Football Programmes Centre

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About Me

What do you do for a living?

I’m a Support Worker who works with adults with learning disibilities.

Which club do you support and why?

Newport County, I grew up half a mile from the ground, my Dad had supported them and so did my Brother (still does) so it was just a natural thing to do. Following the County was part of growing up. The world kind of ended in early 1989 when the club went bust but we are now on the way back!

What do you collect?

Newport County, Lovell's Athletic, and any match I attend (gotta get that programme in my hand!)

How did you get into programme collecting?

Simply by buying them when I was old enough to attend matches on my own (mid 70's) I had a few before in my bedroom that I guess must of been my Dads or Brother's and just loved to read them and look at the photos.

Your Collection

What was your first football programme?

Probably Stoke City v Chelsea in 1971/72. My sister was in Keele Uni at the time and I went to the match on a visit to her. Chelsea won 1-0, pretty sure Peter Osgood scored and at the time Chelsea were my team as I had adopted them for the 1970 F.A. Cup Final. Still have the programme. Remember also watching in awe at Gordon Banks a real life World Cup winner!

What was the last programme you bought?

Dover Athletic v Newport County 7/11/09 in person, from e-bay Merthyr v Lovells 23/11/46 (£17)

How big is your collection?

Pretty big, mainly County, Wales, Cardiff City (City matches I attended mostly in 70's or 80's when I couldn't get to County away matches), Lovells, then other clubs such as Newport YMCA to Aston Villa to Caerleon to Newport RFC (all matches I have attended).

How do you store your collection?

In poly pockets and in plastic storage boxes.

Whats the oldest programme you own?

Bath City v Lovells 1942/43

What is the rarest item in your collection?

Not really sure to be honest probably the above I guess. I have a few County Reserves single sheet issues from late 70's, and the odd friendly match that I have never seen on eBay or in Offer's lists.

Which programme from your club is the rarest and most expensive to obtain?

Expensive would be County v Chelsea 45/46, that went for a couple of grand a few years back seems it's one of the hardest post war Chelsea programmes to get hold of, other than that pre-war homes, little known friendlies or 40's/50's Welsh Cup matches

What is...?

What is your worst buy?

Can't say I never made a real bad buy, but have bought the odd programme only to find that I already own a copy!

What is your best buy?

These days I mainly buy in bulk have have found some a few gems, once bought a large Arsenal collection and there was a complete season of homes from their double season of 71/72! Made a few bob on that one!

What is the most you have paid for a programme and which one?

£40 for the 1959 Welsh Cup Final Cardiff City v Lovells at Somerton Park.

What is the most you have received for a programme and which one?

A 1948 Derby programme went for about £25

What is your most prized programme?

Portsmouth v Newport F.A. Cup Round 5 1948/49 for two reasons, first I grew up on stories of this match from my Dad who went to the game, Pompey were top of the old 1st Division at the time and won 3-2 in extra time, after County had been 2-1 up, and also because this was furthest County ever got in the Cup.

Whats your biggest regret in collecting?

None really, just wish money was no object! also I wish there were more local (to s.Wales/West) programme fairs, they all seem to be miles away from here!

The Hobby

In you opinion, is the programme collectors communtiy shrinking or growing?

I would guess growing as the internet and eBay as probably made it easier for people to collect now.

What do you enjoy most about the hobby?

Getting your hands on any programme you haven't got in your collection, also meeting people with the same interest, most people I have met are very decent guys I must say....(even the Cardiff supporters...only joking!!!)

Where do you buy most of your programmes from?

eBay or at the match. Flea Markets and Boot Sales are also good areas to search.

The Future

If money was no object, which programme would you most like to add to your collection?

I would like more Lovell's homes or some pre-war County homes.

Would you ever sell your collection?

No. Not my personal collection it means too much, but I buy and sell other programmes mostly on eBay.

How do you wish to develop your collection over the coming years?

Just keep plugging away with my County and Lovells stuff but one I really want is the first Newport County (MK2) Football League Programme!.


Newport County Memorabilia
Newport County Photos