Viking Supporters Co-operative

Viking Chat => Viking Chat => Topic started by: CottyRover on May 23, 2018, 02:59:15 pm

Title: Matchday programme
Post by: CottyRover on May 23, 2018, 02:59:15 pm
Item on DROS now with a survey asking whether programmes should still be produced after the 18/19 season. I think it would be a shame if they were discontinued, but I must say I rarely buy one. Most of the information you can get from the website and the team line UPS can be accessed  several other ways, and the exact line-up at that. Might increase Popular Stand sales!
Title: Re: Matchday programme
Post by: since-1969 on May 23, 2018, 03:12:30 pm
Simple economics costly to produce .
 It will add value to Everyone’s collections so there is an up side .
Title: Re: Matchday programme
Post by: The Red Baron on May 23, 2018, 05:39:57 pm
The survey appears to be one question with a yes/ no answer. While it is important to get that information before the EFL vote, I think it might be good to consider what supporters might want from the programme in future. Making them smaller, more basic and cheaper to both produce and buy strikes me as a way forward.
Title: Re: Matchday programme
Post by: DRNaith on May 23, 2018, 05:59:56 pm
The survey appears to be one question with a yes/ no answer. While it is important to get that information before the EFL vote, I think it might be good to consider what supporters might want from the programme in future. Making them smaller, more basic and cheaper to both produce and buy strikes me as a way forward.

...or even digital
Title: Re: Matchday programme
Post by: The Red Baron on May 23, 2018, 06:28:15 pm
The survey appears to be one question with a yes/ no answer. While it is important to get that information before the EFL vote, I think it might be good to consider what supporters might want from the programme in future. Making them smaller, more basic and cheaper to both produce and buy strikes me as a way forward.

...or even digital

I think you can download a pdf version of our programme at the moment. The point is, do you go totally online / digital or do you retain something in a hard copy format. Personally I will be sorry if the hard copy no longer exists, although ultimately I realised this is an issue of cost, revenue and demand.
Title: Re: Matchday programme
Post by: DRNaith on May 23, 2018, 07:20:32 pm
As an exile I remember when going to a game was the only time you would pick-up any Rovers news. Sometimes through chatting with supporters and sometimes through the club programme.

Times have changed
Title: Re: Matchday programme
Post by: godlike1 on May 23, 2018, 08:10:09 pm
Programs can become collectors items and act as a memory of special games, so I'd be disappointed to see them go. Maybe if they made the programme more memorable and innovative then it could have more appeal. What we have is ok but v run of the mill
Title: Re: Matchday programme
Post by: hamiltonrover on May 23, 2018, 08:35:48 pm
I am a programme collector and would be gutted if we stopped producing one. We possibly have the worst in our division which doesn’t help, if someone actually put a bit of thought into it and spent a bit of time selling advertising you shouldn’t lose money. The programme we produced in 85/86 was one of the best in terms of content, replicate that !

Think about this, the fanzine gets produced and sold for £1 with little advertisement and makes a profit which goes to charity, ok it’s not as glossy as a programme, however it shows what is achievable.


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Title: Re: Matchday programme
Post by: StocktonRover on May 23, 2018, 09:19:42 pm
I am a programme collector and would be gutted if we stopped producing one. We possibly have the worst in our division which doesn’t help, if someone actually put a bit of thought into it and spent a bit of time selling advertising you shouldn’t lose money. The programme we produced in 85/86 was one of the best in terms of content, replicate that !

Think about this, the fanzine gets produced and sold for £1 with little advertisement and makes a profit which goes to charity, ok it’s not as glossy as a programme, however it shows what is achievable.


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I too am a Rovers programme collector and echo the above comments.
I really hope that we continue with printed programmes but increase the quality of the content.
Title: Re: Matchday programme
Post by: RedRover45 on May 23, 2018, 09:40:54 pm
I am a programme collector and would be gutted if we stopped producing one. We possibly have the worst in our division which doesn’t help, if someone actually put a bit of thought into it and spent a bit of time selling advertising you shouldn’t lose money. The programme we produced in 85/86 was one of the best in terms of content, replicate that !

