THIS month sees the long-awaited publication of The Official History of Worcester City Football Club.

Short of discovering a new Barry Williams it is harder to think of a better Christmas present for City and football fans alike.

Painstakingly researched and written by club historian Bill Cook and former programme editor Julian Pugh, the book offers a fascinating insight into City's 100 year history.

From the club's early days in the Birmingham League, to their first ever relegation in 1966/67 and onto the unrivalled success under chairman George Goode and manager Nobby Clark in the 1970s, every twist and turn in the City story is carefully chronicled -- and boy there are a few!

Several things stand out to recommend it not least the sheer scale of the statistics detailing the club's every league position and result since its formation.

Average attendances, scores, appearances and goalscorers are listed plus a comprehensive glossary of managers and players. In addition there is a Father and Sons chapter section mentioning the likes of Tony and Ian Cottrill and Darren and Harry Middleton.

One thing that immediately leaps from the pages is just what a football pedigree the Faithful City boasts.

The likes of former England internationals Norman Deeley, Eddie Stuart, Eddie Clamp all pulled on the famous blue and white shirt while Northern Ireland's Peter McParland and Welsh legend Ivor Allchurch also played at St George's Lane.

Football folklore seeps out of every pore including an excellent chapter on the 1959 FA Cup triumph over Liverpool.

As in the best footy books the delight is in unearthing little nuggets of information, the characters that passed through the club, the quirks and foibles and ancedotes that bring it to life.

Picking at random reveals that in 1947/48 the board decided to buy St George's Lane from the Smith family for £3,000 with a £300 deposit.

Then, in the same year, is the strange story of City's unusual progress in the FA Cup when after losing 2-1 to Darlaston they lodged a protest that their hosts' pitch was undersized.

The Football Association promptly upheld the complaint and City won the second match 2-1.

Aside from the wealth of data on offer that will satisfy the most ardent 'statto', Cook and Pugh also add colour with portraits of the many hundreds of players to pass through Worcester's doors down the decades.

Characters abound with the likes of Compton 'Combo' Edwards, who arrived from Birmingham Sunday football, and proceeded to make himself a firm favourite with his unusual habit of on occasion taking to the pitch wearing a bowler hat, a mackintosh or umbrella.

Then there was Nobby Clark - manager from 1974-84 - and creator of arguably City's greatest side (the 1978/79 title winning team).

Clark revealed an innovative approach to the transfer business by purchasing 'Mr Magic' Roger Shaw via a collection raised in the social club.

Among the interesting stats is City's biggest post war win, 12-2 against Oswestry on March 15, 1976, with John Inglis scoring six and Barry Williams grabbing a hat-trick and creating seven others.

Williams, voted one of City's all time legends in a recent poll, was a key part of the 1976/77 team that went unbeaten until the last match. During one match Williams was carrying an injury and wanted to come off.

Clark was having none of it and told the midfielder he could only be substituted if he scored a hat-trick. Williams duly crashed in three goals - and before half time.

Bobby Mellor - described as a laid-back comic and musician but great for dressing room spirits - was another who left his mark, once late for pre-season "due to towing a yacht back from the French Riviera!"

A fishy tale no doubt but just one of many intriguing snippets from a book City supporters will lap up and which is due to go on sale for £19.99 via the club shop from mid December.