Vintage Football Annual Legendary Players & Classic Stories!
The Football Association Book For Boys 1956-1957, 9th Edition, captures the pulse of British football at a time when the sport was woven deeply into the everyday lives of boys across the country. This annual, published by William Heinemann Ltd, is a treasure trove from the 1956-57 season, crammed with vibrant stories, practical tips, and engaging quizzes. Its pages jump with energy, featuring everything from league tables and detailed stats from the 1955-56 season to exclusive behind-the-scenes looks at legendary clubs like Manchester United. What sets this edition apart is the sheer calibre of its contributors. The likes of Matt Busby, Johnny Haynes, Freddie Steele, Bill Nicholson, and Walter Winterbottom—giants of the game—share their wisdom, while Sir Stanley Rous provides an authoritative introduction. There’s a sense of camaraderie in these pages; leading coaches, club managers, and journalists join in, offering advice that ranges from diet for footballers to tactical insights. It serves as more than just a manual—it provides a glimpse into the essence of football during the mid-1950s. The content is wonderfully varied. Readers can dive into a science-fiction showdown in "Arsenal v. Racing Club de Venus" or explore the only newspaper devoted to school and youth football, The Soccer Chronicle. Regular features like the Honours List, Football Forum, and Fun and Games ensure there’s always something new to discover, while a bounty of photographs and illustrations brings the era’s heroes and moments vividly to life. For any young football fanatic of the time, this book was more than just a pastime—it was a mentor, a friend, and a source of endless curiosity. It taught them how to play better, spurred their imagination, and connected them to the legends of the pitch. Even now, it stands as a rare collectible, a snapshot of football’s golden age, and a reminder of how the beautiful game inspired generations.
This copy is remarkable for its outstanding condition, especially given its age. There’s no fading or tears, the binding is tight, pages are crisp, and the price remains unclipped at 10/6d NET. The dust jacket—so often missing or damaged on books this old—is intact and excellent, with just the lightest sheaf wear and a tiny chip at the top of the spine. We've cleaned the jacket with Absorene, deodorised it, and protected it with an Archival Dust Jacket sleeve. This careful preservation ensures the book stays as close to its original state as possible, making it a rare find for collectors and football fans alike. In this condition, it's not just a collectible, but a genuine piece of football history ready to be enjoyed for generations.
