The Utilita Football Yearbook 2025-2026 [Softcover or Hardback]

Some books simply record history. Others become part of it. The Utilita Football Yearbook, now in its 56th year, manages to do both.
For over five decades, this mammoth compilation, affectionately known as "the footballer's bible"  has been the definitive reference work for anyone serious about the beautiful game. The 2025-2026 edition continues this proud tradition, offering its characteristic blend of comprehensive statistics, analysis, and historical record-keeping across 1,056 meticulously researched pages. 
What sets this yearbook apart isn't just its scope (though at over a thousand pages, it's certainly comprehensive). It's the authority and integrity that comes with being the sport's longest-running annual compendium. Since its debut in 1970, the yearbook has documented football's evolution from a primarily local passion to today's global phenomenon, all while maintaining its commitment to accuracy and detail.
The new edition follows the yearbook's tried-and-tested format, which is both its strength and, for the digital generation, perhaps its only minor weakness. The book remains steadfastly analogue a physical testament to the sport's history that demands shelf space rather than storage space. But there's something reassuring about that. In an age of instant updates and constantly shifting online statistics, having a definitive physical record feels more valuable than ever. 
The inclusion of ten black-and-white photographs might seem modest in our media-rich era, but this was never meant to be a coffee table book. It's a reference work first and foremost, and in that role, it excels. Every page is packed with information that serious fans, journalists, and industry professionals will find invaluable throughout the season.
What's particularly impressive is how the yearbook balances domestic and international football coverage. While many reference works focus primarily on the major European leagues, this volume gives proper attention to the broader football world, making it a truly global resource.
The yearbook's value extends beyond its immediate utility as a reference guide. It's a historical document that captures a snapshot of football at a specific moment in time. Future historians will likely turn to these pages to understand the state of the sport in the mid-2020s, just as today's researchers consult earlier editions to trace the game's development.
One minor quibble: in an era where data visualization has become increasingly sophisticated, the yearbook's presentation remains relatively traditional. While this maintains continuity with previous editions, there might be room for some careful modernization in future volumes without sacrificing the book's essential character.
The hardback edition, while pricier than its softcover sibling, is worth the investment for serious collectors and heavy users. The binding is robust enough to withstand frequent consultation, which is important for a book that's likely to be referenced throughout the season.
For newcomers to the series, the yearbook might initially seem overwhelming. But its logical organisation and clear indexing make it surprisingly accessible once you're familiar with its structure. It's the kind of book that becomes more valuable the more you use it.
Verdict: The Utilita Football Yearbook 2025-2026 continues to be an essential purchase for anyone professionally involved with football, from journalists and broadcasters to coaches and serious fans. While it may seem old-fashioned in the age of apps and websites, its comprehensiveness, authority, and physical permanence make it irreplaceable. In maintaining its high standards for over five decades, it has earned its reputation as the sport's most trusted annual reference work.
ROYAL MAIL TRACKED 48
Delivered to You 2nd Week August 2025, Some publishers 
release new titles early, so our ETA above could change.
Publisher: Visit HEADLINE
Published: August 7, 2025
Softcover: £30.00
Hardcover: £60.00
Dimensions: 154 x 236 (mm)