My first footy boots were the aptly named Blue Star.
Apt, as I am pretty sure that they were made by Rossiter’s in Unley and of course there were an abundance of star Blues footballers from that postcode (if indeed the PMG had implemented postcodes in 1971) and most of them seemed to be kitted out in this brand.
I still remember the gold embossing around the top of the padded ankle that read (in capitals) BLUE STAR. The nylon nail-in sprigs made a somewhat tribal sound when pounded in unison on the bare concrete floors the opposition change rooms (a sensation we could not enjoy at Mofflin Reserve, Elizabeth Vale as the whole notion of clubrooms was half a decade away for Central Juniors). An altogether different sensation was felt on the back of the head when they came in contact with the base of a slippery concrete spoon drain at full pace.
Of course the following year, a flashier variety of Blue Star came out with a prominent white arrowhead on the side – a early 70s precursor to the Nike “swoosh”, but mine were the plain black, hard toed, metal eyeleted, blue-lined variety.
My next boots were adidas, white moulded soles, three stripes with serrated edges, but still with the high cut ankle. They also doubled as my baseball shoes, as cleats were out of the reach of our family budget.
By the mid-70s, in a portent to the globalisation of the world economy, I don’t remember any other brands apart from adidas and Puma (started by Adi Dassler’s brother Rudolf) on the footy boot shelves of John Watt’s Elizabeth Town Centre sports store.
Perhaps Blue Star boots were still around, but I’m sure that by then, along with white jocks with a single blue ring on the waistband, they were something that no-one wanted to be seen in.
About Mark 'Swish' Schwerdt
Saw my first SANFL game in 1967 - Dogs v Peckers. Have only ever seen the Dogs win 1 final in the flesh (1972 1st Semi) Mediocre forward pocket for the AUFC Blacks (1982-89) Life member - Ormond Netball Club -That's me on the right
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In Tassy the Jenkin Topliner was all the go. They were a high fitting boot the went above the ankle and reached the lower leg. They had extra padding in the upper part of the boot in the form of a round disc that had extra padding and aligned to the ankle bones on both side of the foot. They provided terrific protection from the ‘ankle tappers’ who were abundant down here and gave great support to the lower limb. They are still in use in some parts on the island today, albeit I don’t think they have been manufactured since the early 70’s.
Mark, I am sre Rossiter’s Blue Star Boots sponsored one of those radio shows that announced the teams on Thursday night…maybe after 8 so I was not always allowed to hear the SANFL line-ups!
Those layered leather stops you tacked into your Jenkin Top Liners were good if they were a bit worn and some one strafed you with their boot.
Started with a dirty gaping wound and then festered into a nice scar.
Kids are woossies with long and short moulded soles on various colour choiced designer boots these days.
http://m.smh.com.au/afl/afl-news/put-a-sock-in-it-fellas-three-pairs-of-shoes-are-all-you-need-20120526-1zbue.html
We’ll, even the Danihers wore them according to this article
Mark,
I think my first ‘uns might’ve been the Blue Stars…Budge, if I recall, got the Neil Kerley boots instead. Neither of us would have worn them out!
Mark, I’m just loving the references to ‘The Centre’ and Mofflin Reserve!
Hi, i have a brand new pair of jenkin topliner boots, size 13. Im trying to find some info on these boots as they’re a bit before my time. Any info is appreciated.
Was chatting to friends about boots, and my first pair were blue stars, nail in’s. I thought they were nail in cork sprigs, but may be Nylon.
It was the precursor logo as the first post said, but I thought it was inverted to Nike’s. Blue lining, ankle supported.
South Australia as well
Swish,
I’m pleased to confirm that postcodes had arrived by 1971. From memory, I”d place their introduction in 1967 or ’68.
I certainly wore Jenkins in the 1960s and White Diamonds in the 1970s, so they were available brands in Victoria.
The white diamond boots where made by John Fulton Pendlebury my great great great grandfather.