Before the history lesson, the gold dust. Who was the leading scorer in Kazakhstan in 2004? No idea? It’s no good scurrying away to the internet for help, either. It is a Venus flytrap for the slovenly, where the true and the good information can be lost in a minefield of mostly unofficial, unreliable claptrap. So, Kazakhstan — still no idea? It was, of course, a trick question, as this thoroughly researched tome will reveal. There were two leading scorers: Ulugbek Bakayev of Tobol Kostanai and Arsen Tlekhugov of Kairat Almaty, who both rattled in 22 goals in a 36-game season.
Mike Hammond’s book may look new in terms of presentation, but it is a resurrection of his highly successful European Football Yearbook. First published in 1988-89, it reappeared in 1991-92 and ran for 13 seasons up to 2003-04, forming the only comprehensive and reliable club-by-club guide to football around Europe. If there was a stat that needed attacking, the Yearbook was your first port of call.
This exhaustive project, aided by a team of 44 well-placed researchers, was motoring nicely until, with all final proofs agreed for last season’s edition, the publisher withdrew. A welcome return with new backers this season has given Hammond a chance to refresh his product and improve presentation.
For each European nation there is an introductory narrative to describe the domestic scene and the national team, together with a list of international results, appearances and scorers. After a section on all European club games played comes the domestic league table and a full rundown of results from the top division, listed by club. The players’ appearance and goalscoring records are up next, again listed by club. Where appropriate, the results of the dom- estic cup and a second-division table follow.
Not essential but a wonderful inclusion is a 72-page colour guide showing the location of each club on a map of its country, together with club badges and national team strips. It also provides an opportunity for those who doubt the influence of the English in European football to see how many times they can spot the St George’s Cross hidden among the badge designs of Italy’s finest
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Available at The Sunday Times Books First price of £22.50 including p&p on 0870 165 8585