Liverpool's rain-soaked streets were replete with footballing tales, but none quite matched the tale of Craig Johnston. On a bitter winter's morning in 1981, a young Australian lad found himself sleeping in a garden shed in Kirkby, dreaming of wearing the famous red shirt. Little did anyone know that this same boy would not only grace the hallowed Anfield turf but would also go on to revolutionise football boots forever. Johnston's journey from a humble shed to becoming a European Cup winner is truly remarkable. Yet there he was, this awkward-looking midfielder from Down Under, proving everyone wrong with every touch of the ball. Three English clubs had rejected the Aussie before Liverpool took a chance on him, with Bob Paisley recognising a unique quality in the determined young player. What made Johnston truly remarkable wasn't just his ability to adapt to Liverpool's sophisticated passing game ; it was his innovative mind that would later change football forever. While most players were content with their standard boots, Johnston obsessed over the idea that football boots could be better. He'd spend hours after training, tinkering with prototypes, much to the amusement of his teammates. The creation of the Adidas Predator boot was not a mere coincidence. Johnston would attach bits of rubber to his boots, testing different materials and patterns. His teammates thought he'd gone barmy, but Johnston knew he was onto something special. He'd study the way the ball moved, how it spun, and how different surfaces affected control. The effort wasn't just about making a better boot ; it was about understanding the very essence of how a footballer connects with the ball. In the end, Johnston's legacy would extend far beyond his 271 appearances for Liverpool. The Predator boot would become the weapon of choice for some of football's greatest players, from David Beckham to Zinedine Zidane. This achievement is impressive for a young man who previously resided in a Kirkby shed. ROYAL MAIL TRACKED 48Delivered to You 2nd Week, June 2025 Some publishers release new titles early, so our ETA above could change. Publisher: Visit Reach Sport Published: June 5, 2025 Price: £14.99 Paperback: 288 pages ISBN-10: 1916811337 ISBN-13: 978-1916811331 Dimensions: 216 x 135 (mm)
