[goldenHuddlestone]

Little-known boot designer Simon Skirrow could be on the verge of big things courtesy of Liverpool attacker Harry Kewell. Kewell is ditching his adidas boots for Skirrows custom-made Nomis pair as he battles back from long-term injury. "It was close to the end of last season and obviously I had been having problems with my feet," Kewell told the Courier Mail.

"Simon had given the boots to my manager (Bernie Mandic) who gave them to me to train with. The first time I put them on I thought they felt like a pair of slippers. Obviously there were some things to sort out with adidas which took some time but Ive since decided to stick with the new boots." Kewell has been in Australia for foot surgery and is returning to Liverpool to continue his rehab.

"I have been involved with adidas for around 10 years and have always had a great relationship with them," Kewell said yesterday. "I count a lot of the people there as my good friends. But its just time for me to think about my feet." Skirrow, who was born in England, has spent the past five years creating the boots - made from kangaroo leather.

He admits he was amazed when Kewell offered to wear the boots for free. "He was the first one to come and be totally refreshing and say its not about the money, its about my feet," Skirrow said. "So many footballers have the mentality of, If Im going to wear a boot, I must be paid for it."

[theo kawala]

really poor guy he keeps getting injured