Think about this, the fanzine gets produced and sold for £1 with little advertisement and makes a profit which goes to charity, ok it’s not as glossy as a programme, however it shows what is achievable.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I too am a Rovers programme collector and echo the above comments.
I really hope that we continue with printed programmes but increase the quality of the content.

Thirded. I'm also a Rovers programme collector and would be really pissed off if they stopped producing one. I agree ours is the worst in our division this season and it would be better to produce a smaller cheaper programme such as Fleetwood do. They only charge a quid. How hard can it be ?
Title: Re: Matchday programme
Post by: The Red Baron on May 24, 2018, 08:16:40 am
I've been writing for the programme for the last couple of seasons and I'm sure the team producing it would be open to suggestions about how it could be improved.

Next season my idea was to write a series of articles about squad numbers, which Rovers first introduced in 2002-03. Any ideas on this would be most welcome.
Title: Re: Matchday programme
Post by: wesisback on May 24, 2018, 08:28:35 am
That survey is abysmal. Surely the first question they should be asking is 'Do you buy a Matchday programme?'. I've clicked yes to the one question they've asked me but I've not bought one for at least 3 years.
Title: Re: Matchday programme
Post by: The Red Baron on May 24, 2018, 08:30:57 am
That survey is abysmal. Surely the first question they should be asking is 'Do you but a Matchday programme?'. I've clicked yes to the one question they've asked me but I've not bought one for at least 3 years.

I agree, the survey needs a lot more thought.
Title: Re: Matchday programme
Post by: VivaRovers on May 24, 2018, 10:19:22 am
Might increase Popular Stand sales!

I wouldn't expect it to make any difference to be honest. We are very different publications.
Title: Re: Matchday programme
Post by: VivaRovers on May 24, 2018, 10:24:54 am
Think about this, the fanzine gets produced and sold for £1 with little advertisement and makes a profit which goes to charity, ok it’s not as glossy as a programme, however it shows what is achievable.

Aye, but we only produce six a season, not twenty-six. So we can, to a point, rely on volunteer contributors to pen considered pieces for us on a regular basis. If I asked the same people to write something every week they wouldn't be able to do it as they've other commitments, and so we wouldn't have as good a publication.

I write a regular column for the Belles programme and I've struggled to make time to do that for them, and they only put out 12 programmes a season.
Title: Re: Matchday programme
Post by: ReadingViking on May 24, 2018, 10:42:49 am
www.cu-fc.com/news/2018/may/us-to-provide-programmes-for-all/

Interesting take on it. 

The club could produce a simple 4-8 page programme - funded by advertisers and give it away at the turnstyles.

or the little leaflet type that York used to do in the 80s.
Title: Re: Matchday programme
Post by: DaveDRFC on May 24, 2018, 10:55:07 am
When I've been to matches in Europe they have just given away a little magazine rather than selling a programme. I went to a Roma vs Bayern Munich Champions League game a few years back and people were taking about 10 each of these magazines from the guys giving them out. I wondered what was going on until I got in the ground. The seats were absolutely filthy and people were using the free magazines to cover the seats so they didn't get dirty clothes!
Title: Re: Matchday programme
Post by: MachoMadness on May 24, 2018, 12:01:33 pm
I'd be sorry to see the physical programmes go. I don't always buy them but I used to regularly as a kid. However, I can see why the club might be thinking of getting rid of them in the modern age from a business point of view, but it's still a shame.
Title: Re: Matchday programme
Post by: glosterred on May 24, 2018, 12:37:18 pm
www.cu-fc.com/news/2018/may/us-to-provide-programmes-for-all/

Interesting take on it. 

The club could produce a simple 4-8 page programme - funded by advertisers and give it away at the turnstyles.

or the little leaflet type that York used to do in the 80s.

The trouble with give away programmes is that most of the end up littering the stadium and the surrounding area after the game. We’ve seen this time and again when the Rovers have given away programmes at games.


