WHEN the time comes for any major football tournament the nations hopes are invariably dashed on the fragile metatarsals of either Wayne or David.

Is it that their feet are more fragile than most or that they play their chosen sport - this comes from a devotee of the oval ball rather than the round ball - in footwear that offers slightly less support than a pair of carpet slippers?

Well, boys, help is at hand. Take a look at these stylish boots by Arthur Rowe which I guess would date to the 1950s.

They're a size 9, which is probably a bit big for Becks, and made out of leather.

Now, there wouldn't be much feel for the ball in these.

The toe caps feel like reinforced toe-tector boots that would surely resist being driven over by a Sherman tank and the one piece sole has all the suppleness of an iron girder.

The leather studs and high sided ankles complete a fashion statement that I'm sure Stanley Matthews and Tom Finney would have been proud of.