A Passion for Programmes

Finding someone who shares your passion for something is always special but finding someone else with a passion for programmes is even more special. Watch us pay tribute to the dying art of the football programme and discuss some of our most memorable moments in our footballing journeys.

No time to watch the video right now, find out below our top 5 programmes.

Luton v Scunthorpe 2009

This was my first time at Wembley, surrounded by family in the Johnstones Paint Trophy. Happening just before Luton were hit with points deduction that relegated us back down into the conference league. A very bittersweet memory, one that ultimately led to me seeing a trophy lift on my first Wembley visit.

England v Turkey 2016

This programme signified my first England First team match. Havin only ever watched the U21s at Bramall Lane, Sheffield and Proact, Chesterfield, moving on to watching the First XI at the Etihad offered a whole new experience for me. This was also significant watching 2 high profile Leicester City players at the time play for the national team, something that in my lifetime of watching football, I had no been lucky enough to witness.

Bolton v Plymouth 2023

The newer, some may argue, not so great Papa Johns Trophy. Being an honorary Bolton fan and having worked there, we’d followed the cup journey right through so only seemed fitting to attend this game too. It was also a landmark year for Bolton, having been 100 years since they won the first FA Cup at Wembley. Having had troubles with finances in the fairly recent history, seeing the club come through and not only to get to Wembley but to also win, was a real heartwarming story for everyone involved.

Plymouth v Mansfield 2016

This programme was an easy choice for me on pure programme design. As a lover of graphic design and all retro football merchandise, this programme was a must have in my top 5. The authenticity makes this feel fitting of the old school club and town it was born from. I really enjoy that during this season, Plymouth used their programme to bring the club back to basics and showcase the best of the Southwest.

Bolton v Reading & Bolton v Brighton 2015

These programmes are of a different kind of significance to me. These programmes are the first 2 that I made a specific contribution to during my work experience with Bolton. I was so proud to be able to contribute and be part of the production process was special for me. I have since gone on to write more working there more permanently and would have too many to count if I were to save them all.

Macclesfield v Mansfield 2018

August 2018, the start of the 2018/19 season and sadly, the last time I got to Macclesfield in their original form before they hit sever financial trouble. Facing relegation in 2019/20 and subsequently being expelled from the National League in October 2020, Macclesfield as we knew it, ceased to trade. Since this time, the club has been rescued by Robert Smethurst with the help and guidance of former Welsh International, Robbie Savage, and is on the up again. This programme is a reflection on how easily we can lose clubs from our leagues without the proper support and backing. The programme was somewhat lacking in content and instead solod many ad pages, in a bid to gain additional revenue.

England v Germany 2022

An iconic moment in the history of the women’s game all over the world but specifically in England. England Women competing for glory against the old rival in Germany. Obviously, England women brought home the Euro Finals trophy and went one better than the men’s side. This was also the first time I’d watched a national team at Wembley. This is now one of my most treasured memories and the programmes acts as a great souvenir for that. In terms of the programme it’s fantastic quality and is so informative about both sides and the tournament as whole. Not an experience I’ll forget in a hurry.

Leicester v Villa & Leicester v Chelsea 2015/16

As a Leicester City fan, picking 1 programme from the famous 2015/16 just didn’t feel like enough. Here I have chosen my 2 favourite home games from that season. September 2015, Leicester went 2-0 to Villa with just 30 minutes left on the clock. In a manic 18 minutes Leicester had scored 3 goals and turned the game on its head – many will say this was the start of our Champions prowess. December 2015 marked Jose Mourinho’s last game in charge of Chelsea during that spell thanks to an overall fantastic team performance and a moment of pure class and brilliance from Riyad Mahrez. Not only were these programmes significant for the season, but they were also some of the best quality print and design around.

Luton v Blackpool 2022

This programme holds an even more special memory for me, something with no monetary value, a lasting memory. Having my Grandad with me during this day and being able to create such a magical experience for him, helping him meet his hero and taking him to what could be one of his last matches he could attend in person. A brilliant day all round and being able to see my Grandad so happy in those moments was something unforgettable and to have the whole experience be so accommodating and see him light up the way he did was more than I could’ve ever imagined.

Leicester v Burnley 2018

27th October 2018, tragedy struck at the King Power Stadium as the helicopter carrying Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, two members of his staff – Kaveporn Punpare and Nusara Suknamai, British pilot Eric Swaffer, and his Polish girlfriend, Izabela Roza Lechowicz, crashed to the ground in the far corner of the car park. This programme was from November 10th the same year, the next home game we played. These programmes were placed under every seat in the stadium, including the away end. A lasting memento of the man who changed the face of Leicester City and made every football fan in the world believe that fairy tales can happen. As I visited with family we had the opportunity to open one programme and read all the beautiful tributes paid to Vichai, a testament to the man he was, but we also have this pristine copy, still sealed and untarnished, the way it will stay. Vichai’s legacy has continued in the club including the installation of the peace garden with tributes to all 5 casualties that day and also a marble statue outside the ground which is continuously stocked with fresh flowers and tributes, frequently visited by fans of other clubs and along with the whole stadium has been blessed by Thai Monks.

To find out our 11th and special guest programme for the episode, you’ll have to watch the video!

From the archives of,

Katherine Byrne & Lily Smith