Ten of the best...Football's

Ten of the best….Footballs

Obviously a key part of the modern game, we have a look (in no particular order) at ten of the best footballs that have graced the modern game. From 1930's to the latest technology from FIFA footballs have been providing people all over the world with glory and despair. From local parks to ‘The Macarena Arena' in Brazil, if it wasn't for the what the dictionary describes ‘a spherical or ellipsoidal ball' then the great game itself would not exist, but which one do you choose to play with.

Adidas Teamgeist (FIFA World Cup 2006)

The specially formulated and much talked about ball for this Summer's world cup is the first in football's ancient history not to be made in the traditional way with hexagonal panels. Instead favouring a four sectioned approach to creation, the ball is extremely light, suitable for the World's top players to score some of the best goals ever seen.

Mitre Tactic

Bring back any memories (or nightmares) if not it's probably because you played with this ball as a child. Usually as much as an over bearing parent or a tantrum after defeat, it became part of the school heritage. Hard as nails and like kicking a brick around, the tactic was neigh on impossible to get off the ground at a young age unless it was moving. Certainly not a football to be heading from long goal kicks.

Reformulated and re-released the ‘Tactic Classic' has played a part in the past two seasons FA Cups being used as a final ball on both occasions. Innovated to provide the ‘old school' look the ball is authentic and helped Steven Gerrard score goal of the season in the 2006 FA Cup final.

Vintage

Back in the days before there were sponsors the lovely hard leather ball was the only thing which footballers were seen to be kicking around on a Saturday. Stitched together by hand (none of this modern day rubbish) the ball aided players such as Stanley Matthews and Nat Lofthouse to become hero's in their own time. Also helped to make Pele and Sylvester Stallone legends in escape to victory with the Brazilian proving that it's possible to kick the ball further than you can imagine as he pulls off an outrageous overhead kick!

Umbro Motion

Not a ball used in any top flight league around the world, the Umbro motion is perfect for the amateur kick around down at the local village park. Cheap and cheerful as well as being light as a feather the ball is hard wearing as well as easy on the feet of players and hands of goalkeepers (essentially no gloves needed). Wonderful for showing off your skills with and also doesn't smash too many windows when playing in the garden with it.

Nike T-90 Aerow

The official ball of the Premier League comes in all colours and sizes these days, with the same quality being held throughout each. The lightest ball on the market the Aerow is enjoyed by the likes of Henry, Rooney and Lampard week in and week out. Known for its wicked curl and deceptive in flight movement the Aerow is soft of the players' feet and when compared to any other ball it is possible to see how some footballers produce miracles every week.

Classic

The classic black and white design is familiar to those who watched World Cup's throughout the 1970's in Mexico and West Germany. Famously saved by Gordon Banks from Pele in an England vs. Brazil match, it was no doubt the first football for most young boys of the era growing up. Similar to the tactic it is hard and very difficult to curl. Sports manufacturer Nike revamped the ball in 2005 to make the Tiempo Classic which in place of the black sections hosts shiny colours such as silver and gold. Shame they didn't make it any lighter as it's still as difficult to cross as it was back in the black and white days.

Mitre Pro 100

The famous luminous ball of the football league. Enjoyed by many spectators since the reformation of the football league the ball has been in constant use between the months of February and May, apparently when in night games because of British Summer Time, the ball becomes very difficult to see. With the abysmal state of some football League grounds it really doesn't matter what they play with but the Pro 100 is great for playing long balls with and nice and cushioned for headers.

Finale

The ball everyone wants to play with. Only used in the Champions League the Finale suffers for Franchises as much as the Aerow meaning it can be purchased in many different colours. Its star shaped patches not only make it look aesthetically pleasing but also provide the kicker with the best spot to aim for to achieve excellent amounts of curl and swerve. The ball is not only easy on the eye but wonderful to play with.

Mitre Cyclone

That's an indoor ball to me and you. The green (and sometimes yellow) coloured ball is made up of a mix of rubber and felt, a great combination for knocking off walls and taking on step penalties. Of course not being able to kick it over head height is a slight disadvantage when it is extremely light but with hardly any heading indoors it doesn't matter that the exterior of the ball is very difficult to control when heading. Still the ball packs a punch when you play in a sports hall and try to see how many times you can hit the fire exit without the door opening.

Adidas Tricofore (FIFA World Cup 1998)

Specially formulated for France 1998, the ball will no doubt be very popular with several members of the World Cup winning squad however for Ronaldo it probably holds nightmares. Though one of the best kept secrets in football is what happened to urn the Brazilian from superman into someone who was well off the boil, he will most commonly have seen it floating past him in the final in Paris while Zidane spurred his boys on to a first World Cup victory. Beautifully soft and decorated in the French flag colours the ball provide players with an amazing kicking area and an ability to pick out and play a fifty yard pass with the greatest of ease (the rest is up to the person u play it to!)