[Albion] Do you buy a match day programme ?

[Lankyseagull]

Stopped buying regularly about 10 years ago. Maybe get one at the beginning/Christmas/end of season if I can be bothered - even less so now that you can only get them on the Upper West concourse sodden from beer etc from the food/drink kiosks. Who thought that was a good idea?

 

[nsclurker]

My Dad (82) still does, then gives it to my lad (19) after the game - he still likes them after me getting them for him for years. They're of no interest to me any more, though.

 

[drew]

Stopped buying after a year in the Prem as my little protest at rising prices. Pretty much got a programme from every game I've seen since the mid seventies but the collection came to an abrupt halt.

 

[Cotton Socks]

I buy one for Jnr when we go to a game, I don't think he reads them he just wants them to add to his collection. I would've bought the Europa League ones anyway as I did for the FA cup Semis, just for souvenirs for myself if Jnr didn't want them. That's the thing I hate most about digital tickets or print at home, there's nothing to keep as a souvenir. A bit of A4 folded paper doesn't look quite the same as a 'ticket'.

 

[dstanman]

Wish they would do a digital version that you could download and keep allowing you to look at them at a later date (Not the ones they did a few seasons back and timed expired)

 

[AZ Gull]

Wish they would do a digital version that you could download and keep allowing you to look at them at a later date (Not the ones they did a few seasons back and timed expired)

I hope you are aware of @Hiney's incredible Seagulls Programmes website - full scans of the (home) programmes are available up to and including last season.

If you weren't previously aware, then fill your boots!

 

[The Clamp]

Yes. Because I can’t get to many matches so it’s nice to have them.

Although I usually take them to the charity shop every few years. I cannot abide clutter or things shoved in drawers, never to be looked at .

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

Stopped buying regularly about 10 years ago. Maybe get one at the beginning/Christmas/end of season if I can be bothered - even less so now that you can only get them on the Upper West concourse sodden from beer etc from the food/drink kiosks. Who thought that was a good idea?

I actually saved the club about £30 in lost revenue at one game last season. Kiosk server was just about to pass me my dripping pint directly over a stack of pristine programmes on the counter. I instinctively yelled 'STOP!' which she did, just in time. Why can't they keep them in a little box or something? The programmes that is, not the servers

 

[ElectricNaz]

I voted no, but the correct answer is sometimes.

I got the Europa league ones online after the game. Never read them but just got them as not sure when we'll ever have a European season again. Also got the first PL one, and the Bruno retirement one

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

Not for about 5 years now.

Me the same. Of the ones I have bought over the years, I have kept only, er, all of them

 

[ElectricNaz]

I actually saved the club about £30 in lost revenue at one game last season. Kiosk server was just about to pass me my dripping pint directly over a stack of pristine programmes on the counter. I instinctively yelled 'STOP!' which she did, just in time. Why can't they keep them in a little box or something? The programmes that is, not the servers

I've never know if they are free to take or not - given the state of them I'd hope they're free but don't want to risk being called a theif haha.

Bovril flavoured programmes though nom nom nom.

 

[Hiney]

I hope you are aware of @Hiney's incredible Seagulls Programmes website - full scans of the (home) programmes are available up to and including last season.

If you weren't previously aware, then fill your boots!

Thank you so much for the kind words about my labour of love.

I am aware of the irony of someone who has spent the past 15 years digitising his programme collection, pleading the case for the printed programme, but.........

Obviously, I always buy the programme. I believe it represents a unique memento of that particular game, destined to become a historical artefact in years to come. Some of the programme content is available online but not all of it, particularly Spencer's brilliant articles and interviews that are arguably worth the price on their own.

Last Saturday for example, the programme becomes a perfect accompaniment to the 'I was there' conversations and for some people, the ideal thing to frame and put up on the wall, a fantastic reminder of an unbelievable day.

Unique content is the constant mantra that Luke and his team have to work towards, or at least content that is not necessarily completely unique, but pulled together in one place. He and the team work really hard to provide content that delivers this, as well as value for money.

Having said all this, we are faced with a relentlessly digital world and the age of the programme is coming under threat from all quarters. The Europa League programmes are superb. Less advertising, more brilliant content and because of this (and the fact that people have bought them as a reminder of three (so far) special nights) they have sold really well, even though they cost more than the usual programmes.

Perhaps there is a happy medium to be had. A smaller, cheaper programme that still delivers the unique content and the potential to be kept as a reminder of the game. My first game was nearly 56 years ago and I still look back fondly at the 16 pages of the programme. My son's first game was in 2001. In 50 years time, I want him to be able to look back at something physical as a reminder of his baptism, not a random URL of the match report.

Thank you. That completes the sermon in support of the match day programme. PLEASE keep buying them!

 

[Crispy Ambulance]

Thank you so much for the kind words about my labour of love.

I am aware of the irony of someone who has spent the past 15 years digitising his programme collection, pleading the case for the printed programme, but.........

Obviously, I always buy the programme. I believe it represents a unique memento of that particular game, destined to become a historical artefact in years to come. Some of the programme content is available online but not all of it, particularly Spencer's brilliant articles and interviews that are arguably worth the price on their own.

Last Saturday for example, the programme becomes a perfect accompaniment to the 'I was there' conversations and for some people, the ideal thing to frame and put up on the wall, a fantastic reminder of an unbelievable day.

Unique content is the constant mantra that Luke and his team have to work towards, or at least content that is not necessarily completely unique, but pulled together in one place. He and the team work really hard to provide content that delivers this, as well as value for money.

Having said all this, we are faced with a relentlessly digital world and the age of the programme is coming under threat from all quarters. The Europa League programmes are superb. Less advertising, more brilliant content and because of this (and the fact that people have bought them as a reminder of three (so far) special nights) they have sold really well, even though they cost more than the usual programmes.

Perhaps there is a happy medium to be had. A smaller, cheaper programme that still delivers the unique content and the potential to be kept as a reminder of the game. My first game was nearly 56 years ago and I still look back fondly at the 16 pages of the programme. My son's first game was in 2001. In 50 years time, I want him to be able to look back at something physical as a reminder of his baptism, not a random URL of the match report.

Thank you. That completes the sermon in support of the match day programme. PLEASE keep buying them!

Which was your first one, Hiney?

 

[HeaviestTed]

I’ll get one if there is no queue or they are selling inside at the bars.

Also what happened to the Amazon style grab and go bar? Did it materialise?

 

[studio150]

Yes, although not sure for how much longer as my wife is moaning about the amount of space they take up.

 

[Hiney]

Which was your first one, Hiney?

August 28 1968, v Torquay United

 

[AZ Gull]

August 28 1968, v Torquay United

View attachment 175145

Four days before I was born!

 

[Beanstalk]

Every single game. From the same programme seller. We'll definitely lose otherwise.

 

[Crispy Ambulance]

August 28 1968, v Torquay United

View attachment 175145

Excellent.

As well as being great mementos of the football, that photo captures a unique landscape shot of

August 28 1968, v Torquay United

View attachment 175145

Excellent.

As well as being great mementos/memories of the game, that photo is a great shot of a certain period in time.

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

After a while - starting in the Withdean era and continuing into the Amex era - I just felt that BHAFC programmes became a bit samey. A bit like Pret A Manger sandwiches. They're all different, but they're all exactly the same