With those words, in the early 1950s, every Wednesday, Peter Dimmock introduces the world's top sports stars to 8.5 million television viewers. In this thirty-minute programme, he brings sports into British homes, and no top-tier athlete has escaped featuring on Sportsview.
The 1958 SPORTSVIEW BOOK OF SOCCER stands as a remarkable artefact from a pivotal era in football history, when television was beginning to transform sports coverage. This inaugural edition, spanning 160 pages with 32 pages of illustrations, captures the essence of a sport on the cusp of its modern evolution.Ā
Peter Dimmock, the face of BBC's groundbreaking "Sportsview" program, brought the same innovative approach to this book that made his television show a weekly destination for 8.5 million viewers. As a former RAF pilot who transitioned into sports broadcasting, Dimmock's distinct viewpoint contributed to bridging the divide between traditional sports journalism and the burgeoning television era.
Published in 1958, the book arrived at a fascinating moment in football history:ā¾The emergence of television sports coverage.
ā¾Cold War tensions reflected through sports (with coverage of matches in Moscow's Lenin Stadium).
ā¾The World Cup in Sweden.
ā¾The golden age of British football personalities.
The book features an impressive roster of football legends:ā¾Stanley Matthews, the original wizard of the dribble.
ā¾John Charles, the Welsh phenomenon.
ā¾Danny Blanchflower, Northern Ireland captain and Footballer of the Year.
ā¾Johnny Haynes and Denis Compton.
What sets this book apart is its international perspective, featuring: ā¾Coverage from the World Cup in Sweden.
ā¾Reports from Moscow and Belgrade.
ā¾ Inside access to Wembley's dressing rooms.
ā¾ Comprehensive look at football across continents.
ā¾Technical Insights.
The book offers practical football knowledge: ā¾Penalty-taking techniques.
ā¾Analysis of Wolverhampton Wanderers' success.
ā¾Technical aspects of the game.
ā¾Quiz sections for football enthusiasts.
This volume serves as more than just a sports bookāit's a historical document that captures:ā¾The intersection of television and sports journalism.
ā¾East-West relations during the Cold War through the lens of football.
ā¾The transition of football from a local sport to a global phenomenon.
ā¾The early days of sports broadcasting.
The inclusion of 32 pages of illustrations on art paper was quite luxurious for 1958, demonstrating the publisher's commitment to quality visual content. This attention to production value mirrors the professional standards Dimmock brought to television sports coverage.
The book represents a crucial moment when sports media was evolving:ā¾Television's growing influence on sports coverage.
ā¾The democratisation of sports knowledge.
ā¾The emergence of the modern sports celebrity.
ā¾The breaking down of international barriers through sport.
For contemporary readers, this book offers:ā¾A fascinating glimpse into football's past.
ā¾Understanding of how modern sports media evolved.
ā¾ Insights into the roots of global football culture.
ā¾A treasure trove of historical football knowledge.
As the first edition of what would become a significant sports publication, this 1958 volume holds particular interest for: ā¾ Sports memorabilia collectors.
ā¾Football historians.
ā¾Media scholars.
ā¾British cultural historians.
The SPORTSVIEW BOOK OF SOCCER (1958) stands as a crucial document in sports publishing history. The book's innovative combination of expert analysis, star profiles, and a global perspective set it apart, and its association with early sports television underscores its significance in media history. Historical Significance: ā
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This inaugural edition remains a valuable resource for understanding both the evolution of football and sports media in the mid-20th century. It's an essential piece for any serious collection of football literature or British sports history.
The edition now protected with Archival Dust Jacket Protection
