SHEFFIELD FAIR: THURSDAY DECEMBER 29 (11am-2pm)

[Westwardprogs]

I am one of the stall-holders at the Sheffield Fair this coming Thursday.
The venue is: Royal Victoria Hotel, Victoria Station Road, S4 7YE.
It runs from 11am to 2pm.
Further details may be obtained from the organiser, Mick Brodie: Tel 07879-283322; Email [email protected].
Although I am one of the less well-established dealers, I try to cover all aspects of second-hand programme collecting:
Big Matches (Internationals, Finals and Semis);
A decent range from virtually all League clubs in England and Scotland plus a few from Ireland (although with a slight bias for West Country clubs as I am based in Plymouth);
I shall also have a wide range of over 400 English and Scottish Non-League Clubs programmes with me, including v League Clubs in the FA Cup and in Friendlies, (again with a slight bias for West Country Clubs); plus a range of Reserve and Youth team programmes and Teamsheets.
Because I travel widely throughout the country attending Fairs, often buying more programmes than I sell, I am constantly replenishing my stock, so collectors often find something on my stand that they are looking for!
If any collectors wish me to bring any specific items to this Fair, please contact me by email on either Boxing Day or Tuesday: [email protected].
Happy New Year to all Forum members!

[Westwardprogs]

Many thanks to organiser, Mick Brodie, for the excellent Fair at Sheffield yesterday!
He obviously worked very hard to promote the event - he was even being interviewed live on Radio Sheffield at 9am on the morning of the fair!
The result was an excellent attendance and an event which seemed to be enjoyed by dealers and collectors alike.
There were collectors from an incredibly wide range of clubs, not just the obvious local ones - I encountered guys and lassies from Bradford, Chesterfield Darlington, Doncaster Forest, Hull, Lincoln, Scunthorpe and Stockport, - as well as Big Match collectors.
Well worth the time travelling up from Plymouth!

[sharrowblade]

Sorry Gordon, I'm going to have to take issue with this....

I know you and the lad from Accrington Stanley had a very good day, and that it was worth your visit. I was genuinely happy for both of you, and I told you both that, on Thursday. Clearly, that's a good thing.

However, there are certain aspects that need addressing.

I'm not sure what Mick does to promote the event, but it certainly doesn't involve anything to do with the red and white half of the city.

No mention in any match programmes, no postings on our supporters forums (probably the biggest free advertisement you could wish for), bare in mind that if I put a post on our forums, I can get up to 10000 plus extra viewings on my flickr site the same day.

Its no good Mick speaking to Radio Pig, the Blades don't listen to it.

Many United collectors I spoke to were not even aware that the fair was on, and only a number of phone calls between one another ensured that a number of them turned up.

Since Dennis Clareborough retired, there has been little for us the last three or four years.

Sadly, many United collectors who were there this year, probably won't attend next year, which is a great shame, as its a good venue, (if a little pricey) to have a blab over programmes and a pint, but many were clearly asking 'what's the point'.

Obviously some of us do have off shoot interests, for example I was quite happy with the Scottish and Welsh non league sides for my lads collection, and one or two others picked up the odd world Cup items and books as well.

Mick needs to look at this, it doesn't make sense to alienate a number of attendees because the organiser is perceived not to be bothered about the collectors from the other side of the City.

It maybe that he's happy with the just the Wendy fans spending their money.
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A Sheffield United Programme guide