2000
New  cleat  systems  were   devised  to  help    distribute  pressure   across   the     boot. Incorporation of  new  polymer  materials  further  strengthened  the sports shoe as well as  providing  lightwieght  footwear.  New  upper surfaces  were developed  to  assist  in ball  control.  All  these  now  make  up  the  modern  soccer  slipper.  Many  professional players  still  prefer  the  soccer  shoe  with  traditonal  stud arrangement  which   provide no more protection to the player than the boots of  yesteryear. Changes to  boot  design are not forged by  professional players but  instead appear to be in response to demand from parents  keen to  reduce the number of injuries associated with the modern  game.
1830
Football  was  played  in  all  the  major  English  public  schools. Boots  were  made by local bootmakers  to  suit  the  players' feet. These  extended  above the ankle, to support and give limited  protection. Early  forms  of  the  game  were  ill  defined  and rough physical contact, including  hard tackles,   was  encouraged. The boot  was  tightly laced  with long laces,which wrapped around the ankle and often across the ball of the foot. To  increase  ground traction;  boots  incorporated studs ( usually in the ratio of 4:2 )

1896
By  now   Association Rules were established and the once  popular  game of football with the Upper Class had      become    the    pre  -  occupation        of      the working classes.  Turn of  the  century,  English  Internationalists  is  seen  sporting  Football Boots  of similar  design  to those above.  
© 2005-2008. Barrie Spirit Soccer
Soccer  Boots
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1909
As  the  English  game  gained  popularity  and  spread across  the  World. Acceptance  of  team  outfits became part of the organised game. Adjustments  to climatic conditions however  necessitated minor modifications.  Rule  13 meant dangerous metal studs could no longer be worn and players sported leather cleats instead. 
1922
Players  were  now able to wear screw in studs, principally    through  the  innovation  of Adi Dassler   ( co - founder  of Adidas).  This  allowed them to select  studs   appropriate to the weather conditions. Whilst there was   some  variation  in  the   arrangement     of stud patterns on the sole of the boot, most professionals preferred the 4:2 or 4:3 ratio.

1937
English    and   Continental     styles   of   soccer   had    developed to  such  a degree  as to  have   distinctive   qualities   which    supporters were eager to  see incorporated  with their  domestic   games.   Improved    travel   had      extended   competitions   to incorporate international  fixtures,  which   meant    crowds    were entertained   by  more athletic   moves   such  as  the   overhead   kick.  Players   were   keen    emulate  these thrills  as   ball   control   became   the   major   focus.   Boots  were   worn  very  tight  to the foot   to allow the player to  feel  greater control of the ball.

1954
Although  the  soccer  boot  was still worn above the ankle and tightly bound to the foot by laces, it  was  recognised  the  pattern  of  studs  could  cause   injury.  In  1951,  new regulations  were  enforced, reducing  the length of stud players could  wear. Gradually there  was  incorporation  of  synthetic  materials  used to replace natural  leathers  and moulded  stud  surfaces were beginning  to  become  available.  In 1954  the    winners of the FIFA  World  Cup  in  Switzerland  was  West Germany  and they were sporting the new adidas  soccer  boots  with  screw in  studs. By  1958  at  the  FIFA World Cup, Sweden, the majority of players wore adidas boots. 
1966
By  now  players  had  accepted  the  lower  soccer shoe in  preference to the  traditional soccer  boot. Boots   were moderately  lighter  in  weight,  which  may  have  given some  players an  advantage but the main reason for the change was the game was less physical and  the  rules of play  now  protected them   from   undue  roughness. Improved   soccer  balls  also   meant   players   needed the   freedom   to   control   the  faster  ball.  Incorpration  of
of synthetics   gave durability   and   strength both    essential   to   a  faster   running game.   Improved elasticised   vigours  allowed  external  ankle  support,  which  had previously been  afforded   by  the  higher  boot. 75%  of  the  players  at  the  1966 FIFA World Cup in England wore adidas boots.

1970
Greater     glittering   prizes     meant    more    focused    attempts    to      maximise performances. Soccer  shoe manufacturers began incorporating  greater  efforts at research  and  development keen to ustilise new  technologies  and  materials to capitalise    profit. Endorsement   and   sponsorships   of   clubs  and    players  became established  at  this  time. The  main  focus  was  to produce attractive fashionable boots often incorporating novelties, which appeared to ignore the risk of injury to the player.
1909
As  the  English  game  gained  popularity  and  spread across  the  World. Acceptance  of  team  outfits became part of the organised game. Adjustments  to climatic conditions however  necessitated minor modifications.  Rule  13 meant dangerous metal studs could no longer be worn and players sported leather cleats instead.