic styles: Flat palm gloves, Roll finger gloves and Negative cut goal keeper gloves. Other styles are made up of a combination of these three types. Flat palm gloves are the more traditional cut and make a continuous flat surface between the hand and the goalkeeper gloves. Roll Finger goalkeeper gloves have extra latex foam between the fingers which allows grater surface contact with the ball than the palm alone. Wider area to distribute force reduces peak pressures on impact. Alternatively the negative cut goalkeeper glove gives a ‘glove like’ fit between the hands and the ball. Negative cut goalkeeper gloves fit more tightly to the hands. Like Roll Finger goalkeeper gloves these have latex between the fingers for greater contact. Unlike roll finger gloves have stitching on the inside of the glove on the palm side to pull the latex closer to the fingers. Goalkeeper gloves come with the option of latex foams in widths of 2mm – 5mm, plus backing foam, and goalkeepers have different preferences about which type of glove they feel best in. There is an optimal mix of latex foam and spacer fabric to protect the hand without interfering with natural movement. Gloves are often lined with latex to prevent slipping and some cold weather gloves have an inner fleece to keep the fingers warm. The three main functions of catching, punching, throwing are catered for in the hi-tech designs of modern gloves.

Goalkeeper gloves improve grip on the ball as well as protect and cushioning the keeper’s fingers, palms and wrists. The ball travels at astonishing speeds and goalie needs to protect and shield hands and wrists. Better quality goalie gloves are engineered for feel not durability and because the quality materials usually mixtures of new polymers are less durable than cheaper materials the gloves wear out quickly. To give better grip, gloves are internally stitched with no outside seams on the fingers or palms. adidas were one of the original pioneers of the finger protection gloves which they launched in the early 90`s. To allow better grip in wet conditions gloves may include minute titanium shards in the foam for added traction. Some gloves incorporate removable curved bones which provide optimum finger protection without affecting the flexibility of the hand. Others include extra EVA foam cushioning around the ‘punch zone’ for painlessly clearing the ball with the clenched fist. To help backhand flexes most gloves are now lined with foam on the back of the glove. Most professional goalkeepers have two or more pairs and keep their favoured gloves for games.

Goal keepers gloves need to fit the hand snugly although the dimension of the gloves must be physically bigger than the hand to give extra surface area to catch the ball. Most gloves strap on at the wrist or have a full-wrap bandage style wrist closure. Glove designs now incorporate ventilation for added comfort.

No self respecting keeper of the goals would dare play without their hi-tech gloves today. Indeed Portugal's Ricardo Pereira was heavily criticised in the Euro 2004 tournament when he dared remove his gloves in a penalty shoot out against England. Not only did he save the penalty he also scored the deciding penalty to send Portugal to the semi-finals.

Not over until the sound of the whistle

2010-07-02T00:23:00.000-07:00

The list of 19 referees released by FIFA to officiate from the quarter-finals onwards does not include Italian, Roberto Rosetti (red carded Harry Kewell in the Socceroos' match against Ghana) and the referee who allowed a goal by Argentina's Carlos Tevez against Mexico. Other referees who found themselves at the centre of embarrassing blunders were also relieved of duty including Uruguay's Jorge Larrionda, the man who missed Frank Lampard's `goal' in England 's 4-1 defeat to Germany. Over the noise of the vuvuzelas one sound prevails on the park and that is the referee’s whistle. The piercing sound is used to signal commencement or restart of play, to stop or delay play due to an infringement or injury, or to indicate that time has expired in the half. Before the introduction of the whistle, referees used a handkerchief to indicate their decisions. No one is quite sure when the referee’s whistle was first introduced but the inventor was Joseph Hudson a musician who played the violin. One day he accidently dropped his instrument and as it smashed to the ground he heard a curious sound, fascinated he decided to replicate the sound with a pea whistle. Soon after Hudson learned the police in London were looking to replace the hand rattle and so set to developing his distinct sounding whistle for the Bow Street Runners. He established the Hudson & Co in Birmingham, England in 1870. Hudson saw the potential to use his whistle at sporting events and the Acme Thunderer became a firm favourite there after. The use of whistles was not mandated by the Laws of the Game (LOTG) until recently. In 2007, a full page of advice on how best to use the whistle was introduced. Referees now have a free hand to choose which whistle they prefer albeit in previous World Cups they were restricted to specific types i.e. in the 1998 World Cup France the pealess (airfast) ACME Tornado 2000. The Tornado 2000 was considered to be the loudest whistle.
At the World Cup in South Africa 2010 all the disciplinary card (yellow and red) will be made in Trechtingshausen (Germany) by B+d Allzweck Sportartikel. All the disciplinary cards have rounded corners to prevent catching on the referees clothing. B+d Allzweck Sportartikel is currently working on an innovation: an electronic match report pad complete with recording device so that referees no longer need to note anything down.

The Goalkeeper

2010-06-29T07:50:00.000-07:00

It would be safe to say the loneliest people on the field of play would be the goalkeepers. After all, for them there are no mistakes only those misjudgements which result in a goal. Research shows between the FIFA World Cups of 1982 and 1998 75% of penalties were converted and that figures increased in 1998 to 80%. This world cup would record a lower percentage but the odds still favour the penalty taker. Studies indicate the goalkeeper needs to anticipate the direction of the ball before the attacker kicks it. The adidas Jubulani TM, can travel up to 85 mph, which does not give the give the goalkeeper much time. Again research would support training makes little or no difference to a player's perceptual anticipation. This would appear to be consistent with the thought people are born goalkeepers and not developed from the general pack. Few players move from an outpost position to become a goalkeeper in their career, whereas some goalkeepers do make credible conversions. Many goalkeepers come from a family line of goalkeepers, which may account for both physical aptitude and perceptual intuitiveness. The physical requirements of a goalkeeper are mobility and quickness, flexibility and agility, quick reaction speed with a high level of physical fitness, strength and stamina. A good goalkeeper needs a high pain threshold because of the injuries associated with vigorously defending the goal. In the relative few published works on goalkeepers there appears to be a high association with temporal and spacial occlusion and their ability to react quickly to block and control the oncoming cannon ball, then redirect to other areas on the field. All within a very short span of time. Generally goalkeepers fall into two personality types, those who are extrovert and outgoing or those who are quiet and unassuming. Grade A goalkeepers have extraordinary physical strength, some thick set whereas others are lean and mean. One other distinguishing feature of a goalkeeper is they need to want to be hit by the ball. This is often the most difficult fear to overcome. A good goalkeeper reads the game and can switch defence to attack with a well-placed kick to a waiting striker. The keeper sees the complete field of play and requires to communicate with teammates. Under these circumstances his/her voice can be heard around the ground. Confidence and optimism are important characteristics as these are infectious and help teammates raise their play. Goalkeepers undergo extra training and are coached separately from the rest of the squad; few professionals enjoy the physical effort of training and prefer to play. This can frustrate the keepers. Also many clubs retain second and third goalkeepers on the squad and this can add to the frustration of the individuals because they cannot get a match but have to stay in tiptop condition as understudies. Some goalkeepers will drop a level to play regularly. This may be explained in part by the belief no training schedule can match game experience. Experienced keepers make fewer mistakes because they learn from them and this accounts for older players appearing as first choice in high level competition. Goalkeeper by their very nature are risk takers and will temp oncoming attackers to aim for empty space in their goals, before springing into action to close down the opportunity. A good keeper will have a range of skills, which are not too predictable for the opposition. Mastery of these does result in mistakes and experience is the most highly valued asset of a goalkeeper. Throughout the duration of a game, keepers are only as good as their defence. A mediocre keeper can look brilliant when his teammates raise their game and vice versa. It is often harsh to judge a keeper's performance in a vacuum.

VIDEO: World Cup ball: study in motion

2010-06-29T07:40:00.000-07:00

VIDEO: World Cup ball: study in motion

History of Shin Guards (Shin pads)

2010-06-26T16:42:00.000-07:00

Shin guards made an appearance in 1874 and were made from large cricket pads to protect the front of the leg. As the speed of the game increased these grew smaller and many players discarded them altogether. Tired players preferred to play out the later stages of the games with their socks rolled down. This prevented cramp and gave them extra freedom. When the rules of the game no longer allowed this shin guards made a re-appearance. Shin guards protect by spreading loads over wider areas of the skin. The force of the initial impact is reduced as peak pressure is dampened down. The properties of the materials display energy absorbing characteristics, which further protect the player's leg from injury. Modern shin guards are made with a hard outside casing and a soft inner layer. Outer surface is crafted in thermoplastic materials with shock absorbing inner material made from Ethyl Vinyl Acetate (EVA) or other foam type material. Shin guards do not absorb large quantities of energy and so are unlikely to prevent bone fractures from high energy type trauma. New age shin guard have integrated compression sleeves for muscle support to limit fatique.

Player's Superstitions

2010-06-24T17:17:00.001-07:00

To be a top class goal scorer a player needs not only to be able to score when the opportunity presents but even when there is only half a chance. Scoring from the slenderest opportunity places an exclusive band of goal scorers far above the average striker. On a simple goal tally it is obvious more goals are scored in the modern game than was the case in early times. How much of this relates to improved soccer boots and ball technology remains unknown. Players are however, by nature, very superstitious and will go to extraordinary lengths to maintain their run of luck. Most of their actions defy common logic and some so bazaar as to be noted here. Whilst most admit to being superstitious and doing silly things, like soaking themselves and their new boots in a bath before allowing boots to dry around their feet, many are as quick as to dismiss these beliefs. When the accumulation of coaching, training, skill development and fitness are complete all that is required is for the player, is to go out and play. Or so you might think. The surreptitious nature of the game and likelihood of suffering an injury combined with the abject fear of public disgrace particularly when seen by 37 million people puts intolerable pressures on the players. According to Morris (1981) these factors contribute to why soccer players are so superstitious. They are not alone in the sporting fraternity. The power of superstition is all in the mind and for some players the magic rituals take on astonishing intensity. In the main team mates respect each other's rituals and all avoid tempting fate. Ritualistic behaviour starts days before the game. Many well known players will only wear certain shoes and socks, and like a young bride, place a sixpence (lucky coin) in their shoes. Some personally polish their playing boots in preparation before the match. This menial task is usually reserved to apprentice players or boot boys. Alcohol, usually spirits, plays a role, and Desmond Morris, the anthropologist described one player who insisted on dosing the tips of his boots, one with whisky and the other water. Players will be careful to travel to the stadium observing all taboos as a means of not tempting fate. The most intense time for ritualism is in the changing rooms. Rigidly observed procedures involve those connected with changing clothes. Lucky shoes, socks, and even laces all form part of the rituals, religiously followed by those seeking the good fortunes of fate. The manner the clothing is put on often become ritualistic. Some players are known to put on socks and boots and nothing else well before the game. They sit quietly psyching themselves up to a peak performance. This might involve a nip of whisky or their favourite tipple to further concentrate their mind. Some players insist on eating and Billy Bremner (former captain of Leeds United and Scotland) was famous for eating a plateful of baked beans before every game. Putting on the left sock first before the right, or the right boot before the left. Lacing boots can become a ritual with players lacing and unlacing their boots multiple times before the game. Morris reported the clothing of others could also become a focus to the superstitious. For example some players needed to see their coach wear socks of their lucky colour before they would take to the field. This fetishism extends to the shoes worn by the coach and the author described a ceremoniously fastened of the coach's shoe by one of the players as pre match necessity before the team would leave the dressing rooms. Some players insist on entering the changing rooms in a particular way most of, which involves walking through the boot room. Players will carry lucky charms including a rabbit's foot or lucky heather. The absence of pockets in playing kits and restrictions on wearing jewellery for safety mean the talisman are slipped into the shoe, or in the case of goal keeper such paraphilia are tossed into the back of the goal. Players are ritualistic even in the tunnel leading to the pitch. Some players will head or kick the ball a certain number of times or bounce it off the wall before running onto the field. Once on the pitch another set of ritual behaviour might take place. Players will take their boots off and put them back on again. Many insist in replacing the boots and some even kiss their boots for luck. Players will roll the chewing gum they have been chewing into a ball and attempt to kick the ball. A successful contact means a good game but when the player misses then bad luck will follow. Why so many superstitions involve boots remains unclear but such behaviour as preferring the right or left has been known since antiquity. In Roman and Greek times the left side was considered lucky with one exception and that was when entering a home. Only the right foot could cross the threshold if good luck was to prevail. In rich domiciles there were servants whose sole function (excuse the pun) was to direct all visitors to use their right foot first. They were called footmen and position is still with us today. By the Middle Ages the left side was more associated with bad luck. The origins of "By the left quick march" for example refer to a clear indication no mercy will be extended to the enemy. Soccer players may be extending the same charity to their opponents. For most people left sides are weaker. This is partly explained by neonatal compression of the left leg against the mother's spine in the womb. Attendance to the right foot first may be to favour the stronger side. This would be reversed in the case of left-footed players. One other reason to explain the boot ritual may be the misfortune awaiting those who place their right foot in a left shoe. History records this happened to Augustus Caesar.
"Augustus having an oversight
Put on his left shoe for his right
Had like to have been slain that day
By soldiers mutinying for pay."

An old Jewish custom was to put the right shoe on first without tying it, then the left sock. The ritual required taking the right shoe off and putting on the right sock, left shoe on tied and back to the right shoe. This is seen occasionally when players will come onto the field and during pre-match warm ups and are observed taking their boots and putting them on again. Players prefer to play in boots that are broken in. Not so strange when hidden seams can burst causing painful blisters as well as cuts and abrasions to their feet. Some players prefer to remove design logos from their boots to get an all black appearance. Manufacturers are aware of this and incorporate weaknesses such as hidden seems which tear easily once the company's logo are removed. In 1908 when goal-scoring ace, George Hedley played for Wolverhampton Wanderers he scored a goal against Newcastle causing one of his favourite boots to split. Despite being offered a new pair Hedley steadfastly refused and saw the game to completion with one tattered boot. The player had his favourite boots patched up at least 17 times before eventually and somewhat reluctantly parting with them. Superstitious ritual in sports people is well documented and thought by many experts to be a means of stress relief. Performance is dependent on training, confidence and physical conditioning; all athletes feel they need to be in control and often observing superstitions provides this means. Athletes can only partially regulate their physical conditions but can have total control over their superstitious practices before and during a contest. (Becker 1975) . Observed superstitions cause them to experience less anxiety than they would if they did nothing. When something appears to work, prior to success, then it is common not to change that routine. To minimise conflict between the need for a talisman in an environment where such practice is opposed the superstitious behaviour usually becomes covert.

