Just under a month ago, Michael Chopra hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons.

As was reported in the tabloid press, the Sunderland striker checked himself in to rehab in a bid to end his gambling addiction and to improve his relationship with wife, Heather Swan.

And it seems the week long stay at the Sporting Chance clinic, set up by Tony Adams, has had a beneficial affect – certainly at least when it comes to Chopra’s performance on the field.

Making his first appearance of the season as a first half substitute, Chopra and his Umbro X Boot III football boots, made a huge impression as he scored both goals in Sunderland’s 2 – 0 win over local rivals Middlesbrough.

First he ran on to a through ball from Kieran Richardson to open the scoring in the 81st minute and he made the game safe in injury time as he tapped in from close range after some good work from Steed Malbranque.

It was a performance that pleased manager Roy Keane who was in two minds whether to play Chopra after his personal difficulties and an early season suspension.

Keane said: “”I have been there before. I had a lifestyle that was very questionable, and hopefully he can learn from my mistakes, otherwise he’s heading for trouble.

“It’s good to see him back. It was touch and go whether he was going to be involved but we had a practice match yesterday - the game was 3-1 and Chops scored three, so there you go.”

To see Chopra’s double strike, go to the Footy Boots home page and check out the Highlights Player.

Umbro X Boot III Football Boots

Umbro sent a sample of the Umbro X Boot III to Liverpool John Moore’s University for testing, which involved firing a ball at a controlled speed and angle at the football boot and that of an un-named competitor.

The amount of grip between the football and football boot was then measured and filmed at an amazing 5000 frames per second for analysis.

The results suggest that the Umbro X Boot III football boot provides 90% better grip than the competition in lightly damp conditions across a range of ball speeds.

In addition, the Umbro X Boot III football boot gives 9% better grip in dry conditions.

Overall, the tests showed that the Umbro football boot achieved better grip results than its rivals at every speed and every condition.

Order these football boots here.

Deco has already emerged as one of the best signings of the summer. We take a look at the little man’s pedigree and choice of football boots.

Deco, 30, is the Portuguese international who signed for Chelsea in the summer of 2008. Born in Brazil, he arrived in Portugal aged 19. He won the Champions League and UEFA Cup with FC Porto, before moving to Barcelona in 2004.

Overlooked by the Brazilian national team, Deco adopted Portuguese citizenship after completing six years of Portuguese residence. On his début for Portugal, he scored in a rare win for Portugal over Brazil.

During his last season at Barcelona, Deco was hampered by injury and managed just 14 starts. When new Barca manager Pep Guardiola arrived he was happy to let Deco leave the club, suggesting that Deco was past his best. However Luis Felipe Scolari, who had managed Deco as National manager of Portugal, made him his first signing at Chelsea, with a fee of £8 million changing hands.

Since arriving in the UK, Deco could not have had a better start to his Chelsea career. Never noted for being prolific in front of goal, Deco has scored in each of Chelsea’s opening games, helping Chelsea lead the Premier League after two games. Although very early in this campaign, Deco looks to have fitted in very well to Premier League football and could be the difference to Chelsea this season.

Deco Football Boots

Deco has a football boot deal with Umbro. His choice of football boots for the season are the Umbro SX Flare.

• Anatomical sprint fit outsole with glass fibre shank rigidity incorporating wishbone technology.

• Michelin injected rubber providing increased grip and touch control. The upper is made from breathable, lightweight ceramic duratec kangaroo leather.

• Lightweight thermo-polyurethane heel counter impact control.

Order the SX Flare football boots here

Order the Deco replica shirt here

Deco wears Umbro SX Flare football boots.

Umbro reinvents its Speciali Football Boot for 2008/09 season, offering a new twist to a modern classic football boot.

The Speciali has developed a reputation as a classic football boot chosen by those players who favour simple elegance over modern designs. Over the years, the Speciali has been associated with many players perhaps most notably Alan Shearer who scored the majority of his 313 career goals in the Speciali.

Now, with the launch of the Speciali 2008 version another bastion of English football has chosen to wear the football boot – Michael Owen.

The original football boot was launched back in 1992 and has graced football pitches all over the world scoring some of the most famous goals ever, who can forget Roberto Carlosʼ bending free kick against France in Le Tournoi or Michael Owenʼs wonder goal in France 98? Both were scored in Speciali. Other notable past players include Rivaldo, Henrik Larrson, Steve McManaman and Mark Hughes, so these football boots have goals in them!

