Programme Reviews

Key

PP = Total Pages

Net = Total Pages Less Adverts

P = Perfect Bound

S = Stapled

 

Arsenal (v Everton 24/10/15)

£3.50 (84 pp / 70 net / P)

 

Aston Villa (v Chelsea 02/04/16)

£3.50 (76 pp / 51 net / S)

 

Bournemouth (v Swansea City 12/03/16)

£3.50 (124 pp / 93 net / P)

 

Chelsea (v Norwich City 21/11/15)

£3.00 (76 pp / 57 net / S)

 

Crystal Palace (v Watford 13/02/16)

£3.50 (88 pp / 72 net / P)

 

Everton (v West Ham United 05/03/16)

£3.50 (84 pp / 62 net / P)

 

Leicester City (v Manchester City 29/12/15)

£3.50 (84 pp / 56.5 net / P)

 

Liverpool (v Stoke City 10/04/16)

£3.50 (84 pp / 62 net / P)

 

Manchester City (v Aston Villa 05/03/16)

£3.00 (100 pp / 75.5 net / P)

 

Manchester United (v Liverpool 12/09/15)

£3.50 (84 pp / 59 net / S)

 

Newcastle United (v Crystal Palace 30/04/16)

£3.00 (100 pp / 72 net / P)

 

Norwich City (v Manchester United 07/05/16)

£3.50 (108 pp / 76 net / P)

 

Southampton (v Sunderland 05/03/16)

£4.00 (84 pp / 62 net / P)

 

Stoke City (v West Bromwich Albion 29/08/15)

£3.50 (100 pp / 77 net / P)

Only two programmes for 2015/16 (namely those for Bournemouth and Watford) have more pages of content than the 77 provided by Stoke City. This space is put to fine use with a series of high-quality, in-depth features throughout the issue.

‘Life With a Legend’ is one such feature, taking a look at some of Stoke’s most famous players through the eyes of their family members or friends. In this issue the focus in on Sir Stanley Matthews, who is recalled by daughter Jean Gough. The article goes into detail about various aspects of the player’s life, discussing everything from pre-match habits to the work he undertook in South Africa during the Apartheid era. Accompanied by various pictures from the archive, this feature provides a worthy look at a famous name, going beyond the usual footballing history to give more of a personal impression of its subject.

‘Read and White’ is another terrific inclusion and a programme collector’s ideal feature! Columnist Dave Coxon offers his tips on putting together a programme collection and provides examples of programmes from past meetings between Stoke and their visitors for the day’s fixture. This includes an image of the various programme covers, together with context for the respective matches, and a suggestion as to the price each issue would likely command. A great idea, very well handled!

Another impressive historical feature is ‘Class Of’, which looks back to a memorable season in Stoke’s history. In this issue, the column covers the 1978/79 season, when Stoke and three other clubs were chasing the automatic promotion spots, with the Potters claiming the final spot on the last day of the season with a goal just a couple of minutes from full-time. As well as the drama of that final day, the column discusses the wider background of the season and the players who achieved promotion for the club.

In terms of more contemporary content there is an extensive interview, spread over seven pages, with recent signing Xherdan Shaqiri, who also graces the cover of this issue. Former Stoke player Chris Iwelumo has a look at the club’s recent form in his column, while six pages are given over to club photographer Phil Greig in ‘Behind the Scenes’. There are also columns from club manager Mark Hughes, captain Ryan Shawcross, and programme editor Mark Mothershaw, as well as additional content supporter-related content and coverage of the club’s community work.

Comprehensive two-page spreads are provided to look at recent Stoke matches, including numerous photos; a match report; line-ups and tactics; match stats; and quotes from featured players. Academy Director Dave Wright is given plenty of space over three pages to discuss on and off the pitch matters with the club’s younger players, while the usual first-team stats section is all present and correct.

Eight pages of the programme are provided to cover visitors West Bromwich Albion. These provide for an introductory article; a profile of the visiting manager; pen-pics of the squad; talking points on recent developments with the squad; a thorough two-page tactical analysis; and a stats page that includes a club honours board and recent league form. All in all, this is one of the most comprehensive opposition sections of any programme in the league. In addition, we have ‘A Lesson in History’ which recalls previous meetings of the two sides, answers supporters’ questions about the fixture’s history, and highlights little known facts about the visitors.

This is an outstanding programme from Stoke, providing a wealth of reading material for supporters. The content is well laid out with good use made of the club’s colours and text that is easy to read and not encumbered by any overly fussy design work. A real credit to the club.

 

Sunderland (v Tottenham Hotspur 13/09/15)

£3.00 (100 pp / 75.5 net / P)

 

Swansea City (v Leicester City 05/12/15)

£3.00 (84 pp / 66 net / P)

 

Tottenham Hotspur (v Bournemouth 20/03/16)

£3.50 (100 pp / 72 net / P)

 

Watford (v Southampton 23/08/15)

£3.50 (100 pp / 80 net / P)

 

West Bromwich Albion (v Newcastle United 28/12/15)

£3.50 (84 pp / 70.5 net / P)

 

West Ham United (v Arsenal 09/04/16)

£3.50 (100 pp / 71 net / P)