Football Programmes Centre

gang-warily · Joined: 20 May 2010 Posts: 118 Location: Cayman Islands.

My first post:
I collect Arsenal programmes from pre 1953, the earliest I have is 1930, so maybe I should say 1930-1953 (there, just saved myself a fortune!). But I also collect England rugby international programmes from pre 1960 (the earliest I have is 1927).
Obviously the earlier programmes are harder (and more expensive!) to get hold of than more modern programmes so I can't boast a massive collection like many of you, somewhere between 100 and 200 in all.

andy1966 · Joined: 06 Jul 2009 Posts: 619

Do you have anything post 53?

gang-warily · Joined: 20 May 2010 Posts: 118 Location: Cayman Islands.

Actually, yes, some odds and sods that I don't really consider part of my "real collection". Mostly Aresnal games I went to.
Also I have a mix of 200-300 programmes of lots of different 1st and 2nd div teams I bought as child in the 70s.
The only other thing of note I have is about 30 of the Arsenal double season of 71. Some mint, most not. These were bought off eBay a year or two ago when I found my way back to the hobby after collecting all sorts of things over the years (Funny how things can go full circle like that). I quickly realised I needed to 'tighten' my collecting focus or I'd be buying programmes every day!

ashburton-grove · Joined: 02 May 2009 Posts: 330 Location: Milton Keynes

Welcome aboard.
Nice to see another Gooner, not many on here.
Do you collect the war years, these are my favourites, but some collectors won't touch them as they weren't official first team programmes. (plus they were played at the spurs!)
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andy1966 · Joined: 06 Jul 2009 Posts: 619

I have a copy of Arsenal 47-8 for sale if you are interested. Unfortunately it has the score on the front in red pen. PM me if you are interested

Wullie · Joined: 10 Jun 2009 Posts: 3423

Welcome gang-warily. Funny enough i stop my collection at the 1954/55 season. You lucky collecting Arsenal in that there are so many pre war about for reasonable prices. I must admit i don't like the look of your war time teamsheets played at Spurs. Too big and flimsy. I wonder if anyone can say why Arsenal pre war have has most rusty staples than any other club? In fact iv'e never seen one without rusty staples...

gang-warily · Joined: 20 May 2010 Posts: 118 Location: Cayman Islands.

Yes, I do have 3 or 4 wartime AFC programmes. I know they weren't 'official' but I find them quite interesting, often with news of players who were on active service. If some people won't touch them that's fine, they can generally be picked up more cheaply as a result.
And that's a good point about Arsenal pre-wars being comparatively plentiful. Chelsea are quite readily available too. I assume that the reason for this is simply that attendances were so high that they printed more programmes.

JohnC · Joined: 29 Nov 2009 Posts: 363

Welcome to the forum.

Thumbs Up

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ForestMick · Joined: 24 Nov 2008 Posts: 1645 Location: Nottingham

Welcome to the forum. That sounds like an interesting collection. I guess you don't have the problem that a lot of us have - thousands of programmes taking up half of the house! I suppose your collection will appreciate faster than most of ours as time goes on.
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