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.

Girls' top boot: adidas Copa Mundial

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

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

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

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?

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?

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

New soccer boots from Pro-Direct

Boots, boots everywhere: Rio Ferdinand

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

Under Armour | Football Boots | UA11

Soccoroos never looked better

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Go the Matildas

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

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

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

France v Italy final: Wat no smartball technology?

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

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

The real winners in this World Cup.

Goalies Gloves

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?

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?

“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?

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

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

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

And who would not want to play for Brazil?

Your name on a Brazilian Strip

All in the game: Sponsorship

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

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

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.

Soocer stars: Big time earners

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

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

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.

Will we see him after the break?

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

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

Soccer Kit Sponsorship

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......

Sponsors:The Rivals

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

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.