Go on now, admit it. Up until the build up to the 2002 World Cup, you didn’t have the faintest idea of what a metatarsal was now did you?

Some form of prehistoric dinosaur, a brand of Greek brandy or the posh name for that widget thingy that makes canned beer fizzy?

All of that changed when David Beckham was injured on 10th April 2002, just 51 days before the start of the World Cup finals in Japan and Korea. Beckham sustained his injury during the early stages of Manchester United’s Champions League quarter final against Deportiva La Coruna. He was stretchered off the pitch and the following day, X-ray’s confirmed he’s broken his second metatarsal bone in his left foot.

Cue, much wailing and gnashing of teeth, banner headlines in the popular press and more published medical diagrams than you could shake a stick at.

Since then, the word metatarsal has become part of football’s common vocabulary, so frequent are injuries now to high profile players - Wayne Rooney, Steve Gerrard, Gary Neville and most recently Daniel Agger to name but a few.

Since Beckham’s woes, the argument over protection provided by the modern football boot has raged on and on, and it shows no sign of abating. But amongst all the hysteria, what exactly are the facts?

Footy Boots has consulted with Dr Sharon Dixon, senior lecturer at Exeter University and expert on biomechanics. A leading expert in her field, the work of the biomechanics team at Exeter has been used at 15 presentations at international and national conferences.

FB: Hi Sharon, what, in your opinion, is the most common injury occurring in modern day football?

SD: Ankle inversion injuries (twisted ankle) are the one we see most.

FB: Is the modern football boot up to the job of giving players enough protection?

SD: The football boot of today is focussed primarily on performance. By working with professional players, companies have developed football boots that are light and comfortable. This may or may not be a good thing when it comes to injury.

FB: Is safety being compromised for style?

Safety may be being compromised for comfort and performance. For example, older style football boots that covered the ankle provided more protection from ankle inversion injuries. They may, of course, have resulted in greater injuries elsewhere on the body.

FB: What qualities should a player look for when choosing a football boot?

SD: Comfort, flexibility, ease of performing turning movements without studs sticking (hard to judge in the shop, but perhaps lab data on this could be made available).

FB: What advice would you give to parents looking to buy football boots for young children?

SD: For young children, a flexible football boot that allows the foot to move naturally is likely to be best. Restricting foot movement may limit the natural development of the foot. A young foot should not need support. It is probably wise to also avoid blades as there have been knee injuries linked to these sticking in the ground during turning movements and also players have received bad cuts from these. The jury is out on this, but seems sensible to go for conical studs that will rotate easily in soil or 3G surfaces.

FB: What can a player do, if anything, to prevent foot injuries whilst wearing modern footwear?

SD: Adequate training and conditioning to prepare for matches and avoid football boots that do not allow twisting movements easily.

Here at Footy Boots, we are always on the look out for new information regarding football boot safety and boot related injuries. So it was with great interest that we discovered some new research that has been carried out by footwear consultant Colin Martin and his team at solutions4feet.com

Based in Bicester in the UK, Martin has a wealth of experience in biomechanical performance, specialist football boot fitting and improving comfort and function.

His latest report, which follows, is a must read for anyone who is thinking of buying a new pair of football boots either for themselves or others or for players who are continually suffering from aches and pains after a match.

Being an expert in his field, it is, of course, a scientific report so get your dictionaries and encyclopedias ready and read on.

The increased popularity of football has, not surprisingly, been accompanied by an increase in foot related injuries. For coaches, trainers, players, parents of young players and health care practitioners, it is helpful to understand what roles football boot construction and it will play in both causing and preventing injury, as well as how custom orthoses (an external device applied to the body to relieve symptoms of pain or improve function) can be incorporated into an overall injury treatment or prevention program.

To accommodate the studs or blades the football boot is constructed with a flat footbed. This creates a lack of support for the mid foot along the longitudinal arch, allowing for excessive pronation (inward rotation and collapse of the arch) or supination (outward rotation and rising of the arch) and little or no cushioning to absorb shocks at heel strike. Excessive pronation or supination especially for players with these biomechanical problems outside of the football boot, and repetitive shock, can lead to injuries such as heel pain, shin splints and knee pain.

