The Topical Times Football Book 1961 - 62 (B)

Time machines come in many forms, but few are as evocative as the Topical Times Football Book 1961-62. This vintage annual offers a fascinating glimpse into what many consider the golden age of British football. 
What makes this edition particularly special is its coverage of Tottenham Hotspur's legendary double-winning season. The team appears in glorious colour, a rare treat in an era dominated by black and white photography. The annual provides comprehensive coverage of teams from Arsenal to Sunderland, extending beyond British borders to include Real Madrid. 
The second edition's innovation of including an image index proves invaluable for both researchers and nostalgic fans seeking relatives who played professionally during this period. Team photos of champions across divisions – from Tottenham's First Division triumph to Peterborough United's Fourth Division success – provide a complete picture of the football pyramid of the time. The inclusion of Walthamstow Avenue, described as the "Amateur Kingpins of 1960/61," reminds us of an era when amateur football still commanded significant respect and attention.
Featured team photos include:
- Dunfermline Athletic—Scottish Cup Winners
- Leicester City—FA Cup Finalists
- Peterborough United—4th Division Champions
- Rangers—Scottish League Champions
- Sheffield United—2nd Division Champions
- Tottenham Hotspur—1st Division Champions + FA Cup Winners (in color)
- Walthamstow Avenue – Amateur Kingpins of 1960/61

The annual also includes extensive coverage of Arsenal, Burnley, Celtic, Chelsea, Dundee United, England, Everton, Kilmarnock, Manchester City, Manchester United, Motherwell, Peterborough United, Real Madrid, Sheffield Wednesday, and Sunderland.
For contemporary readers, the annual provides more than just a historical account; it offers a glimpse into a period when football underwent significant changes while maintaining its traditional essence. The attention given to both professional and amateur sides, the mix of Scottish and English coverage, and the careful balance of action photos and formal team portraits paint a picture of a sport deeply embedded in the fabric of British society.
CONDITION REPORT: The book itself presents beautifully, with immaculate grey boards and a binding that remains satisfyingly tight after six decades. Every one of the 126 pages is crisp and bright, preserving their content as clearly as the day they were printed. The original dust jacket, having faithfully protected this volume for 60 years, shows the honest wear of time – including a substantial chip to the top right front, paper tears, and shelf scuffing. The jacket is price-clipped, with the original 8/6p price having been removed. However, thanks to professional restoration by Soccerbooks, all tears have been expertly stabilised, and the volume has been fitted with their archival dust jacket protection system, ensuring this piece of sporting history will endure for generations to come. The edition now protected with Archival Dust Jacket Protection