The programme we are looking at in today’s ‘On This Day’ feature comes from Manchester City in the 1980/81 season. Read our notes on the programme below and check out the other Division One issues from 1980/81 here.
City’s programme for the 1980/81 season used the then familiar landscape layout that had been adopted by the club a few years earlier and which would be in place until 1984.
The landscape format lends itself well to photographic content, and this issue features four pages of action shots (two of which were in colour) from the previous week’s fixture against Aston Villa. City boss Tony Book is interviewed over two pages, reflecting on the first-team’s recent performances and the talent in the club’s reserve side.
The programme includes a full-page feature with striker David Wiffill, who had recently arrived from Bath City for £25,000, while former player Tommy Booth is interviewed about his favourite game, recalling how City overcame Newcastle United in the 1976 League Cup Final. There are also two pages of first-team and reserve-team stats and a look forward to the upcoming trip to the City Ground to face Nottingham Forest, including a report of City’s 4-0 reverse their the previous season.
Matchday opponents Arsenal are afforded a four page ‘Visitors Dossier’, providing for some excellent in-depth coverage of the Gunners. The first of these pages examines the club’s recent progress and analyses key players within the squad, whilst manager Terry Neill is analysed alongside notes on previous City v Arsenal meetings. Further player analysis follows with profiles of Graham Rix, Alan Sunderland and Kenny Sansom, with the section concluded by a more in-depth piece on striker Frank Stapleton. In addition, the pen-pics on the back page feature photos and basic notes on each player.
Featuring only three pages of advertising content, this City programme had plenty of content for home and away fans alike, with the visitor’s section being one of the more comprehensive examples of its time.