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28th January 2010 
Brightstar Sportstec football boot
http://brightstarsportstec.com/
Sportstechreview has been priveleged to welcome a new football boot technology by a newly formed company Brightstar Sports Tec Ltd. their technology aims to replicate compliance orf the skin, ultimately improving the ability for a footballer to spin (swerve) the ball upon comand.
. The technology has shown to create a greater mean spin than competitor boots by up to 26%.
. The mean spin results do demonstrate the prototype’s consistency in providing an enhanced level of spin when compared to the competitor’s boots in both dry & wet conditions.
. The prototype samples demonstrate higher COF than all competitor boot samples in both wet & dry conditions.
. The initial prototype shows remarkable potential with clear development channels available to reach class-leading performance in the future.
We got in touch with Iain Davis and this is what he said:
"I played football up till a knee problem forced me to retire at 17, I was still able to have a gentle kick about after an operation but was told that any contact sport was a bad idea!
Through out my life and as far back as Ii can remember Ii have watched football and the world cup has always amazed me,due to the difference in technique speed and effort that different teams from around the world have or dont have.
The team that had always stood out was brazil .They seemed to play effortlessly,deft touches,bending balls around the corner making the ball work for them!
Knowing that alot of the south American players came from playing bare footed as youngsters due to alack of money and yet had in their adult game afar better first,second and final touch than most of the rest of the worlds players got me thing,how,why??
I came to the conclusion that playing bare footed ,allowing the skin of the foot to have better grip on the ball as it would GRIP,STRETCH and MORPH to the balls surface,allowing greater contact time,enhanced grip and a general better control!! I was going to try to replicate skin on the outside of a football boot!
So now having this as my starting point i then started to source materials that would have these properties,grip,elasticty and morph to the surface of a ball.I was able with the help of a friend who was a cobbler to mock up a prototype that had these working properties.. All the time that i was doing this was just to prove a point to myself and for no other reason,
I played football for half an hour in my normal boots to get my natural touch and then changed into my prototype boot and absolutly straight away i was able to induce greater spin on the ball,thus proving my point,to me!!!
After afew days i realised that it may have a wider audience .I was on a train that stopped short of the station(Horley) and there beside the train line was a sign on a building for "EUROPEAN PATENT ATTORNEY",,i phoned for an appointment ,went along and from there begun the process of gaining first the British Patent then going on to get 11 European granted Patents.
I then with the help of Sussex university went about applying for Goverment grants to do the R&D to prove the concept as it was still scientifically unproved and would be very hard to get proper interest from Brands and such,3 years later and failed applications I decided to try to get private investment which was achieved and i was then able to get Progressive Sports based at Loughborough university(one of the worlds leading sports rnd facalties) to undertake the R&D.
The RnD came back positive when tested against the worlds biggest brands boots which have enhanced grip,strike locations with results of upto 26% more grip,20% more spin generation and my material had protective properties that would protect the metatarsal bones of the feet!!
Result...
I am now at the point where the technology needs to be incorperated into a football boot and as such i am looking to raise more investment so that i can have arun of boots made up .With help from Howard wilkinson who has invested in this technology we will be able to make direct contact with top flight professionals and take their game to a greater level, exagerate their natural ability and allow greater team,game play".
Good luck Brightstar and we hope it makes it big!!! We will keep our readers up to date.
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27th January 2010
What about the new Nike T90 Laser III
Cracking video about the new technology shown on Saturday 16th January edition of Sky Sports' Soccer AM show
The Nike boots have been designed with the players in mind. Targeted accuracy and power zones according to Fernando Torres, Wayne Rooney, Robbie Keane, Rio Ferdinand and Gennaro Gattuso
Have a watch of the video
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25th January 2010
Umbro England away kit 2010 - interview with Aitor Thorpe
Although a very short video, this is a nice illustration of Umbro's current thinking towards the England 2010 away kit in red
It was reportedly leaked a few weeks back, and can still be found by searching on the web. The vintage/ traditional style will appeal
Have a watch of the video
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25th January 2010
Adidas Football world Cup ball videos - Jubulani
30th November 2009 
Tracking Technology Integrated into Soccer TV Coverage
http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/article/134974
TAGS: Football and Soccer
Last week ESPN experimented with some new tracking and statistics technology during their coverage of the MLS Cup. The system gives the viewers new insight on player movement throughout the game. Stats like distance traveled, speed, and player spacing can all be easily delivered to the home audience.
