The Topical Times Football Book 1968 - 69

There's something magical about holding a piece of football history in your hands. The Topical Times Football Book 1968-69 is a beautifully preserved time capsule that captures one of football's most exciting eras, when the beautiful game was reaching new heights of popularity and Manchester's rival clubs were both formidable forces.
This hardcover annual, bound in distinctive grey boards and protected by its original dust jacket (still bearing its original price of 10/6d), offers 126 pages of pure nostalgia. What makes this particular edition special is its timing – covering the 1967/68 season, it captures a pivotal moment in English football history, including the early stages of what would lead to the 1970 World Cup.
The photography alone is worth the current £30 asking price. The dust wrapper features what appears to be Everton's goalkeeper Gordon West fending off an attack from Manchester United, with the legendary Denis Law (sporting his characteristic number 8) looking on. Inside, the mix of colour and monochrome photographs provides an intimate glimpse into a bygone era of football, when shorts were shorter and boots were simpler.
One of the book's most charming aspects is its coverage of the friendship between Manchester City's Mike Summerbee and Manchester United's George Best – a relationship that transcended one of football's fiercest rivalries. These personal touches remind us that beyond the competitive spirit, football has always been about human connections.
The annual's scope is impressively broad, featuring content from clubs that defined the era: Celtic, Chelsea, Everton, Liverpool, Leeds United, and both Manchester giants, among others. For genealogists and football historians, the inclusion of a comprehensive image index is particularly valuable, making it easier to locate specific players from the period.
What's remarkable about this copy is its condition. For a large-format annual approaching its 60th year, it's exceptionally well-preserved. The addition of archival dust jacket protection ensures this piece of football history will continue to endure. The contents remain clean and tight, with only minimal shelf wear to the jacket's top and bottom edges – a testament to careful preservation over the decades.
Beyond its physical attributes, the book offers a fascinating window into how football was covered and consumed in the late 1960s. The mix of articles, quizzes, and illustrations reflects a more straightforward, less commercialised era of sports journalism. It's a reminder of how football coverage has evolved from these thoughtfully curated annuals to today's 24/7 digital media circus.
For collectors, this edition represents more than just a book – it's a tangible connection to a transformative period in football history. At £30, it's reasonably priced for such a well-preserved piece of sporting memorabilia, especially considering its age and historical significance.
Whether you're a serious collector, a football historian, or simply someone who appreciates the rich heritage of the beautiful game, The Topical Times Football Book 1968-69 offers a fascinating glimpse into a golden age of football. It's not just a book – it's a preserved moment in time when the sport was evolving into the global phenomenon we know today.

ROYAL MAIL TRACKED 48 
Published: 1968
Price: £30.00 
Hardcover: 192 pages