Football Programmes Centre

Wullie · Joined: 10 Jun 2009 Posts: 3423

I have a few interesting fixtures in my collection, namely a certain team v “ the rest ”. Quite common were these games in the 1940s and 1950s. Usually the reserve team of a bigger club, playing the better players of the non-league teams in the reserve league. It is interesting how common these games were, but I don’t really understand the purpose of them. Maybe they were opportunities for the players of local teams to impress the bigger clubs in the hope of a transfer? Never the less, they are a welcome addition to my collection. Anyone have anything similar?

Tynie Topics · Joined: 26 Nov 2009 Posts: 3572

Wullie wrote:

I have a few interesting fixtures in my collection, namely a certain team v “ the rest ”. Quite common were these games in the 1940s and 1950s. Usually the reserve team of a bigger club, playing the better players of the non-league teams in the reserve league. It is interesting how common these games were, but I don’t really understand the purpose of them. Maybe they were opportunities for the players of local teams to impress the bigger clubs in the hope of a transfer? Never the less, they are a welcome addition to my collection. Anyone have anything similar?

Headington United won the Southern League in 1953, so I would imagine it was some sort of charity match perhaps?
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Ann Orack · Joined: 18 Aug 2010 Posts: 156

I'm aware that the winners of the Central league played a team made up of the last seasons reserve players from other clubs. I've copies of a Liverpool Res v The Rest from the late 50's ( cannot say which season because the programme is in storage and off site) and also Sheff Wed Res v The Rest from 61/62 ( Wednesday won the Central league in 60/61 I recall). You don't come across these too aften so enjoy!

tcno10 · Joined: 17 Sep 2009 Posts: 133

Ann Orack wrote,

and also Sheff Wed Res v The Rest from 61/62 ( Wednesday won the Central league in 60/61 I recall). You don't come across these too aften so enjoy!

Chris, surely Weds most common reserve from the 60s judging by the fact I have several.........and never sold one yet !!!

Rocky · Joined: 15 Jun 2009 Posts: 1541

Similar games were also produced for the North Eastern League. As previously quoted it was always the previous seasons champions playing against a team of players taken from other teams in the league. I have the following:

Middlesbrough Res v The Rest of the League 31/2 - full programme
Middlesbrough Res v The Rest of the League 32/3 - full programme
Middlesbrough Res v The Rest of the League 35/6 - full programme
Stockton v Rest of the League 51/2 - 4 page programme

This one's from the North Regional League
Middlesbrough Res v The Rest of the League 59/0 - s/s played at York

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

I have a few England rugby programmes that are v 'The Rest'. These were trials matched played before the 5 nations. They always appear to be the first Saturday in January (even if it was the 1st Jan-imagine playing at Twickenham with anew year's day hangover!) I have seen them up to the 1950s, I suppose the practice stopped then.

Auchinleckian · Forum Moderator Joined: 21 Nov 2008 Posts: 4352

Ann Orack wrote:

I'm aware that the winners of the Central league played a team made up of the last seasons reserve players from other clubs. I've copies of a Liverpool Res v The Rest from the late 50's ( cannot say which season because the programme is in storage and off site) and also Sheff Wed Res v The Rest from 61/62 ( Wednesday won the Central league in 60/61 I recall). You don't come across these too aften so enjoy!

I have 4 more different ones pre 1960 if anyone has anything for exchange??????????