The Big Book of Football Champions 1961

There's something deeply nostalgic about holding a copy of The Big Book of Football Champions from the 1960/61 season. This wasn't just another football annual—it was a vibrant chronicle of what many consider football's golden age, distinguished by its refreshingly candid approach to the beautiful game.
The annual's coverage of Tottenham Hotspur's historic Double triumph stands as its centrepiece, capturing the electricity of that remarkable season when Bill Nicholson's men dominated English football. However, what truly distinguishes this publication is its willingness to scrutinize British football, a characteristic uncommon among publications from that era. 
Perhaps the most striking feature is the annual's distinctive visual presentation. The hand-tinted colour illustrations, while simple by today's standards, possess an almost artistic quality that modern publications, with their high-resolution photographs, somehow fail to match. These images, particularly the full-page colourised photos, have aged like fine wine, taking on an almost painterly quality that captures the romance of the sport.
The annual's comprehensive approach to season coverage, particularly its detailed FA Cup reporting, offers modern readers a fascinating glimpse into how football was consumed and celebrated in the early 1960s. Its down-to-earth writing style feels remarkably fresh, free from the hyperbole that often plagues contemporary football writing.
What makes this annual particularly valuable today is its role as a historical document. It doesn't just record scores and statistics—it captures the atmosphere of a pivotal time in British football, when the sport was on the cusp of modernisation but still retained much of its traditional character.
For collectors, football historians, or anyone interested in the evolution of the sport, The Big Book of Football Champions represents more than just an annual—it's a perfectly preserved slice of football culture, offering insights into how the game was played, reported, and celebrated during a transformative period in its history.
This collector's copy is presented in remarkably fine condition throughout. The red boards have retained their original vibrancy and remain clean, while the binding is notably tight and secure, showing no signs of weakness or separation.
The interior is particularly impressive, with all pages maintaining their original brightness and clarity. Every photograph and illustration appears crisp and clear, preserving the charm of the period's distinctive hand-tinted colour work. A period gift inscription appears on the front pastedown—a common and often desirable feature of annuals from this era. The pages are free from any foxing, marks, or stains, and show no signs of dog-earing or creasing. 
The dust jacket is a standout feature, surviving in excellent condition—something particularly rare for sports annuals of this vintage. There is only very minor chipping and some light shelf rubbing to the top and bottom of the spine, but these minor flaws do little to detract from its overall presentation. The jacket has now been professionally protected in an archival-grade clear sleeve, ensuring its preservation for future collectors.
Given its age and exceptional preservation, this copy clearly qualifies as a superior collector's example. The combination of clean boards, a bright interior, and a well-preserved dust jacket places this annual in Very Good Plus to Near Fine condition—a remarkable grade for a sports annual of this period.

ROYAL MAIL TRACKED 48 
Publisher: LTA Robinson Ltd, London
Published: 1967
Price: £4.99
Hardcover: 110 pages