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Sunday, 7 December 2014

CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEAS FOR SPORT FANS: Premier League teams, football boots, golf, running, winter warmers, gadgets… we've got the lot in our bumper festive guide

 

  •  Best of the Premier League gift ideas
  •  Latest boots for the festive season
  •  Golf, running and winter sport must-haves
  •  Gadgets, games and more in our bumper guide

So, the countdown to Christmas is officially on. And for those last-minute shoppers who haven't even begun to think about making a start with their selection, fear not.
We've got every box ticked here. Looking for something for a football-mad friend? Check. Want to treat a loved one the latest golf gizmo? Check. Need to kit out someone in the family so they can embark on the fitness kick in the New Year? Don't worry, it's all here.
Here Sportsmail picks our must-have gifts for the festive season... 
 
PREMIER LEAGUE CLUB-BY-CLUB GIFT IDEAS
Arsenal 
It can be quite cold in the stands at a football match during the winter months. With Arsenal at home on Boxing Day against QPR, Gunners fans can spread a little Christmas cheer with this bright red knitted jumper that features a snowman's head on top of a football body.
The words 'Dion Dublin' and 'Christmas album' are seldom seen in the same sentence... until now, that is. This December, Aston Villa fans are being treated to all their favourite festive hits, chosen personally by former striker Dion. Perhaps this can become a thing... Liverpool fans, how does 'Heskey's Hits' sound?
Burnley
What more could you want for Christmas than a nice card from a loved one? Well this year, Burnley fans will be able to purchase a Santa-branded card, with tattooed knuckles to boot. How festive.
Chelsea
Ever wished you were Diego Costa, pulling on a Chelsea shirt and heading out on to the Stamford Bridge pitch? Well the club are making that dream become a reality - sort of - with these Costa masks, just in time for Christmas.
Crystal Palace
It can get pretty chilly during the winter months, but Palace fans will be able to keep their ears warm with this Pete the Eagle mascot hat. And if that isn't enough Pete for you, we counted nine more items featuring the Palace mascot on the website. Fill your boots.
Everton
You know when you're sitting at home, and you get the urge to watch every Premier League goal scored by Everton between the years 1992 and 2012? Well, want no more. The Toffees' club shop have made dreams become reality...so buckle up and enjoy the ride.
Hull City
One for the 'Tiger Babes' out there. If you're fed up with those boring ‘bags for life’ you get in supermarkets, then why not treat yourself to a 'jute bag' from Hull City. According to the website, it's handmade, and decorated with glitter, bows, and real Swarovski crystals!
Leicester City
When you see Premier League footballers exiting the team coach before a game, they're usually wearing a pair of headphones. This Christmas, Leicester City's club shop are selling branded, wireless pairs to help you look the part. You could even use them to listen to Dion Dublin's Christmas album...
Liverpool
'This Is Coffee.' We're sure that's not what the sign says at Anfield...? In a humorous variation of the famous plaque from the tunnel, you could kit out your kitchen with this trio of canisters for tea, coffee and sugar.
Manchester City
The Rubik's Cube rose to fame in the 1980s, but remains popular today. In fact, it's the world's top-selling puzzle game. So what better for Man City fans, than to buy a club-themed Cube this Christmas? According to the website, it provides a 'fascinating and difficult challenge', and it's the 'perfect gift' this December.
Manchester United
Manchester United struggled last season under David Moyes, and it seems that this season, under Louis van Gaal, they won't win the league either. In fact, you could say they're unable to hold a lead... Get it? Dog lead... Forget it!
Newcastle United
The weather in the north of England, famously, can be pretty wet. This Christmas, Newcastle are enabling supporters to shield themselves from the rain with umbrellas emblazoned with the club badge. Just don't put it up during the game, because the person behind you won't be able to see...
Queens Park Rangers
When you think of Christmas, which animal springs to mind? For most, it'd be a reindeer. Perhaps a turkey? Over in west London, it's a slightly different scenario. In the club's festive range, you can pick yourself up an 'Xmas Hedgehog' this year. Top work.
Southampton
Has your other half been a Saint this year? If the answer is yes, perhaps you'll treat them to a gift from the Southampton store over the festive period. For the golf fans among you, this tin with tees, a marker and pencil will come in handy for your next 18 holes.
Stoke City
Not your typical Christmas gift, this one, but it's certainly handy. We're sure there are many Stoke fans out there who enjoy a spot of DIY, so what better than a tape measure with the club crest on? And after a hard day's graft, you can take a sip from your Stoke City mug, and relax in the bath with your Stoke City rubber duck.
Sunderland
It's the perfect Christmas gift; a two-inch football figure of your Sunderland hero. Hopefully you like Adam Johnson, Jack Colback or Craig Gardner though, because it appears you can't buy any other players on the Black Cats' website. Colback and Gardner are reduced to £2 each in the lead-up to Christmas, so grab them while you can.
Swansea City
Who doesn't love a nice Christmas jumper? We could have filled a separate article just on the different varieties of jumpers on offer from each club, but in the end we plumped for the Swans. They've got several first-team players to model the festive knitwear, and they all look so happy to be involved.
Tottenham
Why have standard salt and pepper pots on your dining room table when you can have a Spurs player set. According to the club's website, it's 'the only time you will be happy to see Spurs in the middle of the table...'
West Brom
Other Premier League clubs in this list have branched out away from football, usually to the world of golf. West Brom have taken it one step further though, with their branded snooker cue, available for £59.99 this Christmas. Unfortunately, it's free delivery over £60, so perhaps you could buy a 'Boing Boing Chocolate Bar' to make it up to the required price.
West Ham
'Who stole the silverware and where are they hiding it?' Last year, West Ham created their own version of the popular board game Monopoly, and this year it's the turn of Cluedo. No deaths involved though, just the theft of that, er, famous Upton Park silverware.
 
