I think it's a hangover (somewhat ironically) from the days of skin'eads and "bovver boots"
IE steel toecaps. If shit kicks off they are horrid to be on the receiving end of.
( Je suis un vagabond is an unfunny, up your own arse middle class knob, Thu 27 May 2010, 13:32, 2 replies)

Yeah
it's a way of diplomatically keeping scallies in tracksuits out. But this only works once, as all the chavs do is scrape together a ben sherman shirt and shoes combo and the place is still full of cunts, just dressed like a 90s soap opera.
(Beelzebub's Ball Bag is pleasuring your wife on, Thu 27 May 2010, 13:40, closed)

Very ironically, if that's the case.
I've never seen a pair of trainers with steel toecaps, whereas if the club's only policy were 'no trainers' you would be perfectly within your rights to turn up in bovver boots.
( .Yeti., Thu 27 May 2010, 13:41, closed)