Did John Lennon start the casual movement a decade before football fans?
An image appeared of John Lennon wearing Adidas trainers in 1967
Liverpool and Adidas have had a ‘special bond’ for over 40 years because of the casual movement of the 1970s created by football fans. It all began in the late 70s when fans would travel around Europe and bring back rare trainers from the continent, usually Adidas being the choice of the fashionista.
At the end the decade Adidas Samba trainers were worn by many on the terraces of Anfield and Goodison Park, and also around the streets of the city. Adidas Stan Smiths shortly followed and wearing trainers as everyday footwear was now a trend. In 1981, Wade Smith opened and it became the heart of casual fashion in the city.
With the terrace culture taking over the city, 21-year-old Robert Wade Smith, a former Adidas worker spotted a gap in the market. Trainers that football fans had purchased in Europe could now be bought on our doorstep. The rarer the import, the better. It all began on Merseyside and it quickly became a national trend.
But, does a rare photograph of the Beatles actually show that the John Lennon started the movement in 1967?
By: Paul Philbin
Source: Liverpool Echo
