On our various football excursions we've been fortunate to visit some of the games most iconic establishments, from the Camp Nou to adidas Headquarters. Each historical location has been accompanied by a plethora of vintage football boots, and we've gathered some of our pictures together to form this retrospective gallery...
Chaptering the history of the games iconic locations and era's gone by, our portfolio of vintage football boots is an important reminder of the transformation the football shoe has undergone. Some boots have a story, some are recognisable through brand, and some simply remain a mystery. But what they all have in common is at some point they graced a football pitch.
Placed alongside a modern day boot, this vintage footwear would look unrecognisable on a football pitch. But let's not forget some of the games greatest players like Alfredo di Stefano and Stanley Matthews wore these boots, dazzling fans and breaking records. Just imagine Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo wearing a pair!
Our photo album of vintage boots has been compiled from various footballing excursions, including the Camp Nou, Ajax Amsterdam Arena, Wembley Stadium and adidas HQ Herzogenaurach. Each boot chronicles a landmark in footballing history; a memorable goal, a memorable player, or a memorable innovation.
All the football boots on show here are leather, but in the future no football boots might be of leather construction. It's interesting to also pick out the key difference from modern football boots, with the majority of vintage boots running up to ankle height. Whilst there are of course similarities, notably the inclusion of a heel counter, central lacing, and some of the stud configurations.
To any modern day football player or boot fan, it might be inconceivable to play a game of football in what look like leather work boots, but with crass studs nailed to the sole. But like the history of the auto-mobile, these boots needed to come first before the current footwear could be invented. We're looking back 50 years, but could you imagine looking forward another fifty and viewing the current boots as relics of the game?
Let us know what you think of our selection of vintage football boots, would you love to own a pair and would you wear any of them? Join the conversation online, on Twitter and on Facebook.