For 2008 Umbro have put a modern twist on the football boot through the subtle integration of state of the art technologies, while maintaining original features which have ensured the football boots position as a classic.

Technology Highlights

The Speciali utilises original wishbone technology for superb foot stability.

In addition, a new covered lacing helps to provide total ball control and unparalleled style.

Meanwhile, the original Italian K leather makes for the ultimate comfort and feel.

Michael Owen

I am delighted that Umbro have chosen to relaunch the Speciali.  The football boot has reached legendary status among players at all levels over the years and I am looking forward to kicking off next season in the 2008 version.

Order your Umbro Football Boots - Click Here

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Umbro have an updated colourway of the SX Valor for the new season, the Umbro SX Valor Laser Blue.

John Terry’s choice of arsenal for the forthcoming season has had a makeover…. This year’s look is in laser blue, which fortunately compliments his Chelsea shirt.

Umbro SX Valor - Laser Blue - Spec

Outsole

High performance outsole featuring the TPU Wishbone shank with carbon fibre for Motion Control. Easy Fles forefoot for maximum comfort.

Tongue

Flip tongue with Velcro fastening, designed for a cleaner strike and added protection.

Upper

Michelin injected rubber providing increased grip and strike power. Upper made from breathable, lightweight ceramic durates kangaroo leather.

Heel Protection

Lightweight thermo-polyurethane heel counter provides protection and pronation control.

Players: John Terry
Price: £99.99
Availability: July 2008
Colours: Laser Blue
Weight: approx 288 grams
Sizes: 6-12

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Rate the Umbro SX Valor

The players of Portsmouth and Cardiff enjoyed (well Pompey did anyway) playing with the Umbro Dynamis ball in last weekend’s FA Cup Final and as reported on Footy Boots, the Umbro ball will now be used in all FA Cup ties, from the first round proper, from next season.

Now come details on a new, limited version of the ball, which England’s players will get to use in all forthcoming international matches at Wembley Stadium.

Only 20 of the Umbro England Dynamis balls have been made, and like the original, it boasts an impressive 2 year development programme and has already undergone vigorous testing by all age groups of the England set up, including the senior squad.

It’s 20 panels rather than 32, incorporates the new exclusive Teijin micro fibre material and Tri-Ply bladder technology.

The first time we’ll get to see it in use is on Wednesday 28^th May when England take on the USA at Wembley in what will be Fabio Capello’s third game in charge following the win against Switzerland and defeat by France in Paris.

Footy Boots looks back at the Champions League final between Manchester United and Chelsea and highlights the highs and lows from a football boot perspective. Talk about a roller coaster ride for some of the biggest brand names in the business.

26th minute

It’s a great start for Nike as Manchester United’s leading scorer Cristiano Ronaldo gets number 42 of the season. His Mercurial SL boots aren’t directly involved though, but they do provide a great spring as the Portuguese international towers above Michael Essien at the back post to nod in Wes Brown’s excellent cross.

44th minute

Adidas hit back through Frank Lampard’s adiPURE’s. A speculative Chelsea shot takes a couple of ricochet’s and Chelsea’s leading scorer is in the right place again to side foot the ball past a despairing Edwin van der Sar.

77th minute

It’s nearly another Nike moment of magic as Didier Drogba, a peripheral figure for much of the game, curls a shot from the edge of the box with his Mercurial SL clad right foot that hits the post. Close call for United that.

Extra time

Once again it’s Lampard’s Adidas adiPURE’s to the fore as he swivels inside the box and whips in a left foot shot that hits the angle of post and bar with van der Sar no where.

Ten minutes later it’s a classic Reebok versus Umbro battle. Ryan Giggs, in his record breaking 759th United appearance and wearing his specially made Reebok KFS Sprintfit Pro’s stabs in a toe poke from close quarter’s only to see Umbro SX Valor wearer John Terry miraculously head off the line. What story that would have been for United’s only survivor from the starting line up of ‘99.

Oh dear. Nike won’t be too happy to see Drogba trudging off the pitch in his Mercurial SL’s with unique DROGBA11 stitching after seeing red for slapping Nemnaja Vidic. All that fuss over a throw in. And Chelsea lose a potential penalty taker in to the bargain.