Campaign to ban kangaroo skin boots

2010-06-23T03:36:00.001-07:00

Animal welfare campaigners are again using the FIFA World Cup South Africa to highlight the killing of the kangaroos for football boots. Previously David Beckham bowed to pressure from the campaigning animal welfare group Viva !and stopped using kangaroo leather boots in 2006. Nike, Adidas and Puma continue to use kangaroo skin in the manufacture of their top selling boots. Now animal welfare groups are hoping England players like Wayne Rooney and John Terry will kick their kangaroo skin boots into touch. Efforts are also being made in the European parliament to ban kangaroo leather and meat across the EU. While the controversy rages Australian government sanctioned kangaroo industry deny cruel culling of kangaroos. Currently the industry employs more than 4,000 people and generates at least £100 million a year in wages.

Orange cuties steal the rainbow show?

2010-06-18T22:17:00.001-07:00

Everyone may know adidas is the official sponsor of the FIFA World Cup 2010 but rival Nike prizes itself in topping the popularity list when it comes to under the wire marketing. Whether it be the Olympics or the World Cup adidas puts up while Nike steals the show with clever tactics in ambush marketing . FIFA World Cup South Africa 2010 has been no different and will be remembered not just for the vuvuzela horns but those eye catching orange heels worn by a significant number of players. These are Nike boots and the blood orange colour was picked specifically to stand out on TV. Have a swizz at the New Nike Elite range of football boots.

Thierry Henry: Where's my boots?

2010-06-14T03:27:00.001-07:00

French striker Thierry Henry (FC Barcalona and France ) was in a dilemma hours before he took to the pitch because he had no boots to put on. Thanks to Cape Town's intrepid "ghost squad" traffic police for they raced the boots to the star across the town in the midst of heave traffic. The bespoke boots had been detained at customs.

Expensive boots with a luxurious shoe box

2010-06-14T03:15:00.000-07:00

Charles and Sandi Martin of Martin Developments are selling the world’s most expensive footie boots including diamonds on the laces and gold-studs for just under £2million. Bargain at half the price but there’s more. The shoes come in their own box - a luxury, state-of-the-art four bedroom home overlooking Torbay in Devon . The £2million football boots will be made to measure and be either for men, or women with diamonds along the back of the high heels, or a combination of the two. The price of the footie boots, which includes the property is also inclusive of Stamp Duty and buyers’ legal fees.

Footbal Theme to Expo 2010 Shanghai China

2010-06-13T04:02:00.001-07:00

Expo 2010 Shanghai China is being held in the city of Shanghai, China (May 1 to October 31, 2010). It is a World Expo in the tradition of international fairs and expositions. The theme of the exposition is "Better City – Better Life" and signifies Shanghai's new status in the 21st century as the "next great world city" More than 190 countries and more than 50 international organizations have registered to participate in the Shanghai World Expo. China expects to receive almost 100 foreign leaders and more than 70–100 million visitors. In the spirit of the Zakumi is at hand to be photographed . The walls of the Brazil Pavilion are covered with green wooden blocks to remind visitors of the green colour of football pitches. The pavilion ceiling is made from many footballs, basketballs and volleyballs. There is even a Pelé Coffee Bar and outside the pavilion is a huge screen on which football videogame graphics are shown and football matches are broadcast. Visitors can use their cell phones to participate in the interactive football game displayed on the screen. Football too features prominently in the Argentinean Pavilion with a floor screen showing the scenes of talented Argentine football players such as Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi and the moving moments when Argentina won the World Cup. In the UK Pavilion at the exit is a wax figure of Wayne Rooney. The European Union pavilion is expected to host many famous European football stars both past and present for the Expo European football week in mid to late September. Real Madrid players will visit the Madrid City Pavilion and organisers hope the Spanish football team will accept their invitation to visit the Expo 2010 Shanghai China after the World Cup (favourites to lift the trophy).

Slip-on football boots

2010-06-12T11:30:00.000-07:00

The new Zhero Gravity Ultra from Lotto Sport Italia are the only laceless football boot in the world (sic. a fad other manufacturers are likely to follow). According to the manufacturer the lightweight, laceless, Zhero Gravity Ultra fits the foot like a glove giving the wearer optimal sensitivity for controlling the ball. The concave flexible sole moves with the kinetic foot helping preserve energy and supports the foot. The stud formation again according to Lotto brings increases lateral stability to the foot ensuring an improved protection of the ankle. Strategic cushioning helps reduce impact forces and the boots are fitted with slightly larger Twist’ngo studs TM over the first metatarsal (base of the big toe) area. The pivoting stud allows the boot to efficiently follow any rotational movement made by the player. The upper of the boot is made from soft microfiber that guarantees the perfect fit to the shape of the foot. A firm heel counter helps anchor the foot in the boot and is joined to the Flexible Pebax © sole. The boot is available with different soles: SG (soft ground) with interchangeable studs for heavy and muddy grounds; FG (firm ground) with conical fixed studs that include the Twist’ngo system, for maximum stability and traction on grassy and dry surfaces. The laceless football boots are available in white, metal blue night, black, bright white.

Studs are safer than cleats? New research

2010-06-12T00:01:00.000-07:00

Researchers at University of Dundee found that the traditional stud was safer in a series of tests involving amateur players. According to the study, the traditional stud helps to distribute the pressure being placed on a footballer's feet while the cleats increase the loading on the front of the foot. Professor Rami Abboud , of the Institute of Motion Analysis and Research, said the study of the differing pressures placed on the foot found that bladed boots were "relatively more harmful" due to the unnatural increased loading under the lateral half of the foot. The study was based on a series of tests conducted with 29 players from amateur football teams who were recruited to try out the different styles of boot. The research team measured the pressure placed on the feet in both types of run. The boots worn were of the same design, only with different cleat patterns – one studded and one bladed. The research has been published in the latest edition of the journal Foot and Ankle Surgery.

Is is a bird, a plane, or the adidas Jabulani?

2010-06-03T17:17:00.000-07:00

As the FIFA World Cup 2010 is about to kick off, once again players are complaining about the new adidas football, the adidas Jabulani (meaning to celebrate in Zulu). Apparently the ball is difficult to control and a nightmare for goalkeepers to judge its flight. For the last 11 competitions, adidas has introduced a new ball design and not for the first time it presents frustration among the players. Mastery of the new ball usually takes until the second week of the competition before strikers and keepers feel confident with its flight trajectory and behaviour. Unlike previous competitions, adidas launched the ball last year and players have been able to train and play with it. According to some the ball feels harder and can hurt the foot when kicked. FIFA has strict regulations on the dimensions of their match balls. These weigh between 420g and 445g , and must be between 68.5 cm and 69.5 cm in circumference. The Jabulani weighs 440g and measures 69cm. Adidas have denied the ball is adversely affected by the high altitude although concede different air pressure at altitude will make the ball move faster. The colourful Jabulani has 11 colours (it is adidas' 11th World Cup match ball), and there are 11 tribes and 11 official languages in South Africa. It was developed in conjunction with researchers from Loughborough University and has eight panels (normally a match ball has 14), which are 3D, and spherically together in a perfectly round fashion. The grooved surface of the Jabulani is thought to improve its aerodynamics (more symmetrical in flight) and the improved static friction helps keepers with their grip of the ball. (sic. I suppose in the sense of a wee boy peeved with being beaten takes his football home because it is his ball. The main sponsor of the competition insists in introducing new competition balls in the full knowledge it does upset the players and literally throws a wobbly into the game. Claims have already been made adidas sponsored clubs and players get prioritised advantage but all such claims are denied by the company).

Concave PT+: help reduce injuries?

2010-05-30T00:05:00.000-07:00

The Concave PT+ is a football boot which features a concave-shaped sweet-spot layer on the upper made from thermoplastic polyurethane. (sic. Reminds me of my old Tiger boots with a polythene insert in the tongue). Concave have spent $5 million on research over eight years to produce the boots as worn by John O’Shea (Manchester United and Republic of Ireland national team . Independent research by Invetech and Monsah University has shown very positive results.

Surgeon concerned at lack of protection from light weight boots

2010-05-26T19:36:00.000-07:00

Health warnings have been issued by Southampton University, orthopaedic surgeon and sports injury specialist, Professor David Barrett concerned the new lightweight football boot may give less protection to the foot and increase the risk of foot injuries. The knee specialist’s concern is sparked by the increase in reported metatarsal (stress) fractures in amateur footballers at A&E. March fractures of the metatarsal bones are usually fatique fractures caused by over use and not by one off trauma as may be implied by the recent newspaper report. High profile players reported with stress fractures of the metatarsals are more likely to have been over training and playing. The new style boots appear to give adequate support to the foot despite the lightness in weight. Specialists at Southampton General Hospital have also reported increased problems caused by footballers wearing the wrong kind of football boots for the prevailing pitch conditions. Injuries in the amateur game continue to be related to inadequate preparing of the players to warm up and warm down.

Personalised boots: The latest tred

2010-05-16T21:48:00.000-07:00

If you are doing nothing this June and live in Scotland you might like to pop into Greaves Sports Nike Store, Buchannan Galleries in downtown Glasgow. Whilst the National Team will not be at the FIFA World Cup 2010 (AGAIN!), budding stars can have their football boots customised. The outlet has the first machine to tag new football boots (purchased from the store – cunning Nike). Punters can have their boots emblazed with their name, squad numbers or national flag. One of the first customers was Dominic Cervi (Celtic), the giant (6’6”) American goalkeeper, had his Nike pair decorated with the stars and stripes. Old Firm rival U-19 keeper, Grant Adam, Rangers U-19 keeper had his boots stitched with his girlfriend’s name.
The fashion to tag boots started with David Beckham and was soon followed by other luminaries in the Premiership and the top European leagues. Now the company hope to attract not just football players but all sports peeps keen to have their own personalised shoes. (sic. I want Oor Wullie on my).

Boots Wars: The new kids on the block

2010-05-14T21:16:00.001-07:00

Research has shown the average energy expenditure of an elite football player (75kg) is over 1,000 Kilo Calories per game. Reducing the weight carried by players i.e. boots. Sports scientists believe carrying less weight helps conserve valuable energy over the course of 90 minutes. This energy, they believe, may be put to good use when players need to play extra time or want to extend themselves during normal game time. At this years FIFA World Cup boot designers are keen to demonstrate the theory in practice with the introduction of speed boots i.e. lightweight boots made for comfort and support for kinetic feet involved in stop start accelerated activities. Further boot designers believe the colour way of boots is now very important. Analysis has revealed player use 99% peripheral vision with less than 1% foveal vision (focused vision). Seeing a familiar colour on the feet of a named player is thought to improve passing. Nike designers have analysed the colour spectrum and isolated two high-contrast colours which rapidly picked up by peripheral vision. The perfect blend is Mach Purple and Total Orange. The intense rivalry and fierce competition between the brand leaders has caused a rush for June to produce colourful lightweight boots for the elite players. In the adidas camp Messers Lionel Messi (Argentina ) , David Villa (Spain ), Jermain Defoe (England), Johan Vonlanthen (Switzerland, Arjen Robben (Netherlands, and Shaun Wright-Philips (England ) among others will be sporting the new F50 adiZeros boots at June’s World tournament. With the exception of Lionel Messi the adidas endorsed players will sport the World Cup Black/Sun Yellow colourway. Lionel Messi has his own colourway for the World Cup, which is the Chameleon Purple/White/Electricity. The adidas f50 adiZero tips the scales at 164g for a size 8 boot and according to adidas these are the lightest boots ever made. The adidas designers have incorporated a super light synthetic cover material (adidas Sprint Skin) and polyurethane (PU) outsole (adidas Sprint Frame) with new dynamic shaped studs designed to give maximum acceleration on the pitch. Improved bonding between the outsole and upper with internal TPU Support Bands provides strength stability and support to the kinetic foot encased inside. The surfaces of the adidas f50 adiZero have build in anti-microbial properties which cut down the risk of microbial growth.

Rivals Nike have leading their lightweight stable of speed boots, the Mercurial Vapor Superfly II (210g). These feature a new performance upper and re-engineered outsole to deliver lightweight performance for every style of player. The Mercurial Vapor SuperFly II is 5% lighter than previous models. The marquee soccer slippers will be launched by Sergio Aguero (Argentina) later this month.

Puma too have released their speed boot the Puma v1.10 (235g.). This is a new generation v1.08 with extra support in the heel and a new one-piece outsole design. The carbon fibre inner chassis gives the boot good support and strength according to the manufacturer and the upper (made from lightweight microfibre and synthetic leather) is stitched (not glued) to the sole. The boots are available in bright colour ways of yellow / red which may appeal to the colour blind, according to critics. The overall design has also met with some criticism because the boots are less streamlined than rival brands.

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Let the games begin....................

Mellow Yellow Boots: No spin!

2010-04-09T16:44:00.000-07:00

In many professional football clubs “wearing the yellow jersey” in not the same as in cycling where it is reserved for the leading cyclist. In football being given the yellow jersey by the coach is a reminder to all the first team player has not played well enough in the previous game. Of late wearing colourful boots has caught the ire of managers like Sir Alex Ferguson considering anything other than the classic black unacceptable in the junior ranks. Most unusual therefore the new boot catching a lot of attention is ‘yellow.’

Japanese company Mizuno are about to release the new Ignitus featuring mizunowave technology . According to the manufacturers the ‘Wave tech’ improves cushioning and stability in the outsole and combined with the bladed stud configuration gives optimal traction. The ultra lightweight boot weighs approx 229g and has an upper is made from a super soft K-leather material (sic. kangaroo skin?). Featured around the sweat spot (instep) is a panel which again according to Mizuno prevents ‘spinning’ of the ball. The Mukaiten panel is reinforced with wrap around Bio Vamps to give greater control. The Ignitus features a triple density heel counter, designed with the input and assistance of CSKA Moscow and Japan's Keisuke Honda. The triple Pebax density heel counter offers improved fit, comfort and protection from serious injury. The new boots are endorsed by Roque Santa Cruz (Manchester City and Paraguay). According to soccerbible.com ‘expect to pay £110 for the pro level boot, which will be available in both soft and firm ground versions.’ The Ignitus is set for pre-order on 12th April 2010.

UNEP-PUMA Play for Life Campaign

2010-04-04T16:28:00.000-07:00

As the summer approaches Africa will be at the centre of the footballing world. United Nations Envirment Program (UNEP) and PUMA are in partnership to bring an important message to millions of fans. The UNEP-PUMA ‘Play for Life campaign supports the International Year of Biodiversity by raising awareness about habitat and species conservation among football fans and the general public during worldwide football events. This will include and international friendly games leading up to the FIFA World Cup 2010 in South Africa. The International Year of Biodiversity (IYB) is a global initiative launched by the United Nations for 2010 to help raise awareness on the importance of biodiversity and to encourage worldwide action to conserve plants and animals and the environments in which they live. The ‘Play for Life’ campaign focuses on Africa, a continent that hosts exceptional biodiversity including two of the five most important wilderness areas on Earth – the Congo Basin, and Miombo-Mopane Woodlands and Savannas of Southern Africa. Nine of the planet’s 35 Biodiversity hotspots, the richest and most threatened reservoirs of plant and animal life on Earth, are also in Africa.