COYR
Title: Re: Matchday programme
Post by: hamiltonrover on May 24, 2018, 06:26:12 pm
Think about this, the fanzine gets produced and sold for £1 with little advertisement and makes a profit which goes to charity, ok it’s not as glossy as a programme, however it shows what is achievable.

Aye, but we only produce six a season, not twenty-six. So we can, to a point, rely on volunteer contributors to pen considered pieces for us on a regular basis. If I asked the same people to write something every week they wouldn't be able to do it as they've other commitments, and so we wouldn't have as good a publication.

I write a regular column for the Belles programme and I've struggled to make time to do that for them, and they only put out 12 programmes a season.
I appreciate that, however it’s just an example, a lot of what is in a programme is rinse and repeat, there are very few articles of interest in our programme that differ from game to game.
I am happy to contribute to the programme and made a suggestion of looking back at programmes from seasons gone by based on the opposition, but got no response.
Fleetwood for me is a good example, I think this season it was £2, it doesn’t have to be 48 pages of dross.


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Title: Re: Matchday programme
Post by: silent majority on May 25, 2018, 05:44:35 pm
I had a conversation with the EFL today and this very subject cropped up. It's clear that some of this has been misreported and needs clarification.

Up until now there has been some nationally agreed advertising that has required every club to reproduce in their programmes. As of next season that requirement will be removed. Some clubs claim they only produce programmes to meet that obligation. Those that no longer want to produce a programme won't have to.
Title: Re: Matchday programme
Post by: The Red Baron on May 26, 2018, 09:19:45 am
I'll be interested to see which club is the first to stop issuing a hard copy programme for each game. I suspect it won't happen next season because of the need to consult fans over such a big change. What we might see next season are some programmes that look a bit different to what is produced now.

PS. Actually I think it's possible that some clubs might not issue programmes for the early games in the Checkatrade, which tend to be poorly attended. You could probably give everyone who wanted one a team sheet.
Title: Re: Matchday programme
Post by: AlonzoDrake on May 27, 2018, 01:50:42 pm
Nice to read that Hamiltonrover. I was part of a programme committee, set up by Peter Wetzel, and was involved in the production/writing/editing/printing of the programme for four seasons from 1984 until 1988. That 1985/86 Rovers programme won a programme collectors award. But by 1987/88 the club was experiencing financial problems, and the content was slashed, size was reduced, and more ads were included. Shortly afterwards the internet became established and for the past generation matchday programmes have slowly become obsolete. Sad really, but during the 140 years or so they were published they injdeed were one of the few ways of gaining information. Local radio then made a vast improvement in that area, but sadly we have always been the poor relations at Radio Sheffield and Hallam. But one memory really sticks from 1973. I had heard Radio Sheffield had started broadcasting Rovers score updates, and tuned in -- Nov 14, 1973 v Exeter C. away -- and to my amazement they were interviewing Maurice Setters, and he said he was heading to St James park to take both points! But we hardly ever won away back then -- but we did that day! Exeter 1 Rovers 2 (Murray O'Callaghan). But we still had to seek re-election to the League that season!


I am a programme collector and would be gutted if we stopped producing one. We possibly have the worst in our division which doesn’t help, if someone actually put a bit of thought into it and spent a bit of time selling advertising you shouldn’t lose money. The programme we produced in 85/86 was one of the best in terms of content, replicate that !

Think about this, the fanzine gets produced and sold for £1 with little advertisement and makes a profit which goes to charity, ok it’s not as glossy as a programme, however it shows what is achievable.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Matchday programme
Post by: craigdrfc on May 27, 2018, 02:05:56 pm
Alonzo - The programmes during the mid 80’s were the best we have ever had IMHO. They are the ones, in my collection, that I still flick through today.
Title: Re: Matchday programme
Post by: AlonzoDrake on May 27, 2018, 02:54:28 pm
Alonzo - The programmes during the mid 80’s were the best we have ever had IMHO. They are the ones, in my collection, that I still flick through today.

