VINTAGE FOOTBALL BOOT ADVERTISMENTS

It’s been a week full of nostalgic moments in the Footy Boots office. On Tuesday, Omar Saleem tip-toed down memory lane as he recalled his top 5 football boot moments of all time, a choice that included Alan Ball’s white boots and Stan Bowles wearing different boots in one game to please two sponsors.

Then on Wednesday, the boss got his wallet out – a true moment of nostalgia for all of us as we hadn’t seen him do anything similar since 1987.

In keeping with the feeling of yesteryear, Footy Boots came across some brilliant vintage football boot ad’s which prove that the boot industry was thriving, just as it is today, over 40 years ago.

Manfield-Hotspur Continental Football Boots

Our earliest ad is this example from 1957 parading the virtues of the Manfield-Hotspur Continental. Designed to replace the ‘traditional’ football boot of the time, the MH Continental was light (or certainly lighter than many of it’s competitors) and was said to improve freedom of movement and flexibility.

Bobby Charlton Popular and Brazilia Football Boots

This one hails from 1964, two boots endorsed by Bobby Charlton who was to have such an impact on the nation’s consciousness two years later. Of particular interest is the Brazilia football boot which boasts an ‘eye catching red moulded multi stud sole’. Even 45 years ago, colour was seen as being important, even if the main part of the boot remained steadfastly black and white.

Slazenger Panther Football Boots

Here’s one from 1968 which could be a forerunner to the Superfly. The Panther, designed by Slazenger, was trumpeted as being the lightest football boot around as well as being robust and hardwearing. Slazenger, of course, no longer feature in the football boot market although the ‘Panther’ name can still be found on Slazenger cricket bats, hockey sticks and other sports equipment and apparel.

Mitre Denis Law football boots

Unlike Slazenger, Mitre football boots are still in production, although up against the big and medium sized brands, they don’t currently make much of an impression. It was certainly different back in 1970 when they had one of the biggest stars of the game endorsing their new boots. Denis Law was first used by Mitre in 1964 however, it was reported at the time that Law wasn’t a great fan of the Mitre product and negotiated a deal whereby he’d promote the product but wear Adidas football boots so long as no-one twigged.

George Best Stylo Matchmaker Football Boots

Moving in to the colour era, our final advertisement comes from 1974 as the late, great George Best gives his backing to the Stylo Matchmaker. Made from luxurious ‘softie’ leather'  it was said that Best was actively involved in the design of the boot which was big on lightness, flexibility and comfort. On the black and white model, the sole plate was translucent polyurethane which allowed interchangeable studs. Best also wore Puma football boots during his career and recently a signed pair of his vintage football boots were sold for £1500 at auction.

If you have any memories of past football boot adverts, endorsements, or have your own pair of vintage football boots, use the comments section below to let us know about them.