Of boots and feet

Datuk Abdul Ghani Minhat, 70 (right), dubbed Raja Bola, played for Selangor and the national team from 1952 to 1970

“My first pair of football boots was given to me. It was old, the front of the shoes had holes and the studs were hammered into the sole with nails. Sometimes, the nail would poke the flesh, but what to do?

“Later, when I started playing for the Selangor team, we would go to Jalan Bras Basah in Singapore and buy no-name, made-in-Singapore football shoes. They were RM13 a pair. Now everybody buys RM500 boots. I guess they kick better.”

Devandran Doraisamy, 52, former Pahang and national team player

“My first pair of football boots was an Adidas La Plata which my grandmother bought me in 1969.

“She was very supportive of my football. It cost RM19.90. Before this, I played barefoot with only ankle guards on.

“My second pair of shoes was an Adidas Gerd Muller, a six-stud pair for playing on wet ground, then a King Pele by Puma.

“When I made it to the national team, I was given two pairs of Adidas as part of the team uniform.”

K. Gunalan, 41 (left), former Selangor and national team player

“I bought my first pair of Fung Keong football boots in 1983 when I started training for the Piala Razak Cup. I had to borrow money from my father to buy the shoes. When I was selected for the team, I bought the Adidas La Plata. These shoes were very famous at the time, although they were quite heavy on wet pitches.”

Khairul Anuar Baharom, 32, current captain of the Negeri Sembilan team

“I got my first pair of boots from my parents when I was 16, a pair of Anggur boots from Pertama Complex.

“When I played for the KL Youth Team, I was wearing Lotto boots. Later, when I joined the Malaysian league, I wore the Adidas Copa Mundial, which were very comfortable but were too soft for a defender.

“I’ve also been sponsored by Mizuno and Lotto before. Right now, I’m wearing the Nike Total 90.”

Mohd Aidil Zafuan, 19 (right, in front), Negeri Sembilan and national team player

“My first pair of football boots was a cheap brand called Alex, which you could buy at the small kedai.

“Later, when I turned 12, my sister bought me a pair of Lotto shoes as a form of encouragement.

“Now I am sponsored by Nike and have just been given a pair of Nike Total 90 Supremacy – Wayne Rooney shoes. – Compiled by TAN LEE KUEN