Thanks Craig! Happy memories from 30 plus years ago. I met and interviewed Rovers legends such as Clarrie Jordan, Ray Harrison, Johnny Mooney, Dave Miller, King Alick and Bobby Gilfillan for my "Memory Lane" piece. One of my favorites was meeting and interviewing with Jack Haigh -- a real character who brought the early 60s at Belle Vue back to life.
Title: Re: Matchday programme
Post by: sheffield exile1 on May 27, 2018, 10:31:46 pm
Nice to read that Hamiltonrover. I was part of a programme committee, set up by Peter Wetzel, and was involved in the production/writing/editing/printing of the programme for four seasons from 1984 until 1988. That 1985/86 Rovers programme won a programme collectors award. But by 1987/88 the club was experiencing financial problems, and the content was slashed, size was reduced, and more ads were included. Shortly afterwards the internet became established and for the past generation matchday programmes have slowly become obsolete. Sad really, but during the 140 years or so they were published they injdeed were one of the few ways of gaining information. Local radio then made a vast improvement in that area, but sadly we have always been the poor relations at Radio Sheffield and Hallam. But one memory really sticks from 1973. I had heard Radio Sheffield had started broadcasting Rovers score updates, and tuned in -- Nov 14, 1973 v Exeter C. away -- and to my amazement they were interviewing Maurice Setters, and he said he was heading to St James park to take both points! But we hardly ever won away back then -- but we did that day! Exeter 1 Rovers 2 (Murray O'Callaghan). But we still had to seek re-election to the League that season!


I am a programme collector and would be gutted if we stopped producing one. We possibly have the worst in our division which doesn’t help, if someone actually put a bit of thought into it and spent a bit of time selling advertising you shouldn’t lose money. The programme we produced in 85/86 was one of the best in terms of content, replicate that !

Think about this, the fanzine gets produced and sold for £1 with little advertisement and makes a profit which goes to charity, ok it’s not as glossy as a programme, however it shows what is achievable.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hamilton and myself have had discussions around collecting as I too collect. Stopped after our first season back in the FL, probably most expensive one I have is a single 2-sided sheet Man Utd v Rovers 44-45 season. (Yes I did put down it is a 2-sided single sheet).  We could have a feature in the programme around "wants lists" etc, and certainly reduce its size. I found the Arsenal LC programme last seson apalling and it reminded me why I stopped buying them. Full of glossy rubbish. Prefer a 1950's one anyday. We could have a programme feature in a future programme any way to me.I often wonder if I am bidding against a fellow Rovers fan on e-bay especially as its likely to be one which they also had a gap in their collection, and we get into real money bidding say recent post-war. Barry Watson was my guru many years, and unfortunately ill health prevents him coming now I believe, however i understand his is the "gold standard" collection to aspire to...   
Title: Re: Matchday programme
Post by: RedRover45 on May 28, 2018, 03:01:47 pm
A number of posters have touched on this over the years but I think it's worth visiting again. Is there any mileage in Rovers programme collectors getting in contact with each other to swap, sell, buy or to clarify if some issues such as postponed games programmes actually exist ?
I'm sure somewhere down the line we could look at having a Programme Fair at the Keepmoat if the club were approached. Perhaps it's something that silent majority could advise on ?
Good to know if anyone else was interested ?
Title: Re: Matchday programme
Post by: craigdrfc on May 28, 2018, 03:10:00 pm
Why not just have a separate section on here specific to Programmes? People could put up buy/sell list and also ask questions around certain games etc. Appreciate we already have a ‘for sale’ section.
Title: Re: Matchday programme
Post by: sheffield exile1 on May 29, 2018, 01:35:14 pm
OK, happy to bite the bullet, shall i start a list of interested parties? We can start with a who is interested and eventually move towards a fayre? I have been in discussions with Len South and Paul Mayfield about moving some old stock in the shop onto e-bay so that can also come into any eqation re a fayre?
Either post on here on this thread or PM me so i can gague interest. Happy at some point if this thread develops into a completely separate section or falls under buy/sell (however I think that limits it too much-especially if someone wants to know what their programmes are likely valued at?)
All just thoughts anyone else any thoughts?
Title: Re: Matchday programme
Post by: RedRover45 on May 29, 2018, 04:59:11 pm
OK, happy to bite the bullet, shall i start a list of interested parties? We can start with a who is interested and eventually move towards a fayre? I have been in discussions with Len South and Paul Mayfield about moving some old stock in the shop onto e-bay so that can also come into any eqation re a fayre?
Either post on here on this thread or PM me so i can gague interest. Happy at some point if this thread develops into a completely separate section or falls under buy/sell (however I think that limits it too much-especially if someone wants to know what their programmes are likely valued at?)
All just thoughts anyone else any thoughts?

