Nike Footballs - 10 Years of the Premier League
Back in August 2000, Nike started a partnership with the English Premier League to be the official football supplier to the division.Now, a decade later, to accompany the release of the new T90 Tracer Premier League footbal/ here at the SoccerBible we share a nostalgic look back over the 10 years the swoosh has been involved in the Premier League ball...
Nike Geo Merlin Vapor - 2000/01 2001/02
Faster, rounder and FIFA approved, Nike's Geo Merlin Vapor delivered the latest in Nike design and innovation. Developed around the revolutionary DART (Dynamic Acceleration Response and Touch) casing system, the Geo Merlin Vapor had everything from a softer touch to explosive speed.
Deadly accurate yet still extremely durable, the Geo Merlin Vapor had explosive power coming off the boot, improved softness and touch and excellent shape retention. The Geo Merlin Vapor also spawned the Nike Geo Chrome, as famously used in the Nike secret tournament adverts.
Premier League winners 00/01 01/02: Manchester United Arsenal
Top Goalscorer 00/01 01/02: Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink Thierry Henry
Nike Geo Merlin II 2002/03 2003/04
The Nike Geo continued with the Merlin II ball, used throughout the 02/03 and 03/04 seasons. Nike updated the ball with a new graphic, but continued the successful panel and stitching construction, developed around the revolutionary DART (Dynamic Acceleration Response and Touch) casing system.
Premier League winners 02/03 03/04: Manchester United Arsenal
Top Goalscorer 02/03 03/04: Ruud Van Nistelrooy Thierry Henry
Nike Total 90 Aerow 2004/05
The first of a new breed, the Nike Total 90 Aerow Ball was one of the most accurate and fastest balls created. Utilising 6 unique layers in the balls casing to set new standards in speed, accuracy and consistency of flight. A layer of compressed Zote foam (an extremely responsive and durable material) combined with two layers of vulcanised latex rubber in the ball casing created a "Trampoline" effect when struck, propelling the ball off the foot at a greatly increased speed.
The Total 90 Aerow Ball continued to incorporate Nike's patented Geo Technology, distributing pressure evenly across the whole ball ensuring it stays completely spherical. Microscopic grooves etched into the balls high-performance Teijin casing, reduced deviation and further stabilised the flight of the ball. An Exclusive high-strength webbing support layer in the ball's casing ensured that the ball retains shape and provided extra durability.
Premier League winners 04/05: Chelsea
Top Goalscorer 04/05: Thierry Henry
Nike Total 90 Aerow 2005/06
The continued distinctive visual design of the Total 90 Aerow Ball was making it something of a cult classic, but there was genuine Nike thinking behind the design. It enabled players to identify the ball more clearly in flight (particularly against a crowd background), allowing the players more response time. Which also saw the introduction of a yellow "Hi-Vis" ball for use in the winter months.
Official Ball of the 2005/06 Premier League season, the Total 90 Aerow Ball continued the hand-stitched high performance PU with linear grooves for consistent, sustained flight. The PU foam provided greater stability, durability and performance in cold weather. Whilst the specially modified 6-wing carbon latex bladder used Nike's Air Block II air retention system.
Premier League winners 05/06: Chelsea
Top Goalscorer 05/06: Thierry Henry
Nike Total 90 Aerow II 2006/07
For the Total 90 Aerow II Ball, Nike redesigned the graphic but maintained the high performance construction that had established Nike as a quality ball manufacturer.
Once again featuring Nike-exclusive Geo Balanced Technology, with a 32 panel design for truer and more accurate flight. A hand-stitched polyurethane case incorporated 6 double hex panels, for enhanced aerodynamics and the ability to precisely shape shots and passes.
Premier League winners 06/07: Manchester United
Top Goalscorer 06/07: Didier Drogba
Nike Total 90 Aerow II 2007/08
There was a brand new colourway for the 2007/08 season, but it continued Nike's now famous asymmetric pattern for easier reading of the ball's spin and trajectory.
This ball became a particular favourite of Cristiano Ronaldo, who had his formidable season when it seemed every shot he hit found the back of the net! Again featuring Nike's Geo Balanced Technology with a 32 panel design for a true and accurate flight, combined with enhanced aerodynamics.
Premier League winners 07/08: Manchester United
Top Goalscorer 07/08: Cristiano Ronaldo
Nike Total 90 Omni 2008/09
After four glorious years, the T90 Aerow was replaced by the Nike T90 Omni Ball. Offering even greater geometric precision, the Omni distributed pressure evenly across panels and around the ball through curved stitching, for a consistent, accurate and powerful strike no matter where the ball is hit. Perfect sphericity also allowed the T90 Omni ball to fly faster, farther, and more accurately.
The new asymmetrical high-contrast graphic created an optimal flicker as the ball rotates for a more powerful visual signal allowing the player to more easily identify and track the ball. A compressed polyethylene layer stored energy from impact and released it at launch, and a polyester support fabric enhanced structure and stability.
Premier League winners 08/09: Manchester United
Top Goalscorer 08/09: Nicolas Anelka
Nike T90 Ascente 2009/10
The brand New Premier League ball for the 2009/10 Season was the Nike T90 Ascente Ball. Incorporating new technology to allow the ball to travel faster, longer and truer than any other ball made. Significant testing showed that this ball travelled 2.4% faster and 0.5m further than previous incarnations. Made possible by a synthetic casing on the ball creating a golf ball dimple effect, allowing players to have total control of the flight and movement of the ball.
The striking new design and colourway caused some debate as Nike had strayed so far away from the norm. But the ball still worked as a visual signal catching the players peripheral vision, and once again was responsible for some great Premier League goals.
Premier League winners 09/10: Chelsea
Top Goalscorer 09/10: Didier Drogba
Hopefully these balls will bring back some great Premier League memories - but do YOU have a particular favourite?
