Football Memorabilia gifts - Souvenirs Programmes
The three programmes here are for Brentford United, which was formed in 1889. These types were in circulation during most of the 1930s. The top left pink program was for the match Brentford v Notts County in 1930. The middle was for Brentford v Aston Villa in 1935 and the white program was Brentford v QPR in 1939.
£30 - £60 each
In comparison with sports like cricket and golf, football memorabilia and gifts up until recently played a much less substantial role in the collectors market. After all this is the UK’s largest sport and indeed a national one at that. This it seemed played a big part as these souvenirs were more wide spread than that of other sports played in this country, keeping prices down as the abundance was greater. Today most auction houses across the UK presenting sporting memorabilia will have a football section or in many cases the auction of the day will be solely dedicated to the game as the demand for gifts such as these has steadily increased over recent years. For the vast majority of enthusiasts or established collectors it was a simple hobby that grew in time to something more where they now keep one eye on the game and the other on souvenirs that circulate the market.
In regards to what enthusiasts will collect depends on factors like, are they actually investing in the item, the age and condition or is it more keeping with the football club they have a passion for. It’s very easy to understand the passion side, after all, which England fan wouldn’t like to own Geoff Hurst’s 1966 World Cup England shirt. Or hand their Manchester United fanatic Father, Eric Cantona’s football boots as a gift.
The list below and in other pages on Footyfrenzy are a guide for anybody interested in football memorabilia, or who may want to buy or sell collectable's, to help them with pricing such pieces up.
Here we have two publications from Portsmouth Football Club. The club was established in 1898. The football programme on the left features their FA Cup 5th round match against Arsenal on 13th February 1932 but they lost 2-0. The other is for their game against West Ham United on the 11th February 1939 which they went on to win 2-0. It was this season that they also went on to win the FA Cup, beating Wolves 4-1 at Wembley.
£50 - £80 each
This Blackburn Rovers FC memorabilia programme was number 4 in a new series that was issued by the club during the 1932/33 season. This one in particular was for their match against Arsenal FC but they were defeated 3-2. Arsenal went on to become League Champions with 118 points. Not so good for Blackburn, they conceded 102 goals and finished bottom. These make good gifts when in this type of condition.
£80 - £110 each
Arsenal Football Club, formed in 1886 produced these three programmes between 1930-1939. The front one was published in the 1929/30 Division 1 season for their game against Everton on the 8th February. The middle one is for their match with Portsmouth FC, 27th August 1938. Of some interest is the back one which is basically a team sheet and even though its not clear enough to see here, there is a warning of an air raid printed at the bottom.
£30 - £50 each
Aston Villa FC produced this one for their fourth round FA Cup replay against Portsmouth which they went on to lose 1-0 on the 27th January 1932. The clubs first programme was issued in 1906. Villa were among one of the founding members of the Football League back in 1888. Some of the earlier publications that are in good condition have sold in the region of a £1000 each.
£70 - £100 each
Three programmes here featuring Brighton and Hove Albion FC that date back to 1932 against West Ham and Chelsea and the other against Fulham FC in the 1939/40 season. The club was established in 1900.
£90 - £120 each
Luton Town Football Club issued these in the 1930s. The one at the back was their third round FA Cup match against Arsenal on 13th January 1934 and the other is for their match with Sheffield Wednesday FC on the 26th August 1939.
£60 - £90 each
Established in 1881, Clapton Orient released these publications during 1933 and 1939 when playing in Division 3, local south derby. The one at the top back was for a match with Charlton Athletic on the 2nd December 1933 which they lost 3-1. Middle: Clapton Orient v Crystal Palace 20th October 1934. Bottom: Orient v QPR on the 15th April 1939 which ended a draw.
£90 - £120 each
This Southend FC was for their game with QPR on the 16th April 1932 which ended 0-0. The club was founded in 1906 and played in the Southern League until 1920.
£60 - £90 each
Formed in 1905 Crystal Palace FC issued these during most of the 1930s. Top left was for a match with Norwich City Football club in the first round of the FA Cup. Middle: Cardiff City FC Division 3 game and also a Division 3 match was with Walsall. Most of the publications like these shown were 12 page booklets.
£50 - £80 each
In 1881 Watford FC was formed and this well kept publication was issued in January 1932 for their game with Queen’s Park Rangers and includes an editorial which partly read ‘We now have the honour of including in our list of Vice-Presidents, a lady!’. Something of a first for the period. This one shown would make nice gift with it been in good condition.