Penalties

Can you believe it. Ronaldo misses his second CL spot kick in succession as Petr Cech, in his orange Adidas kit, saves. With Drogba off, it’s a double whammy for the boys from Oregon.

John Terry can win it for Chelsea but his standing foot gives way as he strikes Chelsea’s 5th spot kick and the ball hits the post. Nothing to do with his Umbro SX Valor boots, just a slippery surface.

Reebok can do no wrong as Giggs steps forward to calmly side foot home in his SprintFit’s.

And that’s it. United win the trophy as Chelsea sub Nicolas Anelka’s penalty via his Puma v1.08’s is kept out by van der Sar.

A great game, fantastic entertainment for the neutral, sorrow for Chelsea and their tearful captain but a second Champions League success for Sir Alex. Same again next year please.

Whilst the Champions League final and the Football League play-offs normally signal the end of the season, this year, England’s top performers have a couple of extra dates in their diaries before they can swan off, WAG’s in tow, to warmer climbs for a well earned break.

Fabio Capello and his squad have two internationals to negotiate before hitting the beach, against the USA at Wembley on 28th of this month and then Trinidad & Tobago on 1st June.

The jury is still out on the new England boss, a 2 - 1 win over Switzwerland in his first game in charge was followed by a rather insipid 1 - 0 defeat away to France in Paris.

So in an attempt to gee up the boys ahead of their final matches of the season, Umbro have introduced some new training wear that the squad will wear for the first time at Wembley before the USA game.

The showerjacket retails at £39.99 and the shorts below at £16.99.

In addition, there’s a training fleece which comes in at £34.99.

Following the matches against the Americans and the boys from the Caribbean, England fans will have to wait until the 20th August for the next game, a friendly against the Czech Republic. That’s followed by Capello’s first two meaningful games in charge, the World Cup qualifiers away to Andorra on 6th September and Euro 2008 bogey team Croatia 4 days later.

Thanks to Umbro, Footy Boots can give you a sneak preview of the ball that will be used for the FA Cup final between Portsmouth and Cardiff City.

It’s called the FA Cup Dynamis and Umbro claim that it’s the most technically advanced ball ever produced. Though, rest assured, it is still speherical. No change there. For a minute, we thought Umbro had gone all ’square watermelon’ and the like.

The FA Cup Dynamis ball has been in development for the last 2 years and has undergone rigorous testing in both science laboratories and on football pitches by professional players from clubs across the UK.

These tests have resulted in the proof that a new 20-panel configuration is faster than the more traditional 32-panel ball thanks to the reduced curving that the new design provides.

Other product innovations include a new exclusive Teijin micro fibre material providing players with a super soft touch (all defenders please note before you lump it in to row Z) and increased power through greater elasticity and stretch.

The Dynamis is also the first football to use new Tri-Ply bladder technology, designed around the premise of increasing the power and accuracy of any strike of the ball.

To commemorate this year’s final Umbro has produced 100 limited edition balls that will be used at Wembley in the game itself.

The Dynamis will then be used throughout The FA Cup 08/09 season from 1st round proper onwards.

Getting the same football boots to emulate your favourite player is a given.

The fact that you more resemble a sumo wrestler rather than Ronaldo, Messi or Gerrard is of no matter. Same boots. Same talent!

Now, thanks to Umbro, us amateurs can take the looky - likey stakes to a greater high with a new range of training wear which will see us through the end of season run in and in to the summer.

And there’s nothing like being dressed in the correct equipment to watch Europe’s best footballers (minus all those from the Home Nations and the Irish Republic) in Austria and Switzerland!

Incorporating style, technology and fashion Umbro’s SX and Diamond Pro ranges guarantee performance and comfort both on and off the pitch.

SX is a cross-category concept encompassing apparel, footwear, equipment and luggage. A firm favourite with likes of John Terry, Michael Owen and Manchester City goal keeper Joe Hart as pictured on our home page, the SX range is a showcase of Umbro performance technologies, offering innovative fabrics and styling for comfortable day-to-day wear.

The SX range features sophisticated ‘climate control’ assisting the transfer of moisture away from the body, allowing players to maintain the optimum body temperature throughout their training session. At least it will do for all of you who manage to get a sweat on during training - at Footy Boots, we tend to go for a lie down when the going gets tough. All we need now is for Umbro to come up with the ‘training duvet’ and we’re laughing.

