FROM THE DAYS WHEN shorts were very short, balls were bright orange and men were real men — even if they had women’s hairdos — comes the ideal stocking filler for boys who would rather be sitting on the sofa watching Superstars and eating Monster Munch or riding around on their Chopper than going to work.

Studs! is a collection of the best and most colourful bits of Shoot! magazine from the 1970s and 1980s, featuring an astonishing array of facial hair, flared trousers and insightful profiles.

Learn about Terence Venables from Queens Park Rangers, whose favourite actor is Peter Ustinov, likes Neil Diamond and who does not own a car. Or young Alan Hansen, who also does not own a car (did they really just play for the love of the game in those days?) and regards his most difficult opponent as Andy Gray. Some things don’t change.

Wonder at the sight of Steve Perryman helping his wife to do the vacuuming and cleaning the car (you don’t get that in Hello!). Smile at Jimmy Hill, Alan Ball and Pat Jennings on the golf course. Be perplexed by Asa Hartford’s collection of books of matches — a hoard he planned to boost while at the 1982 World Cup finals with Scotland.

Plus some of the oddest adverts (the Peter Barnes Football Trainer), letters and Stan Lover’s weekly column on the laws of the game.

No wonder this book is being tipped, like Chelsea, to be somewhere near the top of the table at Christmas.

Studs! is published by Ebury Press on October 5, £9.99. Order it from Times Bookshop for £9.49 (free p&p): 0870 1608080 or timesonline.co.uk/booksfirst All images are from the archive of Shoot! magazine and used courtesy of IPC Media Ltd

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