From its first issue in 1951, Charles Buchan’s Football Monthly was a fixture in British homes, and Blackpool’s rise to glory was a headline act. The magazine’s iconic match reports and striking black-and-white spreads brought the magic of the 1953 FA Cup Final—the “Matthews Final”—to life for readers. Stanley Matthews, already a national icon, was portrayed as both wizard and workhorse, finally lifting the Cup at 38. Stan Mortensen’s hat-trick and Bill Perry’s last-gasp winner made for electric storytelling, with every twist and turn relived in the magazine’s punchy, enthusiastic prose.
In the aftermath of Wembley, Charles Buchan’s Football Monthly kept Blackpool at the centre of the footballing world. Readers were treated to behind-the-scenes glimpses of George Farm’s acrobatic saves and Harry Johnston’s quiet leadership at the back. The Boys’ Club section buzzed with letters from young Tangerines, who shared their own football dreams and swapped tales of seeing Matthews glide past defenders at Bloomfield Road. The magazine’s features on training routines and tactical diagrams made Blackpool’s entertaining style accessible to every fan, young and old.
As the years rolled on, Blackpool’s fortunes changed, but the club’s reputation for flair was never forgotten in the pages of Charles Buchan’s Football Monthly. Alan Ball’s emergence in the early 1960s was celebrated with in-depth profiles and action-packed photo sequences. Readers learned about Ball’s daily routines, his first-team breakthrough, and the passion that would soon see him play for England. The magazine’s “Ask Charles Buchan” column fielded questions about Blackpool’s tactics and prospects, keeping supporters engaged through every high and low.
Wembley appearances remained touchstones in the magazine’s coverage, with nostalgic retrospectives on the 1953 triumph and hopeful previews for new Cup campaigns. Even Blackpool’s brief ventures into European competition were given the full Buchan treatment, with features that painted the seaside club as proud ambassadors for English football abroad. Subbuteo adverts and kit catalogues on the pages fed the dreams of young fans, who could imagine themselves emulating Matthews or Ball in their own back gardens.
By the late 1960s and early 1970s, Charles Buchan’s Football Monthly reflected the shifting tides at Blackpool. Tony Green and Alan Suddick brought new excitement, their exploits celebrated in vivid photography and fan letters. While the team no longer graced Wembley as often, the magazine never stopped championing Blackpool’s spirit, its loyal supporters, and its contributions to football’s rich tapestry. In every monthly issue, the club’s story was folded into the larger, communal chronicle of British football—a tale told with affection, honesty, and boundless enthusiasm.
ROYAL MAIL TRACKED 48Published: November 1, 2025Price: £22.00 Paperback: 158 pagesISBN-10: 1068565144ISBN-13: 978-1068565144Dimensions: 154 x 236 (mm)
