England’s National football kit maker Umbro has had its profits hit.

Umbro state that cut-throat competition for replica strips has hit profits badly.

Umbro, produce shirts for over 150 teams, including England, Northern Ireland, Everton, Glasgow Rangers and Lyon. They lost their most prestigious club kit deal with Chelsea FC last year.

More positively, Chelsea and England captain John Terry this year signed a long term deal with Umbro.

Umbro said the UK market place remains ‘extremely tough and price-led’, which has hit its profit margins.

They went on to say that sales of England shirts since the World Cup have been slow. They blamed fierce cost-cutting between retail chains such as JJB Sports, JD Sports and Sportsworld.

England’s poor performance at the World Cup was also to blame, as fans had bought fewer replica shirts since the summer.

Football Boot News

Predator Vs F50

Adidas have kicked of their Predator Vs F50 campaign with a neat commercial, view the ad here.

The ad tells the story of two different clubs, Predator FC and F50 Club de Futbol, and their two very different schools of football thinking.

Big Football Boots

You may remember an article we covered in October “Too Big for Your Football Boots“.

It was about a couple of talented footballing brothers from Yorkshire who couldn’t find any large sized football boots. Well another story has surfaced.

A lad from Co Durham now has the same problem. It must be something in the water “Up North”.

Perry Groves

Finally, don’t forget to send in your questions today for Arsenal Legend Perry Groves. We’ll be meeting up with Perry tomorrow and the best question will win a copy of his new book.

‘We All Live In A Perry Groves World’

Click Here to eMail your question for Perry.

The Adidas Predator Absolute Swerve football boots are the latest in the line of David Beckham football boots.

Predator Absolute Swerve

David Beckham may not have the ability he once had to be classed amongst the world’s elite, but like Ronaldinho’s new boots, David Beckham’s football boots will no doubt confirm, he is still a great marketing machine.

The Predator Absolute Swerve is a high end, quality football boot, part of the 6th generation of Predator football boots.

The football boots are available with a white, silver and gold colourway.

Performance: As with all the Predators, these football boots offer great performance. The football boot comes with PowerPulseTM technology, the sockliner can be selected for power or lightweight, making this football boot the lightest Predator.

Uniquely, this football boot has accentuated the “Swerve” panel on the side and top of the forefoot.

Players: David Beckham

Price: £130

Released: 1st December 2006

Verdict: This limited edition Predator Absolute Swerve continues the terrific line of Predator football boots.

Images: Beckham’s New Boots

Perry Groves, Arsenal Legend, Cult Hero is meeting with footy-boots.com.

This Thursday, Perry Groves the former Arsenal winger will be meeting with us to talk about his career, his new book and of course football boots.

If you’re one of our younger visitors you may not be familiar with Perry Groves. When George Graham took over at Arsenal, Perry was his first signing in 1986. Perry went on to win two league cup’s and a league title with Arsenal.

Perry is a cult hero at Arsenal. The Arsenal fans still chant his song ‘We All Live In A Perry Groves World‘. This, coincidentally, is the name of his new autobiography.

‘We All Live In A Perry Groves World’

Perry will be signing copies of his book this Thursday, 30th November at 6pm at Borders in Islington. See details here.

To be in with a chance to win a signed copy for yourself;

Send us a question for Perry, along with your name and address, to this address (competition closed).

We’ll ask Perry what we believe is the best question and will publish his answer here on footy-boots.com.

The Perry Groves Interview.

Ronaldinho helped holders Barcelona keep their hopes alive in the Champions League.

Barcelona beat Levski Sofia 2-0. They now need to beat Werder Bremen at the Nou Camp in their final game to progress.

Ludovic Giuly and Andres Iniesta scored Barca’s goals in Bulgaria.

Ronaldinhos New Boots

But it was Ronaldinho’s new football boots that caught the eye for me.

Ronaldinho was wearing his new Nike Tiempo Ronaldinho football boots for the first time.

You can view some pictures of the new Ronaldinho new football boots, here:

Pic 1 Pic 2 Pic 3

These football boots are available for order here

Gerrard fired home the opener as Liverpool top their Champions League Group.

Steven Gerrard led Liverpool comfortably through to the knockout stages of the Champions League last night, in a 2 - 0 win over PSV Eindhoven.