PUMA’s new Africa Unity Kit worn by 12 PUMA sponsored African football national teams has been approved by FIFA as the Official 3rd kit and profits from sales of the replica fanwear will help fund biodiversity programs in Africa. There is a host of other designed accessories to generate additional funds to support biodiversity, including PUMA Unity t-shirts and PUMA Lacelets (collectable shoe laces featuring patterns from world-renowned artist Kehinde Wiley). These products all bear the PUMA Yellow “life” Label, which gives consumers an easy way to identify products that benefit projects supported by PUMAVision, PUMA’s Corporate Social Responsibility Program. A portion of the profits from the Yellow “life” label products will also go to fund the biodiversity programmes.

Soccer-uggs: No bovver

2010-04-03T15:31:00.000-07:00

To celebrate the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa TM, Isso Mali, has launched a new collection of sheepskin boots called Football Fanatics. The three styles of tall, midi and sidelacing are available in the colours of nineteen different countries (with more coming). The ‘soccer-uggs’ are bound to become terracing accessories for lads and ladettes alike. Football Fanatics are made from pure sheepskin and suede, hand cut and sewn using the softest wool cushioning. Currently these are only available online at the official Isso Mali website (www.issomali.com).

In good voice:Scotland vs England

2010-03-27T19:39:00.001-07:00

The largest sporting event in the world will kick off soon in South Africa. Professional sport and marketing are closely wedded and by the time of the FIFA World Cup South Africa we will be wearing the same gear the soccer players wore during the competition. Scotland is one of the oldest football nations in the world (England the other) and fiercely proud of playing in eight World Cup tournaments. They have qualified on nine occasions and in 1950 took the unprecedented decision to not participate because they felt ill prepared and did not consider themselves worthy as British Champions. Despite the nation’s unenviable record the squad have never advanced beyond the first round of the finals competition. Historically they are considered talented and brave hearted with play sometimes bordering on the brilliant, but the efforts of the qualifying Scottish National Squads have always been fruitless. To the Tartan Army failure to qualify to the World Cup competition is a disgrace. Scotland’s failure yet again this year has left all ‘Jock Tamson’s bairns’ melancholic. The last time Scotland qualified for a World Cup final was in 1998 in France. The only positive note to all of this is we have not been exposed to yet another Scottish Football Squad song.
These events kicked off in 1966 when England won the World Cup (and never been allowed to forget it). The tournament had an official song called 'World Cup Willie'. It was sung not by an Englishman, but by a Scot called Lonnie Donegan. The single did not sell particularly well and remains a curio. Jimmy ‘Greavsie” Greaves, himself a member of the England Squad, was less than complementary about the choice of singer at the time and considered him passé. At the next FIFA World Cup Mexico (1970) Scotland did not qualify. The defending champions England went to Mexico strong in squad and with a team song that would top the UK charts. “Back home” was recorded in a tiny recording studio with all the England team present. The song was written and produced by Bill Martin (Scotsman) and Phil Coulter (Irishman) – well it is Great Britain after all. ‘Back Home’ set the bench mark for all squad songs to follow. A lyric triumphantly proclaiming the trophy was pretty much in the bag and there was not much point in anyone else turning up set to a simple tune. England got knocked out in the quarter finals after a major scandal alleging misbehaviour in the camp. By 1974, Scotland were back in the finals which were hosted in West Germany. To celebrate their return to the world stage the Scottish squad recorded a little ditty entitled “Easy Easy.” Although the single got into the UK Top Twenty, Scotland was eliminated in the first round (What’s new?). England did not qualify for the FIFA World Cup West Germany.

Argentina hosted the World Cup in 1978 and horror of horrors, England again failed to qualify. The Scottish manager, Ally McLeod mistakenly talked up his team strongly inferring it was more or less a foregone conclusion they would win the championship. The ever gullible, Tartan Army thought so too and in the resulting euphoria which proceeded the competition saw comedian, Andy Cameron (born in England) jump on the bandwagon. He recorded Ally’s Tartan Army which became a hit. Determined to do succeed the Scotland World Cup Squad engaged the help of another cockney Jock, Rod Steward. 'Ole, Ola' (Mulher Brasilieira) [We're gonna bring that World Cup back from over there], like Ally’s Tartan Army sold well and both charted in the UK Top Ten. Sadly Scotland faired less well on the field and were dismissed somewhat dramatically from the competition at the end of another scandal filled first week. Rod and Andy did like wise were summarily dismissed from the pop charts. Spain hosted the FIFA World Cup 1982 and old rivals Scotland and England were back in contention. The England World Cup Squad released ‘This time (We’ll get it right)’ (co-written by Chris Norman of Smokie) and the Scottish Squad had “We have a dream” written by B.A. Robertson. Both songs charted but while England went through to the second leg of the competition, Scotland was un-ceremonially dumped at the end of the first week.What’s new?

In 1986 the World Cup was again held in Mexico. Scotland qualified this time but were knocked out in the first round of the competition. England meantime lost in the quarter finals. England’s official world cup song "We've Got the Whole World at Our Feet"/"When We Are Far from Home" and Scotland’s ‘Big trip to Mexico’ both faded quickly. The same song writers wrote both songs. The Old Enemies were back at it in the Italian World Cup finals in 1990. Scotland World Cup Squad’s "Say It With Pride" flopped at the lower end of the Top 50 as the Tartan Army’s team failed to make it through to the second week of competition. World in motion by Englandneworder (England and New Order) topped the charts but the England team went out in the semi finals on penalties.
By the time the 1994 FIFA World Cup was hosted by the US (neither Scotland nor England qualified), so there was no song. Four years on the World Cup France 1998 saw Scotland qualify and this time with the help of Del Ametri and their dedicated single "Don't come home too soon." As usual the song did better than the team and the Scottish squad were back home to listen to it in the Top Twenty. The official song of the England National Football Team was "(How Does it Feel to Be) on Top of the World?" by "England United." This was a makeshift ‘supergroup’ consisting of Echo and the Bunnymen, Space, Spice Girls and the lead singer of Ocean Colour Scene, Simon Fowler. The song was written by Ian McCulloch. The song and the team did quite well but England lost again on penalties and failed to make it through to the quarter finals. Scotland did not qualify for the FIFA World Cup South Korea/ Japan 2002 but England did and once again lost in the quarter finals. The official World Cup song did not involve the squad that fell to the golden tonsils of Ant & Dec with We’on the ball. By this time there was a plethora of other songs and music associated with the competition but most were unconnected to the English Football Association. In 2006 Germany again hosted the World Cup finals. No Scotland, but England was there with World at Your Feet" by Embrace as the official England World Cup song. Did well too but England were knocked on penalties in the quarter finals again.
The 2010 FIFA World Cup will be held in South Africa (and Scotland will not be represented). England will be there but no word yet what the official anthem will be. Work has already begun on the official FIFA and since Germany 2006, FIFA have sanctioned a CD of songs by a variety of artists reflecting contemporary music styles. This year the net profits will be donated to Africa-related charities and all of FIFA's net profits will go to the Official Campaign of the 2010 FIFA World Cup(TM) "20 Centres for 2010."

Worth a listen
Lonnie Donegan
World Cup Willie (1966)

English World Cup Squad
Back Home (1970)
This time (We’ll get it right) (1982)
We've Got the Whole World at Our Feet" / "When We Are Far from Home (1986)
Englandneworder (English World Cup Squad with New Order)
World in Motion (1990)

Scottish World Cup Squad
Easy Easy (1974)
Ole, Ola' (Mulher Brasilieira) [We're gonna bring that World Cup back from over there] with Rod Stewart (1978)
We have a dream (1982)
Big trip to Mexico (1986)
Say It With Pride (1990)

Andy Cameron
Ally’s Tartan Army (1978)

Del Ametri
Don't come home too soon (1994)

England United
(How Does it Feel to Be) on Top of the World? (1994)

Ant & Dec
We’on the ball (2002)

Embrace
World at Your Feet (2006)

Ricky Martin
La Copa de la Vida'(1998)

Anastacia
Boom (2002)

Diamond encrusted boots: Own goal hat trick?

2010-03-23T04:12:00.000-07:00

A star-studded VIP party was held back in December to celebrate the launch of Rio Ferdinand's new charity Live The Dream Foundation for the benefit of under-privileged childen. The event was hosted by actor James Corden and Lord Archer acted as auctioneer. Unfortunately because organisers had failed to put a reserve price on the three most expensive items in the auction they were all sold very much under value. Diamond-encrusted (2576 gems) football boots worth £125,000, donated by Wayne Rooney (Manchester United) were sold for just £18,000. A second pair, given by Chelsea skipper John Terry and covered with a dazzling 2,374 jewels, was sold for £20,000 (estimated value) £135,000. Just to complete the hat trick Lord Archer sold a third pair donated by Ferdinand himself and valued at £125,000, for a mere £22,000. As a result of the blunder Ferdinand's Live The Dream Foundation was short of £325,000.

The boots were commissioned by Embee Jewels of London, who also donated the gems. A staggering 7,444 precious stones were added before the boots were independently valued by official testers at the Assay Office in London.

Boot change mid game: What's a foot?

2010-03-10T17:30:00.001-08:00

AC Milan’s David Beckham (on loan from LA Galaxy ) played against his old team, Manchester United in the first leg of the last 16 UEFA Champions League play-off. The former England captain took the unusual step (excuse the pun) of wearing two pairs of boots during the game. He started with his signature, colourway Predator_X’s in the first half, then swaped them for his older all-white Predator PowerSwerves at half time. This is a very unusual event in a game ridden with superstition and the deliberate action might serously suggest Beckham was less than comfortable in his new model shoes. AC Milan lost the game a humiliating 4 nil.

New stud technology:Mercurial Superfly Vapor II

2010-03-08T14:52:00.000-08:00

Nike’s Mercurial Superfly Vapor II football boots include new model technology and according to the manufacturer could minimize injury caused by moving from hard to soft ground. New studs with "Adaptive Traction Technology" act as normal studs on hard ground, but have internal pegs that can extend by up to 3mm in soft ground. The sole contains a flexible carbon fibre plate which remains static on hard surfaces so the studs keep their original shape. On soft ground the plate flexes which pushes out cores of the studs. As the mechanism works a transparent coating on the outside of the sole stretches and contracts allowing the pegs the space to extend and return. The coating also keeps rain, mud, and grass away from the mechanism. The boots with adjustable studs potentially help players negociate different pitch and weather conditions. Traditionally clubs had ‘bootmen,’ usually retired players, who advised teams on the best studs for prevailing conditions. Now the new studs on the Mercurial Superfly Vapor II offer greater flexibility but it is yet to be seen if the number of ankle and foot injuries reduce. The boots, were launched recently by Cristiano Ronaldo.

Sir Stanley Matthews' boots for auction

2010-02-05T15:31:00.001-08:00

A pair of football boots worn by Sir Stanley Matthews in the 1953 FA Cup final are to be sold at auction. Stanley Matthews nicknamed "The Wizard of Dribble", helped Blackpool to a 4-3 victory over Bolton Wanderers. Matthews’ boots were recently found and are up for auction at Bonham’s in Chester. The provenance is after the final the goal hero give his muddy footwear to a fan called Wilf Coomer who kept them as his prize possession. Stanley Matthews was a tour de force in the design of football boots and in 1951 helped the Co-op produce a new pair of boots.
The player wore them for the 1952 / 53 season.
The Stanley Matthews' Foundation helps youngsters succeed in sport.

PredatorX - just in time for Christmas

2009-10-30T16:24:00.000-07:00

The Adidas Predator X football boots go on sale on November 14th and marks the 10th generation adidas Predator conceived by Craig Johnston before selling it to adidas. The design of the latest range were helped by former French international Zinedine Zidane. The new boot has, according to adidas, more power in the kick due to a “powerspine” inspired by Fingersave technology used in goalkeepers gloves. According to the manfacturer the extra leverage to the middle metatarsals reduces the kicking flex in the forefoot area and optomises power to the shot. This is also claimed to help reduce the risk of injury by limiting pressure in the mid foot area. The new Predator is designed to improve swerve in the strike of the ball with the inclusion of a rubber-silicon mix on the ‘sweet spot’. The soft compound provides greater control and accuracy in swerving the ball or so it is claimed. Adidas’s Optifit technology ensures the upper materials are as close to the top of the foot as possible in a good fitting boot. Again adidas clain this creates a natural ball feeling. The new boot is made from Taurus leather (sic not kangaroo skin?) and is available in traditional black/red/white and a new white/black/yellow colour way. The soft ground stud configuration has been changed to a traditional 6 stud set up which still provides maximum ground penetration but with an increased forefoot flexibility. Celebrity endorsement for the new boot include: David Beckham (LA Galaxy), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool FC), Raul ( Real Madrid), Michael Ballack (Chelsea ) and Robin Van Persie (Arsenal ) and Karim Benzema (Real Madrid ). Rather like fashion models they will parading their boots at a stadium near you. But spare a thought for the players at Celtic Football Club who will become fashion models at the up and coming Club Culture event at Celtic Park hosted by the Celtic Charity Fund. Danny Fox, Marc Crosas and Celtic ladies team striker, Karen McInally among others will strut their stuff on the runway to raise funds for The John Hartson Foundation and Breast Cancer Care Scotland. The House of Fraser are providing all the outfits for the night.

Sagem/Puma World Cup Phone

2009-10-08T03:54:00.000-07:00

The latest must have app involves a collaboration between shoe companies and mobile technology. Already familiar with the Nike+ fitness app and the Samsung Adidas miCoach F110, now Puma have joint the Maxwell Smart set. In clever anticipation of the South Africa 2010 FIFA World Cup have come up with a collaboration of their own. Sagem and Puma will launch the Puma-branded mobile phone next summer. Maxwell Smart fan s will be pleased to see the yet to be named Sagem/Puma phone will incorporate a number of fitness features, such as a a pedometer and heart rate tracker, and a resilient rubberised jacket to prevent against damage. Although specifications are still clouded in mystery the phone may have a GPS receiver and 3G and Wi-Fi connectivity. The Sagem Puma phone will be sold through various mobile shops and Puma outlets.

