Gola
Gola is a British footwear and sportswear brand founded in 1905 as a maker of handmade leather football boots. It is known today for retro trainers such as the Harrier.
| Origin | United Kingdom |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1905 |
| First product | Handmade leather football boots |
| Best-selling trainer | Harrier |
| Classics collection | Launched 2000 |
| Website | gola.eu |
What is Gola?
Gola is a British footwear and sportswear brand whose name dates back to 1905, when it was registered by Joseph Leeson & Sons as a name for handmade leather football boots.
History
Production was based at a factory in the North West of England. William Botterill and Sons bought Gola in 1930, and wartime restrictions halted football boot production in 1939. In 1965 Liverpool FC wore Gola boots in the FA Cup final, with the players painting white stripes on them. During the 1960s and 1970s the company expanded rapidly and exported to 67 countries, and the Harrier became its best-selling trainer.
The company later changed hands several times. William Lamb & Co. rescued it in 1983, Porter Chadburn PLC bought it in 1990, and the Jacobson Group acquired it in 1996 and relaunched it as a heritage brand. The English factory had closed in the early 1980s.
Products and positioning
Alongside football boots, Gola added track shoes, the Harrier trainer, sportswear and bags. The Gola Classics collection launched in 2000, a vegan range followed in 2019, and recycled materials entered the collection in 2021. The brand marked 120 years in 2025.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Gola from?
Gola is a British brand. It began in 1905 making handmade leather football boots at a factory in the North West of England.
What is Gola known for?
Gola is known for retro trainers, especially the Harrier, and for its history in football boots. Its boots were worn by Liverpool FC in the 1965 FA Cup final.