Sadly the newly-published 2022-23 edition could be the last. Publisher Randall Northam and editor Stuart Barnes both intend to retire. Unless successors can be found, it could be farewell to one of football’s most familiar publications after 136 editions.

Estimates are published as a guide only and are subject to review. The actual hammer price of a lot may be higher or lower than the range of figures given and there are no predetermined starting prices. Estimates can be subject to revision in which case a saleroom notice will be posted. The estimates are exclusive of buyer’s premium and VAT. Former editor ERIC BROWN reveals a threat to the world’s oldest football annual and takes a look at the 136th edition of a publication originally launched during Queen Victoria’s reign. The Football Association [The FA] has published its annual report for the 2021-22 season, between 1 August 2021 to 31 July 2022.

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Barnes took over for the 2000-01 edition, the 114th. He says: “Attempts are being made to hand over the baton so the world’s oldest football annual can have a new lease of life. Some interest has been shown but nothing confirmed.” This publication first appeared in 1887, produced by the Athletic News as a rival to the Football Annual. Like the older publication, it initially aimed to provided coverage of all football codes popular in England, including rugby football (both rugby union and rugby league after the codes split) in addition to association football. The final edition to date was published in the summer of 2022 for the 2022-23 season, as no deal could be agreed between the authors and prospective publishers for the 2023-24 edition. The 2021-22 financial year was materially impacted by fixture scheduling, including an increased number of international games due to postponements related to COVID-19, and the timing of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The 2022-23 FA Community Shield was brought forward to July and therefore fell into this financial reporting period.

Vintage Magazines| Football Books| Other collectable Football Books| Vintage Football Annuals The perfect gift for the true football fan! The year 1887 will be remembered, among many other things, as the year a number 11 batsman finished top of the batting averages as England won The Ashes in Australia.

The Football Annual was a reference work published annually from 1868 to 1908. It reported on the various codes of football played in England, and also provided some coverage of the other home nations, supplemented on occasion by reports from around the world. [1] While association and rugby football provided its main focus, it also included some material on public school football, Sheffield football (until that code merged with association football in 1877), and, on occasion, even Australian and American football. A typical issue would include laws of the various codes, a summary of the preceding season, a listing of football clubs in England (including such details as each club's ground, secretary, and colours), and essays about aspects of the game.