Where can you find Colchester United legends Micky Cook, Tony Adcock and Johnnie Jackson all in one place?

The answer is in a uniquely-crafted original book featuring the authentic signatures of nearly 300 footballers who have graced the English game, combined with pristine calligraphy and artwork.

Bas Vlam’s beautifully imaginative creation is a loving snap-shot of the game in this country, with its inimitable invention and expressive handiwork.

Vlam, who lives in Bergen, Norway, is a teacher by profession.

But his talent as a calligrapher – someone who designs lettering with a broad tip instrument, brush or other writing instruments - along with his huge love of football, has led him to spending countless hours not only travelling in search of autographs and often loitering around training grounds like Florence Park but also meticulously constructing the artwork of numerous clubs, specifically their badge and shirt colours.

The result is a book that has been three years in the making - and something that is dripping with authenticity.

“As a calligrapher, I felt I had to do something about football,” said Vlam, who took in his first game in this country nearly 30 years ago when he watched England’s 0-0 friendly draw against Italy, in 1989.

“It comes down to my passion for English football.

“All of the great players amaze me, people like Alan Shearer, Robbie Fowler, Eric Cantona and Peter Schmeichel and they’re all from different teams.

“In Norway, we’ve had Match of the Day since 1969, although nowadays it’s all changed because it’s all paid-for TV.

“Because of that, you find a lot of fans of teams like Wolves and Stoke in Norway, teams that aren’t so famous because they were the first ones to be shown on television.

“For me, there’s no difference – I admire the players of Colchester or Barnet just as much as I do those from teams like Arsenal, Chelsea and Spurs.

“Who knows, one of the Colchester players could be a hero of the future.”

Vlam has been a calligrapher for nearly three decades, a passion that grew from the first year of his primary school teacher training where students learnt how to write neatly on the blackboard and in notebooks.

“I asked the teacher if I could continue doing it,” he said.

“A few months later, I showed them a bit more and from that point on I was lost forever in my calligraphy.

“A lot of people think letters are boring but to me, they’re like good friends.

“You can give them life; a shape and a colour – you express all kinds of things.

“Calligraphy isn’t very popular but it’s still something that a lot of people want to do, making things like Christmas and birthday cards but for me, it’s much more than that.”

With his talent in calligraphy, it seemed a natural progression for Vlam to combine the art with his passion for football.

“Over three years, I just wrote and painted all the crests for every club,” he said.

“Some are easy and some are difficult.

“There’s also the shirt and the country flag, so that you can easily find your way.

“I depicted where possible the most goals and most games for every team and famous players for the clubs.

“I also looked at every website of every club, to see what the fans thought.

“Then after three years it was finished and I thought ‘what do I do now?’.

“I thought it would be a bit of fun if I could try and find some of them for a signature.

“The first one was Claus Lundekvam, who was a guest for a podcast I did.

“I was really proud because of all of the Norwegians to have played in England, he was one who was really successful.

“There’s also the likes of Jon Arne Riise, who played the most games of all the Norwegians and the likes of Ronnie Johnson, Stig Inge Bjornebye and Henning Berg were the first ones to be really successful.

“On occasions, I try to meet whole teams – I went to Colney where Arsenal train.

“Mr Wenger was great and he always stopped.

“I waited for him after a game once and he was the last person left in the stadium but he answered every single question, took some selfies and gave me his name – he’s a gentleman.

“But after a Premier League game, they don’t stop any more – they do in League One and League Two.”

Vlam has spent time at Colchester’s training ground and earlier this year, linked up with the club’s record-appearance holder, Micky Cook.

He said: “Colchester looks like a fairly family-friendly club.

“They still remember that they’re part of a community which I like.

“I felt very welcome there and the next thing I’d like to do is go to the Community Stadium, which I haven’t yet had the opportunity to do.

“I met Micky Cook and he was wonderful.

“He’s the record appearance maker for Colchester and it was great to meet him.

“He has great memories and he spoke about different things.”

Vlam has given up innumerable time over the years travelling and waiting in pursuit of precious signatures; sometimes, his trips can prove frustratingly fruitless.

But he does not let that put him off.

“It’s all worth it, even if it’s just the one signature,” he said.

“My wife Hilda is very helpful and supportive – we often have trips to places and it will coincide with my visits.

“She often says ‘why did you go seven hours in the car just to get one signature?’ but it’s just who I am.

“Although she doesn’t like football, she supports me doing it because she knows that it’s something that I like to do.”

Vlam is hoping to visit the Community Stadium for the first time next season and says his pursuit of more signatures for his book will continue.

He said: “I’ll carry on doing it for as long as I’m healthy enough to carry on my travels.

“Some people ask me if I’ll sell the book but I won’t, because it’s my hobby.

“If my children aren’t interested when the time comes, I will give it to a museum because it’s a book that might be interesting for people who like football.”

Football supporters who are also autograph hunters are few and far between, these days.

But those who seek signatures for a book that blends the beautiful game with beautiful writing are even scarcer, which is probably what makes Vlam’s unique work so special.

For more on Bas Vlam’s book and his work, visit www.kalligraf.no