NEW FOOTBALL STUDS

Hokitika Guardian, 1 July 1931, Page 5

NEW FOOTBALL STUDS

DISPENSING WITH NAILS. WANGANUI, June 26. In view of the recent trouble over protruding nails in football studs, it is interesting to note that the man who evolved the first football stud has invent' d a new stud, which has no nails :n the body at all. The stud, which is a New Zealand patent, is moulded round a metal base, by means of which it is attached tp the boot, thus making it impossible for any metal surface to protrude. A. sample of the stud was exhibited at the last annual mee.ing of delegates to the New Zealand Rugby Union, and members were much impressed by it. Up till fifty years ago the boot stud was unknown, and players in those days practically all played jn shoes with bars across the sobs. The late Bob Whiteside was given credit for using the familiar stud. He was employed in 4i boot factory, and .one of the boys used to put the bars oil his soles. The boy

came to the conclusion that small pieces of leather would give a better grip from all angles than a bar, and in addition would allow the player to turn more quickly. He asked the famous winger to be allowed to try this idea out, and the results were so successful that the stud in a very short time became universally used. For fifty years the tacked-on leather stud has held sway, and it has remained for the same, boy, now of course, a middle-aged man, to invent and patent the new moulded stud. It remains to be seen whether (New Zealand will again lead the world with a new idea in football wear.