The Sportsview Book of Soccer #8

Reading the eighth edition of the Sportsview Book of Soccer today feels like opening a treasure chest from football's past. Published in 1965, on the eve of England's historic 1966 World Cup triumph, this annual captures a pivotal moment in soccer history with an innocence and excitement that's almost impossible to find in modern sports literature.
The book's greatest strength lies in its remarkable timing. Written when legends walked the earth in studded boots, it features profiles of players who would become immortal: Pelé, then in his prime and already dubbed the "Black Pearl"; Eusébio, the "Black Panther" of Benfica; and England's own Jimmy Greaves, whose goal-scoring prowess would help define an era. These aren't retrospective accounts but contemporary portraits, capturing these titans as they were—still playing, still creating their legacies.
Peter Dimmock's introduction brims with anticipation for the upcoming 1966 World Cup, England's first time hosting the tournament. Reading it now, knowing what would unfold the following year, adds an almost poignant layer of dramatic irony to every word. The editorial decision to dedicate a special section to the upcoming World Cup shows remarkable foresight—though none could have predicted just how historic that tournament would become.
The annual's format is charmingly of its time. Its "lavishly illustrated" pages (by 1965 standards) and inclusion of a soccer quiz reflect an era when sports annuals served as both entertainment and education for young fans. The presence of established stars like Sir Stanley Matthews alongside emerging talents like George Best offers readers—both then and now—a fascinating snapshot of football in transition.
What makes this volume particularly fascinating is its mix of the timeless and the dated. The fundamental excitement about the sport remains completely relevant, while the presentation and some of the perspectives offer fascinating insights into how football was consumed and discussed in the mid-1960s. The inclusion of detailed features on clubs like Chelsea and Newcastle United provides valuable historical context for understanding these institutions' evolution.
Perhaps most striking is the book's tone—earnest, optimistic, and completely devoid of the cynicism that often characterises modern sports writing. The way it presents its subjects, from established stars to rising talents, reflects a time when football still maintained much of its working-class authenticity, before the advent of astronomical TV deals and player salaries.
For contemporary readers, the Sportsview Book of Soccer No. 8 serves multiple purposes: it's part historical document, part time capsule, and part reminder of how football journalism used to be. While modern fans might find some aspects quaint, the book's core appeal—its celebration of football's beauty and its stars—remains as relevant today as it was in 1965.
This annual isn't just a collection of articles and images; it's a window into a transformative period in football history, captured just before England's greatest sporting triumph. For historians, collectors, and fans alike, this annual serves as an invaluable record of the beautiful game, captured at a pivotal moment on the cusp of its modern era.

ROYAL MAIL TRACKED 48 
Publisher: Vernon Holding London
Published: 1965
Price: £30.00 
Hardcover: 192 pages