Shod the world:Boots4Africa

2009-09-05T19:20:00.000-07:00

The Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) and Boots4Africa have announced a charitable partnership that will see every member of the PFA donating a pair of their boots in time for the FIFA 2010 World Cup. The PFA has agreed to support the charity, which collects and delivers pre-worn football boots to communities across Africa enabling children and adults alike to play football wearing football boots. Boots for Africa is always on the lookout for donations, so if you can help, or for more information, visit their website

Nomis sells on the road

2009-08-16T17:16:00.000-07:00

Nomis has a novel way of selling their boots by travelling around in mobile units.

Making soccer boots

2009-08-13T06:09:00.000-07:00

Socceroos - great start to warm up

2009-08-12T19:32:00.000-07:00

Harry Kewell is in superb passing form. Good performances all round against Republic of Ireland.

Nomis Boots: Aussie, Aussie, Aussie!

2009-08-10T15:56:00.000-07:00

The verdict is out and subscribers to Footy-Boots.com have voted NOMIS as the winner in the prestigious category “Outrageous football boot of the year 2009”. According to the manufacturer the Spark FG NXGEN has proven popular because of a combination of new technologies including one called Dual Control grip enhancing treatment in the tanning process. This allows hi-resolution design to be incorporated onto the NOMIS leather upper. Laboratory tests have shown the Dual Control Technology provides significantly more grip in dry conditions compared to other standard leather boots. The boots’ leather is soft, strong, and breathable, providing excellent sweat resistance and totally colourfast. Again according to the manufacturer this gives better grip gives more control, power, swerve and ultimate performance. Nomis boots also contain sole plates to protect the metatarsals and other key bone structures whilst allowing rotational movement of the foot. Designers have also changed the shape of studs and repositioned them to give greater pressure distribution across the feet without loss to traction and pivot. The boots are made from kangaroo and quality bovine skins and treated to stay the same weight during game play. The outsole is specially treated to reduce the amount of mud, grass, and dirt collected during normal game play. These technologies was been developed over time and with much consultation as well as extensive wear trials to ensure the boots could stand up to demands of competitive football. The Swiss based company NOMIS Sports AG was founded in Australia by Simon Skirrow in 2003. Using patented technologies and quality materials the company focus on delivering the optimum combination of performance, comfort and modern design in a football boot. Nomis boots are available on-line at shopnomis.com

adidas and UEFA: New deal

2009-07-27T02:02:00.000-07:00

For the first time, adidas will be supporting all official UEFA club football competitions after the footwear giant and UEFA announced an extension (until 2012) to their partnership for the UEFA Champions League and an agreement for the newly created UEFA Europa League and UEFA Super Cup.

Girls' top boot: adidas Copa Mundial

2009-07-24T16:08:00.000-07:00

According to Justsocca their most popular soccer boot worn by women is the Adidas Copa Mundial. Adidas have recently released brought out the model for women and already they are best sellers. Adidas Copa Mundial is made from kangaroo leather.

Stud Release Techonolgy: Johnston calls for more research

2009-07-23T09:29:00.000-07:00

Craig Johnston (former Middlesborough and Liverpool) co-inventor of the Predator has joined a growing band of critics to voice concern at the apparent lack of research in stud release technology. Each season more stud related injuries are reported and many involve cleats. Johnston considers a significant number of injuries are caused by poor stud release leaving players feet vulnerable to injury. Johnston claims the new studs are too long for many of the well maintained pitches and because they do not disengage quickly needless injuries result. Ligament tears and stress fractures have noticeably increased with the introduction of boot cleats.

Old Firm fixture downunder

2009-07-11T17:32:00.000-07:00

It's the glorious 12th July and as chance would have it Celtic are on a closed season tour of the Big Brown Land. Their fixture today with Brisbane Roar will see captain Craig Moore (ex Glasgow Rangers) matched with Scott “The Poacher” McDonald (Celtic Captain for the game). The rivals are good friends off field and share positions with the Socceroos, however I doubt whether they will allow their friendship ro get in the way of winning the game. Pity Charlie Miller (former Rangers striker) has moved onto Lierse SK. The wee striker would have loved to match himself again against the old enemy the‘Tic.
Brisbane Roar vs. Celtic at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane.

Superlite Boot’ Light on your feet

2009-07-11T17:13:00.000-07:00

Now back on the shelves Nike’s Mercurial Vapour SuperLite Football Boot was designed for speed. Using a featherlite (210 gm), aerodynamic one piece Carbon Fibre Chassis the boot is both sleek and supports the kinetic foot. Extra protection and comfort is afforded through the graphite heel cradle. The boots have multi-directional traction studs injected onto the Graphite chassis.

New and improved soccer boots?

2009-07-05T17:58:00.001-07:00

As a lead up to the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa footwear companies will be introducing their new lines of football boots. In a highly competitive industry there are few secrets shared but looking across the current range of available boots remarkably there seems little to separate them other than price. Personally I believe the football shoe has been developed as far as it can with only novelty left to appeal to consumers. Concave, a minnow in the market, are about to introduce a new line which they insist will give players at all levels the ability to increase their ball striking skills. Patented technology on the top of the boot gives players 30% better control and 15% more power, according to an accredited university study. The secret is the upper conforms to the convex shape of the ball which effectively increases the sweat spot by as much as four times compared to traditional football boots. Concave boots have a shank balance stabilizer (SBS) to give support and reinforcement to the mid-foot and help control balance between the rear and fore-front. The presence of the SBS may reduce the risk of stress injuries to the metatarsals. To support the concave upper the shoes and protect the foot there is a flexible MetaGuard layer made of Thermoplastic Polyurethane Elastomers (TPU). This might prevent stomping injury. Concave make most of their soccer boots available in a variety of outsole configurations, including soft ground, firm ground, hard ground with blades, and a traditional rounded mold. Meanwhile over at Nike their keenly anticipated Nike Mercurial Vapor Superfly met with teething problems when reports were received the boots ripped in situ. Nike recalled the boots from general sale and set to finding out how the boot design could be improved. Now a version that is less tight lasted will be available on general sale from 1st August and will retail at a cool £224.99 ( $367 US).

Nike takes the lead over adidas?

2009-06-29T18:18:00.000-07:00

Time was adidas had the lion share of soccer sponsorship gloabally and Nike found it difficult to muscle in but now the tide has turned and Nike plus subsiduries seems to be in the lead. Excellent resource for information on football boots can be found at soccerbible.com

New soccer boots

2009-06-20T17:09:00.000-07:00

New soccer boots from Pro-Direct

Boots, boots everywhere: Rio Ferdinand

2009-06-19T05:11:00.001-07:00

Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United) was so proud of his team’s achievement winning the 2006-07 league title he convinced his team mates to donate their football boots to him as a keepsake. The England defender has kept the £3,000 worth of footwear in his mansion but has no idea now what to do with them. He had planned to buy a display cabinet for them and perhaps donate the collection to the club or national football museum.

Under Armour | Football Boots | UA11

2009-06-18T19:50:00.000-07:00

Under Armour | Football Boots | UA11

Soccoroos never looked better

2009-04-02T00:10:00.000-07:00

Harry Kewell (Galatasaray and Australia ) made no mistake against Uzbekistan's keeper Ignatiy Nesterov last night (1st April 2009)giving Australia a boost for qualification to 2010 Fifa World Cup South Africa.

Soccer cleats and the Bootman

2009-03-26T15:47:00.000-07:00

An essential part of the soccer boot is the cleat (stud) which attaches to the sole of the shoe and gives greater traction against the ground surface as well as improve stability of the athlete in motion. Soccer cleats prevent players from slipping and assist them in rapid changes of direction. The physical nature of the different football codes have resulted in the development of different cleats. Modern soccer cleats are available in different materials and can be either be fixed to the shoe or are removable. At first cardboard cleats were used but these were replaced by rubber cleats in the early days whereas more recently cleats are made from synthetic polymers which are sometimes combined to give added strength. Aluminum tipped cleats has been introduced and seem to be gaining popularity. In the past every major club had a Bootman whose job it was to ensure all the boots were well maintained. The Bootmans' experience was valued as he would impart his knowledge to the younger players on the type and pattern of studs to wear to suit the weather and ground conditions. Cleat patterns (systems) help distribute pressure across the boot. Soccer cleats are usually worn higher on the heel and lower on the forefoot to give the player grip and different types are matched to ground conditions. To avoid slipping on soft, wet grounds cleats need to be long enough that penetrate the surface but without damaging the turf or synthetic surface. Lower softer cleats are required on firm grounds. Injuries related to wearing the wrong cleats are quite common and can involve the knees and ankles. According to experts the most common knee injuries caused by wrong choice of the cleats are those to the ligaments and ankle injuries are usually due sprains. Misplaced cleats on the sole of the boot may result in painful blisters. In recent years controversy has prevailed on the misuse of cleats in accidentally (or otherwise) wounding other players by cutting their skin.

CAD/CAM Foot Orthoses: CNC technology

2009-02-11T21:40:00.001-08:00

Foot orthoses come in different types from simple insoles to biomechanically calculated platforms to help stabilise the foot during phases of walking. In recent years there has been a sizable industry grown around the manufacture and prescription of the latter which is now estimated at $30 million US per anum. Prescribed foot orthoses often referred to as function foot orthoses are used by sports specialists, surgeons, physiotherapists and podiatrists and prices vary from $20 to $300 per pair depending on the type, time spend and materials used. Over the counter foot orthoses are often as effective as bespoke varieties but due to the material combinations may not always last quite so long. Conditions definitely apply. For over a decade the manufacture of foot orthoses has involved Computer Numerical Controlled(CNC) systems where CAD/CAM software programs are used to produce a computer file that is interpreted to extract the commands needed to operate a particular machine, and then loaded into the CNC machines for production which involes a complex series of steps needed to produce in this case a foot orthoses. CAD software produces 3D scanned design data which can be manipulated to add a range of models, add-ons and cut-outs or corrections to the foot mould. Many companies which supply bespoke foot orthoses use the technology to increase their production. The established method of producing bespoke foot orthoses was both time consuming and prone to human error. After physical examination of the leg and foot, technicians took plaster of Paris moulds of the feet set in a reference position. These negative casts are then filled with setting plaster before drying at hot temperatures. When the foot models are completely dried high temperature plastics are melted over the prepared cast before trimming. The process of creating unique prescriptions for patients suffering from various foot and joint ailments will take anything from 3 days to three weeks to complete. A primary advantage of CAD/CAM manufacture is the time reduced in producing quality foot orthoses as providing prescribed quality foot orthoses in a timely fashion translates well to high profits. Turnaround time is extremely important in the bespoke foot orthotic business. Delcam's OrthoModel , is a new software specifically for modelling and machining custom foot orthoses. Once the information is input into the OrthoModel CAD software, the information is transfered to the CAM component OrthoMill and routed to complete the milling process. Top covers and other finishes are added once the foot orthoses have been milled. Delcam Crispin is a UK based company founded in 1965 and their software includes a series of menus which incorporate the biomechanical terminology used by the industry to describe the various features of the foot orthosis.

Shoe banging and soccer pitches in Cuba

2008-12-14T14:24:00.000-08:00

Thong throwing has become a sport in some places and maybe the best thong throwers would have landed their target had they been at the Presidential Press Conference where a journalist threw his shoes at President Bush. Of course the point was made despite the clear miss hit (twice) and now everyone is talking about the meaning of the shoe insult. At the end of ‘official’ hostilities images of ceremonial shoe banging of Saddam Hussein and President George Bush were spread worldwide and in Iraq shoe banging is an insult similar to two fingers, elsewhere. The origins of both are quite intriguing. The ‘2-finger salute’, is where the first and second fingers are spread apart and then, with the back of the hand facing the viewer. The hand is then raised towards the sky sometimes fast or slow depending on whether it is done in anger or as a taunt. The ‘Up Yours’ salute is thought to have originated in the 15th century when Welsh archers at the Battle of Agincourt(1415), demonstrated to the French how devastatingly effective they were with their new bow-and-arrow technology. The strong bowmen used the first two fingers to draw the bowstring back before releasing the arrow with pin point accuracy. The French were so intimidated by the power of the Welsh long bow they threatened to amputate string-pulling fingers on any archer caught. In defiance bowmen responded by waving the two fingers in the insulting ‘V salute’ to aggravate their foes. Feet and shoes were imbued with considerable significance in the Middle East and shoe banging holds two meanings depending on whether you are Jewish or Islamic. Traditionally, the Jewish custom, of shoe banging was used to seal a deal like a gable at an auction. In Islamic tradition, culture determines feet occupy the lowest rung in the bodily hierarchy and shoes are considered unclean. Hence it is commonplace to remove shoes before entering a place of worship; the gesture is to maintain the purity of the place of worship. The same custom is extended to entering a private home because the sole of the shoe is considered the most contaminated. To point a shoe at someone or hit them (or their image) demonstrates a deep insult and means to direct impurity and pollution in their direction. The action is not to physically harm the individual but to remind all there is a greater judgment and the object of scorn should suffer the indignity of the most demeaning punishment possible. The shoe as an insult is used in other cultures too for instance in India unpopular politicians are regularly garlanded with shoes and paraded down the streets. The term “Jooté maro!" (hit him with shoes) is common enough phrase.

Shoe banging represents violation and demonstratively shows deep insult. A famous shoe banger in the 60s was Nikita Khrushchev from Russia. Khrushchev came from peasant stock; and possessed a peasant's shrewdness and wit. He had a garrulous, storytelling gift, which gained him a reputation for being earthy. He frequently referred to excrement. He was poorly educated and always intimidated by intellectual superiority. This frequently showed in his uncouth animation during debate. The classic example was shoe banging, when in at the UN General Assembly meeting in October of 1960, Nikita Khrushchev banged his shoe against his desk, with indignation. The circumstance, as you will no doubt recall related to photographs implicating Russian “duplicity” in Cuba. A U2 "spy plane" picked up pictures of soccer pitches and at that time soccer was not a game popular with Cubans, which implied the presence of personnel of a soccer loving nation i.e. USSR. Instantly reported across the globe as good copy, Khrushchev shoe-banging episode probably did more to avoid global conflict, than the furious diplomatic arrangements, which were going on as Kennedy and Khrushchev faced off each other. In the West the man became a character. The shoe banging episode did deeply embarrass his Soviet colleagues, which inevitably led to his downfall in 1964. The popularity he had in the west however more than likely saved his life and he spent his remaining years in retirement tending his garden like the Godfather. According to his son, Sergei Khrushchev, his father had small feet (size seven or eight), and when he came from Moscow he was wearing ordinary shoes. New York was hot however so he switched to sandals. He was wearing sandals on the famous shoe banging day but happened to have a spare shoe available to express himself. The shoes in John Hay Library are probably not The Shoes, but a pair that Nikita brought with him to New York but never wore.

