Super Squad: The 60s and 70s greats who transformed English football

by Colin Whelan

Super Squad tells the story of those 23 footballers in the 1960s and 70s, who had the greatest influence on English football; and how that influence laid the path for football as it is today. Football fans of the time witnessed the English First Division produce the two greatest English players and the two greatest Scottish players ever - and one George Best. But we also witnessed the ‘pioneers’; those players who did something for the very first time.

The book deals with the significance of the abolition of the ‘maximum wage’ and the almost immediate effect it had on the game, the salaries and transfer fees. The book also touches upon the huge influence of television – both colour and black and white - during this time.

This isn’t just the story of those players, who stood out through their greatness alone. This is also the story about the players who were overlooked, the players who were unfairly mocked and the players who were forgotten - Super Squad seeks to honour their legacy.

112 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 7, 2024

Reviews

[Rob · Rating 3 out of 5]

With thanks to the author, publishers Troubadour Publishing Ltd., and NetGalley, for providing me with a DRC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This book will be a nostalgic trip down memory lane for football fans of a certain “vintage”! While I wasn’t around to see the majority of these players play during their careers, I was familiar with most of them through other books I had read and from watching clips of old matches online. Also, some of the players were regulars on my TV screen when growing up through their post-career exploits as managers and pundits.

I learned a lot that I didn’t know about the playing careers of the players from this book. I particular I enjoyed how the book didn’t focus only on the playing side, but also highlighted how some of them were influential in other ways (first black player to play for England, first million-pound player, main advocate for the abolition of the cap on player wages) that helped to move the game forward to the game we enjoy today, although it could certainly be argued that not all of these changes have been for the better.

The short but informative essays on each of the players featured make this an ideal book to dip in and out of as time allows.

[Mike Heenan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for this complementary ARC in exchange for my honest review!

This book takes the reader through many of the top English football players from the 1960s and 1970s, not just the best talent but the most influential to the time period.

I don't know a ton about football history so I liked learning about players I hadn't heard of.

The book was pretty short and could have delved into a bit more detail on the players and the time period. Overall, it was well written, concise and I would recommend it to football fans.

[Becca Loritz · Rating 4 out of 5]

As I had no background knowledge for English football in the 60s & 70s it was hard for me to follow at times. I liked the way it was set in short stories about different players. At points it felt like every player was “the greatest player in English football”. I learned something new though & think if you are really into football or have background knowledge of the era this would be a great anecdotal read.

Thanks NetGalley for the ARC!