Over recent years I have restored many football photos and the oldest of which captivate me. Not because I am a sports fan but because I enjoy the footwear and clothes. Football boots interest me in the way they change the design. Below are a few of the designs I’ve found in the photos I’ve restored from 1870 to 1910.
Notably, A and D have small metal studs, in three distinct rows, probably hammered in. E and F are the stud bar type, two on the front part of the foot and one on the heel.
B has what looks like the popular “stud” we know and love and G is a curious toe wrapping which I’m not sure what is supposed to achieve. Perhaps that the sole of the boot was coming away and was a quick repair to hold them together. Leather wasn’t cheap I’m sure.
Anyone who has any input about football boots and how they evolved please feel free to comment, I would be interested to hear from you. Perhaps some of you still remember these boots or had some experience of them?
To read more about where these images came from and other sporting images I have restored search for “cricket” or “football” or “unicycle” for some very interesting blog posts indeed.
If you have a sports photo you want restored vist the main photo restoration service page to find out how you can hire me.