Ideas for History articles in football programmes

[Goonerak]

Simple question:

What sort of history related articles would you like to read in a football programme?

[tackler7]

I write a monthly rugby memories and memorabilia newsletter dedicated to my now defunct club.

I've covered lots of different history related subjects in the 61 issues so far and for the 62nd issue I am writing the clubs connections to politics - to fit in with the General Election. It's a subject that at first glance would appear to have no links to the club but once you dig its quite surprising how many links appear.

One area I like is the 'off the field' stories relating to players - especially those that went onto do something different or strange. Recently I wrote about a former player who became a pundit on Welsh Language radio, which for a Yorkshire based club, was quite an interesting outcome.

[tackler7]

Another set of articles I am currently working on relate to those players who died during WW1. Again some great stories of heroism come out during the research and I know my readers have enjoyed them.

[drfc4ever]

Got to be honest, most history content is very similar. I like to see old pics of programmes and stats from seasons of yesteryear, results, scorers, attendances etc
_________________
Doncaster Rovers - Only a pub team having a laugh !

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www.doncasterroversfcprogrammes.com

[tackler7]

drfc4ever wrote:

Got to be honest, most history content is very similar. I like to see old pics of programmes and stats from seasons of yesteryear, results, scorers, attendances etc

The content or generally ideas maybe similar but its the outcome of good research which make the articles interesting.

My research on my small club has thrown up lots of interesting research which have made for interesting articles that my readers like.

I once started researching two players knowing only their initials and surname; at the end I had stories of an International player and a player who died at the hands of the Japanese in WW2. An outcome know one saw coming.

[drfc4ever]

Agreed with that tackler. In most programmes you get the same blurb, I would rather read one article that the majority will be unfamiliar with, like you say research is key. I also like some of the stuff I have seen on the history or kits and the like.
Ultimately I guess it depends on the size of the team you are looking to write about, more info is obtainable on the bigger teams/players I guess
_________________
Doncaster Rovers - Only a pub team having a laugh !

http://www.flickr.com/photos/doncasterroversprogrammes/sets

www.doncasterroversfcprogrammes.com

[tackler7]

drfc4ever wrote:

Ultimately I guess it depends on the size of the team you are looking to write about, more info is obtainable on the bigger teams/players I guess

I don't know if that is true. My (rugby) club never made it to the top flight, never reached a cup final but did produce the current England coach and a former England captain amongst others. There wasn't a great archive, but with help of old newspapers and programmes I have lots of great material to research further. It's having the mindset to come up with an original idea, the time to research it and the ability to convey that research into a story. Sometimes the links are tenuous but there is still a link.

As for kit, Yes done that - again an interesting article - How many supporters know why their teams play in a particular colour?

Also done grounds - I had an enjoyable day once wandering around the city visiting the old grounds and trying to picture games played there.

Currently I am researching some of the clubs defunct rivals from the late Victorian/early Edwardian eras. Nothing really survives from then except the press reports - which have thrown up a couple of interesting photos and snippets, which hopefully will make for an interesting read.

[JasonNorin]

Would be very interested to read anything about an ancient Greek game called Phaininda - an earliest known football type of game..

[stevemcd]

Hello

I would say go back pre 2nd world war and try and write about the supporters.

Did they go home and away, how much of their wages did it cost, what was the train journey like for away games and how long did it used to take, did anyone have a car!

What was the away day ritual like for a supporter travelling to an away match in the late 20's or early 30's?

Where were the pubs they used to go to, were they rammed full? Would they go to a pub and miss the game because the ''sesh'' was a good one (like we do now!)?

Are any current supporters able to trace their support back one, two or 3 generations?

For me the life blood of any club is it's supporters. The current crop of players and owners will soon be gone but it is the supporters who will remain.

thanks

Steve McD

[JasonNorin]

Yup it is interesting story about the humble beginnings of this sport..

[tackler7]

I've just written an article about a now defunct Victorian era rugby club. Not a great deal of information is available and only one known peice of memorabilia exists but I found an interesting newspaper report about the conduct of their players which made for a good article.

