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Tunbridge Wells based coach Andy McAllen designed Kickstarter boots for children

By: Annabel Rusbridge-Thomas

Published: 15:00, 02 September 2014

A new boot designed by a professional football coach from Kent is set to help young children rapidly learn and improve their footballing skills.

Children as young as two years old attend football sessions regularly and may struggle to understand which part of their feet to use for different techniques.

‘My First Football Boots’ use coloured contact zones to help them learn the game’s skills and understand what using different parts of their feet can achieve.

Andy McAllen designed the boots to help young players develop their skills

The boots, suitable for children over the age of two, are easy to use meaning that parents and family can play a huge part in the learning process, regardless of their footballing knowledge.

Tunbridge Wells based designer Andy McAllen of Wilman Road, coached for Tottenham Hotspur FC and worked with stars including Jamie Redknapp and Michael Owen.

“Wouldn’t it be great as a parent or grandparent, to give your youngster an advantage when it comes to learning how to play the game" - Andy McAllen

The Kickstarter campaign aimed at developing the boots ends in September and enables members of the public who want to support the product to be the first people to receive the boots.

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Andy, 36, is hoping to receive enough funding and support to produce a first batch containing 1200-1500 pairs over the next few months.

Project supporters can select from a full range of child sizes and choose the rubber soled version for firm ground and the moulded stud version for soft ground - or even opt for both so children can continue improving no matter what the weather.

Andy and his business partner run an organisation in Tunbridge Wells which provides lessons and coaching to schools, clubs and individuals across Kent and he is also the coach and scout of Brighton & Hove Albion FC.

His young players trialled the boots and helped develop them throughout the early stages.

Andy said: "It's great to see the kids developing and I love coaching them. They really helped me with feedback about the boots.

“Wouldn’t it be great as a parent or grandparent, to give your youngster an advantage when it comes to learning how to play the game.

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“Also to be able to teach them lots of important techniques and bond through that quality, learning time.”

For more info visit: www.kickstarter.com

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