Mess 609 Posted October 5, 2021 Report Share Posted October 5, 2021 For my birthday one summer in the late 1950s my mum and dad bought me a shiny white Frido football. Frido balls were very popular back then and were also available in red. IIRC they cost about five bob and came with a brass valve and adapter to inflate them. The kids these day call them floaters because they were made of vinyl and quite light. On a windy day they would get blown all over the park. Anyway, these footballs were great for youngsters because you could head them without knocking yourself senseless lol. I was delighted with my white one and ran into the garden to have a kick around. My first kick sent it into a rose bush and punctured it. I was completely gutted. I later learned there was a tool available that you could heat up on the gas ring which would melt the vinyl and seal the puncture. Sadly by the time I discovered this the ball had gone in the bin. Much later I saw a lad use a heated up knife to achieve the same effect. https://www.thenationalfootballcollection.org.uk/mint-condition-1960s-frido-stanley-matthews-autograph-vinyl-football/ Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Paradiddle 145 Posted October 5, 2021 Report Share Posted October 5, 2021 Wonder why they were called Frido's? Apart from the puncturing the thing I remember most is playing footy on the beach (without shoes or socks) and those dimples didn't half make your feet sore!l Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cliff Ton 10,435 Posted October 5, 2021 Report Share Posted October 5, 2021 I think I remember them. They were too light to be sensible and usable. It was more like trying to kick a balloon than a football. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DAVIDW 1,674 Posted October 5, 2021 Report Share Posted October 5, 2021 An advert from The Daily Mirror May 1961 ---I bet Stanley Matthew's was kept busy posting out autographed photographs ! Everyone has fun with a Frido ball. Yes, Fridos the ball for the whole family whatever the age, whatever the sport. They'll have fun with a Frido ! They're repairable, re-inflatable. See them at your local toy and or Sports shop. League Champions and Cup Winners TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR and many other first class clubs train with the FRIDOMASTER Soccer Ball FRIDO LTD HOULDSWORTH STREET STOCKPORT Special free offer from Stanley Matthews.: Post the yellow sticker from over the valve of your Frido football to- Mr. Stanley Matthews at this address and he will send you his autographed photograph. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mess 609 Posted October 5, 2021 Author Report Share Posted October 5, 2021 Thanks for that DavidW. I'd forgotten about the yellow sticker over the valve. I always thought it was there to keep dust and mud out. IIRC the Fridomaster was a much heavier ball hence there use by professional players in training. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DAVIDW 1,674 Posted October 5, 2021 Report Share Posted October 5, 2021 8 hours ago, DAVIDW said: An advert from The Daily Mirror May 1961 -- They're repairable, re-inflatable. That seems to bring back a distant memory of trying to repair a Frido ball by heating up a screwdriver and melting the plastic to try and cover the inevitable puncture. Never worked ! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.