THE BOOT ROOM
Adidas Messi 10.1
£180
What the one things Lionel Messi has more of than goals? Boots (probably). After making the feat of most goals scored in the Champions League his own last month, the Barcelona looks hell-bent on breaking new ground with his latest signature studs. The colourful adidas Messi mirosar10 are the SEVENTH set of exclusive boots released for the Argentina superstar this year and carry a personal significance as they are designed in homage to his childhood and upbringing in Rosario. The insoles are printed with a map of Messi's home town Rosario. Also highlighted is the Batallon pitch – an abandoned military base field that the 27-year-old great once used to sneak onto through a hole in the fence to play football with his friends. Expect these to be popular with the younger generation.
Nike Mercurial Superfly CR7
£250
Well you can’t have one without the other, can you? Ronaldo’s signature boots are a rival to any. From a distance, the blacked-out design appear to be no-nonsense. But on closer inspection, they are illuminated by glitter spots – indeed, apt for the man who attracts lightbulb flashes wherever he goes. And they are complete with Nike’s Dynamic Fit Collar (which to your average fan in the stands, simply translates as a ‘sock-boot’).
Adidas 11Pro
£130
Made with kangaroo leather, these are the boot of choice for midfielders like Frank Lampard, David Silva, Gareth Barry, Fernandinho and Kevin Nolan. They boast supreme fit and have been updated with a traditional black theme in time for the festive fixtures.
Adidas Predator Instinct
£130
Predator celebrated its 20th year on the pitch recently and these solar green and blue boots are the latest edition to the legendary collection, famed by the likes of David Beckham and Zinedine Zidane. Steven Gerrard is the signature wearer in the Premier League – you can’t miss them!
Umbro UX-1 Concept
£150
Umbro are back in the Premier League with Everton and Hull – and they are showing their top-flight boot credentials with this impressive, blacked-out concept design. The UX-1 sport a light and breathable one-piece upper that features sleek webbing across the medial and lateral areas to aid first touch. The lights are out, but most traditional boot connoisseurs will give them a big thumbs up.
Nike Magista
£230
Dreaming of a white Christmas? Debuted in the Premier League this weekend, Nike have crafted the new shine through collection with the New Year in mind, ‘designed for players determined to shine through and make the most of every opportunity in 2015’. Easily one of the best boots on the market… but make sure you buy a brush to scrub off the mud!
Nike Elastico Superfly
£125
Made for the street striker, the flyknit Elasticos place the foot closer to the ground for small-sided football to aid speed and traction. A must-have for any free-scoring 5-a-side soul.
PUMA evoSPEED 1.3 Boots
£155
Sergio Aguero wears them. Need we say more? Well OK, then… the evoSpeed are pioneered for fast players and are one of the lightest soft ground football boots available with a smoother, lighter monolayer microfibre upper for enhanced touch and feel. But, one more time, Sergio Aguero wears them.
 
