Football Programmes Centre

Sir Moses Hill · Joined: 13 Oct 2014 Posts: 132 Location: New York

Programmes from the late forties and early fifties are plentiful but, unlike GB clubs, those from the early forties and before appear to be almost non-existent.

A restored programme from Glentoran's home friendly against a Peru/Chile XI in 1933 sold a year or two ago, which offers some small hope of domestic programmes being produced at this time.

Does anyone have any information on when Irish League clubs began producing programmes and why those from the 1930's and earlier are so elusive, especially considering the good crowds of the time?

garyspain · Joined: 24 Mar 2010 Posts: 900

Linfield were regular issuers from 33/4
Glentoran were issuing regularly from the early 30's.
Derry City issued in 29/30 and I've seen the odd one from the 1930's.
Cliftonville issued in at least one season 32/3 from memory. I've a couple and know a couple others were sold.
Celtic issued regularly from the mid 1920's.
Distillery issued regularly from the late 30's at least.
Newry Town issued in the mid 30's. I've 1 from 2 different seasons and they are numbered.
I've one Portadown from 1937 but heard of somebody who has quite a few 1930's Ports issues.
Glenavon issued v Wolves in 1937 never heard of others
Ballymena issued v Kilmarnock opening of the stand circa 1930. Never saw any league prewar. I need this if anyone has it.
Larne, Coleraine, Bangor & Ards prewar issues have never surfaced to my knowledge.

garyspain · Joined: 24 Mar 2010 Posts: 900

As for the reasons they are scarce well the waste paper drive during WWII is often credited with prewar NI issues being scarce.

However a lot of the late 40's issues can be scarce too.

Sir Moses Hill · Joined: 13 Oct 2014 Posts: 132 Location: New York

Thanks, Gary, this is extremely helpful, albeit slightly disappointing news as it gives me only a decade (1930's) that I am yet to tap into.

Sir Moses Hill · Joined: 13 Oct 2014 Posts: 132 Location: New York

Gary, when did programmes for Irish Cup finals begin to be issued?

garyspain · Joined: 24 Mar 2010 Posts: 900

Sir Moses Hill wrote:

Gary, when did programmes for Irish Cup finals begin to be issued?

No idea although probably something done for most. I've seen a card for a Blues v Glens might have been 1914 or 1916 although not sure if it is official.

I have 1935 and everything from 1939 except 1943. 1943 does exist. I've never seen anything from 1936-1938 but they probably exist. I believe one collector holds some of them.