I was reminded today of the magic of serendipity and the power of nostalgia. On a school outing I happened to sit in a pew dedicated to one Arnold Ziff, a name I was familiar with from a previous life as a captain of industry in the 1990's. What I didn't know was that he owned Stylo the shoe company.
Now Stylo just happened to be the single biggest football shoes manufacturer in England when I was a wee lad in the late Sixties and, like Wayfinder' Compass and Moonshot shoes for street ware, Stylo created what were probably THE shoes for wearing on the football pitch. I am of course talking about Stylo Matchmakers, football boots par excellence and endorsed by George Best no less, one of the greatest players of all time.
Despite being an utter klutz on the soccer field, I wore my Matchmakers with pride and scored every goal vicariously at Mexico 1970, arguably the best World Cup ever. Remember Brazil? The coolest team ever to grace a pitch. Amazing skills, exotic looks and coolest of all, they each had only one name! And what names: Rivelino, Jarzinio, Tostao and of course Pele!
With these glorious names ringing in my ears I wish I still had my Stylo Matchmakers for watching this year's World Cup in. I'm watching the Opening Ceremony as I write and wish Brazil the very best of tournaments in the true home of the most beautiful game. Anyone one else watching?
Dear god woodsy, the recessive football gene has surfaced, youll be admiring tools in B&Q next!
ReplyDeleteYes even I can be swept up in the passion of the World Cup. As for B&Q, I plan to buy a large drill and drill for oil in the garden this weekend!
ReplyDeleteIn spite of the media thinking everyone is passionate about it, I'll certainly be giving the World Cup a miss, having absolutely no interest in Football.
ReplyDeleteBeing a builder however, I do like to admire tools at B&Q !
You are brazil nuts woodsy. I for one will be sitting comfortably at home wearing my trusty Dunlop Green Flash trainers, admiring the dusky brazilian ladies in the crowd! The only redeeming factor of the World Crap!
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