With soccer gaining more momentum as a spectator sport in the US it seems ESPN is ready to capitalize on their coverage of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. It will be interesting to see how this affects viewership and how it could be implemented as a quantitative tool for player evaluation.
To read more please click the link above.
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29th November 2009
New Official Adidas 2010 World Cup Football Jabulani launched!!
http://www.footballshirtculture.com/balls/adidas-jabulani-world-cup-2010-match-ball.html
TAGS: Football and Soccer
The New Adidas World Cup ball will be officially launched on 4th December. It is a unique design worked on by research and design engineering teams around the world.
Footballshirtculture have released images of the ball and have eloquently explained its new innovation and design.
To hear more please click the link above.
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25th November 2009
Umbro's Senior Design Director talks about football kit innovation over the past ten years
http://blog.umbro.com/2009/11/23/a-decade-of-kits-from-the-designers-viewpoint/
TAGS: Football and soccer
David Blanch, Umbro's Senoir Design Director has has played a major role in developing Umbro’s shirt designs over the past ten years. Here, he looks back at the last decade of kits and how they’ve shaped the shirts of the future.
The following is an excerpt from the Umbro blog, please go to their website for more details.
“I’ve been really fortunate because I came into Umbro ten years ago. It was my anniversary just last month. I remember when I first came here, and the first kits that I did were Celtic, Manchester United and England. Some pretty big clubs! And the England one really set the lead – it was the shirt with the red stripe through it. It ended up being really culturally significant, and we really wanted to introduce a sense of ‘Englishness’ into it. The other big thing with that shirt was that it introduced an element of 3D – before that, the shirts were all flat, tee-shaped shirts with changing necklines, and some graphics and colours. That England kit in particular, when you look at it, you’ll see that the style lines move all round the body. That set a whole new tone for what football kits were all about, and all the other manufacturers started looking at what we were up to, and thinking about shirts more three dimensionally.”
David goes on to speak about innovation, reversing trends and making shirts special.
http://blog.umbro.com/2009/11/23/a-decade-of-kits-from-the-designers-viewpoint/
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November 2009
Munin Sports develop the XL frame
The brand new m-station from Munin Sports in Copenhagen is the best rebound technology that I have seen on the market to date. Allowing the user to practice numerous football drills individually or with a group, I reckon this technology will do well in the future.
Its technical specification is:
Height 270cm.
Width 270cm.
Depth 300 cm.
Weight app. 50 kilos
The strings are manufactured to give an explosive rebound and a very high strength.
The aluminum construction is light weight, easy to handle and wont rust.
All parts can be replaced .
The tires are filled with foam and wont puncture.
The video is definately worth a watch to see the versatility of the product.
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November 2009
Adidas launch the Predator X
Adidas launch their new football boots - Predator X!
"Double up on dominating ball power with this adidas football PREDATOR_X X-TRX SG boot. With PREDATOR® forefoot power for top swerve and ball control, and POWERSPINE delivering unprecedented shooting power. With X-TRAXION® system for big grip on soft ground."
To see all the videos click here:
http://www.adidas.com/campaigns/football/content/index.aspx
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September 2009
Concave launch next generation of football boot
TAGS: football boots
TORONTO (July 1, 2009) – The long-awaited complete new line of technologically advanced Concave football boots is being introduced this fall, giving players at all levels the ability to increase their ball striking skills – in the areas of power, accuracy and control – while also protecting against foot injuries.
2009
New England football kit
TAGS: football shirt
SportBusiness is proud to announce the fifth annual Sport and Technology – The Conference. This seminal event is returning to the state-of-the art facilities at BT Centre in London on Thursday, 4 June 2009.