Barefoot Players

2008-12-13T15:14:00.000-08:00

Mohammed Abdul Salim (1904 - 1980) was the first Indian to play professional football in Europe. He came from Calcutta and played for Glasgow Celtic Reserves. Prior to joining Celtic Football Team, Mohammed Abdul Salim played for Calcutta's Mohammedan Sporting Club and East Bengal Club and won five league titles in a row. The player had no boots and played with bandaged feet which was common place in India but raised a few eyebrows in Glasgow, even in the thirties. Celtic manager, Willie Maley was well impressed with Mohammed when he appeared for a trial. Later Celtic had to seek approval from the Scottish Football Association to allow the player to play with bare feet. Christened the “Indian Juggler” by the press, Salim played two 'A' (reserve) matches against Hamilton Accies (5-1), and Galston (7-1). Despite his success he became homesick but the club realising his talents tried to encourage him to stay. In his honour they they organised a charity match and promised him 5% of the total proceed (£1,800). Salim refused and asked the money be donated to orphans. The player returned to India for the 1937 league season and joined Mohammedan Sporting Club again. Despite not becoming a first team player his legend lived on in the form of a short poem called "Indian Juggler".

(There was) "man from India
Where traditions are steep
Stepped onto Parkhead's hallowed turf
Wearing only bandages on his feet."

The first Scottish player to play in bare feet was an Egyptian called, Tewfik ‘Toothpick’ Abdullah who played for Cowdenbeath in 1920. The player had previously played for Derby County.

Reference
Majumdar B and Bandyopadhyay K 2006 A Social History of Indian Football: Striving to Score London: Routledge

The Nomis Glove FG: designed to prevent injuries

2008-04-04T22:28:00.001-07:00

Simon Skirrow is an Australian who claims to have designed a soccer boot called Glove FG that may protect athletes’ feet from those metatarsal injuries. Simon Skirrow previously worked with adidas, but now runs his own company called Nomis which has opened an outlet in Berlin called the Right Boot Store. Nomis according to the company’s website has been endorsed by the Governing body of the Professional Rugby League Players of Australia as their preferred football boots. As part promotion for the new range of kangaroo boots, Nomis has also commissioned an amusing new video called “Damn Boots” which lampoons celebrity endorsements to the apparent exclusion of safety.

David Beckham: Boot collection

2008-04-04T17:43:00.000-07:00

Delighted to read David Beckham reached a century in England caps recently. He was probably wearing his pc football boots made from synthetic materials so as not offend Animal Rights activists. The man with the golden boots is worthy of the title, great player and although I follow the (mis)fortunes of Scotland (and Australia, when they win), I would say by far Beckham is my football hero. Jim Baxter (Rangers) is still the best player ever and Gazza wiznae bad either but Beckham is a true ambassador for the sport. According to recent reports the soccer supremo has catalogued his boots (currently wear Adidas Predator Absolute Globe),and keeps them for posterity in a museum. Normal memorabilia for football players is usually their signed shirts which are kept to mark a milestone in their career but David Beckham is a trend setter. Whilst most players will have signature boots with their own name (for luck), David’s colourful boots are embossed with his children’s names. Time was when all real soccer players wore black boots only but now absolutely anything goes. Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United) is seen in the new Nike promotion wearing orange boots. The Nike Mercurial Vapor Aero Soft-Ground Men's Soccer Boot combines all that is known about soocer the sport and shoe manufacture to offer a true 21st century soccer slipper. Sadly there is no boot yet that makes you score more goals, but ion orange, you will certainly stand out on the field.

Horrible foot injury:Eudardo da Silva

2008-03-02T15:47:00.000-08:00

Eduardo da Silva (Arsenal) suffered a double compound fracture of his left leg (open fracture and dislocated ankle) after a challenge from Birmingham's Martin Taylor in the opening moments of the Premier League clash at St Andrews.

The injured striker underwent emergency surgery at Birmingham’s Selly Oak hospital which was successful and he was later transferred to a London hospital.

According to da Silva all he remembered was he fell and when he looked down his foot was turned the other way. The rest was just a blank. You can have a look at the incident but be warned it is brutal:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Wd2B...eature=related

An update on the player's progress is posted on the Arsenal website

Australian Soccer Boots: Poster

2008-01-14T00:57:00.000-08:00

If you would like a pdf file (free)drop me an email and I will send it by return.

Go the Matildas

2007-09-20T16:15:00.000-07:00

By qualifying for the quarter-finals The Matildas have given a great boost to Australian women's football. Despite a dire domestic situation which has top class athletes playing in amateur regional leagues, trying to maintain top fitness and develop their soccer skills. In the Women’s World Cup 2007 competition Australia has been the underrated team but have upset the equilibrium now by getting through to the next round. The 2 all draw against Canada saw both the flashes of talent the Australian Squad can play along with some lack lustred passages of play. The Matildas looked tired and slow at times but obviously were able and capable when it came to the final score. Hopefully a rest will do them good and like their male counterparts in FIFA World Cup 2006, the Australians will play their hearts out in the final run. Go the Matlidas.

Go the Matildas and the Ferns

2007-09-10T19:07:00.001-07:00

Just kicked off is this year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup China 2007, a competition often neglected by the media and all the more so this year, because of the Rugby World Cup France 2007. Women’s soccer is now the third most popular sport in the world and all the more reason why adidas are interested in attracting customerss by engaging designer, Stella McCartney. Women's (soccer) football became popular during the First World War when young men were off fighting and the leagues were suspended. Now in the workforce, women formed company teams and inter company competition leagues were popular. Women’s international matches started in 1920 with the first major fixture between Dick, Kerr’s Ladies (from Preston, UK) and a team from Paris. The English ladies (national team) took on their Scottish counterparts in the same year and thrashed them, 22 nil (nothing new there!). Women’s soccer proved so popular after the war that crowds of up to 53.000 came to see them play. Concerned at the potential to damage men’s soccer, the Football Association (England) took an unprecedented action in 1921 and banned women from playing the game on Association members' pitches on the pretext women’s soccer was distasteful. A similar decree was made by Scottish football authorities. Undaunted the English Ladies Football Association was formed and ladies soccer was played on rugby grounds and park football pitches. In 1969 the English Women’s FA was formed and the ban on playing on FA pitches was lifted two years later. Union of European Football Associations(UEFA) recommended the women’s game be taken under the control of the national associations in each country and the first professional team was established in 1984.In 1991, FIFA held the first Women's World Championship in the People’s Republic of China and the USA were the victors. It took almost a decade before the Women's United Soccer Association in the United States was established as an all-professional league for women. In this years' competition both Australia (The Matildas) and New Zealand (The Football Ferns) qualified and their first games start on the 12 September. The Matildas are in Group C and play Ghana; The Football Ferns are in Group D and play Brazil on the same day. Australia qualified through the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), and New Zealand stormed through Oceania World Cup qualifiers with 100% clean sweep. Germany are favourites to pick up the cup again but host country, China may well have other ideas. Australia may be the dark horse of the competition in 2007 and USA are likely to be strong contenders, too.

Interesting Sites
Women’s Football
womensoccer.com
Competition fixtures
History of soccer boots
soccer.com
The English FA

Rugby World Cup 2007: News

2007-08-22T23:33:00.000-07:00

Keep up to date with Rugby World Cuo News. This is an excellent website Myrugbynews.com

France v Italy final: Wat no smartball technology?

2006-07-07T20:45:00.000-07:00

It is only a matter of time before the match ball incorporates smart technology but adidas confirmed last year it would not be introduced at FIFA World Cup Germany 2006 . After tests late last year in a Peruvian tournament FIFA announced the system was not yet ready for use yet, but the chances are it will be at FIFA World Cup South Africa 2010, in four years hence. The technology is based on an application-specific integrated circuit chip (ASIC) with a transmitter to send data. The chip is suspended in the middle of the ball to survive acceleration and hard kicks. The technology uses a network of receivers around the field designed to track the ball's precise position in real time including exactly when the ball passes over the pitch lines. Ball position is conveyed by radio signals to the referee’s watch in less than a second after the ball crosses the goal line. Similar chips, but smaller and flatter, have been designed for players’ shin guards. The system is independent of weather influences and can not be distracted by other wireless systems. The principles can also be applied in different situations: sport applications such as grid iron, soccer, basketball or ice hockey, but the system can also perform in an industrial environment such as the security of airports and flight gates, in large docks, in military operations and in many more situations. At present however the system has several problems including when the ball is shot over the goal and lands on the net it registers as a goal. Information can take several seconds to reach referee and when more than one ball is on the field the system will crash. The decision to focus on the further development and testing before introducing it to top range competition was taken in consultation with FIFA, and in close cooperation with development partner Cairos Technologies AG in Karlsbad, Germany. adidas started its production of footballs in 1963 and has been responsible for some of the most notable innovations. The Telstar ball design consisted of 12 pentagons and 20 hexagons. adidas were the first to incorporate synthetic materials into footballs and launched coloured balls an thermal bonding technology into ball manufacture. adidas has supplied the Official Match Balls to all major UEFA and FIFA tournaments since 1970 and will also be the Official Partner and Supplier of the Match Ball for the 2010 and 2014 FIFA World Cup™. Cairos Technologies AG is privately owned and is the leader in the sector of highly accurate, high-resolution 3-D localization of dynamic objects. Cairos AG is the exclusive worldwide distributor for the Cairos system in sports and in the industry. In 2001 Cairos started its cooperation with the Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits, an engineering research and software development company in Erlangen, Germany.

Plastic Fantastic

2006-07-04T03:27:00.000-07:00

In 2005 FIFA under-17 world championship in Peru was played entirely on artificial turf made by Polytran GmbH, Germany. Chances are by FIFA World Cup 2010 South Africa stadium will be carpeted with artificial turf. Experts agree the cost of natural grass is too prohibitive and dedicated turf means venues are unable to be used during the season for other events. If the purpose of the World Cup competition is to promote football then reducing costs of turf maintenance especially in climates which demand high maintenance makes economic sense. Increase in reported injuries (due to cleats), has led to players to join the lobby to play on artificial turf. Not all are of the same opinion (74 percent of Italy's professional players opposed playing matches on artificial grass, according to a recent survey by the Italian players union) but there is pressure to accept synthetic surfaces. The latest artificial grass is so like the real thing as to be impossible to tell the difference when running on it in football shoes, according to manufacturers and players. Earlier attempts to introduce synthetic turf to football fields failed in the 1980s, when nylon surfaces were installed in four English stadium. Complaints that the ball bounced too high, the surfaces damaged players' knees and skin burns resulted when tackling opponents, all contributed to abandoning the artifical grass. Modern synthetic surfaces use sand, rubber and polypropylene foam bases to give the same cushioning as natural earth. The silicone coated polyethylene tufts do not cause friction burns and provide uniform surfaces to play over. In Europe, league clubs are beginning to use artifical pitches e.g.
Moscow's Spartak, Moscow and Austria's Red Bull Salzburg. Technological advances by synthetic grass makers such as Polytran GmbH and FieldTurf, along with demands for uniform playing conditions, have led the Zurich-based Federation Internationale de Football Association FIFA to consider artificial turf for future tournaments. Good reasons to assume future development of the football boot will include better interphase between the cleat and playing surface. The hope is this development will reduce the horrendous lacerations that cleats appear to be currently causing.

Happy Aussies

2006-07-03T04:25:00.000-07:00

The real winners in this World Cup.

Goalies Gloves

2006-07-01T19:51:00.000-07:00

Goal keepers gloves could be in line for a new development if smart material known as d3o is incorporated into their make up. d3o is normally a flexible material which becomes rigid in response to an impact as the material exhibits "strain rate sensitivity". Flexible materials are made up of molecules which are weakly bound together and can move past each other with ease but with d3o the shock of sudden deformation causes the chemical bonds to strengthen and the moving molecules to lock, turning the material into a more solid, protective shield. The hardening effect only last as long as the impact itself which would make them ideal for goal keeper’s gloves. Currently the lightweight bendable material is worn under normal ski clothing and used to make better protective gear for skiers on the slalom. Skiers normally have to wear bulky arm and leg guards to protect themselves from poles placed along the slalom run now d30 can replace this. The exact chemical ingredients of d3o remains a commercial secret but the material was synthesised by mixing together a viscose fluid and a polymer. The resulting liquid (d3o) is poured into a mould that matches the shape of the body part it will protect.

Interesting link
goalatopper.co.uk

Perfect Pitch?

2006-07-01T05:20:00.000-07:00

Cleats (blades) have proven ideal for gripping when players are changing direction when running or pushing off and side-stepping but the traction systems are less efficient during straight line stopping and starting. This may account for some of the slipping we have seen during competition, from what appear perfectly normal patches several players have struggled to keep their feet. The condition of the grass has always been the predictor of the kind of studs that should be worn and many clubs kept on staff old timers, known as boot men, their job was to care for the players’ boots and advise them on the type of studs to wear. Sadly less emphasis is placed on this now and due to the introduction of blades the boots are often worn inappropriately for the pitch condition. Now such the beautiful game is such a spectator sport the colour of the pitch has become very important. Some believe the preoccupation of being seen to play on lush green pitches has created problems and not just for the greenkeepers. To help stop large lumps of turf being ripped up the grass grown through a thin plastic mesh which helps to bind the playing surface together. However the presence of the mesh inhibits the movement of conventional studs and blade studs damage the pitch. Away from the camera greenkeepers work frantically behind the scenes at half time replacing the divets, displaced by the players. Incompatibility may result in a further increase in player injury and a groundswell is growing to accept artificial playing surfaces. Some of the World Cup turf comes from a farm near Heythuysen village in Holland. It is grown at a top secret location near the German border which is frequently monitored by the FIFA’s Turf Competence Team. FIFA have brought together turf specialists from all over Germany. More than 530,000 square meters of grass has been grown for the competition and the Dutch turf covers seven out of the 12 World Cup stadium. The grass is a highly resilient mixture of two types: Kenbtucky Bluegrass (poa pratensis) provides texture and texture) and fast growing rye grass (lolium perenne). This blend maintains a high quality and color of grass which will look good for the television as well as for spectators in the stadium. The combination guarantees the ball moves 'very quickly' over its surface and will influence how the ball bounces. The Dutch grass is already used in the Real Madrid stadium. Workers laid the new grass before the start of the 2006 World Cup at a cost of more than $1.9 million (US) and whilst the “experts” described the pitches as exquisite individual players and teams have complained the grass is too rough for accurate passing, and dry patches had already appeared at most of the 12 stadiums. World Cup officials blame the cold, wet weather in April and May, when the grass was growing at nurseries. Changes in temperature after it has been laid meant the turf failed to anchor properly into the moist earth beneath. So in many stadium it is far from a perfect playing surface.

