Today’s On This Day programme is from West Bromwich Albion in the 1982/83 season. Read our review of the programme below and click here to see all the other top-flight issues from 1982/83.
The Baggies ‘Albion News’ programme for the 1982/83 season was presented in the then familiar square format, which was used by the club in all but one season between 1977 and 1985.
There are several club related features throughout the issue. ‘Team Talk’ reports on West Brom’s recent 5-0 hammering of Brighton in their first home fixture of the season, with a couple of pages of pictures from the game also included. There are also two pages of news and information from around the club in ‘Albion Round-Up’, as well as a report from West Brom’s recent Annual General Meeting, with quotes from then Chairman, and former Baggies player, Bert Millichip.
‘Young Albion’ profiles 18-year-old reserve team striker Peter Frain, who the article states had been close to a first-team call up, but who would ultimately never play for the club. The article also references Peter’s younger brother John, who had recently signed schoolboy terms with Manchester United, and who would go on to make nearly 500 appearances for Birmingham City and Northampton Town. There are two pages covering West Brom’s participation in a pre-season tournament in Barcelona, with a mix of commentary and photographs from the club’s time in Spain and two pages of club statistics, covering the senior, reserve, and youth level teams. ‘Scene on One’ meanwhile gathers updates from around the various Division One clubs.
Visitors Manchester United are covered over two pages, with an article that covers the fortunes of the side led by former Baggies manager Ron Atkinson, before profiling the members of his squad. A black and white team picture of United is included, as well as notes on previous Albion v United clashes.
The space that the square-page layout generates is used to good effect throughout, particularly in terms of photography. This is demonstrated in the centre pages of the programme, which are given over to a full colour shot of Albion’s team group picture for the season. Taken together with the mix of club content that is included, this is a nicely put together issue that combines well the various components of a good programme.