In addition to this, football boots are ‘low profile’ meaning they have a lack of height at the heel counter and thus provide little support for the ankle and rearfoot. This results in an even greater likelihood of injury, primarily sprained or twisted ankles due to the twists and turns inherent in the sport.

High quality football boots are generally made from soft hides and less expensive versions from synthetic materials. As leathers stretch and give substantially with wear, the practice of purchasing shoes too small to ensure better fit in the long term is common place. This can increase the risk of injury from the very beginning, however to players who extend this practice of buying. Synthetic football boots do not stretch and will remain too tight. In addition to the stretching issue, many players simply prefer tight fitting shoes (Ronaldinho being one) as they believe that this will give better response and help hold the boot on the foot during play.

A boot worn too tight changes the functionally and biomechanics of the foot. The result can be devastating, hindering ball control during play and / or causing injury. Common problems from undersized footwear include sesamoiditis, metatarsalgia, black toe, Hallux rigidus, metatarsal stress fractures and bunions. Haglund’s deformity and Achilles tendonitis can also result from the top line of the tight shoe cutting into the rear of the foot.

Conversely buying football boots too big can also cause problems. This has unfortunately become common practice by parents of young players who are trying to accommodate their children’s rapidly growing feet and avoid having to buy costly replacements by extending the wear life of the shoe.

Buying larger football boots and filling the space with extra socks allows the foot to slop around inside the shoe, this leads to potential foot and ankle injuries and also results in blisters from shearing inside the boot and loss of ball control and possible tripping.

Shoe fit affects the placement of the studs, which is very important for foot health. A well fitted boot will have studs behind and in front of the metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint (the big toe joint). A shoe worn too big or too small will result in a stud being directly under the first MTP joint, affecting the joint as well as the sesamoids (the two small bones under the joint which protect it). The constant shocks and stress experienced during training or a game can result in serious injuries to this region.

The use of custom made orthoses in football boots can increase the comfort levels and the performance of the boot, reducing the likelihood of injury to the player, increasing ball control and reducing fatigue. It is not necessary for the orthoses to be corrective unless there is underlying pathologies in the foot, a semi rigid support will offer the best compromise as fully rigid supports are often not tolerated well by players.

Another area of fit that should be considered is the way the football boots are laced, wrapping lacing under the foot to reduce heel slippage should not be required if the boot fits well in the first place, and the use of a tongue depressor pad will prove much more effective in reducing motion around the heel.

In conclusion football boots should be bought to fit the foot, the flex point should be matched to the foot and a boot with a similar volume to the foot be selected. The use of fitting aids and semi rigid sports orthoses will increase performance and reduce the risk of injury.

www.solutions4feet.com

Daniel Agger’s football boots have aided his return from injury.

Daniel Agger has returned to training, having been out of action since September last year.

Liverpool’s manager Rafa Benitez said “Everyone has been working very hard to find a solution to his problem and he now has a new pair of football boots which we hope will make a difference.”

The football boots have been specially made for Agger by Adidas. They have been built to take the pressure off of the metatarsal which Agger has had ongoing problems with.

Rafa Benitez has become the latest Premiership manager to wade into the debate surrounding the impact of modern day football boots on the recent upsurge in metatarsal injuries.

The Liverpool manager has recently had Adidas Predator Absolute duo Daniel Agger and Xabi Alonso ruled out after breaking bones in their feet and believes now is the time for an inquest into the problem.

Along with his Merseyside managerial counterpart, David Moyes, at Stanley Park neighbours Everton (see ‘Moyes blames football boots for metatarsal injuries’ article), Benitez has called on the leading football boot manufacturers to analyse why so many players are suffering metatarsal injuries.

‘Rafa the gaffer’ believes part of the problem might be the number of studs or blades on the soles of modern day football boots. He said: “Because I am really old, I like the old football boots. But now they change everything but I don’t know if that is the problem. Technology is very important but before we were playing with six studs and that was enough, now we see thirteen or twelve or eight in different positions. But really I don’t know. You cannot blame the football boots but something is wrong and maybe the big football boot companies need to analyse them.”

Benitez insists the fractures suffered by midfield dynamo Alonso and central defender Agger to their feet, and winger Jermaine Pennant to his shin, are a result of bad luck and is hopeful Liverpool’s fortunes on the injury front will soon improve.

He said: “I have been analysing the problems we have been having and when you talk about fractures it is something you cannot control. So all we can do is keep our fingers crossed and wait for the injured players to get better.”

