The first edition of The Football Association Book for Boys, released for the 1948-1949 season, offers a striking glimpse into the immediate post-war era of British football. Open its pages and you’re swept back to a time when the sport was reawakening—stadiums filling once more with enthusiastic crowds, and footballers reclaiming their place as national icons. The book is alive with black-and-white photographs and energetic illustrations, each one capturing the spirit of English football: mud-covered boots, the roar of packed terraces, and a collective optimism rising after years of wartime austerity and struggle.
Within its covers, readers are treated to a treasure trove of stories and articles chronicling the season in rich detail. There are vivid profiles of celebrated players whose exploits inspired countless fans, along with explorations of club histories and the emerging tactics beginning to shape the game we know today. Engaging quizzes and puzzles invite young readers to stretch their football knowledge, while comprehensive league tables and match reports allow fans to relive the drama as it unfolded, week by week. It reads like a true time capsule—a reminder of when football wasn’t just a pastime but a deep-rooted national obsession.
This annual special isn’t just informative; it’s infused with the spirit of the era. Every page hums with hope and camaraderie, a sense that football had the power to unite communities and spark lifelong memories. Tips for budding players, expert guidance from coaches, and rare behind-the-scenes insights all serve one purpose: to inspire a rising generation. Even the period advertisements and charming illustrations echo a time when football was at the beating heart of British life, and each Saturday’s match promised new heroes and stories.
The book itself is a delight for collectors and fans. Its boards remain bright, the binding solid, and the internal pages well-preserved—a piece of history awaiting any curious reader. Whether for research or for rediscovering the roots of the modern game, the FA Book for Boys stands as a perfect reference and nostalgic read.
Inside the front cover, there’s an added touch of history: a letter from Chelsea Football Club, signifying this edition was a gift to Dennis Prizeman, a Chelsea player, from Wm Birrell—better known as Billy Birrell, Chelsea’s manager at the time. As a relic of football heritage, it still delivers the unmistakable magic of the beautiful game as it was played, watched, and cherished in 1948.
The cover was specially painted for The FA Book for Boys by Bernard Venables. Throughout the early editions of this series, numerous artists—some of whom later became well-known—contributed drawings and sketches. There is even a blog dedicated to the work of these artists on the subject. Forgotten British Artists 