GOLF
TAYLORMADE RSi Irons
Following on from the huge success of the 'Loft Up' series, TaylorMade have released their most forgiving and powerful iron set yet. The theme is 'mis-hits happen' and every golfer will agree - in fact TaylorMade's findings have revealed 76 per cent of shots are actually mis-hit. So it's good news for the likes of Ryder Cup heroes Justin Rose, Jamie Donaldson and Sergio Garcia who will bid for glory with these fine clubs in their bag during 2015. They are the first set of irons to feature FaceSlot technology which generates more consistent distance on off-centre hits. Lower scores, for sure. 
Nike Vapor Pro driver
The weapon of choice for the world No 1. McIlroy was influential in the development of the Vapor Pro, selecting a 460cc pear-shape profile - identical to what delivered his awe-inspiring drives throughout his remarkable 2014 season. The difference? This adds more stability and speed through added flexibility across the face. Put simply, this driver has no problem finding the fairway. 
Nike Lunar Control 3 shoe
Again, McIlroy has these. And again, it was feedback from the world No 1 that helped construct this innovative golf shoe. White with electric green to highlight the Flywire and Lunarlon technology, McIlory's shoes feature a wider base for increased stability through the swing and to help maintain contact with the ground for as long as possible through impact. You can try them on for size at NikeTown in London to judge for yourself.
Nike Hyperadapt StormFit Jacket 
Just because it's wet and cold, it doesn;t mean you should neglect the golf course. And you should stay dry in one of these - this lightweight jacket offers full range of motion to meet the demands of every golfer's game and is 100% waterproof... even in the most demanding conditions.
PUMA SCRIPT CITY COOL CELL CAP
Every kid wants to look as cool on the course as Rickie Fowler after the young American's brilliant season. Rickie's signature flat-brim comes in a range of colours and makes a great stocking filler. 
ECCO BIOM HYBRID SHOES
We could go on about how ECCO have revolutionised golf shoes with their 'spikeless' designs, but let's just let the picture do the talking. Oh and the coolest man in golf, Freddie Couples, just happens to wear them. 
TITLEIST PERSONALISED GOLF BALLS
The Pro V1 is the No 1 ball in golf and is used by the likes of Ian Poulter and Bubba Watson, and you can now personalise them with a message. Perhaps tell your wife 'I love you'... or if you're a little crueller remind your brother 'you suck' every time he tees it up. Personalise a dozen balls or more for free if you order before 8th December.
FOOTJOY RAINGRIP XTREME GLOVE
You can't play golf at Christmas, right? Well, wrong actually. While there's nothing worse than gripping a wet club through a soggy glove, the solution comes via what is dubbed 'the world’s most technologically advanced rain glove'. There is all sorts of technological wizadry involved but perhaps the most impressive-sounding is the 'thousands of tiny gripping "fingers" engaging with the grip to increase traction’. 
PING G30 DRIVER
If Bubba Watson’s ball-striking is anything to go by, you can’t go too far wrong with a Ping driver. The latest big stick from the renowned club manufacturer is the No 1 bestseller in the UK and has been causing excitement with its ‘turbulator’ technology – grooves in the crown, inspired by the aeronautics industry, which help reduce air drag and thus increase swing speed, which means more distance. You won’t be able to get one in pink like Bubba uses. But that’s probably a good thing. 
MIZUNO CUSTOM WEDGE STAMP
Make your clubs the envy of your mates by adding a personalised touch. Luke Donald would surely have ‘Luuuke’ stamped on his – but what would you put on yours? You can add 6 characters in any one of 12 different colours. Just make sure your game is as flash as your clubs! 
 
