Back to Basics

[Pacey Winger2]

Afternoon all

I'm currently researching for an article in a future edition of Programme Monthly, and the subject is "back to basics."

One of the constant complaints about modern programmes is that they are too big, too bulky, and in some cases, just glorified commercial brochures.

It's a factor in many collectors stopping buying current season. This subsequently impacts sales, and then clubs are provided with an excuse to stop producing altogether.

So, my question is this, would the hobby and programme publication in general, benefit from a return to a basic 32-page (or less) publication?

Less expensive to produce
Less time consuming
Easier to collect/store
etc etc

Also, is it fair that the League insist that clubs that do produce include adverts for League Sponsors, etc. ?

Any thoughts/opinions welcome

Thanks all

Jim Thomson
Editor
Programme Monthly and Football Collectable

[Pete’s Picture Palace]

Hi Jim

I collected Palace home and away programmes for every season up to their centenary, 2004/5, at which point I stopped - they were too bulky to store and space is tight, plus you can't stack them up vertically as they slip and slide all over the place.

So my collection stops there entirely for logistic reasons.

Would I start again if they were reduced in bulk and the covers weren't glossy? Maybe........... I'd have to give that serious thought.

Hope this helps to start a discussion, I can't help on the advert thing as I just don't see the new ones.

Cheers, and good luck
Pete

[BlueFinn]

Stopped collecting every programme, as the prices got too high.
Now go for one home and away per season, keeps a wee bit of interest.

[Enniskillendoc]

I would be strongly in favour of programmes going back to basics. I think many of us have storage issues and I am very much restricting my collecting to pre 1970 as a consequence.

[dorking!]

I am probably in a tiny minority but I like programmes to be the best they can be, the bigger the better. I love the best premier league ones which are thick and glossy and have tons in them. I am going to West Ham at the weekend and I expect it will be a circa 100 page effort, maybe with a pull out poster, and tons of articles especially on historical content

In the Championship, QPR's is brilliant, with multiple articles by programme aficionado Tony Incenzo.

I love it when clubs put an effort into doing cover artwork, Ebbsfleet in National League South are one doing exactly that this season, Brighton are doing retro covers (modern versions of old programme covers.

I love special editions - Liverpool's £7 title winning special edition for the last game of last season, hardback cup finals. A4 sized last game at Goodison etc.

More is more for me. And I know I am in a massive minority of course.

However, whatever it takes for the printed programme to survive, I am also all for - if a club wants to go slimline (with a slimline price to match) then fair enough. Supporter issues like at Millwall or Bristol City. Anything is of course better than nothing.

[Pacey Winger2]

Thank you for your replies

Taking it a bit further then.

Is it unfair to clubs that do take the time and effort to produce, to be required by the league to include certain adverts (looking into just how many pages those take up)?

Argument is that, longer term, clubs benefit from those sponsors, I get that, but is that really the case, or is that just additional unnecessary pages printed at the club's expense and adding to the problem of "bulk" issues

[seandel1]

If clubs aren't all obliged to produce programmes then the ones that are facilitating the league sponsors by producing one and carrying adds should be compensated by the league. A couple of thousand pounds each would help keep the programme afloat.