Ok, let’s cut to the chase here. We are talking an iPod docking station in the shape of a football, allowing you to play and recharge your iPod. It comes in a variety of colours. Of most interest to Gooners is the red and white version, although you can get them in with black replacing the red, if you want that Mexico 1970 look, or in blue if your brother-in-law supports Chelsea. This assuming he hasn’t been disowned by the family of course.

As well as playing your iPod, you can plug any other item that has a headphone jack – such as your computer – to get a much better sound than the internal speaker of your PC or Mac can produce.

The sound is perfectly good and can be fairly loud to boot, with bass booster/reducer as required. The controls are touch sensitive, but I prefer to use the dinky remote that comes with it.

In fairness, at the best part of £80, you could probably buy something that sounds as good for slightly cheaper, but would it be in the shape of a football? The only slight criticism I would have is that the cradle for your iPod isn’t supplied with the mi-football, but most people get them when they buy their iPod or you can pick them up in Poundland for… well the same price as everything else in that particular emporium.

The same company has previously produced an iPod docking station in the shape of a pig, so it’s just a matter of time to see what they come up with next. Pamela Anderson’s torso perchance?

There’s plenty more on the product at this website. And from there, you can link to a page where the Mi-Football can be bought online for under £70 post free.

Anyhow – here’s a bit of the PR blurb, related to a licensing deal with the FA, that gives you some technical details…

The Football Association has signed a licensing deal with mi-dockspeakers Ltd, specialists in high quality audio solutions, to produce a range of England-branded mi-football 2.1 iPod speaker systems. For an advanced performance, mi-football combines three separate speakers and a subwoofer to deliver up to 23 Watts of clear powerful sound, offering maximum base and minimal distortion. The new England branded mi-football proudly dons the Three Lions crest and is available in either red and white, blue and white or the traditional black and white. It retails from £79.99 and is available from major retail outlets.

Compatible with all generations of iPod, iPod Touch and iPhone and certified ‘Made for iPod’, users connect their iPod via the cradle on the top of the unit. In addition to the support for iPods, the mi-football also has a 3.5mm auxiliary port allowing other sources to be hooked up including MP3/MP4 players, gaming consoles, phones and TVs. Devices can also be connected via Bluetooth. Smaller than an actual football, the speaker sits comfortably on a desk or a bedside table in any room. The acoustic design elements enable the mi-football to disseminate powerful 360 degree sound and the rubberised feet prevent any rattling when it reaches higher volume levels.

The mi-football comes with a fully functional remote control allowing users to make track or artist selections and adjust the volume, treble and bass from their sofa. The unit itself features unique touch control functions via the Capriccioso Sense Control (CSC) microchip that only responds to human touch. By gently resting a finger on one of the mi-football’s patches, users can control audio and iPod menu functionality. The mi-football can also be used to recharge an iPod or iPhone.

The England branded Mi-Football retails at £79.99. It is available from most high street retailers. For more information see www.mi-football.com.

Key Features:
• IPod Docking and recharging
• Suitable for all iPods released to date
• ‘Made for iPod’ using genuine Apple components
• 3.5mm stereo audio in connection for use with iPhone, MP3, MP4, Xbox, PSP, DVD, PC, TV, CD & Discman
• Remote control of tracks, volume, bass and tone
• Touch sensitive volume control on 'panels'
• Audio cable included
• AC Switching power adapter (110-240V)