As time has passed, footballers have found more and more ways to express themselves on and off the pitch. Haircuts, goal celebrations, and outfits are some ways they’ve done this but in more recent times boot customization has become yet another avenue of expression.

Here I am

Jordan Dawson is a trailblazer in this space becoming known as one of the go-to artists for custom boots. He’s made boots for the likes of English international Marcus Rashford, Tottenham Hotspur Son Heung-min, and even Olympic gold medalist Usain Bolt.

Even before working with the biggest football stars, Jordan was collaborating with some of the biggest brands.

"I started off working with customization of footwear.  I worked with the likes of Nike, Adidas and Puma. I then got invited to the FIFA 20 launch where I was customizing Adidas Superstars for  Kaka, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Rhian Brewster, Callum Robinson, etc".

"BBC Sport were at the event and they asked the question whether I customize football boots, I hadn’t started that venture but took the opportunity whilst at that event  for myself to speak to footballers".

It was through this that Jordan found his first footballer client, Declan Rice. It snowballed from there to the point where he regularly customizes more than just one pair of boots for players.

"It depends on the design. I have one off designs where it could be for a cup final, or it might be to remember events. But then you've got the likes of Darwin Nuñez who's got his Uruguayan flag on it but now he wants a second pair done. It kind of just depends on the client".

Custom

As for the process of customizing the boots themselves, he makes it look easy but it’s because Jordan has diligently honed and mastered his craft for years.

Normally it takes around two to three days depending on the design. But of course, it actually takes seven years of me practicing the art, and the three days work on top. But again, it depends on the complexity of the design.

Jordan has worked on countless projects but the ones he is most proud of?

“I'd say there's a couple pieces. I think one is working with Chelsea Football Club, which was customizing a pair of Air Max’s for Air Max Day. I'm a Chelsea supporter, so being invited to Stamford Bridge was pretty special.

I also got invited to St. George's Park to customize 33 pairs of Air Force 1s for the England squad. Seeing the players wear that pre-match in the World Cup, I mean, you're talking on the biggest stage, so I absolutely enjoyed that the most”.

Not Football Only

"I also work with multiple other sports. I've worked with boxers like Anthony Joshua and delved into other sporting fields like cricket and athletics with  Usain Bolt and Moeen Ali. I don't just stick to the football space, although football is 90% of my life. I love other sports as well".

As for who his dream clients would be, it would be difficult not to be starstruck by them.

"My dream would be to customize a pair for Lionel Messi, whether it be for him finishing his career or Cristiano Ronaldo, something to commemorate their whole careers. That would be a dream".

Big Goals

So what’s next for someone like Jordan who’s already accomplished so much within a relatively short amount of time in this career?

"My plan for the future is just to carry on the journey that I'm on. I didn't expect it to propel in the way that it has. I never thought I'd make a career out of this either. But I think in 10 or 15 years, maybe before then, but I’d love to create my own shoe.

There's endless possibilities of where I may end up. I'm just going to continue on this journey and we'll take it step by step".

In Focus: Jordan Dawson

Outside the Box: Dayne St. Clair

Perspective: Timo Baumgartl