Concave PT+: help reduce injuries?

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

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 fashion trend

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

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!

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

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

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

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?

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?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Making soccer boots

Socceroos - great start to warm up

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

Nomis Boots: Aussie, Aussie, Aussie!

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

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.