Add me to the list of interested parties mate.
Title: Re: Matchday programme
Post by: Plumbster on May 29, 2018, 08:06:15 pm
I would also be interested
Title: Re: Matchday programme
Post by: hamiltonrover on May 29, 2018, 10:38:58 pm
Likewise, interested
Title: Re: Matchday programme
Post by: Drover on May 29, 2018, 10:45:51 pm
Think about this, the fanzine gets produced and sold for £1 with little advertisement and makes a profit which goes to charity, ok it’s not as glossy as a programme, however it shows what is achievable.

Aye, but we only produce six a season, not twenty-six. So we can, to a point, rely on volunteer contributors to pen considered pieces for us on a regular basis. If I asked the same people to write something every week they wouldn't be able to do it as they've other commitments, and so we wouldn't have as good a publication.

I write a regular column for the Belles programme and I've struggled to make time to do that for them, and they only put out 12 programmes a season.

Thats a very interesting and valid point,I've not realised it,on the face of it.It has also made me think,should they take a leaf out of your book or fanzine,pardon the pun,and should clubs,maybe those who think making programmes is now too intensive for the relative returns,rather than make a cheaper version,actually make the programme pretty much the same or a better,BUT make it monthly or to cover a set number of home games,say every 5 or 6 home games.Giving more time to get things right and cut producton costs a little?I know it would cause problems for the team sheets,but maybe they can hand a single sheet out at turnstile,like sometimes at reserve games or friendlies?
Title: Re: Matchday programme
Post by: DonnyBazR0ver on May 30, 2018, 07:34:02 pm
In this digital age, I'm not sure what a programme can really offer.

Teamsheet. They just print the squad numbers now anyway so that's no good for knowing who's playing. The team is announced/published approx an hour before kick off anyway.
Managers message; We now have prematch interviews on radio, website, Player, press.
Birthday messages; We have the big screen.
Opposition information: Can be found easily if you want it elsewhere.

There's so much recorded statistically now on various websites including our own there's no need for that either.

I used to enjoy the monthly magazine which summarises the matches in the month, included players profiles and interesting articles and previewed coming matches.

Not sure what the way forward is but maybe the demand for programmes No longer justifies the cost.
Title: Re: Matchday programme
Post by: StocktonRover on June 02, 2018, 11:13:23 am
OK, happy to bite the bullet, shall i start a list of interested parties? We can start with a who is interested and eventually move towards a fayre? I have been in discussions with Len South and Paul Mayfield about moving some old stock in the shop onto e-bay so that can also come into any eqation re a fayre?
Either post on here on this thread or PM me so i can gague interest. Happy at some point if this thread develops into a completely separate section or falls under buy/sell (however I think that limits it too much-especially if someone wants to know what their programmes are likely valued at?)
All just thoughts anyone else any thoughts?

Add me to the list of interested parties mate.

Add me to the list too.

I am missing around 40 programmes from when I started watching Rovers back in 73/74 (mainly friendlies).
I also have several hundred spare programmes that I haven’t had the inclination to put on e-bay (I used to donate them to the supporters club but they currently have no space for them).
I also have a few programmes pre 73 that i have no real attachment too so may let them go if there’s a demand for them.

