An Annual Event- The FA Book for Boys 1952-53

As was the case throughout the fifties and sixties, the FA Book for 1952-53 was apparently, like a forerunner of a more recent Yorkie advert, not suitable for girls. Produced by The Naldrett Press- Official Publishers to the Association- of 29 George Street, London W1, it has a rather broad range of content, covering not only the professional game but a large amount of schools football, the Muratti Vase- competed for by Guernsey, Jersey and Alderney in the Channel Islands- and coverage of Walthamstow Avenue’s run to FA Amateur Cup glory in 1951-52, written by their captain D. Saunders (very few footballers had a first name back in the fifties, if the annuals are to be believed!). It must have had a dust jacket initially, but that is sadly long since departed on the copy we have.

The book begins with an introduction from Sir Stanley Rous, and then begins on its major obsession- tactics. At times it seems more like a coaching manual than a football annual. Amongst the tacticians giving their views are FA Director of Football Walter Winterbottom, Arsenal’s Wally Barnes, who explains the job of a full back; and in a special feature named ‘Tactics Forum’ four captains- Jack Chisholm (Plymouth Argyle), John Charles (Leeds United), Joe Mercer (Arsenal) and Billy Wright (Wolverhampton Wanderers). George (Jorge) Robledo gives a forward masterclass- and he had much to tell, given he was the top scorer in 51-52, despite playing in the Newcastle United side alongside the legendary Jackie Milburn. He won the FA Cup with the Magpies in 1950-51 and 52-53, before heading back to Chile (his family had left the country when he was five years old). By the end of the 1952-53 season he had become the highest scoring (non-Irish) overseas player in the English top flight, a record he held until Dwight Yorke overtook him more than fifty years later.

The book also has a number of other rather unique features. A Tour of the FA from the perspective of one of the office boys, and five pages on the art of taking care of England’s kit, for example. The latter goes into great detail (perhaps it has to if it was to fill five pages) on the weight and material of an England shirt (eight and a half ounces, flannel- an ounce lighter if short sleeved) and a reminder to wash your stockings in tepid (never hot!) water. Players had to bring their own soap, towels, shinguards and boots.

There is also a very well written piece from Bill Slater, entitled ‘An Amateur Among the Professionals.’ Bill was an amateur footballer who played first for Blackpool and then Brentford, won twenty amateur international caps (made of blue velvet, with white silk cord piping and a white silk tassle- thank you A.W. Knowles!), and then went on to play more than three hundred times for Wolverhampton Wanderers and play twelve times for the full England side, as well as being named Footballer of the Year in 1960.

But back to the Muratti Vase. The tournament between the Channel Islands finest began in 1905, the Green Lions the first winners, and is still going- Jersey the current holders, as they defeated their rivals on penalties after a goalless draw in last year’s Final. The popularity of the competition is undisputed, as you can see from the images we’ve included of Guernsey fans arriving in Jersey by boat before the 1952 match and the crowd in the stadium. We don’t get a report of the Final, in which Guernsey defeated Jersey by three goals to one after first defeating Alderney seven-two in the Semi-Final, but we do get to see winning skipper Ernie Sauvage with the trophy.

That FA Amateur Cup Final of 1951-52 saw Walthamstow Avenue, who finished the season in third place in the Isthmian League behind champions Leytonstone and second place Wimbledon, taking on Leyton. The Champions and the Dons were separated only on goal difference, Avenue a point behind, with Tufnell Park Edmonton finishing bottom of the pile and resigning from the league.

Avenue lifted the trophy at Wembley in front of one hundred thousand people with a two-one victory; their first victory, but they would win again in 1960-61. Athenian League Leyton must have been exhausted- they’d started their run to Wembley in the Preliminary Round and the Final was their thirteenth match.

The Avenue captain, Derek Saunders, is given five pages in the book to describe the Final and their run to reach it, and we’ve reproduced it in full. Saunders, born in Ware, went on to join Chelsea and won the Football League title in 1955, staying at Stamford Bridge long enough to amass more than two hundred appearances.