The Reds, however, put their injury worries behind them this week by recording the highest ever score in Champions League history, with an 8-0 romp against Besiktas, a game in which Nike Mercurial Vapor football boot wearer Yossi Benayoun grabbed his first hat trick in Liverpool colours.

Other players who’ve crocked their “mets” lately include David Beckham (Adidas Predator Absolute Globe), Wayne Rooney (Nike Total 90 Laser), Lionel Messi (Adidas F50 Tunit 2), Robin van Persie (Adidas Predator Absolute Power), Steven Gerrard (Adidas Predator Absolute), Gary Neville (Adidas Predator Absolute), Scott Parker (Puma v-Konstrukt), Michael Owen (Umbro X Boot III), and Emile Heskey (Nike Air Legend).

Everton manager David Moyes believes football boots are to blame for the recent outbreak of metatarsal injuries being suffered by the Premiership’s top footballers.

Emile Heskey (Nike Air Legend), Xabi Alonso (Adidas Predator Absolute) and Daniel Agger (Adidas Predator Absolute) are the most recent players to suffer metatarsal injuries, whilst Wayne Rooney (Nike Total 90 Laser), Steven Gerrard (Adidas Predator Absolute) and David Beckham (Adidas Predator Absolute Globe) have all suffered the same fate.

Everton have not escaped lightly with Australian midfielder Tim Cahill breaking a metatarsal after landing awkwardly in his Umbro X Boot III in a preseason game against Werder Bremen.

Scot Moyes has stated he is “no expert” but believes modern lightweight football boots are definitely a factor in the increase in foot injuries.

The former Preston manager went on to say: “I might get sued by one of the big companies if I say, but I think it’s a big part of it. Players can now pull their boots on like slippers and that did not used to be the case.”

Meanwhile Tim Cahill has had new football boots made to help prevent a recurrence of his metatarsal injury.

He said: “I don’t want to put my body at risk when it is such an innocuous thing that happened - to jump and land. I have had new boots made, I have tried different orthotics (foot supports).”

“I have kept my weight down and tried to build more muscle and I have been doing different things with the physios and nutritionists as well to make myself stronger for when I get back.”

After close to six weeks out with a hairline foot fracture, Manchester United and England striker Wayne Rooney made his comeback last night in the Red Devils 1-0 Champions League victory at Sporting Lisbon.

The striker has become frustrated at Sir Alex Ferguson and the Old Trafford medical staff preventing him from returning earlier, having been straining at the leash over the last few weeks.

I’ve been dying to play,” Rooney said. “I feel I could have played a few weeks ago, so I’m a bit disappointed I wasn’t able to. It’s the third time I’ve had this injury and I’m obviously disappointed it happened so early in the season. Because I’ve had it before, I know when I’m ready to play and come back.”

Rooney’s foot fracture has reopened the debate about whether the lightweight design of modern football boots is to blame for the high number of foot injuries.

Rooney has however defended his Nike Total 90 Laser football boots:

“There’s been a lot of talk about the boots and a lot of old pros who played the game years ago coming out and talking about the boots,” he said. “But they don’t know what the boots are like. If you had a lad like Duberry stand on your foot, your foot is most likely going to break. I like to be an explosive player and I think that’s why it happens.”

Meanwhile, United’s north west rivals Liverpool have become the latest club to be inflicted by the curse of the metatarsal, with the club announcing that Adidas Predator Absolute wearing duo Daniel Agger and midfielder Xabi Alonso are likely to be out for six weeks, after suffering stress fractures to their 2nd (right foot) and 4th (left foot) metatarsals respectively.

Emile Heskey is the latest England player to be hit by the curse of the broken metatarsal.

Heskey, who has been lauded over the past week as one of the main catalysts for England’s impressive wins over Israel and Russia, suffered the injury after nine minutes of Wigan’s Premiership encounter aganst Fulham on Saturday.

The Latics striker cracked his fifth metatarsal, whilst wearing his Nike Air Legends’, after jumping in the air and coming down on his ankle. Not through kicking the ball, not even through a crunching tackle.

The England target man is likely to be out for a period of six weeks, meaning he will be a major doubt for England’s Euro 2008 qualifiers against Estonia and Russia in October.