Happy to share my programme list as it may identify programmes that others are not aware of (friendlies, postponed matches, etc) and other people’s lists may do the same for me.
Title: Re: Matchday programme
Post by: idler on June 02, 2018, 11:18:37 am
I will probably clear the decks of most of my programmes,books,handbooks and memorabilia in the next year or two.
Title: Re: Matchday programme
Post by: hamiltonrover on June 03, 2018, 04:30:27 pm
I will probably clear the decks of most of my programmes,books,handbooks and memorabilia in the next year or two.
Give me a shout if you do and have anything pre 1960


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Title: Re: Matchday programme
Post by: idler on June 03, 2018, 09:35:39 pm
Will do Hamilton. My only pre-war is Aston Villa away about 1934 but hundreds fron 1940s onwards. My son won't want them when I've gone so I'd like them to be appreciated by other Rovers fans.
Title: Re: Matchday programme
Post by: hamiltonrover on June 03, 2018, 10:23:29 pm
Cheers, I am in the process of plugging gaps from that era, so once you are in a position where you want to move them on, please let me know.
Much appreciated
Gavin
Title: Re: Matchday programme
Post by: idler on June 04, 2018, 10:53:27 am
Will do. I also have some memorabilia, books and handbooks.
Did you know that the final game at Bradford City in 1966 was a re-arranged game due to a postponement?
They used the old programme with a sheet inside for teams etc. The programme is quite easy to get but not many have the loose insert. I knew a City fan with a massive collection that didn't realise this until he saw mine. He then paid £5 for an insert at a programme fair.
Title: Re: Matchday programme
Post by: craigdrfc on June 04, 2018, 12:21:56 pm
Its the postponed games that cause most headaches with programme collecting as you are never quite sure what the clubs did on the day (unless you happened to be there and got one!).
Title: Re: Matchday programme
Post by: The Red Baron on June 04, 2018, 12:41:28 pm
I must admit I've been wondering what to do with my programmes and other memorabilia. Not so much now but when I pass through the turnstile into the great Pop Side in the sky.

I would like to see them saved for posterity and so that future fans can look at them. I did think of offering them to the club but I fear that in the best case they will end up languishing in a store room in the bowels of the Keepmoat.

Any thoughts welcome. There is of course Barry Watson's collection, much superior to mine. I know Barry put it up for sale but I don't think there were any takers (I certainly couldn't afford the asking price at the time). Again, it would be sad to see this scattered to the winds, or worse still end up in a recycling bin!
Title: Re: Matchday programme
Post by: hamiltonrover on June 04, 2018, 07:02:35 pm
Will do. I also have some memorabilia, books and handbooks.
Did you know that the final game at Bradford City in 1966 was a re-arranged game due to a postponement?
They used the old programme with a sheet inside for teams etc. The programme is quite easy to get but not many have the loose insert. I knew a City fan with a massive collection that didn't realise this until he saw mine. He then paid £5 for an insert at a programme fair.
I did indeed, I think I paid a similar price for the single sheet, it’s often these items that can go for silly prices, I know I paid a stupid amount for a 1972 friendly single sheet away at Bradford PA, these along with some of the Sheffield County Cup fixtures can fetch a small sum.

If you are ever bored I have my collection all scanned on here, go to the albums section and I have them by season with friendlies and County Cup separate

http://www.flickr.com/photos/doncasterroversprogrammes/sets




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Title: Re: Matchday programme
Post by: RedRover45 on June 05, 2018, 03:41:05 pm
I'm the same. Got virtually everything back to 54-55 season and then probably half each season back to late 40's.
Rarest ones I have are the famous longest ever game away at Stockport from 45 and a single sheet friendly against the German team Minden youth from 68.
Again, my problem is not knowing whether postponed issues exist. I've got quite a lot but still some queries.
Title: Re: Matchday programme
Post by: The Red Baron on June 09, 2018, 09:28:21 am
Well, the vote allowing clubs to stop publishing a match programme passed at the EFL AGM this weekend. I wonder who will be the first club to decide not to produce a hard-copy programme?

