Amid grand claims of revolutionising the game of football, a square-toed boot that aims to bring the toe-punt into fashion has been unveiled in London on Tuesday and endorsed by several big-name identities.

The Serafino 4th Edge boot appears to be a conventional boot in every way except the front, which is squared off to make striking the ball with the toe easier – and presumably less painful.

The idea was conceived by Australians John Serafino, a Sydney fashion designer, and London-based entrepreneur Mel Braham. Les Murray, the veteran Australian football broadcaster, has also been consulted on the development of the boot, which has been five years in the making.

Former Premier League manager Harry Redknapp and former player Garth Crooks, now a BBC pundit, have also endorsed the product, which goes against the conventional coaching advice of kicking the ball with the instep, outstep or the laces of the boot.

Brian Hardie, labelled “project director boot technologies” in a promotional video, said the 4th Edge is a “radical new boot that is going to transform the way football is played”.

Ronaldinho demonstrates toe-poke technique (in old-style boots) for Barcelona against Chelsea in 2005.

Hardie explains that a player wearing the boots has a 33% advantage over opponents wearing traditional boots in terms of “kicking zones”, referring to the number of areas of the new boot that can be used.

A player can achieve “surprising power, control and accuracy using the toe area which makes a significant difference”, according to Hardie.

Murray told Guardian Australia that Socceroos striker Tim Cahill was consulted in the early stages of the development of the boot, the final version of which is the 22nd prototype.

Murray said he was initially drawn to the idea because of the possibilities the boot provided in two areas: passing with the toe and shooting with the toe.

“It goes like a rocket, I’ve tried it,” Murray said.

Redknapp said in a promotional video he tried the boots on and found them “very comfortable”.



“The toe is not used enough and with this harder toe it gives the player an extra dimension to get that shot off under pressure,” Redknapp said. “It’s an interesting boot.”

Crooks added in the video, “I can see a striker using this and toe-poking the ball.”

The last major shake-up of the design of football boots also originated in Australia, when Craig Johnston invented the Adidas Predator 20 years ago.

Murray said the 4th Edge team would wait to see what the reaction was from the launch at the Planet Hollywood restaurant in Piccadilly Circus but was confident the product is ready to take to market.