Heskey joins a long list of England players who have suffered the curse of the metatarsal injury over recent years.

Below is a list of the members of the unwanted group and their current football boots of choice.

David Beckham - Adidas Predator Absolute Globe
Gary Neville - Adidas Predator Absolute
Danny Murphy - Nike Air Zoom Total 90
Steven Gerrard - Adidas Predator Absolute
Scott Parker - Puma v-Konstrukt
Ashley Cole - Adidas Predator Absolute
Michael Owen - Umbro X Boot III
Ledley King - Adidas Predator Absolute
Wayne Rooney - Nike Total 90 Laser
Joey Barton -Nike Total 90 Laser

The results are in for the Footy Boots poll on whether modern football boots contribute to football players’ foot injuries.

Following Wayne Rooney’s (Nike Total 90 Laser) foot fracture, Joey Barton (Nike Total 90 Laser) metatarsals, and Stevie G (Adidas Predator Absolute) and his broken toe, we asked you the question :

Do you think modern football boots contribute to foot injuries?

With voting now closed, a very tight result saw 53% of Footy-Boots voters being of the opinion that modern football boots do not contribute to foot injuries, and 47% believing that modern football boots are one of the causes of the recent spate of foot injuries.

It seems that Footy-Boots visitors are not the only football boot experts that are agreeing to disagree.

Football boots contribute to foot injuries - the experts opinion.

Of the opinion that modern football boots contribute to foot injuries, is ex Liverpool winger Craig Johnston, who created the Adidas Predator. Johnston believes that it is only a matter of time before a player gets so badly injured that he sues a major football boot brand.

Carlisle United’s physio, Neil Dalton, was on the sidelines watching his team take on Newcastle United in a pre-season friendly, when Joey Barton suffered his metatarsal fracture whilst wearing his bladed Nike Total 90 Lasers. Dalton believes that modern football boots don’t have enough protection, which is possibly why we’re seeing more of this kind of injury.

Sir Alex Ferguson is such a critic of the new type of lightweight bladed football boots that he has banned his players from wearing them.

Football boots don’t contribute to foot injuries - the experts opinion.

Needless to say, the major football boot brands are of the opinion that football boots are not the cause of the recent spate of foot injuries.

Charlie Brooks, Head of Corporate Communications for Nike, has gone on record saying both Nike and Wayne Rooney are absolutely confident that the Nike Total 90 Laser had nothing to do with the England striker’s injury. He went on to remark that one-fifth of Premiership players were wearing the Nike Total 90 Laser on the first weekend of the Premiership season, a pretty impressive market share for the Nike football boot brand.

Wayne Rooney himself had extensive input into the design of the Total 90 Laser , as well as being part of the development testing process.

It does seem as shown in the Footy Boots poll, that those who know their Footy Boots, will always find foot injuries / metatarsals a contentious discussion point.

England face two crucial Euro 2008 qualifiers at Wembley next month which could possibly spell the end of the Steve McClaren regime.

England entertain Israel at Wembley on Saturday 8 September and then host Russia four days later.

Though Michael Owen, and his X Boot III, returned to scoring form in Newcastle’s League Cup game against Barnsley, Wayne Rooney remains doubtful following the metatarsal injury he picked up, whilst wearing his Nike Total 90 Lasers, on the opening weekend of the season against Reading.

Further bad news for McClaren occurred last night when David Beckham, sporting his Adidas Predator Absolute Globe football boots, suffered a knee injury whilst playing in LA Galaxy’s Superliga match against Pachuca. Beckham’s latest injury has effectively ruled him out of next month’s qualifiers, meaning that should McClaren’s men fail to qualify for next summers championships it could mean the that “Golden Balls” hangs up his football boots short of his 100th international cap.

With Kieron Dyer suffering a double fracture to his lower leg on Tuesday night against Bristol Rovers, the West Ham man, and his Adidas Tunit 2 football boots, have joined the growing casualty list, severely reducing England’s attacking options.

Steve McClaren, who has looked far from convincing so far as England manager, will be wishing he could wrap the rest of the England players up in cotton wool ahead of next month.

McClaren may have to rely on midfielders, and Adidas Predator Absolute wearers, Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard, to feed fit again Michael Owen, whilst taking on the responsibility to weigh in with goals themselves. One of McClaren’s surprise weapons could be utilising a fresh Peter Crouch (Puma v.106), who scored in Liverpool’s 4-0 demolition of Toulouse in midweek, but is likely to play a bit part role at Anfield this season.