My guess is that nothing much will happen this coming season. However clubs will be looking very closely at programme sales, production costs and different ways of publishing content. And, if they have any sense, consulting with supporters on the way forward.
Title: Re: Matchday programme
Post by: RedRover45 on June 09, 2018, 11:51:57 pm
There's several rugby league clubs in the Dons division that don't produce a match day programme but it is available online to print if required. I've had to do it a few times and whilst it's free, it's still bloody annoying
Title: Re: Matchday programme
Post by: The Red Baron on June 10, 2018, 07:37:34 am
Well, the vote allowing clubs to stop publishing a match programme passed at the EFL AGM this weekend. I wonder who will be the first club to decide not to produce a hard-copy programme?

My guess is that nothing much will happen this coming season. However clubs will be looking very closely at programme sales, production costs and different ways of publishing content. And, if they have any sense, consulting with supporters on the way forward.

I think you're spot on with that.

No club will want to be the first to stop producing one, but inevitably once a couple have done so the floodgates will start to open. I also don't buy into the 'e-programme' thing as it'll still take the same amount of hours to write and proof read articles, before making it available to download. It saves on printing costs but not a lot more.

I'll have a word with our media guys about what they plan to do in the future. I know Rovers are committed to producing a physical programme next season but I recall it being mentioned that the time taken to produce and edit the thing is one of the biggest  "costs." If that is the case the e-programme idea wouldn't give them much of a saving.
Title: Re: Matchday programme
Post by: hamiltonrover on June 10, 2018, 09:08:22 am
Well, the vote allowing clubs to stop publishing a match programme passed at the EFL AGM this weekend. I wonder who will be the first club to decide not to produce a hard-copy programme?

My guess is that nothing much will happen this coming season. However clubs will be looking very closely at programme sales, production costs and different ways of publishing content. And, if they have any sense, consulting with supporters on the way forward.

I think you're spot on with that.

No club will want to be the first to stop producing one, but inevitably once a couple have done so the floodgates will start to open. I also don't buy into the 'e-programme' thing as it'll still take the same amount of hours to write and proof read articles, before making it available to download. It saves on printing costs but not a lot more.

I'll have a word with our media guys about what they plan to do in the future. I know Rovers are committed to producing a physical programme next season but I recall it being mentioned that the time taken to produce and edit the thing is one of the biggest  "costs." If that is the case the e-programme idea wouldn't give them much of a saving.

I am sure if the Media guys reached out, there would be folk willing to support with articles or material to make a better production. I would rather have 16 pages of decent content and pay £2 than 64 pages of dross costing £3.


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Title: Re: Matchday programme
Post by: idler on June 10, 2018, 09:53:32 am
I totally agree with that. I would much rather spend five minutes reading a programme from the 50s/60s than some of today's dross. They had all of the information that you needed for the match and half of the back page was taken up with the letters for the half-time scores.
Title: Re: Matchday programme
Post by: sheffield exile1 on June 10, 2018, 11:03:07 am
Personally I think we cant do much at the moment as a lot of interested parties may be on the beach and those of us who have replied might get more response. Its tricky. At what point do you stop buying plastic tubs and folders and clogging up the loft? What about arranging a meet early in the season? Sure Len and Paul will let us use the supporters club area as they want to offload the stock they have accumulated over years and which has a small value in reality I understand. Any thoughts? (Gavin- i appreciate it needs to be around one of your trips from Hamilton)
Title: Re: Matchday programme
Post by: The Red Baron on June 10, 2018, 01:11:43 pm
Well, the vote allowing clubs to stop publishing a match programme passed at the EFL AGM this weekend. I wonder who will be the first club to decide not to produce a hard-copy programme?

My guess is that nothing much will happen this coming season. However clubs will be looking very closely at programme sales, production costs and different ways of publishing content. And, if they have any sense, consulting with supporters on the way forward.

I think you're spot on with that.

No club will want to be the first to stop producing one, but inevitably once a couple have done so the floodgates will start to open. I also don't buy into the 'e-programme' thing as it'll still take the same amount of hours to write and proof read articles, before making it available to download. It saves on printing costs but not a lot more.

I'll have a word with our media guys about what they plan to do in the future. I know Rovers are committed to producing a physical programme next season but I recall it being mentioned that the time taken to produce and edit the thing is one of the biggest  "costs." If that is the case the e-programme idea wouldn't give them much of a saving.

