Craig's Boot

Q.E.D. 6th April 1994.
I'm clearing out some old videos and came across this one from 25 years ago. This chronicles the development of the Predator soccer boot from concept and design by Craig Johnson to final production by Adidas.

[@robbiebalboa]

Craig Johnston is a genius, he gets nowhere near the recognition and respect he deserves amongst the Australian football community.

[@bowendarius5084]

InstaBlaster...

[@SHRWM]

This boot has changed grass sport's. I swore by predators for rugby for years and there's nothing like them.

[@guyincognito8019]

I grew up not too far from where Johnston did & I remember watching this in a Year 8 technology class in high school

[@DavidSmith-fn8ur]

David Smith 44 seconds ago We at Middlesbrough will be eternally grateful for the Australian sunshine that this raw talent brought to our town including the kids around Ayersome Park who taught him most of what he knows. Thanks Craig, you will always be welcome. Unfortunately, like you, the Kirk has gone on to different things. I'm pleased I watched you play and God bless the Landlady who fed you. Genius to use John Peel.

[@garyclayton303]

I've been looking for this for years. Thanks so much for uploading. Narrated by the great John Peel too.

[@jennifercreecy8091]

Craig was a great family friend, especially with my gorgeous Dad who has now passed. My own brother played for Australia as a youngster also, but my Dad always had the utmost respect for Craig for his dedication, tenacity & work ethic. He used to train nonstop whereas my brother was more interested in surfing.

[@elliott316]

Predator headbands for curing headers were great

[@p4cks]

thank you for uploading this, i remember watching this as a kid and was absolutely fascinated by it. sadly i couldn't afford a pair when i was younger and now i can afford a pair they are far too detached from what craig's boot actually was. a real shame

[@soundbeings1]

Great story - a very different football player - and an LFC legend. Good on ya Craig !! YNWA

[@schmuelsonsradang4301]

I thought I was watching Mel Gibson, another legendary Australian. Craig has been examplery both in and off the pitch. I wasn't so much a Liverpool fan during his time but every time Craig played he was trully insoiring and amazing to watch. I hope more Australians will step up and take the challenge like him and make Australia a force to consider in world football. They are one of the best in rugby, they should easily do the same in football. Craig should be the man to drive them forward. All the best Craig.

[@ilhamhabibie215]

Man, this is a holy grail!

[@niallio77]

Kaka, Zidane, Xavi, Bellingham, Del Piero, Pogba, Pedri, Trent A Arnold, Raul, Beckham, Gerrard... none probably ever heard of Craig Johnson, inventor of their boot, let alone that he played in the 1980's Liverpool FC team with Dalglish, Hansen, Barnes, and Rush.

[@jmccartney1969]

Thanks for Sharing, also been looking for this for a while !

[@jamesmichalek2451]

I only just heard about Craig today and Im thinking he is Australias best player ever! even more than Kewell. Hes done amazing things at Liverpool.

[@marknichol8167]

Fascinating, thanks for uploading. Also, the firm’s director has the best name ever 👀😂 @8:56

[@marshallgouts6675]

Any idea who the young apprentice from PSG was?

[@tiarnan76]

he looks like braveheart

[@schmuelsonsradang4301]

Braveheart he is. Another very good example of brave Aussies; very determined and advanterous. Craig is more than this, what he did is a world class achievement. I should have known earluer when he played for Liverool alongside Barnes, Rush, Dalglish, Beardsley Molby and co. Trully an inspiring character on and off the pitch.

[@AGxAG]

I remember watching this all those years ago. Predator has changed a lot since then but when I see a pair I instantly think of the originals that Ince has on. I wonder if he sold the whole thing to Adidas or is still getting money fir them today? It'll be a complete fortune 😂

[@fredbloggs8362]

Great story, pretty amazing how he just kept applying common sense to basically invent something.

[@presntnow]

Legendary! 🇦🇺 ⚽️ ❤️

[@omaribrahim7121]

I remember this from back in the day. It's amazing how it changed from his idea of a boot for training youngsters to an overpriced overglamourized piece of kit. I perfected my banana shot around the time this was made I was about 13 then.

[@jamesm529]

Distantpod brought me here

[@devantelewis6774]

Those early prototypes are literally what adidas using today for their predator boots..Craig should be as rich as a king

[@frank290862]

I remember this! thanks

[@vaguemartin]

He wanted a boot that was affordable for kids so created the Predator, which was the most expensive boot around at that time…. 🤔 makes a lot of sense.

[@venderstrat]

Matty Johns is a lot smarter than I thought. Great job.

[@alexrivera7598]

Tik tok brought me here

[@robfinlay8058]

He needed to cut his hair.