The Big Book of Football Champions 1975 - 1976

This annual serves as a remarkable time capsule of one of English football's most fascinating seasons, capturing a year when the established order was dramatically upset and new heroes emerged. Through its vivid combination of colour and black-and-white photography, the book preserves a pivotal moment in British football history.
The 1975-76 season saw Liverpool claim their ninth First Division title under the fresh leadership of Bob Paisley, who had taken over from the legendary Bill Shankly. The Reds narrowly prevailed over Queens Park Rangers. But it was in the FA Cup where the season's most stunning story unfolded. Second Division Southampton, led by Lawrie McMenemy, shocked the football world by defeating Manchester United 1-0 at Wembley, thanks to Bobby Stokes' 83rd-minute strike. It remains one of the greatest cup final upsets in history, made even more memorable as both teams wore Admiral-designed kits in what became known as the 'Admiral Final.'
In Scotland, Rangers claimed the championship, while Pat Jennings of Tottenham Hotspur made history by becoming only the second goalkeeper to win the PFA Player of the Year award. The annual's European coverage is particularly fascinating, documenting Liverpool's triumph in the UEFA Cup, where they defeated Club Brugge in a tense final, while Bayern Munich secured their third consecutive European Cup.
Beyond the pitch, the annual captures a Britain in transition. The country was grappling with severe economic challenges, with inflation reaching concerning levels and the government implementing strict anti-inflation policies. The summer of 1976 brought one of the most severe droughts in British history, leading to widespread water rationing. Meanwhile, James Callaghan succeeded Harold Wilson as Prime Minister in a year of significant political change.
The book's cultural touchstones remind us that this was also a time of vibrant pop culture. Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" dominated the 1975 Christmas charts, while Johnny Mathis's "When a Child is Born" claimed the festive top spot in 1976. These musical references help place the football coverage in its broader social context.
What makes this annual particularly valuable is its comprehensive photographic record. The full-page colour photos of the era's stars are especially impressive, given that colour photography was still relatively expensive for sports publications of the time. The colourised images bring the past to vivid life, allowing readers to see legends like Kevin Keegan, Bobby Charlton, and Kenny Dalglish in unprecedented detail.
For both football historians and nostalgic fans, this annual serves as an invaluable reference of a pivotal season in British football. Its blend of statistical detail and rich imagery creates a complete picture of the game as it was played in the mid-1970s, while simultaneously capturing the social and cultural moment in which these matches were played. It's more than just a record book – it's a window into a transformative era of British football and society at large.

ROYAL MAIL TRACKED 48 
Publisher: Purnell, London
Published: 1976
Price: £4.99
Hardcover: 62 pages