I am sure if the Media guys reached out, there would be folk willing to support with articles or material to make a better production. I would rather have 16 pages of decent content and pay £2 than 64 pages of dross costing £3.


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For me, making programmes smaller and better is the way forward. It's probably the only way they will survive as we know them.
Title: Re: Matchday programme
Post by: RedRover45 on June 10, 2018, 11:33:28 pm
Personally I think we cant do much at the moment as a lot of interested parties may be on the beach and those of us who have replied might get more response. Its tricky. At what point do you stop buying plastic tubs and folders and clogging up the loft? What about arranging a meet early in the season? Sure Len and Paul will let us use the supporters club area as they want to offload the stock they have accumulated over years and which has a small value in reality I understand. Any thoughts? (Gavin- i appreciate it needs to be around one of your trips from Hamilton)

Sounds good to me
Title: Re: Matchday programme
Post by: elmsallrover on June 11, 2018, 12:42:20 am
Most of mine ended in the bin outside me flat put them on ebay couldn't give them away in fact I'm sure I've got the 1st season back in the football league somewhere
Title: Re: Matchday programme
Post by: Bentley Bullet on June 11, 2018, 12:46:34 am
Well, the vote allowing clubs to stop publishing a match programme passed at the EFL AGM this weekend. I wonder who will be the first club to decide not to produce a hard-copy programme?

My guess is that nothing much will happen this coming season. However clubs will be looking very closely at programme sales, production costs and different ways of publishing content. And, if they have any sense, consulting with supporters on the way forward.

I think you're spot on with that.

No club will want to be the first to stop producing one, but inevitably once a couple have done so the floodgates will start to open. I also don't buy into the 'e-programme' thing as it'll still take the same amount of hours to write and proof read articles, before making it available to download. It saves on printing costs but not a lot more.

I'll have a word with our media guys about what they plan to do in the future. I know Rovers are committed to producing a physical programme next season but I recall it being mentioned that the time taken to produce and edit the thing is one of the biggest  "costs." If that is the case the e-programme idea wouldn't give them much of a saving.

I am sure if the Media guys reached out, there would be folk willing to support with articles or material to make a better production. I would rather have 16 pages of decent content and pay £2 than 64 pages of dross costing £3.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

For me, making programmes smaller and better is the way forward. It's probably the only way they will survive as we know them.

I agree with this. In the 60's and 70's programmes were often about 6"x 4" and could fit in your pocket easily without folding them.
Title: Re: Matchday programme
Post by: CottyRover on June 13, 2018, 04:03:27 pm
There is now an announcement on the Official site that the vote was overwhelmingly to keep the programme and that they will produce one for the coming season. The original announcement said the programme would be retained for the season to come, it would be the season after that they would stop, if they did. I guess the aim this season is to try to improve it so more people buy it but sounds like they are keeping their options open to cease production if this doesn't work. Like many people are saying it needs original and interesting content to make it worthwhile. At the moment I don't buy a copy as £3 to read stuff I've mostly already seen on the website isn't worth it.
Title: Re: Matchday programme
Post by: Axholme Lion on June 13, 2018, 04:11:38 pm
I am a programme collector and would be gutted if we stopped producing one. We possibly have the worst in our division which doesn’t help, if someone actually put a bit of thought into it and spent a bit of time selling advertising you shouldn’t lose money. The programme we produced in 85/86 was one of the best in terms of content, replicate that !

Think about this, the fanzine gets produced and sold for £1 with little advertisement and makes a profit which goes to charity, ok it’s not as glossy as a programme, however it shows what is achievable.


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I too am a Rovers programme collector and echo the above comments.
I really hope that we continue with printed programmes but increase the quality of the content.

Thirded. I'm also a Rovers programme collector and would be really pissed off if they stopped producing one. I agree ours is the worst in our division this season and it would be better to produce a smaller cheaper programme such as Fleetwood do. They only charge a quid. How hard can it be ?

I used to buy programmes all the time but I haven't for years due to the price. If they were only 50p or a pound I would buy one.