Playing in his preferred position in the centre of midfield, Gerrard was at the heart of many of the Liverpool attacks and scored the opening goal for his team which was followed by a goal by beanpole, Peter Crouch.

Liverpool’s victory came at a cost however, with Chilean winger Mark Gonzalez, Spanish playmaker Xabi Alonso and Jermaine Pennant all likely to miss games.

Chelsea

Chelsea face similar problems after qualifying via a 1 - 0 defeat against Werder Bremen. They qualify as the cannot finish below Werder Bremen in the table, due to their better head to head record in the group games between the two sides.

It’s their injuries that are the problem. Drogba was subbed with a right ankle problem and Ballack has a 10-inch cut on his right calf.

Steven Gerrard Football Boots

Stevie Gerrard wears the Adidas Predator Absolute football boots.

A football boot renowned for power and strength, just like the Liverpool captain.

Theo Walcott came off the bench to help Arsenal gain victory against Hamburg.

Arsenal came from behind against Hamburg, to win 3 - 0 at the Emirates Stadium. A point for Arsenal at Porto on the final Champions League group game, will see Arsenal through to the last 16.

Theo Walcott

Walcott came on as substitue, with just 15 minutes to go. He set Arsenal on the road to victory by feeding Eboué who’s shot went in via the arm of the keeper to put Arsenal ahead 2 - 1.

The young starlet was also instrumental for the third. After an exchange of passes with Adebayor, he raced down the right side and picked out Julio Baptista to head into a gaping net and record his first goal for Arsenal.

Theo Walcott Football Boots

Young Theo is in the Nike camp. Unsurprisingly, his football boot of choice is the nippy Nike Mercurial Vapor III. The Mercurial Vapor III was first released in the Spring of 2006 and has been well tested ever since then, by a host of International stars.

Shunsuke Nakamura scores a 30 yard free kick as Manchester United lose to Celtic.

In day one of the penultimate group games of the Champions League, there was success and failure for British sides.

Shunsuke Nakamura

Celtic came out 1 - 0 winners, due to a superb free kick from Shunsuke Nakamura in the 81st minute (report here).

It’s not the first time the Japanese star has scored a belting free kick either, take a look at these…. Shunsuke Video
Celtic’s victory see’s them through to the knockout stages, whilst Manchester United need a point from their home tie against Benfica to progress. Louis Saha missed a great opportunity and then had a penalty sensationally saved by Artur Boruc, the Polish International, in the last few minutes.

Shunsuke Nakamura Football BootsNakumara wears Adidas F50 TUNiT football boots. The F50’s are a changeable football boot, worn by a host of top footballers.

Adidas are running a marketing campaign featuring the F50’s - Predator Vs F50.

Adidas Predator V Adidas F50

‘Predator versus F50′ is a new Adidas campaign. It tells the story of two football clubs based on two Adidas football boots - Predator F.C. and F50 Club de F útbol.

The Predator Football Club features David Beckham, Michael Ballack, Kaká and Juan Román Riquelme among others (All Adidas Predator wearers), while the F50 Club de F útbol has stars such as Lionel Messi, Arjen Robben, Lukas Podolski and Fred in its side (All Adidas F50 wearers).

The campaign uses the two different football boots, Predator and +F50 TUNIT, signifying two unique styles of football.

The Adidas Predator stands for teamwork, determination and precision, whereas the F50 team embodies flair, flamboyance and speed. They both carry their own mottos.
Predator: ‘Every team needs a hero’

F50: ‘Every hero needs a team’.

Whilst this is quite clearly a marketing campaign for Adidas, which we are all likely to see as it is rolled out over the next few weeks, it does beg the question which is the better football boot?

Nike have officially launched the Ronaldinho signature line, also known as the 10R Collection.

The Ronaldinho collection includes football boots, apparel and equipment. This is the first signature collection designed with a footballer by Nike. Other sports stars with their own Nike collection include Michael Jordan, and Tiger Woods.

Onto the football boots I hear you say…

Nike Tiempo Ronaldinho

The Nike Tiempo Ronaldinho has been developed on the foundations of the well recommended Nike Air Legend football boot. This modern, yet traditionally styled football boot is built using soft K-leathers (kangaroo), it has an improved outsole and a larger sweet spot. This is a fine football boot!

