Early development of soccer boots

Football boots emerged as an essential part of the sport. Contemporary pictures of amateur teams (circa 1870)
display a mixed bunch of rugged work boots. Not until the last decade of the century do teams appear to wear
the same boots. The only regulation governing boots relates to anything that may endanger their opponents.

Rule 13#: No player shall be allowed to wear projecting nails, iron plates, or gutta percha on the soles or heels
of his boots.

Newspaper reports indicate the weather in the winter of 1870/71 was severe and extreme. Heavy rain
accompanied by high winds with severe frosts and snow did not deter the new game from being played.
Flooding frequently arose followed by an unusual hot summer which pioneering players took in their stride
but boots and ball got progressively heavier as wet conditions prevailed. Clothing was restrictive and worn for
protection from the elements as much as decency.

Early British football was very slow and not yet a spectators' spectacle. The game was considered more for
participants and the general public was not actively encouraged to attend. Despite this the popularity of
football grew and clubs began to spring up across the UK. Early photographs are testament to the availability
of stout footwear (Denvir, 1979). Players wore long laced boots, similar to engineer's boots but with a
strengthened toecap in iron hard leather.
In 1880 boots began to incorporate a strap, narrow on the inside of the foot, which crossed over the bottom
two or three rows of eyelet's, winding to the outside of the foot. This gave greater protection to the toes as
players used the dorsum of the foot to kick. Today, players use the side of their foot to strike the ball but then
the toe was used to catch the ball and give it lift.

To increase ground grip the soles incorporated metal tacks but Rule 13 prevented these in official matches.
They were replaced in 1890 with new plugs made from layers of leather and the idea came from hockey boots.
Studs (sometimes referred to as cleats) were positioned to avoid isolated pressure points and unnecessary
irritation of the foot. In the area of the hindfoot they were located towards the outside of the sole to avoid
buckling. The common formation was six studs, two distal and proximal to the metatarsal heads and two on
the posterior aspect of the heel.
By 1900 the soccer boot was a recognisable entity and not just modified footwear adopted from other sports.
The Shurekik Boota was made from russet calf with fluted toecap and sold in 1901 for a cost 8/6d ($1.26A). In
1925, makers began to include removable studs to the boot design. To complete leg protection shin guards cost
between 1/6d (22c Aus) and 2/11d (45c Aus); and football hose varied between 1/11d (30c Aus) and 4/11d (75c
Aus). Professional players received 2/6 (37c. Aus) per game and some were paid special bonuses in addition
depending on their skill. The sum varied according to the size of the crowd but even the best players seldom
got bonuses over 2/11 (45c Aus). Boots cost three times that amount.

According to Morris (1981) 'baggy shorts and heavy boots" style remained the dominant costume theme, right
up to the Second World War. Most authorities agree changes to football boots took place after the war when
there was a dramatic increase in international fixtures. This was made possible by improved air travel and
transcontinental travel brought soccer players from the colder climes of Europe into contact with their counter
parts in the Mediterranean and South America. Warmer climates meant players wore less and had flexible
boots more suited to the climate. The Latin game was played faster and provided opportunity for athleticism
rarely seen in the traditional European game.
Radio broadcasts then televised sport meant more spectators could appreciate the novel Latin styles and
appreciation of their skills caused a revolution in play and clothing. Boots became sports shoes allowing
players to become athletes capable of leaps and volleys never before seen. The complete focus for design of the
soccer boot was aimed at kicking and controlling the ball on the ground. (Lees & Nola,1998). Some might
argue this has been at the expense of preventing injury. As the ankle boot lowered to become a soccer shoe
alternative methods of providing ankle stability were necessary (Lees and Nolan, 1998). Later with the
introduction of artificial playing surfaces the need for long studs became redundant. Deep penetration was
neither good for the surface nor advantageous to the players, with many poor performances and injuries
reported. At the same time the popularity of indoor soccer necessitated a change in boot design. The new
challenges meant boot designers overcame the need to give players greater stability as their legs anchored to
the floor combined with the need to cope with the rigours of sliding on the floor.

The new soccer shoe had bristle (or cleat) soles and gradually these have been incorporated into the traditional
soccer boot design. Marketing rhetoric may infer a revolution in recent years but the trend has been a steady
evolution in design and materials as manufacturers have sought to improve safety and performance.
Improvements in the last decade have covered a broad range of design changes from the shape of the shoe to
new lacing systems (Martin, 1997).