We’re not sure at Footy Boots if St George, the patron saint of England, was a football fan or not or though chances are if he was, he would have had a lot of choice as to who to support.

St George, as it happens, was born in Anatolia, now part of modern day Turkey so they might have got his vote. Equally, he could have been behind the boys from Italy as he served as a soldier in the Roman Empire. Indeed, as well as England, St George is the patron saint of quite a number of countries including Canada, Greece, Ethiopia and Montenegro.

However, with his English hat on, St George’s day has been marked in some style by national team kit supplier Umbro, who have decked out all of Carnaby Street in London with the England 2008 away shirt.

If you happen to be in London with some time to kill (as opposed to dragons) you can go and check it out. Alternatively, take a look right here on Footy Boots.

Having secured the services of Perry Groves amongst some intense competition from a number of other football web sites including www.didntheusedtobeaginger.com and the ever poular and respected www.groveswasbetterthanronaldinho.co.uk, Perry has been on the training ground for his first Footy Boots video boot report.

Over the course of the next few weeks, the former Arsenal star and now Sky Sports pundit, will be testing various football boots including the SprintFit, AdiPure, Tiempo Legend II, V1.08, and Nomis Glove.

Umbro SX Valor

This week, the 1987 League Cup winner has been trialling the Umbro SX Valor, as worn by Chelsea and England’s John Terry.

Our Perry might not be at his ’spring chicken’ best any more (in fact it’s more like Kentucky Fried Chicken these days) but his football brain is still as sharp as ever. Find out what he made of the SX Valor by watching here.

In celebration of the launch of the new England away kit, Umbro has created a special edition England colourway of its celebrated SX Valor worn by John Terry and the SX Flare, the preferred choice of striker Michael Owen. Both boast bold red, white and blue colour schemes, indicative of the pride and passion that each of them play with when wearing their England shirts, provided Fabio picks them of course.

According to Umbro, their collaboration with Michelin (which sadly doesn’t include a free restaurant guide) serves to greatly enhance touch and feel for the ball, whilst players’ comfort is also taken care of thanks to the water resistant, ultra soft, high-grade leather, which keeps the feet dry.

As for which football boots us mere mortals should choose, Terry’s Valor lends itself to defenders in particular, so we can assume that they’ll automatically lump the ball in to row Z when the wearer is under pressure. The focus is on comfort, safety and control. A lightweight TPU heel counter and new kontact outsole with carbon fibre rigidity shank has been designed to keep the player’s foot stable and protected during the cut and thrust of the modern game.

See the SX Valor Boot Test with Perry Groves

Owen’s SX Flare meanwhile is probably not for the Saturday night kebab specialist having been designed for quick and skilful players as the lightweight material maximises pace and acceleration. The technology of the SX Flare will also aid control as well as looking after the players comfort and safety.

Viewers of Watchdog will be delighted to know that both football boots, which are on sale now, feature Umbro’s no nonsense control series labelling, which cuts out the jargon and explains the technology in clear, simple terms.

There are certain key questions in football that just beg to be answered. Just how did Johan Cruyff come up with ‘that ‘ turn, was the ball really over the line in 1966 and how did sports brand Umbro get its name?

Well, OK, perhaps the latter isn’t exactly a burning issue, but nonetheless Footy Boots has been investigating the history of the Umbro brand from its humble beginnings to being a founding partner of the new Wembley Stadium.

Umbro’s rise to becoming a global player in sport began in 1920 in Wilmslow, Cheshire with the opening of Humphrey Brothers Clothing. The company traded for four years until some bright spark (nowadays no doubt called a marketing consultant on a highly inflated daily rate) came up with the name Umbro by taking the UM from Humphreys and BRO from Brothers. Ever since they have been associated with some of the greatest national and international sides.

In their early days however, they were more concerned with manufacturing PT kit for the armed forces and by 1930, business was so good both at home and abroad that Umbro developed 10,000 square feet of new warehouse space at its Wilmslow base and built a brand new factory in Macclesfield.

In 1934 and 1935, Umbro celebrated national success in association with FA Cup winners Manchester City and Sheffield Wednesday.

