David James thinks football brands are affecting the beautiful game. Does he have a point, or is he just too old school for modern equipment?

Portsmouth and England goalkeeper David James has written in his weekly newspaper column about the negative impact football brands are having on the modern game.

Footballs

James rants at the different footballs which are continually changed for major tournaments and new seasons, stating that he thinks they are marketing gimmicks. He takes a swipe at the Adidas Teamgeist used in the 2006 World Cup and the Europass used in the Euro 2008 competition. During these two competitions, James claims that the football’s used are not improving the game and suggests that the footballs are to be blamed for a lack of converted ‘direct’ free kicks during these two tournaments.

Ballack’s free kick for Germany against Austria in Euro 2008 apart, perhaps he has a point. Official statistics state that there were no directly converted goals scored during Euro 2006, Ballack’s fantastic strike got a slight deflection, so is omitted from the numbers. When you think that 31 games were played in Euro 2008 and just the one (Ballack) direct free kick ended up in the net, perhaps James has a point?

The Premier League ball doesn’t get away lightly either. James questions the need to change from a white football to a yellow one in the winter. Officials will say its due to improved visibility, but James questions the need for the white one at all then. James intimated “Why not just stick with yellow all year round?”

Football Boots

Talking about football boots, James says that seasoned pro’s favour the Adidas Copa Mundial football boot. The Adidas Copa Mundial, hasn’t been changed for thirty years and in James’s view is “the best football boot in the world”, he goes further to say that “if this boot doesn’t need changing then why do all the others?”

Do the manufacturer’s have a lot to answer for, no less, do the Premier League players?  For according to James some of them “are lying through their teeth”  as long as the price is right. Maybe it’s all a case of “the Emperor’s new clothes”.

James is currently wearing Kelme football boots and by his own admission, has resorted to wearing alternative football boots and adding on the brand logo. He also wears the HO Soccer goalkeeping gloves, a brand he is happy wearing as he plays a big part in the development of the glove, which is currently the Black and Gold Pro Mega Negative.

But perhaps the most controversial aspect of DJ’s insight into professionals use of football boots is his question. “Are footballers becoming slaves - to use a Sepp Blatter term - to the manufacturers? Wearing the wrong boots, potentially hampering their performances, because the contract comes with a £1m price tag”.

Let us pose another question. “If football boot brands didn’t pay for endorsements, would players be wearing a ‘near’ retail priced football boot? Or would they have a football boot customised to their own foot shape and playing style?

There’s no doubt the majority of us are sold on hype, some read about what their heroes are wearing and see it on TV all the time and they want that brand . We’ve all been there, no matter what our age or status.

At least you can get informed advice here at Footy Boots, we’ll give you the manufacturer’s slant on it and if you have an informed view we’ll share that too.