New Balance in soccer (1976-1986)
Nostalgia is addiction to some, a business to others. Here’s a book called “Enduring Performance: The New Balance Story.” A splendid 265 page brick about shoe and sole history.
“In the meantime, the NB Workington plant, responding to local interests, began to manufacture football boots (soccer shoes). For two two years, members of the Professional Footballers Association (P.F.A.) wear-tested the product. Then, in 1982 the P.F.A., with membership of 3,000 professional and semi-professional players, held a press conference in Manchester at which it announced its independent endorsement of the New Balance boot. Such an unpaid endorsement was unprecedented. With it came the P.F.A.’s granting New Balance U.K. the right to use its logo on the boots, boxes, advertising and promotional materials.”
Bryan Robson, English National Soccer Team Captain, collaborates with New Balance to design a series of high performance soccer shoes.
1985
The year 1981 brought agreements with manufacturer-distributors in Brazil and Argentina. The only international brand with a presence in South America, New Balance had no competition for a time.
photos by Patterson
Tags: 1976-1986, Argentina, Brazil, Bryan Robson, English National Soccer Team Captain, football boots, Manchester, New Balance, Patterson, Professional Footballers Association, soccer, soccer shoes
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Feb 6th, 2010