Come the outbreak of the Second World War, Umbro simply moved from sportswear production to army clothing whilst also taking a hand in producing internal fittings for Lancaster bombers. As peace was reached across Europe, yet another new factory was commissioned, this time in Stockport.

But it was in the late 50’s and 60’s when Umbro really started to make its mark on the world market. In 1958 Brazil wore Umbro kit as they won the World Cup, a feat they repeated 4 years later. Then at the ‘66 competition, an astonishing 15 out of the 16 competing nations, including hosts and winners England, wore the Umbro brand. The World Cup success story continued as Brazil won again in 1970.

Indeed, Umbro’s association with Brazil was enhanced in 1985 when their football boots were sold there for the first time. Just two years later, and those same boots were actually being manufactured in the South American country. Since then, some of the world’s greatest players have worn Umbro boots including Roberto Carlos, Alan Shearer (now an ambassador for the company) and the 2001 European player of the year and then SX Flare football boot wearer Michael Owen.

The company, now based in Cheadle, celebrated 80 years of football history in 2004 before in 2007, agreeing to be bought by Nike for £285 million. The brand name however is still strongly linked with the Football Association and Umbro continues as the official sports manufacturer of the FA Cup and is an official sponsor of the new Wembley Stadium.

Key Umbro dates in history

1920 - Harold C.Humphrey’s starts a small workshop in Wilmslow, Cheshire
1924 - Humphrey Brothers becomes Umbro
1934 - Manchester City win the FA Cup Final in Umbro
1935 - Sheffield Wednesday follow the success of Manchester City in Umbro
1958 - Brazil wins the World Cup wearing Umbro
1962 - Brazil wins the World Cup wearing Umbro
1966 - 15 out of the 16 participating teams wear Umbro
1966 - England win the World Cup wearing Umbro
1970 - Brazil wins the World Cup in Umbro
1985 - First Umbro boot introduced in Brazil
1987 - First Umbro boot manufactured in Brazil
1994 - Brazil wins the World Cup in Umbro
1999 - Renaissance of UMBRO - new ownership, new vision “Umbro The Football Authority”
1999 - Manchester United wins the treble in Umbro
2000 - Umbro introduces revolutionary new Sportswool material
2000 - Launch of XAI football boot technology
2001 - Michael Owen wins European Footballer of the Year
2002 - Umbro sign a new contract with The English FA extending the relationship until 2010.
2002 - Umbro develops the first reversible jersey for an international team.
2004 - Umbro celebrate 80 years of footballing history
2007 - Wembley Stadium re-opens with Umbro as a founding partner

As football fans, we all know that it is our right to pass an opinion, have a moan, issue a gripe or just enjoy a cleansing and therapeutic rant from time to time. Whether in the pub with mates, on the phone with a friend or dispatching a few ‘Billy No Mates’ lagers in the comfort of our own living rooms, that is what supporting the beautiful game is all about.

We can take issue with football’s authorities, rival managers and players, opposing fans or indeed, anything or anybody that doesn’t meet our exacting standards. With radio and TV phone in’s, message boards and forums, there are a multitude of venues to spout off.

And now, thanks to Umbro, there is now another avenue for our thoughts and opinions, following the launch of what the company is describing as ‘the most comprehensive football survey ever, allowing fans to express their views on all aspects of the game from players’ lifestyles and goal line technology to terracing and, perhaps most importantly of all, the quality of the matchday pie.

As the survey, which is being backed by former England International and BBC pundit Alan Shearer, rolls out across the year, fans will be able to vote on existing topics as well as adding their own questions to put to the rest of the football fraternity, ensuring all the hot topics from around the globe are covered.

In Umbro’s ‘Have Your Say’ survey, fans will be invited to take part in the year long experiment, resulting in what is hoped to be the most definitive collection of supporter’s opinions ever created. When the whistle’s blown on the end of the survey, Umbro will compile the results into a comprehensive document which it will present to football’s major governing bodies around the world. Whilst it remains to be seen if Sepp Blatter will then feel obliged to launch a full scale enquiry in the quality of the match day grub on offer at Cambridge United or the manager’s programme notes at Sporting Lisbon it’s just possible that your views may make a difference.

If you’ve got an opinion, Umbro wants to hear it. So don’t just tell your mates over a post match beer - tell the football world at large.

Give your point of view at www.umbro.com/have-your-say