The Road to Wembley 1966: Through the Pages of Charles Buchan's Football Monthly

Some stories never get old. England's 1966 World Cup victory is one of them. In "The Road to Wembley 1966: Through the Pages of Charles Buchan's Football Monthly," Andrew Dolloway crafts something more than just another World Cup retrospective – he creates a time capsule that transports readers back to an era when football was on the cusp of becoming the global phenomenon we know today.
What sets this book apart is its source material. Charles Buchan's Football Monthly wasn't just any sports magazine; it was the voice of football in 1950s and '60s Britain. By drawing from this contemporary archive, Dolloway offers readers something precious: the chance to experience England's journey to glory as it unfolded, free from the rose-tinted glasses of nostalgia.
The book's physical presentation matches its content's significance. Bound in dark red linen with gold-embossed lettering, it feels less like a mere book and more like a historical artifact. Its 190 pages are rich with color images that capture not just the matches, but the mood of a nation gradually daring to believe.
Starting in 1951, the narrative traces England's fifteen-year journey to that sunny July afternoon at Wembley. It's a story of transformation – from the humbling defeat to Hungary in 1953 (the "Match of the Century") to the tactical revolution under Alf Ramsey. The book doesn't just focus on the triumphs; it explores the setbacks, the controversies, and the decisions that shaped English football's greatest achievement.
The photography deserves special mention. These aren't just action shots; they're moments frozen in time. There's a young Bobby Moore, yet to become captain, training at West Ham. There's Jimmy Greaves in his prime, before injury would cost him his place in the final. And of course, there's that iconic image of Moore hoisting the Jules Rimet Trophy, England's players scattered around him in various states of ecstasy.
What makes this volume particularly valuable is its contemporaneous perspective. Rather than relying on memories polished by time, it draws on reports written when events were fresh, emotions raw, and outcomes uncertain. The result is a more honest, immediate account of how England became world champions.
The book's scope extends beyond just the players on the pitch. It captures the changing face of English football: the tactical innovations, the evolution of training methods, and the growing influence of television. Through its pages, we see football transforming from a working-class pastime to a national obsession.
If there's any criticism to be made, it might be that the book sometimes assumes a level of familiarity with the era that younger readers might not possess. A bit more context about Britain in the 1960s would have helped frame the achievement's cultural significance.
But this is a minor quibble. "The Road to Wembley 1966" brilliantly accomplishes its goal of documenting English football's greatest moment from the perspective of those who experienced it firsthand. For football historians, collectors, and fans of the beautiful game, this book isn't just a commemoration of England's World Cup victory – it's a portal to a pivotal moment in sporting history.
The inclusion of the team-signed memorabilia print (available separately) adds another layer of historical significance, featuring signatures from the entire squad, including those often-forgotten reserves who were as much a part of the triumph as the starting eleven.
In an age of instant replays and endless analysis, this book reminds us of a time when football writing was an art form, when matches were experienced through eloquent prose and carefully composed photographs. It's not just a record of England's greatest footballing achievement; it's a testament to how we used to experience, document, and celebrate the beautiful game.
ROYAL MAIL TRACKED 48 
Publisher: Max Media Publishing Ltd
Published: June 1st, 2016
Price: £17.99
Hardcover: 190 pages
ISBN-10:  0995478309
ISBN-13: 978-0995478305
Dimensions: 295 x 210 (mm)