It will be interesting to see whether next month’s Euro qualifiers provide a stay of execution for the England boss, or will it be Taxi for McClaren?

Adidas Predator designer and former Liverpool FC player Craig Johnston has warned that change is needed in order to reduce the growing spate of foot fractures in professional football.

Johnson believes that it is only a matter of time before a player gets so badly injured that he sues a major football boot brand.

Over the years football boots have evolved from being traditional leather with standardised stud patterns to being more high-tech, lighter and dynamic, containing traction controls and cooling systems as well as anti-roll bars on the soles.

Johnston’s opinion differs to other critics, stating that football boots are almost offering too much protection rather than too little.

“Football Boots are so well designed , the weave of the pitch so tight, and the players so powerful and quick that huge forces are going into the human bone structure.”

The Australian, is of the opinion that current football boots engage too much with the turf with little give, and that football studs are part of the current problem.

He has recently called on FIFA to outlaw certain types of studs, stating that some of the material is especially dangerous, and could lead to serious facial injuries.

“I was in the business of designing football boots with more purchase on the ground, but now football boots need more release because players have evolved into super athletes.”

“Not enough is being done to protect players, I’ve been saying it for many years. I can’t understand the major sportswear firms not taking it more seriously.”

“Forget all the fancy designs, we need to get back to football boots and studs that protect players’ welfare.”

Football Boot Brand Nike has dismissed claims that its Total 90 Laser boot was the cause of Wayne Rooney’s foot fracture, which has left the Manchester United and England international sidelined for two months.

The hairline fracture Rooney suffered to his left foot in Sunday’s Premiership opener against Reading is his third foot related injury since 2004.

Charlie Brooks, head of Corporate Communications for Nike UK has defended the football boot brand saying: “He (Rooney) himself is personally absolutely confident, as we are, that the boot had nothing to do with his injury.”

He added: “Nearly 20% of the professional players in the Barclay’s Premier League this weekend were wearing this boot.”

“I think it is a boot that stands up to all kinds of testing….and stands up to on-pitch demand.”

“I think what happened to Wayne is an unfortunate football injury.”

“When we were developing this boot we worked extensively with Wayne.”

“He was part of the development testing process. He went over to our headquarters in the United States and he tested the boot extensively over there.”

Former Arsenal striker Ian Wright however believes football boot brands in general need to sit down and see what they can do to help reduce the recent increase in foot injuries.

Wright states: “This latest spate of foot injuries must be linked to the lightness of the boot, what else can it be?”

“Let’s roll back a decade and look at a time when boots weren’t so advanced or precise, very few players seemed to have metatarsal injuries or foot damage like this.”.

As always Footy-Boots.com will be on the case looking for any developments in this story which is sure to generate a lot of differing opinions.

Joey Barton, broke his metatarsal because he was wearing bladed football boots, claims Carlisle management.

Joey Barton, the new Newcastle United midfielder, broke the metatarsal in his left foot on Saturday and had surgery Monday that will keep him out of action for six to eight weeks, meaning he will miss the start of the season.

Barton, a recent England international, was Newcastle’s captain on Saturday and at first, the injury didn’t look serious, there was no contact, but he pulled up sharply.

Carlisle United’s physio, Neil Dalton, who is qualified with a Diploma in Sports Therapy and a Degree in Physiotherapy, saw Barton pull up and was quite specific about the cause of the injury.

Dalton said;

“In my opinion these new boots have a lot to answer for, maybe there is just not enough protection on them. I do feel that is one of the reasons that we’re seeing more of this kind of injury, but it’s the players’ decision to wear. If it was up to me, they wouldn’t be allowed.”

What is a Metatarsal Injury?

The metatarsal bones are the long bones in the front part of the foot. They are the most common bone for stress fractures, simply because they bear so much of the body’s weight.

If your walking, your foot absorbs one and a half times your body’s weight. If your running, it is absorbing two, maybe three times the body’s weight. Jumping or twisting your foot whilst playing football can exert even more pressure on your foot.

Metatarsal Injuries and Football Boots

Lightweight football boots and football boots with bladed stud configurations are often cited as attributing factors which causes the injury to the metatarsal.

