The History of The Sportsview Book of Soccer

The SPORTSVIEW BOOK OF SOCCER was a pioneering football annual that began in the late 1950s, closely tied to the rise of televised sports in the UK. The first edition was published in 1958 and edited by Peter Dimmock, a major figure in British sports broadcasting and the original face of BBC's "Sportsview" program. This annual captured the new excitement surrounding football as TV brought the sport into millions of homes for the first time. The publisher for these early editions was Vernon Holding Partners Ltd.

A hallmark of these annuals was the exceptionally high quality of the photographs. Printed on semi-gloss pages, the images truly stood out, giving the books a premium feel and highlighting the drama and personalities of each football season.

The series continued into the early 1960s, with annual editions featuring contributions from well-known football writers and personalities. These books not only chronicled the previous season's highlights but also included features on players, tactics, and the rapidly changing world of football.
1958: The SPORTSVIEW BOOK OF SOCCER, edited by Peter Dimmock, published by Vernon Holding
1959: The SPORTSVIEW BOOK OF SOCCER No. 2, edited by Peter Dimmock, published by Vernon Holding
1960The SPORTSVIEW BOOK OF SOCCER No. 3, edited by Peter Dimmock, published by Vernon Holding.
1961: BBC TV Sportsview Book of Soccer, edited by Peter Dimmock, published by Vernon Holding
1962: BBC TV Sportsview Book of Soccer, edited by Peter Dimmock, published by Vernon Holding
1963: BBC TV Sportsview Book of Soccer, edited by Peter Dimmock, published by Vernon Holding & Partners Ltd.

The annuals ceased publishing after 1963, likely due to changes in the broadcasting landscape, increased competition from other football yearbooks, and shifts in editorial leadership and audience preferences.

Peter Dimmock’s role as editor and the connection to the BBC’s “Sportsview” program is crucial to the series’ identity. Dimmock was known for introducing sports stars to the public and for his innovative approach to sports broadcasting. The annuals themselves are now seen as classic artefacts of football publishing, offering a snapshot of the sport during a transformative period in British culture.

They were succeeded by other football annuals and yearbooks that took inspiration from SPORTSVIEW’s comprehensive style and visual quality, continuing the tradition of documenting the evolving story of the game for future generations.

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.

SOLD HERE
https://www.soccerbooks.co.uk/collections/the-sportsview-book-of-soccer-series