Who's the poofter in the boots?

2006-06-30T18:04:00.000-07:00

“Bobby Moore Superstar, walks like a woman and he wears a bra.” Went the chant at Hampden Park, when England came to play Scotland on their annual get together.

Questioning the manhood of an opposition player is a common ploy indulged upon by rival fans. More than likely this impacts on the terracing rather than the individual on the field but all that is immaterial when you are trying to help your team to win. A common indictment is to imply effeminacy in a player and what better way of knowing than the colour of a player’s boots. Up until FIFA World Cup 2002 Korea Japan it was only the very brave who sported coloured boots on the pitch but since Metro sexual David Beckham has broken the mould, now everyone on the field feels comfortable in coloured boots. Sociologists believe clothing has important social significance which tells much about the personality of the wearer. Humans see and react to visual signals emitted by clothing and this at a football match provides the safest distance to judge a stranger. No self respecting German fan would in a normal course of events wish to be confined in a lift with a group of lager swilling English fans, dressed accordingly. Fig leaf mentality may explain why we have covered up, but by far the major reason for clothing is decoration. The essential purpose of decoration is to beautify bodily appearance, so as to attract admiring glances from others and fortify self-esteem. Simply put boots outwardly represent a non-verbal sign of gender, presence, and personality. Many believe this is due to the encoded messages they contain which are recognized by our primal subconscious. Male footwear is part of a uniform to mark membership in a group, (I am a player). Western man embraces the idea that evolution compels them to compete in all areas of life from the soccer pitch to the corridors of power. In truth this competition is about sexual selection. Thus what an individual player looks like, how they dresses and groom themselves, may be of far more importance to a potential mate than whether he can beat his opposite number on the field. So Bec’s blue boots may have more to do with Victoria then Brazils’ defense. Style icons are real people with a vibration within, totally individual not fashion followers by fashion setters who are true to themselves. So what is with Beckham in ladies knickers? Some men prefer texture, fit or even the sensation of constraint in ladies clothing and why not. Modern masculinity is defined by being all that is not feminine, whereas femininity has always been slightly more pragmatic. Campness, male homosexuality and all associated eccentricities are an integral part of masculinity after all gay men are not women with willies. Yet the idea that they are, perpetuates straight male fears of losing their masculinity through the slightest frivolity. Think about that next time you are in the terracing.

Blades: Sinners or Saints?

2006-06-29T16:00:00.000-07:00

Duty of care and compliance with Law 4, which states ‘a player must not use equipment or wear anything which is dangerous to himself or another player…’ make all players responsible for the upkeep of their boots tand o ensure that they are safe, regardless of the type of stud featured. Blades are a special type of stud, so-called because of their shape. Blades are designed to grip the turf, offering more stability for the player when jumping, landing as well as turning and pivoting. A particular concern relating to blades (cleats) is they are responsible for a significant increase in laceration type injuries. Rifts between Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsenal’s, manager Arsène Wenger are legend but one thing they both have in common is their dislike for blades. Indeed Ferguson has banned them from Old Trafford convinced they are the cause of needless injury. The studs have been blamed to slicing into flesh and causing injuries more usually seen in car crashes. The English Football Association has been collecting anecdotal evidence since their introduction and contacted FIFA in 2002 as to their concerns. Two years later FIFA had failed to reply. Medics have also joined the debate alarmed at the increase in injuries corresponding to the adoption of cleats on football boots. Injury rates in other football codes i.e. rugby league, has shown similar patterns. Despite these genuine concerns it appears to be no evidence-based research to indicate that new boots are more unsafe or produce more injuries than with traditional conical studs. An adidas spokesperson said in 2004, “our tests show that there was some wear to the uppers, but the Traxion studs were found to be smooth, flat and rounded-off with no sharp edges (which is consistent with our wear test findings of our internal and external testing bodies)…….Following the examination we are of the opinion that the injuries were an unfortunate accident, which of course do happen in contact sports such as football". As the number of players using blade style footwear increases then the number of injuries resulting directly from blades is proportionately increased. Currently there are fourteen manufacturers who retail bladed styles of boot. Responsible company’s advise blades should only be worn in certain conditions and clearly mark their boxes FG (suitable for firm ground) and SG (for soft ground). However in 2004 the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) issued a position statement: “RoSPA is concerned at the increasing number of reports involving blade studded soccer boots.” Dr David Jenkins, RoSPA's Product Safety Adviser said information about the number and severity of injuries caused by the blade studs should be made more widely known. This would enable players, managers and officials to assess the risk and take appropriate action to deal with it. In January 2005, Consumers Association Which? Magazine reported their concerns at the number of blade related injuries. Later the same year BBC Watchdog programme ran an exposè. Concerns were expressed at the number of laceration injuries thought to be associates but experts believe playing in blade style boots can also contribute to serious joint injuries, especially in children. Twisting injuries cause by increased grip of the cleat in the soft ground sends destructive forces through ankle and knee joints. The BBC approached the English FA, FIFA and all the boot manufacturers but the official response was there is no firm evidence to suggest blades cause any more injuries than traditional studs. A large proportion of football injuries are ligamentous and involve either the knee or the ankle. Shoe-surface traction is thought to play a specific role and likely to correlate with injury incidence. The correlation between footwear, performance and rates of injury was illustrated in the 90s when researchers established the fewer studs on the sole of the boot then the greater performance.. Concerns at preventing knee injuries caused by rotational forces during jumping and landing led to the discovery that by increasing the width of the stud position over the ball of the foot the less destructive rotation reported. These theories led directly to the development of the cleat (or blade) to replace the traditional stud on football boots to improve shoe-surface traction.

Interesting site
Sandal RFU

Bespoke Soccer Boots

2006-06-28T05:02:00.001-07:00

Laser sintering may sound as if it belongs in Star Wars but the process could soon be used to make soccer boots that fit players' feet perfectly. Tailored shoes are built using a form of rapid 3D printing called selective laser sintering, in which a laser fuses together particles of a nylon-based material to build the shoe layer by layer. Customised boots start by scanning the foot with a laser to obtain a digital model. Using a pedar insole the subject carries out a series of exercises to determine the size and distribution of forces acting around the feet. That information is combined with other detailed analysis including leg structure and gait information to produce a blueprint template for the sole and stud arrangement. The shoes are then completed around the data. The hope is the player’s boot will not just provide a more comfortable boot but also give the vulnerable appendage greater protection according to the developers. Anything which reduces the potential for injury would be welcomed by the industry. Matching thickness, density and strength of the material for each sub-component gives optimal support without increasing the weight of the boot. The hope is the same software can be used to develop other protective clothing as well as other applications in aeronautics. Meantime London based company Prior2Lever (P2l) is working on prototypes soccer boots and if the project is a success plans are to proceed to the high street, where shops could print a pair of bespoke shoes in just a few hours.

The Pele Exhibition

2006-06-27T02:32:00.001-07:00

Between games visitors to Berlin can visit the Pele Exhibition at the Berlin's Potsdamer Platz station which houses an exhibition which depicts the life of Pele. On show are a collection of trophies and memorabilia marking the career of the greatest footballer of all. Exhibits include the famous Number 10 shirt and black boots as well as the white ball he kissed after scoring his thousandth goal in 1969. All three of Pele's World Cup medals hang on the wall next to the sceptre and crown he was given by Yugoslavia's national team in a 1971 farewell match, declaring him king of soccer. There too is the FIFA Player of the Century trophy and a portrait of player by Andy Warhol. The Pele Exhibition will go on tour in Europe and Asia after the World Cup.

Interesting Book
Pele

The good old, bad old days

2006-06-26T17:05:00.000-07:00

In Oct. 26, 1863, at the Freemasons Tavern in London a group of former public-school men announced that they would call themselves the Football Association (a title which, abbreviated, gave the world the word soccer), and went on to establish 13 laws of the game. In 1885, the Football Association legalized payments to players, and three years later, the world’s first professional football league was founded. The first 12 teams were drawn from towns in the industrial northwest and midlands of England. Within a few years, enormous crowds were turning out to watch the games. By the 1890s so many Lancashire textile workers had migrated to the US that in Fall River, Massachusetts, soccer matches routinely drew crowds in the thousands. Local rivalry ensured partisan support with the new football stadium filled with working class men (in the main), drinking, smoking and gambling. Toilet facilities were Spartan and scarce hence men would regularly relieve themselves standing in the crowd. Seating was restricted to small sections in the ground and the majority of support stood on the terracing. Prior to the 70s crowd capacity in the UK was rarely restricted and throngs of supporters crammed into the grounds at key matches. I recall being at Rangers versus Hibernian match at Ibrox Stadium where over 100,000 people stood. Space on these occasions was restricted and supporters stood shoulder to shoulder. Small people and children were carried with the crowd, lifted off their feet and pulled into a rip curl sway. Many injuries were recorded. On another occasion I was at Old Trafford at a Manchester United versus Tottenham Hotspur match and the wooden stand swayed as if made in rubber. The only other time I have ever experienced a similar movement was during an earthquake in Wellington , New Zealand. In the early sixties small kids would crowd around the lower end of the terracing separated from adults and close to the field. Provided there was no push from the upper terracing the kids were comparatively safe, however this was rare. Eventually steel barriers had to be erected to help with crowd control. Most football grounds would allow supporters to move from end to end during the game. This meant you could watch from behind the opposition’s goal in both halves. Inevitably inter rivalry between fans meant fights ensued and eventually movement with in the grounds were stopped. In the 50s and 60s alcohol was smuggled into the stadium but openly consumed on the terracing. Disgruntled fans throw their empty cans and beer bottles towards the field of play. More often than not these would land on the children standing in the lower terracing. Eventually alcohol was banned in the UK. British fans looked enviously on their Continental and South American counterparts who watched football in superb stadium with social facilities and seated Stands. Increased crowd problems throughout the 70s and 80s including horrible disasters forced major changes to the design of football stadium in the UK.

And who would not want to play for Brazil?

2006-06-26T08:42:00.000-07:00

Your name on a Brazilian Strip

All in the game: Sponsorship

2006-06-26T04:19:00.000-07:00

It is a matter of record that before the FIFA World Cup Germany 2006 Australia’s captain Mark Viduka (Middlesborough) was decked out in Puma gear for a photo shoot outside a sports store in Australia. Just one week later the same player was dressed in Nike gear. Sponsors have clambered on board to make the most of Australian soccer's rare appearance on the later stage of the FIFA World Cup Germany 2006. With the notable exception of Liverpoolwinger, Harry Kewell none of the Socceroos had individual sponsorships before their qualifying victory over Uruguay in Sydney, November 2005. Success has meant players can now negotiate a myriad of commercial arrangements. The work done against Uruguay definitely lifted the team’s status, and as national heroes, the Socceroos have become public property with much potential for commercial success. The use of player images to market the game and apparel make their endorsement a valuable asset. Now Viduka will be seen playing and training with the Socceroos in his Nike gear, as per contract. However the player is still allowed to wear his own Puma boots for matches and is free to do sponsorship work for Puma outside Socceroos time. In exchange for their co-operation, Australian players get 30 per cent of the Australian Federation's net sponsorship deal and will share this equally. Apparently the team sponsors are required to use at least four player images at a time to avoid undermining individual sponsorships, and to reinforce perceptions of a team game. Jostling for their moment in the World Cup spotlight are team sponsors Qantas , Nike, Hyundai , Powerade , Telstra , National Australia Bank(NAB), Westfield and SBS . A representative of Football Federation Australia has had to take advertising hoardings for Westfield and NAB halfway across the world and installed them around the training grounds so Australians would see them in the background when the Socceroos were training.

Go Aussie Go......

Teamgeist: strikers and keepers

2006-06-25T06:20:00.000-07:00

Footballs are high-tech products, and the Teamgeist took three years to develop according to adidas . Something which has been noticable has been the number of long range goals scored from outside the penalty box. So far the tally is 20 per cent of the total scored in 2006 compared to 9.31% of the goals scored in 2002. The Teamgeist certainly favours the long kick and spot kick (dead ball) specialists. The new ball is a hit with adidas sponsored, David Beckham and Brazil's Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite (aka Kaká ). Germany's Torsten Frings (who plays for a national squad sponsored by adidas)agrees the Teamgeist is perfectly suited for long-range shots. The new ball has fewer seams with only 14 and not the 32 of its predicesors and has an air valve designed to avoid imbalance according to adidas. The Teamgeist is the roundest football ever made and these claims have been upheld by Stiftung Warentest , an independent German group who tested the ball. Meantime what do the keepers think? Jens Lehmann (Germany) and Paul Robinson (England) both agree the Teamgeist is very fast but does change its flight path in the rain. It feels like a plastic ball and can become extremely slippery in wet conditions and handles like a waterpolo ball which is a real hazard to goal keepers. By chance Robinson has an endorsement deal with Nike, a company which also outfits Lehmann's English club, Arsenal.

Boot Designers would prefer to be there

2006-06-24T21:50:00.000-07:00

Now down to the last 16 and in the second stage Nike are sponsoring more teams (5), followed by adidas (4) Puma (3), Umbro (2),and Lotto and Marathon sharing one each. With Portugal and Netherlands and Spain and France the only opposing teams to sport the same sponsor Nike and adidas respectively.

