Bladed boots

[therockbox]

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has called for football boots with bladed studs to be banned.

Ferguson is convinced the blades are responsible for the broken foot bone which will sideline skipper Roy Keane for two months.

He said: "The shot of the injury shows the shape of a blade stud on Roy's foot. The bladed studs are a danger.

"We have strong views about this, we don't allow our players to wear them as they can cause serious injuries."

Ferguson branded bladed boots as a dangerous fad and has approached United's kit providers Nike, who are one of the manufacturers of such boots.

He said: "It's one of those gimmicks that come along. They're trying to sell them to kids, that's the problem with them.

"We have not spoken to the Football Association as I am not sure they can do much.

"It's up to the clubs but I know a lot of them are refusing to allow players to wear them.

"We have photographs in the dressing room of some of the injuries caused by blades. Some of our academy boys had bad injuries, including some terrible facial injuries.

"We have spoken with Nike about it. Hopefully the fad will evaporate and they will think of something else."

Edited September 24, 2005 by rock a box

[lanky316]

I don't see the point in any form of sharpened studs, especially in football since for over a hundred years regualr old studs have always done the job.

[Farmer Reil]

Aye, it's not like we're playing Ice Football or something. Normal studs should be fine...

[G-O-D]

Well, if they are causing serious injuries, then they should be banned. Simple as that.

Normal studs have worked fine, and they will continue to work fine.

[Different Cloud]

Is it the Metal tipped Blades that this is reffering to?

[lazy_arse]

I have blades and I've never had any problems. But I suppose the pro's play a lot more than me.

[WS1]

I find them better than studs to be honest. Easier to roll the ball back and a better grip. And when I wear my moulded rubber blades ones it feels like I'm playing in trainers, which is just what you want when the grounds hard.

[Visionary]

If they cause injuries then they should be banned I guess but wouldn't a stud pretty much do the same damage. I know the blades on my boots aren't particularly sharp and some studs in my view would be more lethal.

Also, blades are way better for playing in, they improve you movement a lot.

[Toe]

You can tell how much I know about "football". When I saw the title of this thread, I though it was someone asking about hockey skates but they didn't actually know to call them that. Oh well.

I don't think these metal tipped studs are needed. If they are more dangerous, then they are not needed.

[Guest muddatrucker]

They were fine before Keane got injured, its just anger, its all down to personal preference, I myself find it easier to run in blades, at least it feels more natural.

[GA!]

Anyone have pictures of these bladed boots?

[Guest muddatrucker]

Although these are fairly crappy ones, you can get metal tipped ones too.

[WS1]

They were fine before Keane got injured, its just anger, its all down to personal preference, I myself find it easier to run in blades, at least it feels more natural.

[Summers]

I'm sure I saw Ugo in metal tipped.

[John Stones' Paint Trophy]

I don't see a reason why as a lot of players play in them. Mudda might be right about Ferguson only coming out because of Keane's injury.

I've always found regular studs fine but have only played in blades once and can't remember if they improved anything because it was a while back.

[therockbox]

To be fair, I can remember this being discussed before the Liverpool/Man U game.

[fineintent]

I use blades and studs, and during my Uni football trials the ground was rock solid, so I chose blades. I prefer them personally, and calling them a "fad" is silly since they've been around for years. Anyone remember those Gola Blades?

[Guest _sTe_]

I've never tried blades, but regular studs hurt the bottom of my feet, even on wet days, so I imagine blades, being placed around the edge of the boot, would be better.

I dunno what I'm adding to this conversation, I've forgot what my point was.