Sir Alex Ferguson is reported to have banned bladed boots at Manchester United and Craig Johnston, the inventor of the Predator football boot, has also gone on record blaming football boots.

Barton’s recent injury happened whilst he was wearing the new Nike Total 90 Laser football boot. The football boot had a mixed stud configuration of moulded and blades.

The boot manufacturers have been making efforts however, for example the Umbro Ultra SX football boots incorporate a metatarsal protection shock cushioning and hummel address the issue with conical round studs in the pivot point area under the metatarsal.

The FA Audit of injuries would suggest that there has not been an increase in metatarsal injuries, but we think it is high time football officials conducted some research, not just for the sake of the top professionals in the game, but also for the amateurs playing football for leisure.

Footy-Boots Interviews A Key Member of England’s U-21 European Championship Team

With the start of the UEFA U-21 Championships this week, the England U-21 team has a great chance of bringing the trophy home as one of the favourites who are in sparkling form. Footy-Boots caught up with England defender and Umbro football boot wearer Nedum Onuoha before he flew out to Holland for a chat about the tournament, and his trusty football boots and are giving our readers the chance to Win a host of Umbro goodies!

FB: The England seniors played at the new Wembley last week, have you been there yet?
NO: Yes and what I’ve heard from the players that played there it was absolutely outstanding, one the best places they have ever played in

FB: You were called up to the England U21 squad for the European Championship by Stuart Pearce in an unusual way - how did it feel to get called up by text!
NO: It was strange because I was in the cinema, as soon as I came out I found out I was in the squad for the tournament, so that was a nice little surprise at the end of the film!

FB: What is your view on England’s chances of winning the tournament in Holland -England go in as one of the favourites and are unbeaten since 2005?
NO: England are seen as one of the favourites but I think all the teams that qualified have got an equal chance - I think it will be the little things that make the difference, say a little magic by certain players that are in the squad that will hopefully turn up in the right frame for the games to win all the games and go on to win the tournament.

FB: Who do you think will be the key men for England?
NO: At the back you have players such as Steven Taylor and Anton Ferdinand they’ve played a lot together. In midfield you’ve got Tom Huddlestone, the captain Nigel Reo-Coker, then we’ve got an awesome strike-force David Nugent, James Vaughan, Matt Derbyshire - the list is endless! I’ll be very surprised if we don’t score any goals!

FB: Which teams do you think will give England the toughest games?
NO: The toughest game will be the Italy game, not because it is just Italy but because the two teams have already met and it will be like you have to show more if you want to win the game.

FB: England play three games in 6 days next week, do you expect to start all three of the matches against Italy, Serbia and Czech Republic?
NO: I would not mind to be honest!

FB: Which two teams do you see coming through Group A from Belgium, Israel, Netherlands and Portugal?
NO: I would probably say Holland and Portugal, but you never know especially in international football. Israel are supposed to be very, very good. For me though I would still see Holland and Portugal progressing to the next stage.

FB: How do you feel playing for your former club manager Stuart Pearce?
NO: Its quite good - I’ve played under him before and hopefully if I can play to my strengths as well as the rest of the team, the trophy might be ours!

FB: Any thoughts on the next Manchester City manager?
NO: I don’t know- but if you here any news let me know!

FB: Is it true you were called up for the Nigerian national team?
NO: Yes that was true. I was called up to the training camp maybe a month or two months ago and I recently had a call from the Nigerian manager as well. He is going to come and see me in August.

FB: Do you have a preference of who you would like to play for: Nigeria or England?
NO: It is a massive decision for me because I have family in both places - I was bought up in England but was born in Nigeria. I was in Nigeria for the first 5 or 6 years of my life so that is obviously a big part of my life, with the traditions and culture for instance. But England is where I have been playing. Its all about making the right decision at the right time.

FB: What was your first football boot?
NO: Reebok’s like Ryan Giggs used to wear back in the day!

FB: What football boots have you worn before Umbro?
NO: I used to wear the Umbro Specialis - but I drifted around in the early days because it was more about what I could get my hands on.

FB: When and why did you switch to Umbro?
NO: It was when I was training and playing full time. The scouts must have been watching me because I have been wearing Umbro since I was a city academy player aged 14. I like the Umbro football boots and Umbro liked me so it made sense to get together, then everyone wins!

