Spitfires and Hurricanes (81-84)

Not only could Pentland provide the financial backing Fireman needed but also, they had offices in Hongkong and Pusan, Korea the home of HS corporation and their factory. To head his development Paul recruited Steve Liggett, who would spend much of the next five years flying to and from Pusan where he stayed for months on end.

Orient express (77-83)

Reebok had struggled through the mid 70’s to fight increases in cost, inflation in the UK was running at over 10% and industrial relations between corporations and unions was at rock bottom. Every year Reebok’s prices went up while their competitions didn’t.  It was at the super show that salvation from this ever-increasing spiral was found. 

It’s a Classic!

Looking back on the history of Reebok and the evolvement of the company into a worldwide force.  This was one of the key times that resulted in a range of product that would define Reebok for the next decade:

VICTORY G (OG) review:

The Victory GOG is a tribute to what I would say was the first Reebok to be created by Paul Fireman,  It was Paul who saw GORE-TEX running suits in 1980 and it was his challenge to My Dad and then Factory Manager Bob Johnson to come up with the shoe.  It was also Paul who insisted on changing the companies logo away from the ‘Starcrest’ and insisted on the union flag, in a window box on the lateral of the shoe, a feature that would be a Reebok trademark for the next 20years.

The legend of the Black Spot.

Both My dad and Paul Fireman would often tell this tale of those first bata shoes, those that collapsed! Reebok went on to have many more quality issues, PVC not sticking on Freestyles, resulting in removing the PVC all together and leaving just the stitching, a trademark Reebok feature created by a fault. the 0.8mm glove leather toes that got over roughed and split, backed with nylon that didn’t stick to the leather!

AZII OG review

In 1982 Dave Singleton was brought in to head sales and marketing while Paul Brown was to design the next generation of Reeboks. Along with Paul came further investment in equipment and product.  

Into the Noughties! (’97-’98)

I had been drawing new designs as early as ’96, before we had rejected them for being too challenging and the decision made to keep the classic look of KSBs. The choice had been right, the sales said it, we had ‘kept our powder dry’ ready for the comeback that was sure to come. Mike and Colin, said it would, their experience proved once again.

Introducing Swiss Tony (’89-’90)

My line manager at Reebok in ’88 was part of the new circle that were actively briefing against my dad and planning the closure of the UK factory. Late ’88 I was literally told my options would be; transfer to the US or go find a job. I had just bought a house with my fiancée the previous December and we were looking forward to our wedding in the coming summer, it was a major shock.

Reebok House (’87)

The hunt was on for a new home for Reebok just three years after moving the office and factory back together in Bradley Fold, we had outgrown the space and had to move.

SOLD (March 1984)

Much has been said by those involved about the sale of the Reebok brand by my father to Reebok USA. I know however the company was up for sale within weeks of my Uncle’s death.