Billy Wright's Book Of Soccer No.5

In the realm of football literature, few works carry the historical weight and collector's appeal of Billy Wright's "Book of Soccer." This 1962 fifth edition, published by the prestigious Stanley Paul, stands as a remarkable artifact from an era when football was transforming into the modern game we know today.
What sets this edition apart is its extraordinary assembly of football royalty. Wright, then Arsenal's manager and former England captain, curated contributions from an impressive roster of contemporary stars. The lineup reads like a Who's Who of 1960s British football:
◾ Ron Flowers (Wolves and England)
◾ John White (Spurs and Scotland)
◾ Ray Crawford (Ipswich and England)
◾ Jim Armfield (Blackpool and England)
◾ Jimmy McIlroy (Burnley and Ireland)
◾ Ron Springett (Sheffield Wednesday and England)
◾ Jimmy Dickinson (Portsmouth and England)
Published four years before England's historic 1966 World Cup victory, this edition captures football at a pivotal moment. The tactical insights and perspectives shared by these legends offer modern readers a window into how the game was played and understood in the early 1960s.
For modern collectors, this Stanley Paul edition holds particular significance. Pre-1966 football publications from this publisher have become highly prized in 2024's memorabilia market, making this volume not just a fascinating read but a valuable investment piece.
The book's "lavishly illustrated" action shots provide a vital visual record of the era's playing style, kits, and stadiums. These photographs, capturing the season's defining moments, offer invaluable documentation of football's evolution.
Billy Wright's series had already established itself as one of the "most authoritative and readable" football publications globally by its fifth edition. This reputation speaks to the quality of insight and analysis contained within its pages.
For contemporary football enthusiasts, coaches, and historians, this book serves multiple purposes:
◾ A primary source for understanding tactical evolution
◾A glimpse into the mindset of 1960s professional footballers
◾ A treasure trove of first-hand accounts from legendary players
"Billy Wright's Book of Soccer" (5th Edition) represents more than just a football an a historical document that captures a crucial period in football's development. Its value extends beyond its collector's price tag, offering invaluable insights into how the beautiful game was played and understood during a transformative era. For collectors, historians, and football enthusiasts alike, this volume remains an essential piece of football literature, combining practical wisdom with historical significance in a way few other publications can match.