The Heyday of the Football Annual

On Christmas Day 1959, schoolboys across Britain eagerly received the first Topical Times Football Book, marking a significant milestone in the world of soccer publishing. With Bobby Charlton gracing the cover, this soccer annual became an instant classic and paved the way for a golden era of football literature. Ian Preece and Doug Cheeseman's book celebrates this vibrant period, exploring how annuals like Charles Buchan’s Soccer Gift Book and the International Football Book captured the imagination of a generation. These publications weren’t just collections of statistics or match reports—they were immersive windows into the heart of the beautiful game, reflecting the excitement and growth of football culture in the 1960s.
Preece and Cheeseman expertly guide readers through a world where teams like Forfar Athletic and Doncaster Rovers earned as much attention as Manchester United and Arsenal and where debates over goal averages and fixtures like Huddersfield vs. Carlisle on Match of the Day were central to football discourse. The book draws on memories from leading football writers such as Richard Williams, Jonathan Wilson, Patrick Collins, and Derek Hammond, whose nostalgic recollections breathe life into the era of the soccer annual. Their stories highlight how football reporting went beyond the pitch, capturing everything from Dundee’s new stand to Scunthorpe United’s pre-season adventures in Ibiza.
What makes Preece and Cheeseman’s work stand out is its warm, detailed portrayal of the culture that surrounded football. The book describes legendary footballers who grew chrysanthemums for a hobby, coaches strategising over cups of tea, and clubs like Coventry City earning reputations as pioneers. Illustrated annuals weren’t just informative—they were formative, shaping how kids and adults alike understood their favourite teams, from the powerhouses to the underdogs, and connecting communities around the shared rituals of soccer fandom.
For anyone searching for the history of soccer annuals, the evolution of football culture, or the cherished traditions of British football, Ian Preece and Doug Cheeseman’s book is an essential read. By blending engaging storytelling with rich historical detail and firsthand accounts, the authors have created a definitive tribute to a bygone era. Their positive contributions ensure that the spirit of the football annual—and the memories of legendary teams, matches, and personalities—will never be forgotten.