Football Programmes Centre

keithofborstal · Joined: 08 Jul 2020 Posts: 44 Location: Medway Towns, Kent

If you were to have 'Fantasy Football Programme Collection' but only allowed to place three items in it, what would they be?
For me the first would be a Thameside Amateurs home programme, as a kid i played hundreds of imaginary 'matches' for them on their derelict ground near where I grew up in Gravesend. The pitch had a hell of a slope on it, the old team bath still sat in what was left of the changing rooms, and the floodlights still stood on their black and white painted pole around the pitch. The large gates were still in situ bearing the club badge a shield with a black background and a white stripe running through it. A friend of mine had a Thameside Amateurs programme and sold it to Ian Hands about ten years ago, sadly Ian is no longer with us, but what happened to that programme I wonder?
The second item is also a Non Lge issue but I don't know if it exists, a Shorts Sports home match, during the war the factory side from Rochester, where i now live, competed in the Kent League against the likes of Gillingham. The factory made the Short Sunderland flying boats amongst others. I know the location of their former ground and have seen an away programme but never a 'home' issue nor a photograph of the ground or team.
The last item is more attainable 1970-1 saw Chelsea beat Real Madrid in a ECWC final that went to a replay, played in Greece. I was still at school then so could not afford to buy the programme and I still can't! There are reproductions about but frankly they are a poor substitute for the real thing! That is my three, how about yours?

se20blue · Joined: 21 Jul 2014 Posts: 853

Keith

Now I know why the Thameside Programme Club

anyone else on the forum remember the Thameside Programme Club ?
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Ipswich Town programmes required,please message me if you are able to help
9/2/46 Norwich City A
29/3/47 Port Vale A

keithofborstal · Joined: 08 Jul 2020 Posts: 44 Location: Medway Towns, Kent

Yes indeed! that is where the name came from, I am researching an article on Programme Clubs for Programme Monthly any memories or thoughts welcome!

Dorking · Joined: 05 Feb 2010 Posts: 2419

First up, I'd have a REALLY old Crystal Palace programmicard - Palace were founded in 1905, and for the first few years at least these were produced - a bit like a Victorian version of the York 'Chinese takeaway menu' programe of the early 1980s!

Second, an original 1966 England World Cup Final programme - I have a reprint, and I'm happy with it, but it'd be lovely to have the real thing!

Thirdly, an early Dorking Wanderers programme. My local non league club only started in 1999 as a park team, and I have what I believe is their first home issue from 2007 when they started in the lowest rung of the Sussex league, but it wouldn't suprise me if there are programmes for the odd away game or friendly from before 2007. It's not exactly ancient, so no doubt they exist in some club shop box or in some groundhoppers collection!

Pete’s Picture Palace · Posted: Fri Jul 17, 2020 9:22 pm Post subject:

In answer to Keith of Borstal, there is a Shorts FC programme out there somewhere.

Many moons ago an old boy called Frank something posted me a photocopy of the programme shown below, which does not show a date of any sort but does include the 1st Division league table from 38/9 and also the Kent League, presumably from the same season. In Club Notes #2 a date of October 18th is given for a forthcoming attraction, the Supporters' Club dance. So this match must be either in summer 1939 or very early autumn as we all know what happened on 3rd September. In Club Notes #1 the writer refers to the "Football League grouping its own clubs" so that does suggest this was after the league had been suspended and plans were being made for the war leagues.

Anyway Keith, could this be the answer to your prayers?

6 of the Palace team played for the Club before, during and in some cases after WW2. As for "Frank", I seem to remember he chased me up as to whether I wanted to buy the original, but I declined and I can only assume I had financial commitments elsewhere at the time. I haven't heard from him since and I would imagine he's no longer with us now. This has to be over 20 years ago.

CanaryHonestMan · Joined: 23 Feb 2015 Posts: 40

This February 1941 Shorts v Norwich City friendly was sold by Sportingold for a hammer price of £160 last year.

keithofborstal · Joined: 08 Jul 2020 Posts: 44 Location: Medway Towns, Kent

Fantastic, thanks for sharing that, at least I know it exists!

keithofborstal · Joined: 08 Jul 2020 Posts: 44 Location: Medway Towns, Kent

1942 v Met Police found in the The official Kent League Centenary Brochure.