Quote:

George Stubbs, a one armed rugby player and cricketer from Featherstone recounted an incident to the press, “He was captaining Featherstone against Wakefield St Michael’s, at Wakefield. One of his own players and one of the St Michael’s players got to loggerheads and, in spite of repeated warnings by a despairing referee – the late Mr Tom Shires, of Wakefield, a well-known official in his day – the pair engaged in running bouts of fisticuffs. Eventually Mr Stubbs went to the pair and said, “I for one have had enough of this between you tow, you are only spoiling the match. Go in the next field, have it out properly, and come back if you want to.” The pair took him at his word, and off they trudged into the next field. There was a large crowd at the match, but they deserted the game and went to see the fight. The contests was as stern as it had promised to be, and after 20 minutes of bare fisted combat, the pair called it a draw and humbly came back into the game. They played good and clean football until the finish, and become firm friends after the match. “

[tackler7]

stevemcd wrote:

Hello I would say go back pre 2nd world war and try and write about the supporters.

Not quite in this vain Steve but I have written about my clubs suport over the years, the rise and fall with a nod to why.

[Featherstone Rover]

tackler7 wrote:

I've just written an article about a now defunct Victorian era rugby club. Not a great deal of information is available and only one known peice of memorabilia exists but I found an interesting newspaper report about the conduct of their players which made for a good article. Quote: George Stubbs, a one armed rugby player and cricketer from Featherstone recounted an incident to the press, “He was captaining Featherstone against Wakefield St Michael’s, at Wakefield. One of his own players and one of the St Michael’s players got to loggerheads and, in spite of repeated warnings by a despairing referee – the late Mr Tom Shires, of Wakefield, a well-known official in his day – the pair engaged in running bouts of fisticuffs. Eventually Mr Stubbs went to the pair and said, “I for one have had enough of this between you tow, you are only spoiling the match. Go in the next field, have it out properly, and come back if you want to.” The pair took him at his word, and off they trudged into the next field. There was a large crowd at the match, but they deserted the game and went to see the fight. The contests was as stern as it had promised to be, and after 20 minutes of bare fisted combat, the pair called it a draw and humbly came back into the game. They played good and clean football until the finish, and become firm friends after the match. “

Fev lads, eh?

[Sir Moses Hill]

tackler7 wrote:

I write a monthly rugby memories and memorabilia newsletter dedicated to my now defunct club. I've covered lots of different history related subjects in the 61 issues so far and for the 62nd issue I am writing the clubs connections to politics - to fit in with the General Election. It's a subject that at first glance would appear to have no links to the club but once you dig its quite surprising how many links appear. One area I like is the 'off the field' stories relating to players - especially those that went onto do something different or strange. Recently I wrote about a former player who became a pundit on Welsh Language radio, which for a Yorkshire based club, was quite an interesting outcome.

T7, I'm less of a rugby fan than I was when I was younger, but the idea of someone with the desire to keep the history alive and memory fresh of a relatively small and now defunct rugby club by publishing a monthly newsletter helps maintain my faith in humanity.

Keep up the good work, and do us the honour of telling us a bit about the club.

[tackler7]

Sir Moses Hill wrote:

tackler7 wrote: I write a monthly rugby memories and memorabilia newsletter dedicated to my now defunct club. I've covered lots of different history related subjects in the 61 issues so far and for the 62nd issue I am writing the clubs connections to politics - to fit in with the General Election. It's a subject that at first glance would appear to have no links to the club but once you dig its quite surprising how many links appear. One area I like is the 'off the field' stories relating to players - especially those that went onto do something different or strange. Recently I wrote about a former player who became a pundit on Welsh Language radio, which for a Yorkshire based club, was quite an interesting outcome. T7, I'm less of a rugby fan than I was when I was younger, but the idea of someone with the desire to keep the history alive and memory fresh of a relatively small and now defunct rugby club by publishing a monthly newsletter helps maintain my faith in humanity. Keep up the good work, and do us the honour of telling us a bit about the club.

Thank you. It is certainly a labour of love but my small readership like it and it gives everyone a chance to endulge in a bit of nostalgia.

The club is Wakefield RFC - I wrote a Wikipedia page about them
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wakefield_RFC which provides th.e basics. The newsletter then goes in detail, match reports, photos, player interviews, etc. I get good feedback and I am constantly asked how I come up with the content - its niche, but it has a niche readership.