RUNNING
Nike Shield Flash Jacket
£350, Nike 
Be seen, stay seen. This jacket has been designed to defy to dark with a vibrant glass-beaded exterior in a checker-dot pattern stays visible and provides 360 degrees of reflectivity, enabling runners to keep pounding the pavements as the days get shorter and the nights get longer.
Nike Free 5.0
£130, Nike 
To meet the challenges of running in harsh, unpredictable winter conditions, runners need footwear that will help keep them dry, warm and visible. The Nike Flash Pack delivers water resistance and 360-degree reflectivity. 
adidas mi Energy Boost: Customisation (men’s and women’s)
£140, adidas
Bring some of your own style to these comfortable running shoes. A wide range of colour options let you fine-tune your look with fresh combinations and distinctive hues. You can even finish off your look with pride, by choosing a country flag lace jewel.
Karrimor Men's Duma Runing Shoe 
Not only do they look the part but these running shoes offer incredible value. Designed with full foot flex grooves positioned throughout the outsole, they promote a barefoot like stride.  
Karrimor X Lite Reflective Jacket Mens
With reflective panels and a mesh vent panel to the back for breathability, this jacket is ideal for the dark, winter hours. Another bargain. 
Karrimor Reflective Backpack
New Year, new you? Try running to work and store your stuff in this neat running bag.   
 
WINTER WARMERS
The North Face Streif Ski Jacket
Hitting the slopes anytime soon? Look the part with this waterproof, breathable ski shell jacket… which has an adjustable, removable hood for added flexibility. 
Eider Alta Badia Ski Pant 
Complete the look with these slick strides. The Defender Inrider 2 fabric is tear and abrasion resistant thanks to a double weave structure. Fancy. 
Nike Hyperwarm Flex
£125, Nike 
One of the warmest and most flexible baselayer for athletes training and competing in cold climates. You can get the matching tights (£110) too. Nice and snug.
Karrimor Thermal Gloves
You won't get frosty fingers with these thermal gloves, which are made from super stretchy fabric to keep your hands extremely warm. And they boast touch screen compatible fingers so you can use your smartphone on the go. 
 
GADGETS AND GAMES
TomTom Golfer GPS Watch
The must have GPS golfing watch for this Christmas. Gives your precise location and tracking from over 34,000 courses worldwide, so you don't need to worry about any hazards.
GoPro HERO4 Black 
The most advanced GoPro yet, boasting ultra high-resoltuion professional video with impressive 4K30 frame rates and capturing high-quality 12MP photos at speeds of up to 30 photos per second. Perfect to capture and record those unforgettable moments during an adventure.
New Garmin Vivosmart fitness band
High-tech and intuitive wearable device designed to keep you active and monitor your progress. It reminds you when it’s time to move after just one hour of inactivity, as well as assigning daily goals based on your activity level. No excuses to ignore that fitness plan then...
Osprey Kode 22 Rucksack
This ski and board adaptable pack offers all-mountain versatility however you ride with technical performance and user-driven functionality for your backcountry adventures.
Xbox One... with FIFA 15
Many footballers spend their downtime playing computer games with FIFA 15 their game of choice - just ask EA Sport's cover stars Lionel Messi and Eden Hazard. This edition comes complete with every Premier League stadium so you can create (or recreate) those classic moments from the comfort of your couch. Back of the net!
FOOTBALL MANAGER 15
It's the ultimate PC/Mac game for wannabe football managers. Guide Dagenham & Redbridge from league Two to the Champions League, or splash the cash in charge at Chelsea. But be warned: it's addictive! 
 
BEST OF THE REST
'Some People Are On The Pitch' iPhone case
100 per cent unofficial, 'made by the fans for the fans', this stylish phone case celebrates the commentary of the finest moment in English football history... the moment when Sir Geoff Hurst fired home his hat-trick to win the World Cup for England. Marvellous.
RS#2 Luxury Football Table
As Foosball tables go, this one is pretty tasty. And it costs a few quid too! This uber gool gift is available in a variety of different colours and sleek designs, created by Spaniard Rafael Rodriguez. La Liga in your living room. 
£349.99, Dunlop 
If Foosball doesn't take your fancy, perhaps table tennis will. And costing around the same price to your average computer console, this is an ideal way to actively engage younger folk. Family entertainment guaranteed... especially if the loser throws a tantrum! 
England Home Test jersey
Get in the mood for the upcoming Six Nations and feel like the players in this replica Test jersey. It will come in handy for the World Cup later next year too. That is unless you're a Scotland, Ireland or Wales fan... in which case, you won't want to be seen in this.
Slazenger V100 Cricket Set 
And don't forget there is a Cricket World Cup to look forward to in February. Perhaps get in the spirit and pick up this brilliant little gift set including a bat, stumps, bails, balls and carry case. Howzat!

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