LIAM HAPPE reviews the recent revamp of Mike Blake’s 2006 biography of Charlton's greatest ever player.

Originally released in 2006, Mike Blake’s Sam Bartram: The story of a goalkeeping legend has been revised and re-released as a bigger – in more ways than one –edition of the sold-out biography.

The 2010 version not only features updated content and extra pictures dating as far back as the early 20th century, but comes in a larger ‘coffee table’ style shape which admittedly doesn’t make for as comfortable a read.

However, what’s inside makes the awkward change in size a worthwhile sacrifice: the vast array of portraits, candids, match photos, rare programme covers and modern-day snaps as recent as 2005’s centenary celebrations and unveiling of Bartram’s imposing statue outside The Valley.

Even shots of last year’s Sam Bartram Trophy Day make for a fascinating visual display of Charlton’s legacy, past and present.

Structured sensibly, the text begins with quotes from Sam himself after his last game for the Addicks and from his daughter Moira from the centenary game played against Newcastle United in 2004.

Blake goes on to give readers a brief history lesson on the legitimate cultural impact Bartram had on football fans during his heyday before taking them on a brisk, stats-filled trip through his 22-year Charlton career.

This then goes on to look at his management spells with York and Luton, before embarking on a fruitful career as a sports reporter up until his death in 1981.

The detail and enthusiasm Blake affords his subject here comes to life as vividly as the scanned illustrations found sprinkled around the core text.

In addition, the vast array of headlines, quotes, attendance figures, team line-ups and match results help to prevent the casual Addicks fan from finding the retrospect tiresome.

The book concludes with a varied collection of tributes from colleagues and fans alike, the author’s own memories of Bartram and finally a detailed career record of the man himself.

Here, Blake goes the extra mile, even digging up a comprehensive list of every goalkeeper who earned an England cap during the active career of Bartram, unfortunately titled by some as possibly the greatest goalkeeper never to wear the Three Lions, as well as Sammy’s own greatest England team from the time.

Let’s be honest, not many non-Charlton diehards are going to even notice this book.

That is a shame, as even those with minimal recollection of Bartram’s remarkable career and life would find themselves educated and entertained without even realising they’d just zipped through 200-plus pages.

And for those with even a mild fondness of the SE7 outfit and their underappreciated history, this reviewer’s advice is not to be thrown off by the 2010 edition’s cumbersome size and shape – in this instance, bigger is better.

On May 2 1981, Sam Bartram witnessed his final Charlton game in SE7 as the Addicks sealed promotion from the third tier of English football.

Ironic as 29 years on, Phil Parkinson's men attempt to do the same starting with Saturday's game against Norwich at The Valley (3pm).

'Sam Bartram - The story of a goalkeeping legend' is priced £16.99 and is on sale at the Charlton Superstore, WH Smith, Foyles, Waterstones, Amazon Marketplace and also direct from Sam19341956@aol.com