RAMSEY, Alf. Talking Football (Signed first edition)

London: Stanley Paul and Co. Ltd., 1952. First edition. 8vo. pp. 114. Frontispiece portrait and 19 further illustrations. Publisher’s red cloth, titles in black to spine, with the original pictorial dust jacket. Dust jacket with minor wear at extremities, otherwise a fine copy, uncommon signed and in the original dust jacket.

Signed by Alf Ramsey in blue ink on the front free endpaper, with the inscription “Best Wishes”.

An early autobiographical account by Alf Ramsey (1920–1999), written during his playing career with Tottenham Hotspur and England. Ramsey discusses his rise from amateur football, his years with Southampton and Tottenham, and his international career, including England’s participation in the 1950 World Cup. He would later achieve lasting fame as manager of England, leading the national side to victory in the 1966 FIFA World Cup, England’s first and, to date, only World Cup triumph.

A particularly attractive association copy, signed by one of the most important figures in English football history.

[WR Sport]