For fans of West Bromwich Albion and football history enthusiasts alike, this full-color compilation offers a fascinating window into one of the most significant periods in the club's history. Published in 2021, the book serves as both a historical document and a nostalgic journey through two decades of Albion's rich legacy, as captured through the lens of Britain's pioneering football publication.
Charles Buchan's Football Monthly, which launched in September 1951, wasn't just another sports magazine; it was the self-proclaimed "greatest soccer magazine in the world," and its coverage of the beautiful game proved worthy of such bold claims. The publication's commitment to quality journalism and photography makes this collection particularly valuable, as it preserves the contemporary perspective of one of football's most respected voices.
The period covered (1951-1972) encompasses some of West Bromwich Albion's most memorable achievements, including their FA Cup victory in 1954 and their triumph in the 1966 League Cup final against West Ham. The book's large format (8.46 x 11.42 inches) does justice to the original magazine's photographs and layouts, allowing readers to experience these historic moments as they were originally presented to football fans of the era.
What makes this collection particularly special is its ability to capture not just the major milestones but the week-to-week evolution of the club during a transformative period in English football. Through carefully selected articles and images from the magazine's archives, readers get a genuine sense of how the game, and West Bromwich Albion specifically, developed during these crucial decades.
The book's value lies not just in its historical content but in its presentation. The full-color reproduction maintains the integrity of the original magazine's visual appeal, while the careful curation of articles provides a comprehensive narrative of the club's journey through these years. For researchers and historians, it serves as a primary source document; for fans, it's a treasure trove of memories and stories that might otherwise have been lost to time.
While many modern football books rely on retrospective analysis, this collection's strength is in its contemporaneous reporting. Charles Buchan's Football Monthly was renowned for its authoritative coverage, providing insights and observations as events unfolded, giving readers today an unfiltered view of how the club was perceived during this era.
This book is more than just a compilation—it's a time capsule that captures the essence of a golden age in English football through the story of one of its most storied clubs. For West Bromwich Albion supporters, it's an essential addition to their collection, offering both a nostalgic journey and a valuable historical record of their club's rich heritage.
ROYAL MAIL TRACKED 48
Published: October 31, 2021
Price: £16.99
Hardcover: 169 pages
