In the golden age of post-war British football, Tommy Lawton's All Star Football Book stands as a remarkable time capsule of the beautiful game. Published in 1949, this comprehensive volume offers an intimate glimpse into football when it was truly becoming England's national passion.
Tommy Lawton, the book's primary author, wasn't just any footballer. A phenomenal centre-forward who played for clubs like Everton, Chelsea, and Arsenal, Lawton was one of England's finest strikers, netting an impressive 22 goals in 23 appearances for his country. His expertise and first-hand experience lend the book an authenticity that modern football literature often struggles to match.
The book's unique value lies in its multi-voiced approach. Rather than a single narrative, it features personal accounts from some of football's most prominent figures of the era, including Alf Ramsey and Jack Milburn. These players share their triumphs and setbacks with remarkable candor, offering readers an unprecedented behind-the-scenes look at professional football in the 1940s.
A standout feature is the comprehensive historical section covering every Football Association club - a valuable resource for both contemporary readers and modern football historians. This encyclopedic approach makes the book not just a memoir but a crucial historical document of English football.
The book's visual presentation is particularly noteworthy for its era. It contains hundreds of black and white photographs, but what truly sets it apart is its eight full-color pages featuring over 40 famous players. These images were created using a specialized large-format camera technique typical of the late 1940s, with prints that were manually colored or tinted to create a distinctive aesthetic. This meticulous attention to visual detail would have been groundbreaking for its time, offering readers a vivid connection to their football heroes.
Reading this book today provides more than just football insights - it offers a window into post-war Britain. Published just four years after World War II, it captures a pivotal moment when football was helping to rebuild national morale and unity. The inclusion of wartime experiences from players who served adds another layer of historical significance.
Tommy Lawton's All Star Football Book is more than just a sports publication - it's a historical artifact that captures a crucial period in football's evolution. Its combination of first-person accounts, comprehensive club histories, and pioneering photography techniques makes it an invaluable resource for football historians and a fascinating read for anyone interested in the sport's rich heritage.
The book's greatest strength lies in its authenticity - these are real stories told by the players who lived them, preserved in a format that was revolutionary for its time. While modern readers might find some aspects dated, the passion for the game and the personal insights remain as relevant today as they were in 1949.