Germany (adidas) vs Sweden (Umbro)
Argentina (adidas) vs Mexico (Nike)
Italy (Puma) vs Australia (Nike)
Switzerland (Puma) vs Ukraine (Lotto)
England (Umbro) vs Ecuador (Marathon)
Portugal (Nike) vs Netherlands (Nike)
Brazil (Nike ) vs Ghana (Puma)
Spain (adidas) vs France (adidas)

Most of this year’s Puma sponsored players are wearing grass camo boots . Like other World Cup 2006 these are ultra light and Puma’s lightest football boot to date. It has a super thin 0.4mm thick upper (ConTec). The outsole integrates anatomical stud positioning with pointed soft ground studs, designed to offer the better grip, maneuverability and rear foot stability, according to the manufacturers. Players wearing the grass camo boots are England’ s Peter Crouch, Yaya Toure, and Francisco José da Costa, better known as Costinha . The hi-tech Puma Grass Camo boots are coloured green to match the pitch. Makers suggest the boots help boost speed and agility abd their colour makes them hard to spot against the turf. Although following the bouncing ball would give an incredible advantage, to even the most short sighted defender. Puma’s biggest claim to soccer fame was boot endorsement from Brazil’s superstar Pele and Argentinean genius, Maradona . Puma remain manufacturers of quality soccer boots but remain very much in the shadow of adidas. Brother Adi and Rudolf Dassler fell out in 1948 and Rudolf started Puma as a rival company operating from the same Bavarian town of Herzogenaurach, Something Adi and his brother shared was a love for sport and the realisation neither would ever compete on the field. Instead they had the skills and foresight to design boots which would allow gifted players to soar. This is the same dream all football boot designers share including Australian Con Hatzilias . He too realised he did not have talent to ever play in the games highest competition but had the brains to design boots which might eventually get there. Of course Con is not the first Australian to seek the same goal although Craig Johnson (former Liverpool ) was an outstanding player during his career and went onto design the adidas predator . David Miers had other motivation for his Blade designed boot and although he is an agricultural scientist as a youth David was dogged by injury which influenced his playing career. Determined to improve the boot he eventually replaced the studs with a series of diagonal blades. When he realised this was a breakthrough in boot design he tried to interest sports companies in new invention. Like Johnson before him he experienced much resitance and reluctance to pick up his new design. Thanks mainly to AFL players Peter Daicos and Simon Madden cautioned against playing in the boots, their faith was such that they continued to play in blades. Simon Madden painted stripes on his boots to disguise them. When he was spotted wearing them the sponsor fined his club for breach of contract. The boots are now part of a sport museum exhibition where you can see the little stripes very poorly painted on them. Eventually the benefits of blade style cleats were recognized and now al the major companies include them within their premier range of boots across the football codes.

We're going kick your F***''en, head in !

2006-06-15T16:39:00.000-07:00

It seems to go with the turf, football and terrace violence. Since the beginning of the game where partisan supporters gathered violence would naturally follow. No surprise then to see unruly behaviour spill out into the streets and become the focus for anarchists and anti-social types in Germany. England and Germany have been cursed with hooligan elements for many years and are natural enemies, seems however Polish youths and young adults have joined the fray to terrorise the streets. National fervor rules in the mob mentality and racist taunts relate to long standing hatered and distrust dating back to the Wars I and II. Ironically millions lost their lives then in the struggle to prevent the very barbaric behaviour we witness today in civilized society. There are more Fascists alive now than were breathing in the 30s and the sad thing is they seems to associated with the beautiful game. With full anticipation of disruptive behaviour authorities across Europe have united to try to prevent mayhem in the streets of Germany. Clearly this has not been 100% successful according to reports but can assume at least the known ‘hard core’ are not directly involved. UK authorities have banned 3,500 England fans from attending the World Cup. These include known organizers and risk supporters (i.e. Alpha males and females currently the subject of a football banning order but who may have a history or criminal record).Targeted troublemakers were told to surrender their passports. The number represents a thirty percent increase in the amount who were barred from Euro 2000. A sad fact in itself as it demonstrates unruly behaviour is on the increase. England fans have gained a reputation for violence over the past two decades. Brawling supporters caused mayhem at the 1998 World Cup in France and at Euro 2000 in Belgium, although there was little trouble at Euro 2004 in Portugal. Unlike the UK, most other countries have no legal powers to prevent potentially violent fans from traveling. Instead they engage undercover officers (spotters) to mingle with the crowds. There are also 80 British police officers, including some in uniform, based in Germany while England remain in the tournament. Inter rivalry gang disputes are temporarily forgotten as ruffian groups form national firms with mutual animosity for the month to battle rival fans in the World Cup. Whoever wins the championship on the field is immaterial the new kids on the block want to match and overtake the feats of the supreme rebel rousers, The English in the Hooligan World Cup. Crime, politics and unemployment are thought to underpin much of the social unrest fueled by bravado fed by alcohol and illicit drugs.

What holds three billion people's attention?

2006-06-14T05:51:00.001-07:00

With an estimated global viewing figure of three billion people. football (aka soccer)is now considered to be the most watched sport in the world. Despite the rivalry between loyal fans, the beautiful game in the wake of war and international disputes is also considered to be the “peacemaker” of the 21st century. But what is it that makes twenty two people kicking a round ball about that makes it so compulsive viewing for millions? According to a recent study published in the New Scientist what holds our attention is the excitement factor. Simply put the idea anything can happen in the next 45 minutes. Other codes have their attractions but soccer takes the crown, according to the findings of New Mexican researchers from Los Alamos National Laboratory. The research team analyzed results from more than 300,000 games over the last century from the US's national hockey, football, baseball and basketball leagues and the top English football league. Researchers looked for factors which attracted spectators to a specific sport. Their results showed the "upset frequency" was highest for soccer, followed by baseball, hockey, basketball and finally American football. Rugby and cricket were omitted because they do not have a big following in the US. Seems the “Jack the Giant killer” i.e. the prospect of an underdog beating a favoured team was particularly compelling. This has been certainly true in this the first week of FIFA World Cup competition. So far no real surprises in the preliminary results but it is still early days. By contrast the researchers compared data from the past 10 years and found the “upset frequency” associated with English football Premiership and baseball would indicate the popularity of soccer has fallen behind. The authors concluded that soccer might have become more predictable in recent years and therefore less exciting to watch. Something which is obvious to all is the popularity of football shirts to the fans. Thousands rock up wearing the current colours of their favourite team. When I was a boy I had an English teacher who was convinced many sports fans would follow sport which they had themselves never participated within other than to watch play. The one exception was football where each member of the crowd would with little provocation join the players on the field and dressed accordingly, to prove the point.

Can you bend it like Beckham?

2006-06-12T04:42:00.000-07:00

Researchers at Queen's University Belfast have suggested the human vision system is unable to predict the trajectory of a curving ball through the air. If true this means goal keepers are handicapped and rely on chance to save rocket shots from sharp shooter like David Beckham or Roberto Carlos da Silva. Goal keepers were asked to watch computer simulation of spinning shots of 600 revolutions per minute and predict how the spin would influence the ball’s trajectory. Even professionals failed to do this. Spinning balls do not occur naturally and the side spin on the ball produces something called a Magnus force. This accelerates the ball in a direction that humans simply cannot visually process and the skill of the keeper to make a save from a bending ball is based on an educated guess. The Magnus effect was first described by German physicist Heinrich Magnus in 1853. It is a product of various phenomena including the Bernoulli effect. According to Bernoulli's principle, the pressure is lower on the side where the velocity is greater, and consequently there is an unbalanced force at right angles to the wind. This is the magnus force. Another variable is the formation of boundary layers in the medium around moving objects. The boundary layer is that layer of fluid in the immediate vicinity of a bounding surface. In the atmosphere the boundary layer is the air layer near the ground affected by diurnal heat, moisture or momentum transfer to or from the surface. The Boundary layer effect occurs at the field region in which all changes occur in the flow pattern. The boundary layer distorts surrounding nonviscous flow. It is a phenomenon of viscous forces. This effect is related to the Leidenfrost effect and the Reynolds number. The ball spinning through the air creates a whirlpool of rotating air about itself. On one side of the object, the motion of the whirlpool will be in the same direction as the wind stream that the object is exposed to. On this side the velocity will be increased. On the other side, the motion of the whirlpool is in the opposite direction of the windstream and the velocity will be decreased. The pressure in the air is reduced from atmospheric pressure by an amount proportional to the square of the velocity, so the pressure will be lower on one side than the other causing an unbalanced force at right angles to the wind. The overall behaviour is similar to around an aerofoil with a circulation which is generated by the mechanical rotation, rather than by aerofoil action. An experienced player can place a wide array of spins on the ball, the effects of which are an integral part of the sport itself. The way the ball spins and changes the air flow can really confuse the opposition," says Dr David James, of Sheffield Hallam University, Centre for Sport and Exercise Science. The surface of the ball is affected by its shape and stitching which increase traction between the ball and boot. The new adidas Teamgeist has less panels and the ball is a lot rounder with better sphericity so it behaves more like a billiard ball than the traditional bladder. Changes in the design of football boots including improved traction on the boot upper and greater sole stiffness combine to give better control of the ball by the player.

Soocer stars: Big time earners

2006-06-11T04:17:00.000-07:00

Real Madrid's David Beckham is soccer's top-earning star, bringing in $US24 million ($32 million) a year from endorsements which is estimated three times his playing salary. His most lucrative deal is with Gillette , and estimated to be worth $US9 million over three years. Ronaldinho is the most commercially valuable football player in the world, according to a study by Omnicom Group subsidiary BBDO Germany . The player's endorsements include Nike, PepsiCo and Sony. Adidas have a long-term sponsorship deal with Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona, announced in February. The company believes he will make an ideal replacement for their two biggest stars, David Beckham and Zinédine Zidane . Messi inspired Argentina to a World Youth Championship in 2005 as well as producing dazzling displays for FC Barcelona in the Champions League earlier this year. Heralded as the new Maradona, the legendary Argentina World Cup star of the 1980s and 1990s who was voted best player of the 20th century by FIFA, the international governing body of soccer. Adidas have high hopes for Bayern Munich’s new signing, Lukas Podolski (previously with FC Cologne). The Polish-born striker enjoyed a sensational start to his international career, scoring seven goals in his first 13 appearances. The Prinz has picked up a significant portfolio of endorsements. Adidas have already created a Podolski line of boots. Up and coming talent Francesc Fabregas (Arsenal) is another exceptional young talent being looked at with interest by marketers. Unlike many of his contemporaries he is articulate, intelligent and charismatic which are all attractive qualities to marketers. Anyway who needs sponsors when you have divine intervention, not the Hand of God style, but the support of a genuine mystic with voodoo powers. Togbui Assiogbo Gnagblondjro III is a voodoo fetish priest and keen devotee of Togo. He has told the team they will go far in the FIFA World Cup Germany 2006. Now before you dismiss the power of the occult in football think of Wayne Rooney's broken metatarsal and how it has miraculously recovered in record time. Well whilst treatment and rest may have contributed the result really came through the works of HealRooney.com The site lets users rub the Rooney’s foot with the cursor and the player much needed strength to play in Germany. Seems to have worked and it looks like England will, need him!!

Ankle boots to soccer slippers

2006-06-09T19:39:00.000-07:00

In the early years of football clothing was restrictive and worn for protection from the elements as much as decency. Hence British football was slow and not considered a spectator sport. Despite this the game’s popularity grew and clubs began to spring up across the UK. Players wore long laced boots, similar to engineer's boots and with a strengthened toecap in iron hard leather. In 1880 boots began to incorporate a strap, narrow on the inside of the foot, which crossed over the bottom two or three rows of eyelet's, winding to the outside of the foot. This gave greater protection to the toes as players used the dorsum of the foot to kick the ball. Today, players use the side of their foot to strike the ball, and then the toe was used to catch the ball and give it lift. To increase ground grip the soles incorporated metal tacks but Rule 13* prevented these in official matches. They were replaced in 1890 with new plugs made from layers of leather, the idea came from hockey boots. Studs (sometimes referred to as cleats) were positioned to avoid isolated pressure points and unnecessary irritation of the foot. In the area of the hindfoot they were located towards the outside of the sole to avoid buckling. The common formation was six studs, two distal and proximal to the metatarsal heads and two on the posterior aspect of the heel. By 1900 the soccer boot was a recognised entity. Boots became an essential part of the sport and by the beginning of the twentieth century, teams appear to wear the same boots. In 1922, Adi Dassler (co-founder of adidas) developed screw in studs which allowed players to select studs appropriate to the weather conditions. Whilst there was some variation in the arrangement of stud patterns on the sole of the boot, most professionals preferred the 4:2 or 4:3 ratio.

Most authorities agree major changes to football boots took place after the Second World War when many international fixtures took place. Improved air travel and popular transcontinental travel brought the soccer players from colder climates of Europe into contact with their counter parts in the Mediterranean and South America. Players in warmer countries wore less clothing with flexible soled boots more suited to the pitch conditions. The Latin game was played faster and provided opportunity for athleticism rarely seen in the traditional European matches. Media coverage meant more spectators appreciated the novel Latin styles and adaptation of their skills caused a revolution in play and clothing. The ankle boot lowered to become a soccer shoe freeing players to demonstrate athletic leaps and volleys. The new focus for design was aimed at kicking and controlling the ball on the ground and alternative methods of providing ankle stability were necessary. This often took the form of ankle bandaging (ankle vigours). With the introduction of artificial playing surfaces the need for long studs became redundant. Deep penetration was neither good for the surface nor advantageous to the player. Many poor performances and injuries had been reported so boot designers devised studs which gave maximal stability as the leg was anchored to the floor as well easy release when the foot needed to move quickly over the ground. The new soccer shoe had bristle (or cleat) soles and gradually these have been incorporated into the traditional soccer boot design.

*Rule 13#: No player shall be allowed to wear projecting nails, iron plates, or gutta percha on the soles or heels of his boots.

Hundred years of soccer boots

2006-06-08T03:13:00.000-07:00

A century ago professional footballers received on average 2/6 (37c. Aus) per game and some were paid special bonuses in addition depending on their skill. The sum varied according to the size of the crowd but even the best players seldom got bonuses over 2/11 (45c Aus). Quality football boots made from russet calf with fluted toecaps sold at the same time for 8/6d ($1.26A) which was almost three and a half times what a player earned per game. Shin guards cost between 1/6d (22c Aus) and 2/11d (45c Aus), and football socks varied between 1/11d (30c Aus) and 4/11d (75c Aus). A hundred years later the cost of boots has dropped considerably and bares no comparison to the average wage, performance and appearance bonuses, professional players earn today. For that we need to be grateful but manufacturers are also being criticized for using questionable labour practice in their sport apparel. Although player's costumes have changed since early days of the game, football boots have undergone surprisingly few design changes in the last seventy years. The evolution of the modern boot has been a conflict between protection from the climate and injury against the freedom of the limb to perform better. Improved fitness of players combined with greater glittering prizes has had a positive spin on boot development but related changes appear surprisingly to be stylistic as the football codes have become more glamorous and not forged by a desire to play better or decrease the rates of injury. Published research supports there has been more injuries caused by boot innovations than appear to be resolved by new designs. This includes the adaptation and incorporation of new synthetic polymers. The incidence of football related injuries continue to be the focus for much concern but ironically safety changes to soccer boots are less likely to come from the professionals, as boot sponsorship has become a major source of income. Instead the genuine concern of Soccer Mums, especially in North America, where the game has become so popular with young children, their concerns and in particular their consumer dollar will forge better safety awareness.

