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Did you own a pair of Stanley Matthews Football Boots too?

I used to have Stanley Matthews clodhoppers as football boots. They weighed a ton but when you kicked the ball it went a mile! Did you own a pair?  What memories do you have?


Created By on 28/01/2016

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orchardlane
30th Jan 2016 10:44:04
1
Thanks for voting!
PS Wilf.

How about this studs!
Response from Wilf Original Poster made on 30th Jan 2016 13:21:58
Yes the studs in the 60s were rubber but then when more modern lightweight boots came out in the 70s (I could never afford them so kept the Stanley Matthews ones with the huge toecap!) they used to have nylon studs. these used to wear and flatten at the top and were razor sharp and caused lots of cuts on the football field. They were banned after a few years
Response from orchardlane made on 30th Jan 2016 13:29:19
Hi again Wilf

My boots pre-dated nylon studs. The studs were made of three or four small leather discs nailed to the boot sole. Imagine getting this down your shins especially once they had become rusty! Proper balls too with laces))))).
Lenas Boy
17th Oct 2016 15:22:32
0
Thanks for voting!
My first pair of boots. When we won I cleaned them and yes used to dubbin them as well. If we lost I would probably leave them till the next match
orchardlane
30th Jan 2016 10:27:47 (Last activity: 30th Jan 2016 13:25:11)
0
Thanks for voting!
HI Wilf. I had several pairs and when new would put them on and sit in the bath for a while to soften them. Bet you remember Dubbin as well.
Response from Wilf Original Poster made on 30th Jan 2016 13:25:11
Hi Orchardlane-yes we used to rub in dubbin to make the boots soft and protect them from water. used to smell quite strong. Also the laces were really long so used to wrap them round the boots. Not sure why we didn't just trim them. Mum got mine from a jumble sale in the 60s so they were probably 10 years old when I got them and dated from the 50s
celtwitch
30th Jan 2016 10:32:30 (Last activity: 30th Jan 2016 13:23:09)
1
Thanks for voting!
Stanley Mathews...isn't he the 'Bootiful' Turkey Twizzlers man from Norfolk?
Response from Wilf Original Poster made on 30th Jan 2016 13:23:09
Celtwitch no that was Bernard Matthews. Think he died a few years ago. Thats right I remember his adverts "Bootaful Turkeys!"
Pam1960
28th Jan 2016 19:21:37 (Last activity: 29th Jan 2016 07:08:04)
1
Thanks for voting!
There must be a lot of christening of boots or boys wetting themselves as the smelly boots issue appears to be quite widespread. Would this also apply to girls who play football as I believe they have the same issue. I assume your message was lighthearted banter Celtwitch. Sorry Wilf for digressing. Stanley Matthews boots a bit before my sons time
Response from MaxLenny made on 28th Jan 2016 21:19:18
From what I have read it is Nike boots that have this specific issue, it's actually been known for many years - https://www.footy-boots.com/bbc-investigates-smell-nike-products-5361/

Unfortunately as most of us like a bargain, I certainly do an find myself in the aisles of places like Sports Direct who tend to stock the new boots at big prices next to the 3 or 4 year old models at very cheap prices and it's sometimes difficult to resist and as long as you avoid Nike you should be ok.

Having said that if you pay that bit extra on some decent leather boots and look after them they will last twice as long, look after your feet and save you money on the long run.

With regard to toecaps Wilf, I think modern footballers would actually be laid out more often and less play acting!
Response from Pam1960 made on 28th Jan 2016 21:27:32
Bring back toe caps for the Euros, no more broken metatarsals

Both of my sons pay over £100 for their boots, I don't think paying more means quality in this case, I think it is more brand snobbery over quality
Response from Wilf Original Poster made on 28th Jan 2016 23:41:00
No problem Pam we used to play football with a big heavy leather ball which is probably why we needed big leather boots!
Response from Pam1960 made on 29th Jan 2016 07:08:04
Footballers were a lot tougher back in the day so coped with whatever sports equipment/kit they had at the time. They would probably get a muscle strain just thinking of wearing the old style boots
MaxLenny
28th Jan 2016 10:55:55 (Last activity: 28th Jan 2016 21:08:04)
0
Thanks for voting!
Most boots these days are not even Leather! I had to chuck out my sons Nike boots as when they got wet they smelt of cat urine!
Response from Pam1960 made on 28th Jan 2016 12:06:04
Tell me about it, the smell was disgusting, the boots aren't allowed in the house now as even when we take the boots outside the smell lingers. Why Nike can't use a non smelly material is beyond me.
Response from celtwitch made on 28th Jan 2016 17:48:13
Possibly because your boy had wet himself, or maybe one of his team mates 'christened' them while he was in the shower? Boys will be...naughty!
Response from Wilf Original Poster made on 28th Jan 2016 21:06:35
Thats right they are like slippers nowdays. When I was a boy many moons ago the boots where heavy leather which we used to cover in dobbin I think it was called. they had a toecap on them and if you kicked the ball toe on it was like a cannonball. Nobody kicks a ball like that nowdays. Maybe they should and it would help to score more goals!
Response from Wilf Original Poster made on 28th Jan 2016 21:08:04
the new boots don't allow feet to "breath" that's the problem as they are made from synthetic materials rather than leather

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