Eve of Final Rally Programmes

[JustGills22]

Hi there,

As an FA Cup Final collector, I also collect these programmes from the Referees Rally the night before the Final.

I've had some kind assistance on here before, so thought I'd chance my luck again to see if anyone can help

I'm after the 1974 programme, four from the 60's and seven from the 50's and pretty much any earlier than that!

Any help or advice from anyone would be appreciated.

Many thanks

[banleystowles]

Hello justgills, forgive me for being ignorant but what is the referees rally? regards
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[JustGills22]

Hi there,

Im not 100% sure when the Eve of Final Rally's first started (maybe someone with the knowledge can advise) but they've certainly been held annually since before the 2nd world war.

They are held the night before the FA Cup Final in central London (or Cardiff during the non Wembley years) and the honoured guests are the following day's officials.

Back in the day they used to be a massive event with hundreds and hundreds of officials traveling from all the associations across the country for the evening and the night included a meal and plenty of entertainment.

Nowadays it is still attended by 150/200 officials & guests and is a little more low-key with just a few speeches and a guest speaker, who this year was David Davies.

A programme is always produced and sometimes are signed by the ref and linesman so its starting to become a nice collectable.

Hope that helps anyway.

Kind regards

Justin

[banleystowles]

Thanks Justin, yes that helps. Judging by this season's premier refs performances I think I better stay well away from an event like that
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[mark01]

Who pays the bill for this party?