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New life for oldest football book | New life for oldest football book |
(about 7 hours later) | |
Fans of football statistics will be relieved that their oldest annual has a new lease of life after Nationwide stepped in to rescue the volume. | Fans of football statistics will be relieved that their oldest annual has a new lease of life after Nationwide stepped in to rescue the volume. |
The mutual, which sponsors the England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales football associations, is sponsoring the annual - first published in 1887. | The mutual, which sponsors the England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales football associations, is sponsoring the annual - first published in 1887. |
The building society stepped in as the book, which has enjoyed decades of sponsorship, was near to closure. | The building society stepped in as the book, which has enjoyed decades of sponsorship, was near to closure. |
It was founded as the Athletic News Football Supplement & Club Directory. | It was founded as the Athletic News Football Supplement & Club Directory. |
Nationwide has agreed to back publication of the book, which is thought to be the second-oldest sporting annual after Wisden, for the forthcoming 2008/09 season. | Nationwide has agreed to back publication of the book, which is thought to be the second-oldest sporting annual after Wisden, for the forthcoming 2008/09 season. |
Sponsorship 'credibility' | Sponsorship 'credibility' |
The book was launched by former England goalkeeper Peter Shilton, whose 125 national appearances just outstrip the annual's 122 editions. | The book was launched by former England goalkeeper Peter Shilton, whose 125 national appearances just outstrip the annual's 122 editions. |
"We have agreed to back the book for this year," says Chris Hull, head of sponsorship at Nationwide. | "We have agreed to back the book for this year," says Chris Hull, head of sponsorship at Nationwide. |
Evolution of a football annual 1887 Athletic News Football Supplement and Club Directory1946 Sunday Chronicle annual1956 Empire News annual1961 News of the World & Empire News annual1965 News of the World annual2008 Nationwide football annual | Evolution of a football annual 1887 Athletic News Football Supplement and Club Directory1946 Sunday Chronicle annual1956 Empire News annual1961 News of the World & Empire News annual1965 News of the World annual2008 Nationwide football annual |
"We are one of the biggest football sponsors in the country, and felt that in terms of a sponsorship fit it was a good one. | "We are one of the biggest football sponsors in the country, and felt that in terms of a sponsorship fit it was a good one. |
"Over the years we think we have built up some credibility with football thanks to our backing of the sport, which started about 12 years ago now." | "Over the years we think we have built up some credibility with football thanks to our backing of the sport, which started about 12 years ago now." |
He said the intention of this year's sponsorship was to keep the book afloat after it lost its previous backer, the News of the World. | He said the intention of this year's sponsorship was to keep the book afloat after it lost its previous backer, the News of the World. |
"The publication needed help, and did not have a backer. This is a book that has always had backing," said Mr Hull. | "The publication needed help, and did not have a backer. This is a book that has always had backing," said Mr Hull. |
The 1922 and 1968 versions of the annual in its previous incarnations | The 1922 and 1968 versions of the annual in its previous incarnations |
"No decision has been made yet on support for next year, but if it is successful this year we would not rule anything out." | "No decision has been made yet on support for next year, but if it is successful this year we would not rule anything out." |
Both editor Stuart Barnes and publisher Randall Northam of Sportsbooks said they were glad to have the backing of the Nationwide. | Both editor Stuart Barnes and publisher Randall Northam of Sportsbooks said they were glad to have the backing of the Nationwide. |
The annual began 121 years ago with 16 pages, whereas the new edition comes in at a weighty 544 pages. | The annual began 121 years ago with 16 pages, whereas the new edition comes in at a weighty 544 pages. |
Football anoraks will be delighted at the trove of information from team line-ups to international results; from international appearances and goalscorers to the sort of trivia to keep a pub quiz in questions for half a century. | Football anoraks will be delighted at the trove of information from team line-ups to international results; from international appearances and goalscorers to the sort of trivia to keep a pub quiz in questions for half a century. |
'Ellison's Rush-Preventive Turnstiles' | 'Ellison's Rush-Preventive Turnstiles' |
And one of those especially pleased is Albert Sewell, now 81, and the BBC's football statistician from 1968 to 2005. | And one of those especially pleased is Albert Sewell, now 81, and the BBC's football statistician from 1968 to 2005. |
He became known to the public when Des Lynam, during his stint as presenter of Match of the Day, regularly referred to him as "Our man Albert". | He became known to the public when Des Lynam, during his stint as presenter of Match of the Day, regularly referred to him as "Our man Albert". |
Albert Sewell: The BBC's Match of the Day statistics guru for years | Albert Sewell: The BBC's Match of the Day statistics guru for years |
And Albert, who edited the football annual from 1983 to 1997, said he was "delighted" to see the yearbook continue. | And Albert, who edited the football annual from 1983 to 1997, said he was "delighted" to see the yearbook continue. |
"I am glad the annual is continuing as it is such a tradition," he said. "Some people asked me to carry on with my statistics but it is not something you can really do part-time." | "I am glad the annual is continuing as it is such a tradition," he said. "Some people asked me to carry on with my statistics but it is not something you can really do part-time." |
Albert, who has retired from full-time statistics-keeping, has a collection of some of the older editions of the football annual. | Albert, who has retired from full-time statistics-keeping, has a collection of some of the older editions of the football annual. |
Among them is the 1922/23 edition, The Athletics News Football Annual, featuring a hobnail-booted player on the cover. | Among them is the 1922/23 edition, The Athletics News Football Annual, featuring a hobnail-booted player on the cover. |
Proposals by Arsenal that transfer fees should not exceed £1,650 were defeated Editorial to 1922 annual | Proposals by Arsenal that transfer fees should not exceed £1,650 were defeated Editorial to 1922 annual |
It includes advertisements for the wonderfully-named "Ellison's Rush-Preventive Turnstiles", as well as the sinister-named "Knock-Out Football" and the long-gone "Morris's Cigarettes". | It includes advertisements for the wonderfully-named "Ellison's Rush-Preventive Turnstiles", as well as the sinister-named "Knock-Out Football" and the long-gone "Morris's Cigarettes". |
The annual also includes the following in its stiff-sounding editorial: "Proposals by Arsenal that transfer fees should not exceed £1,650 were defeated." | The annual also includes the following in its stiff-sounding editorial: "Proposals by Arsenal that transfer fees should not exceed £1,650 were defeated." |
Football has changed beyond recognition on and off the field since those days when the book was edited by "Tity-Rus", but with the Nationwide's backing, one football tradition will continue for at least another year. | Football has changed beyond recognition on and off the field since those days when the book was edited by "Tity-Rus", but with the Nationwide's backing, one football tradition will continue for at least another year. |
And, according to Peter Shilton, as he kicked off the launch of the book's 122nd edition, the volume remains "part of football's heritage". | And, according to Peter Shilton, as he kicked off the launch of the book's 122nd edition, the volume remains "part of football's heritage". |
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