Summary

  • EFL to vote on end to automatic match programme publication

  • Is this the beginning of the end for matchday programmes?

  • What’s your collection like?

  • Do you have a favourite programme?

  • Get involved: #bbcfootball or text 81111

  1. 'An important part of football history'published at 10:39 British Summer Time 1 May 2018

    So this topic is up for debate because some EFL clubs want to stop printing match programmes.

    It is currently a requirement for clubs to produce a programme for each game but that could change with a vote planed for June.

    However clubs could still choose to publish a programme regardless.

    League Two club Mansfield Town's chief executive Carolyn Radford told the Guardian, external the Stags would continue to print regardless of the outcome.

    “We’d always have a programme because it’s a voice from the club to the fans and it’s something some people keep religiously,” she said.

    “It’s part of the fabric of the club and an important piece of memorabilia, a collector’s item. I know we’re moving more online, but it’s different having something to hold.

    “It costs us more to produce than it raises, so I can see commercially why some clubs would want to get rid and I think if it was no longer compulsory a lot of clubs, particularly in the lower leagues, would drop out. But it’s still an important part of football’s history.”

  2. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 10:35 British Summer Time 1 May 2018

    #bbcfootball or text 81111

    Blyth programmeImage source, Twitter
  3. Postpublished at 10:31 British Summer Time 1 May 2018

    That smile.

    One of the best matchday programmes I have come across this morning...

    Bradley Lowery programmeImage source, Getty Images
  4. Postpublished at 10:27 British Summer Time 1 May 2018

    A few of you are lucky enough to have a copy of the 1966 World Cup final matchday programme. I'm jealous.

  5. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 10:24 British Summer Time 1 May 2018

    #bbcfootball or text 81111

    1966 World Cup programmeImage source, Twitter
  6. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 10:19 British Summer Time 1 May 2018

    #bbcfootball or text 81111

    Clint Day: I would be gutted if they got rid of matchday programmes because it’s a part of the matchday experience for me. However, if lower league clubs are having to spend time and money creating them to end up out of pocket, it’s just common sense to stop making them.

  7. Postpublished at 10:14 British Summer Time 1 May 2018

    Jonas Olsson as David Bowie. What else could you want in a matchday programme?

    Jonas Olsson programmeImage source, Getty Images
  8. Postpublished at 10:11 British Summer Time 1 May 2018

    And you were hooked after the Grimsby-Gillingham 1-0 thriller?

  9. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 10:07 British Summer Time 1 May 2018

    #bbcfootball or text 81111

    Programme tweetImage source, Twitter
  10. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 10:03 British Summer Time 1 May 2018

    #bbcfootball or text 81111

    Pagrant: Favourite programme the beam back between Sheffield United vs Sheffield Wednesday, being a Wednesday fan we watched the match on the tv at Hillsborough, we nearly caused an earthquake when we made it 2-2

    Matt Davenport: I do like programmes although the way forward must be for each club to have an app where it pushes out articles, features, team news and highlights each matchday. A cheaper, printed programme could complement this for the fans in attendance.

    Dynamo DeGea: I get one for every game I go to! My favourite has to be the one from the Manchester United 7-1 Roma game! Mainly because Sir Bobby Charlton signed it...

  11. Postpublished at 10:00 British Summer Time 1 May 2018

    Football programmesImage source, Getty Images

    Just a reminder of what's going on here for anyone coming to this page and wondering why we are all drooling over retro football programme designs.

    Some EFL clubs want to stop printing match programmes for every game.

    The Football League has been asked whether publishing one for each league match should continue to be a requirement next season.

    Clubs are concerned about declining sales and increased costs and will vote on the issue at their meeting in June.

    Read more here.

  12. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 09:57 British Summer Time 1 May 2018

    #bbcfootball or text 81111

    Bobby Moore programmesImage source, Twitter
  13. Postpublished at 09:55 British Summer Time 1 May 2018

    Wait, what? Millwall produced a 3D programme? I must have missed that one at the time. Why?

    There must be pictures somewhere with fans at the Den all wearing 3D glasses?

  14. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 09:54 British Summer Time 1 May 2018

    #bbcfootball or text 81111

    Millwall programmeImage source, Twitter
  15. Postpublished at 09:51 British Summer Time 1 May 2018

    Where do you keep 2,000 copies? We've already seen Chris' wall of programmes. Can anyone beat it?

  16. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 09:47 British Summer Time 1 May 2018

    #bbcfootball or text 81111

    Christian Thomson-Frost: I have a collection of 1,487 programmes, dating back to 1967 where Arsenal beat Stoke 2-0 at Highbury. Now I go with my grandson every week to the Arsene Wenger Stadium!

    Chris Day: At the most recent count, my collection was up to 2,552. They're great for anybody interested in the history of football and would be a huge shame to see them go

  17. Postpublished at 09:43 British Summer Time 1 May 2018

    We've had a reply from Chris (see 9:23 post) re his wall of matchday programmes. The picture is indeed of his house. "Don’t see the point of having them in boxes in the loft, may as well have them on show," he says.

    I'm impressed.

  18. get involved

    Your matchday programme nostalgiapublished at 09:40 British Summer Time 1 May 2018

    #bbcfootball or text 81111

    Programme tweetImage source, Twitter
  19. The £19,000 matchday programmepublished at 09:38 British Summer Time 1 May 2018

    Now matchday programme collecting can be an expensive business but it can also make you a few bob.

    In 2014, a copy of the 1901 FA Cup final programme between Tottenham and Sheffield United was sold for £19,000, external at auction.

    It was bought for just a penny!

  20. Postpublished at 09:33 British Summer Time 1 May 2018

    Now they are nice, Scott! Is that on autograph on the top left pic as well?