2009
Nike mercurial Vapor superfly boots
TAGS: football boots
Nike have released their new mercurial vapor football boot specifically for thre ground you are playing on. According to kitbag, the shoe features:
2009
Nomis Nxgen spark football boots
TAGS: football boots
Nomis have developed a customisable leather upper technology that allows the buyer to generate new designs that are not screen-printed. Obviously limited edition but can be bought from Nomis web store.
2009
Inmotio training at the next level
TAGS: football and soccer training equipment
The importance for soccer coaches to analyse and assess the performance of their players is now greater than ever. With rewards for success and costs of failure so great in the global game, top clubs are quickly realising that the smallest of details can have a genuine and tangible impact on the entire success of a team...
2009
McDavid hexpad shin/calf guard
McDavid have released a similar design to the armadillo. Their calf protection utilises their hexpad foam design to protect the calf and a "removable hard plate" to protect the shin. The product retails for £18.99.
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2009
MDG goalkeeper gloves designed by goalkeepers
MDG sport ltd have designed goalkeeper gloves and apparel by discerning feedback from a number of professional goalkeepers around the UK. They have spent the last twelve months surveying shot stoppers from all over the world for their opinions on what they wanted most from their goalkeeping gloves.
Ultra Wrap is the brainchild of Michael Dougherty, a professional goalkeeper with Glentoran FC in the Irish Premier League, and represents the culmination of a decade-long personal crusade for the perfect glove. Combining five key features in one glove, the Ultra Wrap's revolutionary technology offers maximum grip in all conditions, enhanced punching distance, larger palm area, added protection against finger injuries and breathable panels to ensure moisture-free hands.
Good work by the men at MDG.
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2009
Lotto twist'n'go
TAGS: football boots
Lotto, in conjunction with University of Pavia, have designed an unique stud configuration at the fore of the sole plate able to twist and pivot with the directional movement of the player. This offers...
2009
Nike Mercurial Vapor carbon-fibre uppers
TAGS: football boots
Nike's recent innovation - the Mercurial Vapor SL Cleats - with carbon fibre upper is surely one of the most sophisticated boots around. Almost the enitre boot is made of carbon fibre; upper, outsole plate, and so on. Priced at..
2009
"Europass Gloria" - the official Euro Championship ball
TAGS: football and soccer ball design
In the Oval Hall of Vienna’s MuseumsQuartier cultural complex, adidas and UEFA presented the adidas “EUROPASS gloria”, the official ball for the Final of UEFA EURO 2008™. Herbert Hainer (adidas AG Chairman and CEO) presented the silver ball ...
2009
Sells release new outlast glove
Outlast material is a wax-impregnated fabric that stores body heat while the person is warm, then releases it when the person is cool. The wax melts at a certain temperature and solidifies at another, and it is this reaction that stores or expels heat. The technology has been used in sports that require little physical exertion, such as golf, however, the technology has yet to prove its worth during high intensity exercise. Perhaps why it would be useful in goalkeeper's gloves, if players wish to keep warm.
Images and information reprinted from Outlast and ProDirect Soccer .
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2009
Umbro release new England away shirt
TAGS: football shirt
Umbro have released their new England Away shirt, photos are shown below however more details can be found by clicking the link.
2009
Nike Mercurial Vapour released Feb 1st
TAGS: football boots
Weighing a mere 210g, the Mercurial Vapor SL is one of the lightest boots ever produced. The composite Carbon-Fibre Chassis is engineered for incredible...
2009
PUMA and d3o™ develop new football
TAGS: football and soccer ball design
PUMA and d3o have developed a new football to impart more power and speed from the strike. The d3o material is soft and malleable initially but hardens upon impact. The ball then leaves the foot on average 6% faster than comparable match-play balls.
Adidas develop goal-line technology
A new technology has been developed to determine the exact position of a football during a game, helping referees to make clear decisions about whether it has completely crossed the goal-line. A sensor has been suspended in the centre of the ball and magnetic fields are employed to provide real-time feedback to a central computer and the referee.
For more information please click the link. Images and information reprinted from gizmag.
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