English League Football: The Complete Record

Ian Laschke's "English League Football: The Complete Record" stands as a monumental achievement that surpasses the digital era in an age where football statistics are easily accessible. Published by De Coubertin Books in October 2024, this hefty hardcover volume represents what may be the most comprehensive documentation of English league football ever assembled.
Laschke's efforts are truly extraordinary. The book offers an unparalleled compendium of results, tables, and dates for every match ever played in league history, beginning with that historic first season in 1888 when Preston North End claimed the inaugural title. What sets this book apart isn't just its scope—it's the meticulous attention to detail and the author's commitment to historical accuracy.
The book's strength lies in its dual nature: it functions both as an exhaustive reference work and a fascinating historical document. For football statisticians, this book is an invaluable resource, brimming with unpublished insights that will captivate even the most passionate data enthusiasts. Yet it's also accessible enough for casual fans who simply want to explore their club's history or settle a pub debate about a match from decades past.
Laschke's organisation of this massive dataset deserves special praise. Rather than drowning readers in an ocean of numbers, he's structured the information logically, making it surprisingly navigable for a work of this scope. The season-by-season breakdowns, complete with league tables, promote both quick reference and deeper historical analysis.
One of the book's most valuable contributions is its role in preserving football history. In an era where the glamour of the Premier League often overshadows the rich heritage of English football, Laschke's work serves as a crucial reminder that the roots of the beautiful game are deeply rooted in English soil. The comprehensive nature of the record-keeping helps paint a picture of how football evolved from its Victorian origins to the global phenomenon it is today.
However, readers should note that this is primarily a statistical reference work. Those seeking narrative history or colourful anecdotes might need to look elsewhere. The book's strength is in its completeness and accuracy rather than its storytelling—though the numbers themselves often tell fascinating stories for those who know how to read them.
The physical quality of the hardcover edition matches the gravity of its contents. The binding is sturdy—essential for a volume that's likely to see frequent use—and the layout is clean and professional, making it easy to locate specific information quickly.
"English League Football: The Complete Record" is a historical document that every serious football fan, club historian, and sports researcher should have on their shelf. While the price point may seem steep for casual readers, the depth and breadth of information justify the investment for anyone with a serious interest in English football history.
For future editions, the only suggestion might be to consider including a digital companion or searchable database access, though this wouldn't diminish the value of having such a comprehensive physical reference at hand.
Verdict: An essential, authoritative resource that sets a new standard for sports documentation. While it may not be bedtime reading, it's an invaluable reference work that will serve as the definitive record of English league football for years to come.
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Publisher: Visit De Coubertin Books
Published: October 2, 2024
Price: £45.00 
Hardcover: 610 pages
ISBN-10: 191706490X
ISBN-13: 978-1917064903
Dimensions: 176 x 246 (mm)