Tommy Lawton
From Teenage Prodigy to Football Icon
Tommy Lawton’s Football is My Business is a captivating autobiography that chronicles the rise of one of England’s most dynamic centre-forwards. Published in 1946 by Sporting Handbooks London, this book reveals the journey of a young football prodigy who, despite having no footballing background, carved out a remarkable career through sheer determination and talent. Lawton’s story is more than a memoir; it is an inspiring lesson in perseverance and passion for the beautiful game.
Throughout the book, Tommy Lawton shares vivid accounts of legendary matches, from thrilling cup-ties to intense international fixtures. Readers are given a rare glimpse behind the scenes with famous soccer personalities and the strategies that led Everton to clinch the League Championship. His experiences travelling across Europe during wartime, playing before troops just hours before D-Day, add a dramatic and poignant touch to this football classic.
Lawton’s humour and storytelling bring the world of 1940s football alive, making Football is My Business enjoyable for readers of all ages. From his early days playing league football at just 16 to breaking records with a high-profile transfer at 17, and earning his England cap at 18, Lawton’s football career is an extraordinary tale of youth and success.
This book stands as a testament to Tommy Lawton’s immense contribution to English football and remains an essential read for any football fan or aspiring player eager to understand the spirit and history of the game.
Condition
The binding of Football is My Business is impressively tight, with the yellow cloth boards remaining clean and well-preserved. The dust jacket is complete, showing only minor chipping at the top and bottom of the spine, and has been carefully protected with an archival dust jacket cover. A neat inscription on the publisher’s front endpaper reads, ‘from Jay Knight 1946,’ adding a personal touch to this classic edition.
Notably, the dust jacket retains its original price of nine and six, which has not been clipped—making it a charming conversation piece for collectors and fans alike. The pages exhibit some foxing on the edges, a natural sign of ageing but quite mild considering the book is over 80 years old.
Inside, the photographic plates remain clean and bright, including an iconic England team picture complete with signatures as originally published. This condition preserves the book’s historical and nostalgic value, making it a treasured item for any football enthusiast or collector of vintage sports literature.
ROYAL MAIL TRACKED 48
Publisher: Sporting Handbooks London
Published: July ,22 2026
Price: £29.99
Hardback: 226 pages
ISBN-13: Not issued in 1946
Dimensions: 156 x 134 x 1.75 cm
