The Matchday Programmes

[Mowgli]

Anyone else think they are a bit naff for £3?
Don't usually get them myself but my mate i go with to games does, had a little look at the one he got on Saturday and just thought it was a bit kak quality wise for £3.
Especially compared to some of the looks, size, quantity etc from other teams that you see at the away games.

 

[Goldstone Rapper]

Yes, it's not very good. People seem to buy it out of habit or to 'have a souvenir from the game.' I've not yet heard anyone say that they buy it for its content.

Amazing that TSLR is able to produce a much more interesting read at a fraction of the price. Yeah, I know it's monthly, black and white and isn't constrained by being the voicepiece of the club, but I'd have thought with all the advantages the programme team have, they could come up with some interesting content. Two pages for the manager's column, one page for reserves, one page for youth team! In the age of the internet, the boss' view of the previous home defeat is old news, and reserves and youth team info is of peripheral interest. If I was editor I'd scrap all of that!

 

[southstandandy]

Compared to previous years, this season's programme is poor quality, crap size, with little quality content. I've always bought them in the past but don't bother now as there's very little of interest in it. I hope come Falmer a more professional programme will be produced.

 

[jordanseagull]

Rubbish quality, rubbish size, rubbish content, rubbish price. Probably spent £30 on them last year. £3 this year.

They think that decreasing the size means they spend less to produce them, but it's a false economy, because people like me aren't buying them..

 

[albion534]

I Work there, and get them for free.....wouldnt pay £3 for 1 though, prob would rather wait after the game and grab 1 out of the bin

 

[Spider]

I usually get one as I like the manager's column, the away guide and having the opposition squad list and player notes. They are piss poor though, especially this season. They've obviously decided that people won't pay any more than three quid so started decreasing the editorial instead. Will probably stop buying them soon and unless a way can be found to produce a decent programme for no more than two pounds (and this applies to almost all football clubs) I can't see the programme lasting much longer.

 

[Beach Hut]

I usually get one as I like the manager's column, the away guide and having the opposition squad list and player notes. They are piss poor though, especially this season. They've obviously decided that people won't pay any more than three quid so started decreasing the editorial instead. Will probably stop buying them soon and unless a way can be found to produce a decent programme for no more than two pounds (and this applies to almost all football clubs) I can't see the programme lasting much longer.

Exactly the same thoughts it is a pretty poor read these days and I never read what Mike Ward says as he talks shit and isn't really an Albion fan.

 

[Goldstone Rapper]

The frustrating thing is that there is a market for a well put together programme. Christ, enough people buy it already without enjoying the content...

Imagine if it had content such as a two page feature on Gary Dicker's goal, Tunni's guide to the long throw, match reports 'from the inside' with a diagram and analysis of a key moment in a game (e.g. when the Albion failed to get a penalty v Orient), pen pics and mini-profiles of each member of the opposition and 'team group', it would be a worthwhile souvenir from a game and have content that you couldn't get anywhere else.

 

[Scotty Mac]

waste of money

 

[SeagullRic]

Just want to persuade anyone who buys the programme to purchase TSLR instead. Articles are witty and enjoyable, and especially this month there is far more content than and albion programme this season. And its only £1!!!

 

[Goldstone Rapper]

Just want to persuade anyone who buys the programme to purchase TSLR instead. Articles are witty and enjoyable, and especially this month there is far more content than and albion programme this season. And its only £1!!!

Completely agree! TSLR is great....

 

[crodonilson]

I haven't bought one this season but in previous seasons I've always thought they're decent value and an essential accompaniment to the match.

 

[sagaman]

Stopped buying this year after getting them every game for over 30 years
They have been made with less content to save costs for the Club- a real shame

I really dislike the smaller size and find the smaller print difficult to read

 

[mona]

Just want to persuade anyone who buys the programme to purchase TSLR instead. Articles are witty and enjoyable, and especially this month there is far more content than and albion programme this season. And its only £1!!!

You must be joking.
NSC makes fanzines, a great 1980/90s idea, redundant.

As for the programme, the size is an improvement as you can put it in a pocket when there is the usual Withdean downpour. The content lacks fan input. Get rid of that bore, Mike Ward, and ask Tim Carder or the better TSLR hacks to contribute.

 

[philsussex]

Completely agree! TSLR is great....

I buy the programme and TSLR.

TSLR is well worth a £1 of anyone's money

 

[Giraffe]

Prefer the size, but content is pretty dull. Mike Ward stuff is frankly rubbish, and whilst the Millwall bloke generally writes better than Ward (not difficult) it's still not interesting.

Poyet comments are normally in the Argus on Friday so no gain there. Even the Falmer bits are infrequent and poorly done. Could do a lot more I suspect for the same cost.

 

[Stevie Boy]

Exactly the same thoughts it is a pretty poor read these days and I never read what Mike Ward says as he talks shit and isn't really an Albion fan.

i agree about mike ward, hate his voice on the radio, get the impression he a right dick

 

[mcshane in the 79th]

I don't think it's a bad programme but I'm not willing to spend £3 on it every week. It would take something of real quality before I add that cost onto the £24.50 per game

 

[Goldstone Rapper]

Personally, I do like the size. Reminds me of the size of our progs in 1981/82 and 1982/83 - my faves! And good that it's the same size as the Historical Society's newsletters and TSLR.

Nevertheless, clearly there is widespread dissatisfaction with the matchday programme. How would you like to see it changed? How can we get it changed?

 

[FLOG GNAW]

Prefer the size, but content is pretty dull. Mike Ward stuff is frankly rubbish, and whilst the Millwall bloke generally writes better than Ward (not difficult) it's still not interesting.

I thought the bit the Millwall fan did about kicking Terry Venables (or someone like that.) in the Bollocks was pretty funny. That was the first one i read and the last one i enjoyed.