Blistering feats and blistered feet

2006-06-08T00:43:00.000-07:00

The origins of the name soccer are thought to have come from an Oxford footballer by the name of Charles Wreford Brown (1863). He borrowed 'socc' from Association and added 'er' to give the term "socc'er'". Such vernacular was common at the time and gave counter speak to the other football code, rugby or "rugger". By ironic coincidence the Latin word for slipper is soccus and in antiquity the soccus was worn by entertainers, women and effeminate young, men. It described a simple slipper or calceoli and laterally became a sock that fitted loosely so they could be removed quickly. Soccus were commonly dyed yellow from the seed of the pomegranate. Fashion dictates today have meant changes to the original soccer boot mean we now have a soccer slipper which is worn in bright colours. Black boots remain popular overall but when colorful boots grace the field it is likely to raise suspicion in the faithful (i.e. fans) as to the sexual orientation of the wearer. In the Ping Pong video (Nike), Brazil superstar Ronaldinho laces a pair of gold soccer shoes in an empty FC Barcelona's training ground stadium and starts juggling a ball with the new boots. He proceeds to the top of the 18-yard box, keeping the ball aloft as he goes, and then does the unimaginable. With the ball never touching the ground, the reigning two-time FIFA World Player of Year casually strikes a right-footed shot that hits the crossbar and rebounds back to him. He traps the ball on his chest and repeats the feat three more times. all in one camera take. Likely to be computer trickery of course, but the Brazilian sumpremo’s natural talent makes it all the more credible. Twelve million people have seen 'Ping Pong' which is eleven million. nine hundred thousand, nine hundred and ninety nine more people than spied a young Jimmy “Jinky” Johnstone (Celtic and Scotland ) who according to Tommy Docherty in a television interview, spent his formative youth with no real mates other than his football which he endlessly hit against the gable wall to become a master of footwork. No trickery there. Brazil fans and officials will be relieved to know the blisters on team captain, Ronaldo ’s feet are improving. The player was substituted in Brazil's 4-0 win over New Zealand because of painful blisters. Brazil doctor Jose Luiz Runco was convinced Ronaldo's blisters may have been caused by a defect in his new boots. Ooops. The BBC have confirmed Ronaldo’s old boots have been sent for. Meantime everyone knows to prevent blisters you need to wear two pairs of socks, now with Ronaldo’s talent and my know how, we could be invincible. Noted the Colombian squad was unable to train after beating the Polish team 2-1 because their soccer boots went missing in transit. The Colombians were scheduled to play Germany in a warm-up game but had to cancel.

Will we see him after the break?

2006-06-07T02:45:00.000-07:00

Speculation mounts that England will be up to its full squad by the beginning of the competition. Wayne Rooney the Manchester United striker and star England player, has been spotted kicking ball which means it is now a question of watch and wait. Confronted by a spate of similar foot injuries to David Beckham , Danny Murphy , Steven Gerrard , Michael Owen , Gary Neville and Roy Keane it seems perfectly natural to seek a general cause. Some like Tommy Docherty echoes the opinions of some sports injury specialists suggesting the lightweight nature of current boots, designed for precision ball control and traction do not provide adequate protection; whereas other raise an eyebrow at the punishing training and game schedule set for players at the top of their profession. A factor that is hard to discount, in the face of the grueling and congested nature of the domestic season in Britain. Nike were adamant their boots did not contribute to the injury. Details remain confused but it appears Rooney suffered a fracture of his fourth metatarsal on his right foot and not a stress fracture (March Fracture or hairline crack), as was previously reported. The former takes time to heal and would not resolve within six weeks however even when completely rested. Norman Whiteside has cautioned players recovering from a broken metatarsal should not return to play even when they are 95 per cent healed as the fragile bone is likely to refracture and or the player may pick up another injury.
Contrary to the press and their interest in soccer elite stress fractures were first described by Aristotle in 200 BC, and entered medical literature in 1855 when a Prussian military physician called Breithaupt, described what is now known as a "march fracture" (stress fracture of the metatarsals). Metatarsal fractures represent approximately 25 percent of all stress fractures reported and are not limited to elite athletes or military recruits. They are seen in runners of all levels, ballet dancers, gymnasts, those engaged in high-impact aerobics, as well as people with rheumatoid disease, those with metabolic bone disease, and neuropathic conditions. Stress fractures are estimated to comprise up to 16% of all injuries that are related to athletic participation; running is the cause in most of these. Most stress fractures (95%) involve the lower extremities; the metatarsals are most commonly involved. It is more usual for the second and third metatarsal to fracture with the fourth being quite rare. In severe cases more than one middle metatarsal may be involved. There are several factors which contribute to the development of stress fractures and generally these occur as a result of a repetitive stress injury that exceeds the intrinsic ability of the bone to repair itself. Histologists believe bone is more susceptible to injury when there is a delay between osteoblastic and osteoclastic activity and when combined with unusual or prolonged tensional and bending stresses acting across the foot result in micro-fractures appearing as weakness in the small bone. Strong and repetitive stress on bone at the insertion point of muscles, resulting in focal bending stresses beyond the ability of the bone to tolerate will result in full fractures. Approximately 60 percent of people with a stress fracture have had previous occurrences and are a higher risk of a complete fracture (as in the case of Rooney). The second, third and fourth metatarsals are relatively fixed in position within the foot whereas the first and fifth remain moderately mobile. Greatest stress is placed on the middle three metatarsals when longitudinal twisting occurs due to prolonged pronation into propulsion. The first metatarsal can fracture but this is often due to abrupt trauma (traumatic fracture) whereas the fifth metatarsal can fracture relatively easy at its base where the peronei muscle is inserted. This is an avulsion fracture and associated with a lateral ankle strain. In footballers such as Michael Owen, this may have arisen during weightbearing or as likely when a tangerial force caused the ankle to abruptly invert during non weight bearing flight e.g. striking the ball or being hit by another boot. A true Jones fracture will arise when the proximal diametaphyseal junction is broken due to an overpull of the peronei muscles. Despite Owen and Rooney having metatarsal fractures these were likely to be quite different in their causation although overuse may have contributed. New boot designs do everything to improve foot function during the contact sport including protection the foot from injury. The trend within the new generation of boots is to encorporate a shell reinforcement similar to a racing car to support the arch during propulsion (and when the foot contacts the ball mid air). Cleat (or stud) position varies and favours player preference, but composition polyurethanes give wider opportunity to cope with take off and landing forces. Boots are more flexible and lighter in weight and some contain flexible metallic type sheeting within the mid sole which adapts to peak pressures between bone and stud position. These really contain all that is known about material science and biomechanics of the sport. The incidence of fractures of the middle metatarsals in elite soccer players is more than likely due to over training and playing schedules. Further fielding players with less than a 100% recovery supported by cortisone and or local anaesthetic injections are both controversial and reckless disregard for personal safety. Let us hope that does not arise in the FIFA World Cup Germany 2006 .

Tone-def Allstars

2006-06-06T03:39:00.000-07:00

A different World Cup song Who do you think you are kidding Jurgen Klinsmann

Soccer Kit Sponsorship

2006-06-05T15:16:00.000-07:00

adidas have sponsored six national teams in the FIFA World Cup Germany 2006 . These are Argentina , France , Germany , Japan , Spain ,
Trinidad and Tobago . The company have sponsored other national squads including Greece, Nigeria and China but they failed to qualify. Nike meantime sponsor eight teams. These are Australia , Brazil , Croatia , Netherlands , South Korea , Mexico , Portugal and the United States . Their design policy has been to incorporate unique designs for each uniform, such as numbers, colors, collars and detailing, all inspired by each country's soccer heritage. By individualizing national kits, Nike appear to be challenging the dominance of the three stripes of adidas and the red cat of rivals Puma . Nike held simultaneous events in Mexico City, Rio de Janeiro, Seoul, Amsterdam and Lisbon to present national team uniforms to the fans and media at the same time as they revealed their wares in Germany. Puma AG will sponsor 12 national squads and the red cat logo will be worn by Angola , Czech Republic , Ghana , Iran , Italy , Ivory Coast , Paraguay, Poland , Saudi Arabia , Switzerland , Togo and Tunisia. There are rumours Nike may respond to Adidas's acquisition of Reebok by buying Puma. Puma was created in 1948 by Rudolf Dassler, estranged brother of Adi Dassler. The two companies still have their headquarters in the tiny Bavarian town of Herzogenaurach but remain intense rivals. Other sponsors od national teams are Lotto (Ukraine and Serbia and Montenegro ) , Joma (Costa Rica ), Umbro (England and Sweden ), and Marathon (Ecuador ).

Puma pioneered signing soccer stars and in a Seventies World Cup final, Pele (Brazil) stopped kick-off to bend down and tie his shoelaces with cameras to the ready the world saw Pele in Puma boots. Currently adidas have 300 players under contract and wear the three-stripe boots even even when their national associations are partners of competitors. For instance, England's David Beckham will wear adidas shoes and a jersey by Umbro. However the same courtesy has not been extended to host nation Germany where they will be dressed head to toe in adidas kit. The squad have been warned if they do not comply then they will be dropped. Such dictatorial behaviour has already caused friction with players who have existing contracts and signature boots to promote. No problem with Ronaldinho who will wear Nike kit and Nike boots, and Francesco Totti shall have Puma AG gear for competition. No company publically declares how much they pay top players on the pitch but analysts estimate that Nike's contract with Brazil as well as deals with large football associations such as Germany are worth a double-digit millions amount annually.

A cautionary note has been hit by investment experts who warn whilst an increase in sales has been recorded due to the World Cup, predictions may be overestimated. Whilst the month-long competition will lift spending in Germany the boom may be short lived and the evidence from previous World Cups shows potential beneficiaries may see their stocks drop. Adidas-Salomon AG, dropped 4.6 percent in the last championship and 12 percent four years earlier.

Let the games begin......

The Rivals

2006-06-03T04:34:00.000-07:00

A cumulative 28 billion fans watched the FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan 2002 , and FIFA officials expect 32 billion cumulative viewers to tune in this year. Companies are expected to spend more than $1 billion on advertising not including sponsorship fees, and marketing and hospitality during the FIFA World Cup Germany 2006 . Being a World Cup sponsor can be lucrative and the popularity of the game in the US has prompted many leading companies to join adidas and sponsor the championship. Budweiser beer , MasterCard , Gillette , Yahoo! , McDonald's and Coca-Cola have all financial backers. adidas, expects to ring up $1.5 billion in soccer sales this year, up from a previous estimate of $1.27 billion. The German giant is leaving nothing to chance. adidas continues to be one of the event’s official sponsors and will supply the match ball in all 64 matches. Sales of the new TeamGeist , (soccer ball) are estimated to be over 15 million by the end of the year. Germany's Adidas-Salomon will shell out close to $200 million, while Oregon-based Nike who has no association with the FIFA World Cup will spend more than $100 million on various campaigns to promote their football apparel. This has caused much angst to their rivals as Nike’s high profile advertising in the past has successfully confused many consumers who remain convinced Nike is the major sponsor of the FIFA World Cup. After the '02 World Cup in South Korea and Japan, market research demonstrated more British consumers thought Nike was the official sponsor of the tournament. Part of Nike’s successful strategy has been to sign some of the world’s most celebrated soccer players, such as Brazilian star Ronaldhino to help spread the Nike message to soccer-obsessed young people around the globe. This year Nike included Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney to endorse their new boots but when he suffered an unconnected metatarsal stress fracture this created an unfortunate blip in Nike promotional plans. Nike have teamed up with Google to create the world's first social network for soccer fans, Joga.com . The website has about 800,000 members from across the world including Chile, Afghanistan, Malaysia, and New Zealand. Subscribers can see the Ronaldinho advert, chat about the games and anything else for that matter about the beautiful game. Nike’s marketing push has already paid off, according to the company, with sales of their soccer gear booming. adidas remains the global leader in soccer footwear with 38% of the market, according to NPD Sports Tracking Europe , Nike now controls 31% but their intent to supplant the German company in the only athletic sneaker category where it is No. 2 is real. A big commercial push during the FIFA World Cup comes at a time when global sales in Ath Leisure footwear in the under 35s is dropping. In both US and UK sales of trainers have faltered of late as more young adults prefer ro wear conservative shoes. This trend is the reverse of over 55 males who appear perfectly satisfied in tracksuits and trainers. Nike and Adidas have set their sights on the global pitch by targeting the higher-growth markets in Latin America and Asia. Asia-specific designs and a strong soccer presence have helped adidas overtake Nike in Japan. adidas have sponsorship the 2008 Beijing Olympics for $80 million; together with Reebok 's $70 million Yao Ming contract and a roster of retail outlets in China set to reach 2,400 by 2008. (adidas bought over rivals Reebok in a $3.8 billion deal earlier last year). China has an expanding middle class and an estimated 2.6 billion feet to fit, hence mainland is considered to be the real gem in the crown as far as marketing is concerned.

The Boots 2006

2006-06-02T21:34:00.000-07:00

The days are counting sown to the FIFA World Cup Germany 2006 . All the participating teams are gearing up for the world’s biggest event, Soccer boots are the most important item in a footballer’s kit. Today’s slippers are lightweight hardwearing designed to help control the ball and maintain stability of the foot and leg in a variety of weather and surface conditions. Fierce rivalry between boot manufacturers gives a WYSIWYG approach to latest the styles which will all be on show in Germany. Many claims are made for their products but in essence they are mere clones of each other. In the last competition played in Greece four years ago, heat was the main problem which was overcome by introducing cooling systems into the boot and clever use of biomaterials specific to cool the feet and remove excess sweat form the skin surface. The German secret will be weight, with the lightest boot on show. Now on average soccer slippers weigh less than the winner’s medal (just over 2000grams). Lightweight boots are built with blades on the base to give stability and help the speed of the athlete. So as not be confused the shoes by themselves do not make a slow player go faster, that would be deceptive advertising. Instead lightweight slippers with traction will not hinder the athlete’s movements and if they can travel fast their shoes will not hinder. Added support features which prevent the foot moving within the shoe relate more to comfort and energy conservation more than speed per se but many manufacturers promote these as selling points.
adidas launched the +F-50 Tunit , a soccer shoe that allows consumers to choose the upper; the insole; and the cleats, or studs to adapt to different playing conditions. Cleats are replaceable as is the shoe’s in sock and upper is available in 11 national team colours (including Australia). The Nike’s Mercurial vapor Total 90 series is another new kid on the block and will be on show at FIFA World Cup Germany 2006. The Nike Air Zoom Total 90 III FG is a lightweight shoe with a new asymmetrical and integrated lacing system which improves fit and touch on the ball, according to the manufacturers. Added heel support adds to greater player stability and injected midsole provides optimal comfort including reduction from stud pressure. Optimal traction is provided by a sole plate with new circular studs. The shoe is supported by spinal structural bars which is claimed to add motion control and improved stability during flight. Will it result in more goals at the games? Let's wait and see.