The 1956-57 edition of Charles Buchan's Soccer Gift Book arrived at a fascinating moment in English football history. Bound in its characteristic red cloth and wrapped in an illustrated dust jacket, this annual captured a season that would prove pivotal in shaping the modern game.
This particular volume, spanning 160 meticulously curated pages, stands as a testament to Buchan's keen eye for both the technical and human elements of football. The book maintains its predecessor's winning formula: engaging articles, challenging quizzes, and striking illustrations, with both colour and monochrome photographs throughout. The book's large format, measuring 11 by 8 inches, enables the photography to capture the raw emotion and intensity of the beautiful game.
The timing of this edition makes it particularly special. The 1956-57 season saw Manchester United claim their fifth First Division title, with Tottenham Hotspur as runners-up, a campaign that would later take on added poignancy given the tragic events at Munich the following year. Buchan's coverage of United's success, viewed through today's lens, serves as a poignant snapshot of one of football's greatest teams at their peak.
What sets this edition apart is its broader context. 1956 was a year of significant change in football, reflected in the book's coverage. Through Buchan's monthly magazine that same year, we saw coverage of events like John Charles' stellar season at Leeds United and Stanley Matthews' groundbreaking tour of Kenya, showing how football was becoming increasingly international in scope.
The photography deserves special mention. While the pages may show signs of age with their natural tanning, this only adds to their historical charm. Each image captures football in its purest form from muddy pitches to packed terraces—documenting a sport still deeply rooted in working-class culture yet on the cusp of modernisation.
Buchan's writing style remains refreshingly direct and insightful, drawing on his vast experience as both player and publisher. His analysis cuts through the typical clichés of sports writing, offering readers genuine tactical insights and personal observations that still resonate today. He was a man who not only comprehended the history of football, but also remained firmly focused on its future.
The 1956-57 edition represents more than just a yearly sports annual—it's a historical document capturing English football at a crucial turning point. The domestic game was strong, with intense rivalries and packed stadiums, yet the horizon was broadening. European competition was beginning to influence English football, and the way the sport was covered was evolving rapidly.
For modern collectors and football historians, this volume offers invaluable insights into how the game was played, watched, and understood in the mid-1950s. While the physical copies may show their age, the content remains as vibrant and relevant as ever, offering a window into a pivotal year in football's development.
This edition of Charles Buchan's Soccer Gift Book stands as both a celebration of football's enduring appeal and a reminder of how far the game has come. This edition perfectly captures a moment when the sport was on the brink of transitioning from its traditional roots to its modern incarnation, as documented by a man who had a deep understanding of both worlds.
The book has very good hard red boards; the contents are clean and tight, but there is very minor browning on the endpapers. It contains 160 printed pages of text, with colour and monochrome photographs throughout. The dustjacket, which is not price clipped (10/6d), has a few minor chips on the back cover. The publication boasts all the usual great features associated with this style of publication, including articles, a quiz, and excellent illustrations. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of football during that era.
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