Upper

“With the way I play, I needed a bigger sweet spot,” said Ronaldinho.

So Nike gave him a Tiempo Legend and asked him to draw what he wanted on the football boot. That resulted in a longer Vamp (the bit above the toes) and a smooth medial side (the bit on the inside of the toe).

The heel is lined with supple leather for added comfort. The extended fold over tongue covers the laces for a clean strike surface, and is secured with Velcro.

Outsole

Because Ronaldinho learned his trade playing 5 a side where keep the ball under your feet longer and you dribble with more speed and control. He wanted this reflected in his football boots.

So Nike designed the outsole and studs to match his game. The studs offer textured thermo-plastic urethane tips for better ball control and superior traction. And the outsole offers midfoot and rear stability coupled with three distinct forefoot flex-groove areas for maximum comfort, control and flexibility.

Sockliner

The full-length PEEVA sockliner with Poron inserts provides a low to ground feel, with great cushioning, plus a high-density EVA arch support.

Style

The Nike Tiempo Ronaldinho football boot has a polished leather, as Nike said, for a ‘dressy appearance’. Detailed stitching is found around the football boot which further enhances its aesthetic appeal.

Players: Ronaldo de Assis Moreira - Ronaldinho

Price: £100 - available for order here
Verdict: Just like the player, these Nike Tiempo Ronaldinho football boots are magic!

Image: Tiempo Ronaldinho Football Boots

Micah Richards shines as England draw with Holland

Manchester City’s teenage right back Micah Richards became the youngest defender and the 7th youngest player, to play for England in the 1-1 draw with Holland.

At 18 years and 144 days Richards was given sturdy test in marking Arjen Robben. After a nervous start, Richards excelled as the game went on.

Richards said “The coaches just told me to do what you do for your club and don’t try to change your game because you have stepped up a level. I tried that and thought I did all right”.

Micah Richards Football Boots

Micah Richards wears Adidas Predator Precision football boots.

He is not alone in the International team in selecting these football boots. Stevie Gerrard, Ashley Cole and Frank Lampard also favour the Adidas Predators.

A look back at the breakthrough of the Screw-In-Stud Football Boots

Regular readers of this football boot blog may remember a post we made back in May, Puma “We invented the screw in stud, not Adidas“.

The article spoke about an ongoing feud between Puma and Adidas. Both football boot manufacturers claim to have invented the screw in stud, but Puma had been investigating their archives and believed they had proof.

As a result of that article, we have been given some photographs (see enf of this post) of the football boots claimed as the original screw in football boots by Puma.

Here is a section of the report Puma released to support their claim about the Screw-In Stud Football Boot.

The story begins in 1948 in Herzogenaurach in Franconia; the Puma Company had just been founded and was operating with about 30 employees. At this point, Rudolf Dassler had a brilliant idea: to develop football boots, which would allow for an optimal use on the greatest number of different types of terrain. For this, the tread profile of the football boot would need to be variable with studs no longer remaining nailed in the sole, standard practice up to then. Rather, it would have to be possible to screw them on and off.

With this consideration, Rudolf Dassler, the sports enthusiast inventor, began his work on manufacturing screw-in stud boots. The starting point and basis for the development of the new model was Puma’s “ATOM” football boot. The company founder had already launched this boot on the market in 1948/49. The “ATOM” was used in the first postwar game of the German national team. This was the match against Switzerland on 22 November 1950 in Stuttgart. Herbert Burdenski was wearing these boots when he scored the first postwar goal for Germany with a penalty shot resulting in a 1:0 win for Germany. In spite of its success, this Puma football boot did not yet have the ability to always provide the players with the best possible grip and footing on different types of grass.

For this reason, Rudolf Dassler drilled his new test boots with holes and screws in the sole, into which studs of various lengths and types could be screwed, depending on how muddy the field was. Precise research was carried out in order to determine the characteristics that the screw-in stud would need to have in order FOr optimal use. To help answer this question, the Puma founder called on numerous football experts, including the national coach, Sepp Herberger.

Georg Hetzler, the master craftsman who was employed in making the screw-in stud football boots can still remember the development: “Our boss was called an inventive genius. One day he came into the factory - I think it was in 1949 - very excited and showed us the first football boot with the screw-in stud: “Look at this all of you!’ We were all thrilled, of course. He didn’t rest until this football boot was launched on the market.”

