Aston Villa 1951-73: Through the Pages of Charles Buchan's Football Monthly

Andrew Dolloway's lovingly curated compilation takes readers on a fascinating journey through one of Aston Villa's most transformative periods, as seen through the lens of Britain's pioneering football publication. Drawing from the archives of Charles Buchan's Football Monthly, which was widely regarded as "the greatest soccer magazine in the world," this book offers an authentic time capsule of Villa's history.
The timing of this collection is particularly significant, as it begins in 1951, the same year Charles Buchan's Football Monthly launched its first issue with the ambitious goal of providing "a publication worthy of our national game and the grand sportsmen who play and watch it." Through its pages, we witness Villa's remarkable journey, including their historic achievement as winners of the inaugural League Cup competition.
What makes this book especially valuable is its use of contemporary accounts rather than retrospective analysis. The match reports, player profiles, and photographs are presented exactly as they appeared to fans of the era, offering an unfiltered view of how these moments were perceived at the time. The coverage spans from the glory of Johnny Dixon's leadership to the dynamic scoring prowess of Tony Hateley and the tactical innovations of Vic Crowe.
Dolloway has done an excellent job of curation, selecting articles that not only highlight the club's triumphs but also capture the changing nature of football during this period. The book serves as both a historical document and a nostalgic journey, particularly powerful because it draws from a unique record of the golden years of British football.
For Villa supporters, this limited print edition is more than just a collection of articles—it's a tangible connection to their club's rich history. The book's format allows readers to experience these moments as fans did at the time, through the measured and authoritative voice of Charles Buchan's publication. While primarily appealing to Villa supporters, it also serves as a valuable resource for anyone interested in the evolution of English football during this pivotal period.
The only minor criticism might be that readers unfamiliar with the era may occasionally wish for more contextual information. However, this is arguably outweighed by the authenticity of presenting the material in its original form.
This meticulously compiled work is essential reading for Villa enthusiasts and serves as a model for how to present historical football journalism to modern audiences. It's not just a book about Aston Villa—it's a window into a different era of football journalism, when the monthly anticipation of Buchan's magazine was as much a part of the football culture as the matches themselves.
ROYAL MAIL TRACKED 48
Publisher: Max Media Publishing Ltd
Published: November  23, 2018
Price: £16.99
Hardcover: 156 pages
ISBN-10: 0995478333
ISBN-13: 978-0995478336
Dimensions: 154 x 236 (mm)