The series ran for 34 editions, with the final volume published in 1992. Its long run reflected both the appetite for quality football writing and the distinctive editorial approach that set it apart from other football annuals of the era.
Although there is no single official reason documented for its discontinuation, it is likely the series ceased due to shifting market dynamics—such as increased competition from other football magazines, changing reader habits, and the expanding role of television in sports coverage, which made annual print publications less essential.
Souvenir Press, the publisher behind the book, was founded in 1951 by Ernest Hecht. Launched from a bedroom in London, Souvenir Press quickly established a reputation for its independent spirit and eclectic catalogue, publishing everything from fiction and sports to specialist non-fiction. Ernest Hecht steered the company for over 60 years, championing diverse voices and perspectives. After his death in 2018, Souvenir Press became part of Profile Books, continuing its tradition of independent publishing (Profile Books; The Bookseller)
Do you have a favorite edition or a memory tied to the annual? Share it in the comments! And if you’re lucky enough to still have a copy tucked away, give it a read. You might just find the magic’s still there.
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www.soccerbooks.co.uk/International Football Book
I still remember unwrapping my very first “International Football Book” one Christmas morning in the early ’60s—a present from my aunt and uncle. Back then, I was just a kid, completely obsessed with football, and that annual was pure gold to me. I must’ve read it cover to cover a dozen times, transfixed by the photos and the stories about players I’d only ever heard about on the radio. It felt like holding a window to the world of football in my hands. Even now, thinking back, I can still recall the excitement of those Christmas mornings and the magic that annual brought with it.