The Topical Times Football Book 1966 - 67

Few football annuals capture the magic of the beautiful game quite like The Topical Times Football Book 1966-67. Published in the immediate aftermath of England's World Cup triumph, this 126-page tome serves as both a historical document and a cultural artefact, offering modern readers a fascinating glimpse into what many consider British football's greatest era. 
The book's cover immediately draws you in, featuring the mercurial George Best of Manchester United squaring up against Fulham's George Cohen—a perfect representation of the individual brilliance that defined the period. This was a time when Best was reaching the height of his powers, and the image alone tells a story of football's increasing glamour and sophistication in the mid-1960s.
What makes this annual particularly special is its comprehensive coverage of the football pyramid. While modern publications might focus primarily on the top flight, this edition gives equal respect to achievements across all divisions. The book comprehensively depicts the competitive landscape of British football, from Celtic's dominant Scottish campaign to Doncaster Rovers' Fourth Division triumph. The inclusion of both colour and black-and-white team photographs provides a wonderful historical record of these sides, with Everton's FA Cup-winning squad particularly striking in full colour. 
The contents are remarkably well-preserved, featuring clean, tight pages that have endured over time. The grey boards maintain their integrity, and even the dust jacket has survived with minimal shelf wear—a rarity for publications of this vintage. This physical quality allows modern readers to experience the content exactly as football fans would have in 1966.
Beyond the team photos, the book offers a rich mixture of articles, quizzes, and illustrations that capture football culture at a pivotal moment in its evolution. The inclusion of World Cup '70 content is particularly interesting, showing how the sport was already looking forward to its next great showcase even in the afterglow of '66.
For historians and football enthusiasts alike, this annual serves as an invaluable reference point. It documents a period when English football was transitioning from its industrial roots to the more glamorous sport we know today. The presence of both established powerhouses like Manchester United and smaller clubs like Darlington demonstrates the beautiful democracy of football during this era.
What's particularly striking is how the annual balances local pride with international ambition. While celebrating domestic achievements across all divisions, it also acknowledges football's growing global appeal through its World Cup coverage and features on international stars.
This edition of The Topical Times Football Book isn't just a sports annual—it's a perfectly preserved slice of sporting history, offering modern readers an authentic window into a year when British football stood at the apex of the global game. For collectors, historians, or simply those nostalgic for football's past, it represents an essential piece of sporting literature. The edition now protected with Archival Dust Jacket Protection