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Investing in Football Memorabilia — is it Worth it?

If you love collecting football memorabilia, you’re not alone! Lots of people share this as a hobby. But do they know which editions to look out for or the worth of what’s laying around in their loft space?

We’ve compiled some useful information and top tips so that you can get started collecting rare footie programmes and making some money today…

When was the first programme released?

The Football League arrived in 1888, and the first match programme followed not long after.

Unlike today, the aim of a programme was to keep score and it was made up of a single sheet detailing the teams and match date.

Which team offered their fans a football programme before anyone else? One of the first programmes to be published was The ‘Villa News and Record’ for Aston Villa. Soon after, the football programme took on a weightier format of between four and eight pages, while the covers became more attention-grabbing and attractive. During and after World War II, a paper shortage cut the number of programmes that clubs could produce — making any that were released very collectible today.

As time went on, football programmes grew from pocket-size to A4, with some clubs preferring the smaller option and others opting for the larger format. From a single sheet of basic info, the availability of saddle-stitch book printing and a growth in popularity turned football programmes into thick, glossy books crammed with trivia, statistics and high-resolution photos that fans loved to buy before every match.

Today, the purpose of the football programme is similar to what it’s always been — giving spectators key details of players on each team. Although today, the programme can also act as a mouthpiece for the club in question, allowing managers and players to speak to fans via interviews and club statements.

How much can you make from a football programme?

A lot of money can be made from rare football programmes. In 2012, a family from Ipswich managed to make around £46,000 by auctioning off a set of football programmes they stumbled across in their house, which goes to show how easy it is to not realise the treasure you have sitting around your home.

It wasn’t so long ago when Sotheby’s New Bond Street auctioned off the oldest-known programme from a FA Cup final — Old Etonians vs Blackburn Rovers in 1882 — for £30,000, while a single-sheet programme from the 1909 FA Cup final between Manchester United and Bristol City went for £23,500 in 2012.

Which editions should you watch out for in particular? And are there any which could be lying in your attic that you’d be willing to make a profit on?

Most valued football programmes

A large part of the match day for many fans is the collecting a football programme. But how collectible are they and which should you search for if you want to bag a truly special edition?

Are you in search of a sought-after programme? Try finding the first Wembley final programme from 1923, which details the match between Bolton and West Ham United and is worth around £1,000. Alternatively, there’s the programme from the one and only time a non-English club lifted the FA Cup — Cardiff City vs Arsenal in 1927 — which ended with a score of 1-0 and has a value of about £2,500!

the 1966 England vs West Germany programme is potentially one of the most highly prized programmes in sport. But be warned; there were three reprints of the original, so tracking down a bona fide version is tough. If you want to be sure you’re buying an original, check the weight and colouring — the reprints are more lightweight, while the front cover of the original is a deep, royal blue. Different paper types are also used for the team pages in the original, but not in the reprinted versions.

Editions of a programme that were printed for a memorable game are also popular. For example, there is an edition that was printed for the game that was cancelled following the 1958 Munich air disaster (Manchester United vs Wolverhampton Wanderers), which can go at auction for around £10,000, or the programme for the first match following the tragedy — the 19th of February 1958’s game between Manchester United and Sheffield Wednesday. In this programme, the club showed respect to those involved in the disaster by leaving the team page blank.

More reasonable programmes are also available, including a wartime England vs Wales international programme — which once sold for £750 — a 1932 Arsenal vs Manchester City — which reportedly made £520 — and a 1931 Exeter vs Leeds copy — which reached a decent £500.

What to look out for

Bear the following four key features in mind to make sure you’re getting a good deal before you buy a programme:

  • Age — anything over 50 years old is most collectible.
  • Rarity — if there are many available, this will bring the value down.
  • Popularity — programmes with an iconic footballer on the cover or detailing a famous match are the most prized and valuable.
  • Condition — creases, missing staples and water damage all harm the programme’s price, so ask for a photo before you pay.

Considering the examples, it’s clear to see that any programme from an FA Cup final match holds value, as does any booklet that was perhaps the first or final edition of a player’s/manager’s career (i.e. the last game David Beckham played for Manchester United).

Certain football teams hold greater monetary value than others when it comes to programme collecting — although, programmes from your team’s past will be more personally valuable to you. Sides such as Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool, Spurs, West Ham, and Arsenal are all highly sought after and are worth keeping an eye out for if you want a particularly valuable item. The Football Programme Centre is also a good source of advice if you’re keen on becoming a serious collector.

Being a football programme collector is something enjoyed by many fans all over the UK — particularly when you track down a rare edition or grab a great bargain. So, why not keep yourself football-focused until the new season kicks off by learning more about the hobby?

Where The Trade Buys are print experts and retailers, based online and in the UK. As well as offering promotional boards for estate agents, they specialise in promotional and office print services for small and large businesses.

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