Glendenning’s 1957 Book of Sport
The Year’s Greatest Moments Inside
If you’d perched by the wireless this past year, you couldn’t have missed the roar of the terraces or the crack of leather on willow. From Wembley’s hallowed turf to the banks of the Thames, sport’s been alive with the sort of drama you’d only expect in a Boy’s Own yarn. Our annual opens with a rousing round-up: Manchester City’s Cup triumph, the Boat Race’s splash and dash, and the Olympics’ stirring parade of flags. There’s a sense, old boy, that Britain’s sporting heart beats stronger than ever. As the rain spatters the cricket square and the mud clings to your boots, remember — it’s all part of the fun.
Righto, chaps, time to test the old grey matter! The Sports Brains Trust is back, sharper than a linesman’s whistle. Fancy yourself a whiz on Olympic firsts, footballing feats, or the mysteries of backward bowling? Gather your mates, pass the pencil stubs around, and see how you fare. Please keep in mind, there’s a jolly prize for the best brainbox in the lot and maybe your name in print—almost as exciting as scoring at Wembley, I’d wager.
From Brian Statham’s devilish outswingers to Johnny Leach’s Tokyo triumphs with bat and ball, this chapter’s a who’s who of sporting legends. You will find Peter May’s tales of touring Down Under, Ken Armstrong’s footballing wisdom, and Tony Mottram’s tennis tips all here. We've even managed to extract a few secrets from the Boat Race crews and gathered insights from the individuals in the middle: the referees and umpires who manage sporting tensions. Each story is accompanied by a few photos, perfect for displaying on your wall.
The Olympic Games occur only once every four years, and the 1956 Melbourne Games provided us with plenty to cheer about. From plucky British runners to mighty rowers, and a few surprises from the continent, we’ve got the inside story. Raymond Glendenning himself shares his Olympic memories — the goosebumps as the Union Flag rises, the lump in the throat as our boys and girls give their all. Whether you’re a sprinter or a slowcoach, there’s inspiration on every page.
There's no reason to long for summer's end — there's an abundance of activities available, regardless of the weather. You can play five-a-side football on frosty mornings, table tennis on rainy afternoons, and rugby to keep warm. We’ve even got tips for building up your game, from pre-match breakfasts to clever tricks with kit and boots. And, for the armchair athlete, a brace of crosswords and competitions to keep your sporting wits sharp. Who knows? You might even spot your name among the winners in next year’s annual.
This copy of Raymond Glendenning’s Book of Sport for Boys, 1957, is in truly remarkable condition for its age. The red cloth boards are as bright and spotless as the day they left the printers, with a binding that remains reassuringly tight. Inside, every page is crisp, clean, and inviting, while the black and white photographs retain their original clarity and charm. The dust jacket, complete with the original price of 10/6 and not price clipped, has done sterling work over the past 68 years. Though it shows minor shelf wear with a few small chips and tears, it’s been carefully cleaned and restored, then protected with our Archival Dust Jacket System to ensure it will continue to delight for years to come. Altogether, we regard this particular copy as a true collector’s piece — a rare find for any enthusiast of classic British sporting annuals.
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