After two years, the development was finished and the trial phase could begin. In 1951, many experienced players from various leagues tried out the revolutionary Puma innovation. The lengthy trials ended with a positive result: The players unanimously praised the special slip prevention of the enhanced “ATOM” model. Encouraged by these positive results, Puma began serial production of the new football boot just a year later, giving it the name, “SUPER ATOM”. The first delivery of the Puma screw-in stud football boots to leading sportsmen and the trade took place at the start of the 1952/53 football season in Germany.

Hetzler comments on the impact of this invention for football: “The sporting world was, of course, very pleased to see the screw-in stud appear on the market, as the earlier soles were very dangerous for the player. Once the studs had worn down,, the heads of the nails were left standing exposed. Of course, the risk of injury was extremely high, but this was no longer the case with screw-in stud football boot. That’s why this product was received so well everywhere.”

Click images to view larger size

First screw in stud football boot Puma ‘Super Atom’ 1952-53

Puma “Atom” 1953

Puma “Brazil” 1954

Historic Puma Newspaper Advert

The England line up in Football Boots to face Holland.

England boss Steve McClaren needs a huge improvement on England’s last performance, when they were beaten 2-0 in Croatia. McClaren has taken some stick from the media of late, rightfully so in my opinion.

So what equipment will be helping the boys in Amsterdam this evening?

Paul Robinson’s football boots - Nike Total 90 Supremacy
Micah Richard’s football boots - Adidas Predator Absolute
Rio Ferdinand’s football boots - Nike Total 90 Supremacy
John Terry’s football boots - Umbro XAI V
Ashley Cole’s football boots - Adidas Predator Absolute
Steven Gerrard’s football boots - Adidas Predator Absolute
Michael Carrick’s football boots - Puma V-Konstrukt
Frank Lampard’s football boots - Adidas Predator Absolute
Joe Cole’s football boots - Nike Air Legend
Wayne Rooney’s football boots - Nike Total 90 Supremacy
Andy Johnson’s football boots - Nike Total 90 Supremacy

Christmas is coming, so if a pair of football boots is on your Christmas list, consider the following carefully.

7 Tips To Help You Choose Football Boots

1. Make Sure They Are A Good Fit

Discard cost and looks and think about practicality and comfort, when deciding on your next pair of football boots.

Consider the shape of your foot. For example Nike Mercurial Vapors are renowned for not being good for wide feet, whereas Puma football boots tend to be better for the wide foot.

Try several football boots on, various brands and models and find out what feels comfortable.

Once you find a brand and model that is comfortable, try and stick to it.

2. Consider The Conditions

What kind of surface will you be wearing the football boots on? Ensure you choose the right set of studs for the right conditions.

Generally speaking the following guidelines apply;

Soft Ground - Screw In
Mid Ground - Bladed
Hard Ground - Moulded

View the Football Boots Guide for more information.

3. Type of Leather

The football boot upper can be made of various material. Although budget may limit your choice, the upper material should be considered when choosing a football boot.

Kangaroo Skin

Soft, yet very strong, also moulds to the contours of the foot and is water repellent.

Oil Based Leather

Not quite as soft or strong as the Kangaroo leather, but they are water repellent and age well.

Leather/Polyurethane

This leather material has a polyurethane coating, doesn’t age as well as full leather.

Synthetic Leather

Synthetic leather can be found at both ends of the scale. The cheap end tends to rip and tear easily. Whilst the complex synthetic material found on football boots like the Nike Mercurial Vapor, are strong, waterproof, but lack the natural moulding to the foot that you would find with genuine leather.

4. Laces

Lace position can vary from the traditional top of the foot position, to the side of the boot.

Side lacing is often considered the better option, as the ’sweet spot’ on the top of the foot has a flat surface, also it reduces pressure on the small nerves which you have on the top of the foot.

5. Get Recommendations

Its impossible to get a real feel for a football boot just by trying it on in the shop. Ask your team-mates what they think of their football boots. Ask how comfortable they are, how well they have worn and how easy they are to maintain.

6. Price

At the end of the day, the football boots must meet with your budget. If you are on a tight budget, look out for superseded models which are often discounted, but are still great football boots.

7. Style

It goes without saying that you want to look the part, so having considered the other points, then consider how good you look in your football boots!