£70 - £100 each
This publication is from Ipswitch Town in 1939 when they had a fixture with Aston Villa on the 11th January in that year. The club was founded in 1878 but only turned professional in 1936 and many of their football programmes are regarded as the best in terms of quality and the information available within them, so coming across one in the condition shown would make a good memorabilia souvenir for the collector.
£70 - £100 each
Founded in 1879, West Bromwich Albion produced the publication on the left in January 1932 with their Division 1 match against Arsenal FC. The other was released in 1945 for the England v Wales match , which Wales won, 1-0. With the goal coming from Leeds player Aubrey Powell.
£60 - £90 each
The publication on the far left by Wolverhampton Wanderers was for their game against Everton for the 1933 FA Cup semi-finals which Everton won 2-1. They also went onto win the Cup. On the right is their match with Wolves for another FA Cup , 6th round, on 4th March 1939. Both souvenirs in good condition.
£70 - £110 each
This programme from Leicester City FC who were founded in 1877 is for their match with Arsenal in the 1934/35 season
£30 - £50 each
Three publications here by Tottenham Hotspur FC between 1933 and 1935 and in good condition for the collector. The drawings on the front covers are by Jos Walker. The top back is from March 1933 and in this season they won promotion to Division 1. The centre is for the following year and the bottom is for 1935, where they were relegated once again to Division 2.
£40 - £60 each
This one by Sheffield United is a 16 page publication during the 1907-1908 season but is showing signs of deterioration around the edges.
£80 - £120 each
This football programme is by Bolton Wanderers for their Division 2 match with West Ham in April 1935. Probably as a souvenir for the memorabilia collector you should look out for the pre-war publications as these tend to be less common and in good condition could fetch anywhere from £300.
£80 - £120 each
This publication for Reading Football Club game against Millwall for the FA Cup third round in January 1933, came in a single sheet like the page of a news paper. This was the third replay after the first game was stopped due to heavy fog after 70 minutes. Millwall won this game 2-0.
£40 - £70 each
These three programmes were published during 1932 - 1934 seasons for QPR, who at the time were struggling in Division 3 south.
£40 - £70
This publication by Gillingham FC for the game with Millwall FC in 1934/35 Division 3 season, which they went on to win 3-1, is quite basic as there is no gossip or editorial comment.
£40 - £70 each
This publication issued by Blackpool FC for the England v Wales match back in October 1932 and in extremely good condition. If you are thinking about collecting football memorabilia or investing in souvenirs this is the quality that you should be looking for to make a decent return later on.
£300 - £500 each
These were Arsenal’s Programmes for their matches with Man United in 1958 and 1959 seasons. The 1959 match was Man United’s last league game before the Munich air disaster.
£60 - £90 for the pair.
This by the not so well known New Brighton A.F.C, established themselves in 1921 but were up against some big clubs in Merseyside and didn’t get enough support so left in 1951. They still play in other leagues like ‘Carlsberg West Cheshire League Division Two’
£100 - £150 each.
This was issued during Bradford Park Avenue’s better days in Division 2 after been promoted from division 3 North. But their fortunes didn’t last and they disappeared from the League in the 1950s
£80 - £120 each.
This football memorabilia programme was published by Aldershot FC in 1937 for their match with Millwall which they won 2-1. The club was founded in 1926 but went bump in 1992. Not long after, Aldershot Town FC was formed.
£50 - £80 each.
This publication was released for Southport’s game with Oldham FC. The club was founded in 1881 and today currently play in the Blue Square North League.
£50 - £80 each.
This is a typical publication by Barrow Association FC during the 1938/39 season. Barrow played most of their football in the Division 3 North league at that time. Today they play in the Blue Square Premier and managed to get to the 3rd round of the FA Cup before Sunderland FC knocked them out 3-0.
£50 - £80 each.
This souvenir programme was published for Third Lanark FC for their match with Queen of the South in the 1946/47 season which ended a 1-1 draw. The club was established in 1872 but closure engulfed them in 1967.
£70 - £100 each.
This publication was issued by Accrington Stanley for a game played at Peel Park in 1946/47 season. This is not the Accrington Club that played a part in forming the Football League.
£70 - £100 each.
Gateshead AFC produced this programme for their match with Accrington Stanley on the 16th April 1955. The club was formed in 1899 as South Shields Adelaide but later in the 1930s changed its name to Gateshead after moving to the area.
£70 - £100 each.
More pages will be added over the coming weeks
