2000/01

Programme Reviews

Key

PP = Total Pages

Net = Total Pages Less Adverts

P = Perfect Bound

S = Stapled

Arsenal (v Middlesbrough 14/04/01)

£2.00 (64 pp / 50 net / S)

Aston Villa (v West Ham United 07/04/01)

£2.00 (48 pp / 35.5 net / S)

Bradford City (v Ipswich Town 21/10/00)

£2.00 (56 pp / 35.5 net / S)

As with their first Premier League season in 1999/00, Bradford City offered a 56-page programme for 2000/01. With quite a high advert count, the issue contained 35.5 pages of content, with only two clubs (Newcastle and Sunderland) offering fewer that season. The programme, titled ‘Claret & Amber’ in recognition of the club’s distinctive colours, nevertheless had some notable features.

In particular, the quality of coverage afforded to Bradford’s opponents was very impressive. In the issue for the fixture against Ipswich Town there were five pages given over to the visitors. These included a three-page article on the club’s form since their recent return to the top-flight, as well as transfer activity, and player profiles. Another page contained an interview with Ipswich boss George Burley, while midfielder Matt Holland was the subject of ‘Star Profile’, in which he reflected on Ipswich’s promotion to the Premier League and his burgeoning international career with the Republic of Ireland. This in-depth coverage was complemented with some nice design work that made good use of Ipswich’s club colours and included several pictures of team members.

There were also a couple of articles with content related to the visitors. ‘Connections’ looked at a player who had represented both Bradford and Ipswich, profiling defender Eddie Youds, who had captained the Yorkshire club to a play-off final victory at Wembley in May 1996. ‘Head to Head’ meanwhile compared the stats of opposing goalkeepers for the day – Matt Clarke and Richard Wright. The article noted that just 5% of Bradford’s shots so far in 2000/01 had found the back of the net, a factor that no doubt contributed to the club’s relegation that season, with just 30 goals scored.

There was also a noteworthy historical feature included within the programme. ‘In This Season’ recalled Bradford’s fortunes from a season in the past, here looking at 1980/81 when the club finished 14^th in Division Four (prior to winning promotion the following season). The article provides a detailed look at key moments from the season and features a couple of small pictures of the Bradford team from the time. ‘One to One’ featured an interview with Ian Ormondroyd, in which the former Bantams striker discusses the role he had taken up as the club’s Football in the Community Officer, as well as reflecting on highlights from his career.

The programme included all the usual club news and information. There were columns from manager Chris Hutchings, Chairman Geoffrey Robinson, and club Physiotherapist Stuart Redmond, as well as several shorter articles from various media figures. Previous matches were covered with reports and match stats, as well as pictures from the game across the centre pages of the issue. There was a page each for the club’s reserve and youth teams, each featuring results and fixtures, a league table, and a write-up of recent matches. The usual season spread for the first team was included, as was a separate page of stats, which was well presented against a background of the club’s crest.

Despite the low page count, this was a programme that delivered a decent amount of content, particularly in respect of opposition coverage. The issue included some readable features and columns and was complemented by some often tidy design work.

Charlton Athletic (v Newcastle United 11/02/01)