FB: How do you decide and test a new boot?
NO: I get sent boots and when I open the box if I like the look of them I try them out. I usually get through eight pairs a season. I usually wear them a while during training to break them in and then they are ready for the game!

FB: Do you have to pay for your boots?
NO: No - but I have been known in the past if I see an interesting pair of boots that look nice I’ll just buy them myself.

FB: Which boots do you currently wear?
NO: Umbro X Boot Destroyer - black white and blue. I have been wearing this model since Xmas time as the styles usually change every 6 months or so.

FB: Are they customised?
NO: No - but I am thinking about doing something like that in the future

FB: How do you choose which boots you will be wearing in a game depending on the surface?
NO: Usually for training I always wear moulds. But for a game its always studs. In England at least you can usually wear studs all the way through the season. But I change my football boots depending on kits as well - not in terms of a fashion thing but more about matching the football boot colours to the kit I am wearing.

FB: What do you think of these bright coloured boots how do the pros feel when they see a player coming out in a bright orange or yellow boot?
NO: I think the game has changed a lot recently - a few years ago it seemed everyone was wearing black boots, but now if I go away and am wearing black boots I could be only player in a squad of 18 wearing black boots. Colour is not so much of an issue now in football boots because players have got such high ability levels that they can wear yellow boots and play really well in them.

FB: Do you have any routines or rituals with regards your boots?
NO: I put my boots on 1 minute before I go out for the warm up, whilst other players mostly have them on for a long time. I also keep tying my laces up even when they are tight I feel like I have to undo them and make them tight again! I just don’t want to have the comedy cartoon moment of tripping up in them!

FB: Were you ever a boot boy at Manchester City?
NO: Not a boot boy, but I was a ball boy for two years - but I used to look after the football boots of the academy manager back in my academy days now and again.

FB: You are noted for his speed, do Umbro football boots help you run faster?!
NO: Umbro football boots are lightweight and protective and they also feel very comfortable. I’ve had experiences in the past when wearing football boots that feel “heavy” you feel like the boot is dragging you down, when you are trying to focus on where you need to be as quickly as possible.

FB: What protection do the new lightweight boots give you, are you confident in the protection, especially in the light of the recent metatarsal injuries?
NO: I am very confident in the boots which I wear now, the Umbro X Boot Destroyer, there is a lot of heel protection and other factors in the boots which make me feel good in myself. I have yet to pick up a foot injury in the five years I’ve been wearing Umbro, so that is something clearly to do with the boots I have been wearing!

FB: Thanks very much for your time - we really appreciate it, and we wish you all the best next week with England!

Become a Footy-Boots Team Member for the chance to Win! UMBRO England Shirt, Ball and New Football Boots!

Van Persie is the latest in a long line of professional footballers to break a metatarsal. It is time for the football boots to be examined.

Robin Van Persie has been confirmed as breaking a metatarsal in his right foot and is forecast to be out for at least six weeks. Arsene Wenger said the striker had sustained the injury to the metatarsal in his goal celebration.

Thierry Henry said: “Robin’s injury is a massive blow. It seems that it is the injury that everybody is having - that metatarsal thing.”

So even Thierry Henry, a World Class professional footballer is bewildered by this injury… “That metatarsal thing.”

Metatarsal Injuries

By simply walking, your foot absorbs one and a half times your body’s weight. If your running, it is absorbing two, maybe three times the body’s weight. Jumping or twisting your foot whilst playing football can exert even more pressure on your foot, as much as times your body weight.

Metatarsal bones are the long bones in the front part of the foot, they are also the most common bone for stress fractures, simply because they bear so much of the body’s weight.

Football Boots - Metatarsal

There is no conclusive proof that links the metatarsal injury with the increase in footballer’s breaking their metatarsal bone, but experts have expressed their concerns.

Lightweight football boots, a quicker game and less giving pitches are often cited as attributing factors and perhaps it’s the combination of these factors which causes the injury.

We think it is time football officials conducted some research. Not just because the players are suffering, which in turn means that football fans miss seeing their best players. Also because it’s these same football boots which are sold to amateur players and kids, who are also damaging their feet. And, the ‘off the shelf’ football boot is more likely to cause injury as it has not been customised like the professional footballers boots.