2012/13

Programme Reviews

Key

PP = Total Pages

Net = Total Pages Less Adverts

P = Perfect Bound

S = Stapled

Arsenal (v Norwich City 13/04/13)

£3.00 (84 pp / 70 net / P)

Aston Villa (v Stoke City 08/12/12)

£3.00 (76 pp / 57 net / S)

Chelsea

£3.00 (76 pp / 51.5 net / S)

This is a Chelsea programme with a recognisable look, retaining the familiar tidy design of the last few seasons. The programme is somewhat advert-heavy, with only Manchester United’s programme containing fewer pages of content for the 2012/13 season. Nevertheless, there are some well-written articles contained within these pages.

The best feature in the programme is ‘CSI – Chelsea Scene Investigation’, written by Chelsea’s historian Rick Glanvill, which takes an old Blues-related picture and tells the stories behind it. In this issue, the focus is on three players (and a random spectator) from 1919, when football resumed on a national basis following the end of World War One the previous November. The feature provides a nice mix of text and old photographs over four pages, providing a valuable insight into Chelsea’s fortunes in the immediate post-war era.

Elsewhere, there are one-page columns from Manager Roberto Di Matteo, who refers to the positive start to his Chelsea career enjoyed by recent signing Eden Hazard, and from Captain John Terry. These are followed by a page of ‘Blues News’ before a five-page interview with another recent signing, Brazilian midfielder Oscar.

Frank Lampard features in ‘Blue Days’, another player feature spread over five pages (including a separate ‘Off the Field’ page), while ‘Guest Appearance’ contains an interview with a famous Blues supporter. Here the subject is Lord Coe, who reflects on his role as Chairman of the recently completed London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Six pages of the programme are given over to visitors Newcastle United, including an introductory article, a profile on Manager Alan Pardew, and pen-pics of the Newcastle players. There is a profile of club legend Alan Shearer, as well as a profile of the club’s recent form, and a page of tactical analysis from former Chelsea star Pat Nevin. An additional page of visitor related content has snippets on recent Chelsea v Newcastle fixtures and a ‘Did You Know?’ section.

There is a page of news, results, and other stats for each of Chelsea’s under-21s, Academy, and Ladies teams. Coverage of previous matches is nice and detailed, with a double-page action shot from the match overlaid with a report, line-ups, and match information. There are three pages of first-team stats and records, as well as an away match guide to Chelsea’s upcoming fixture at near neighbours Queens Park Rangers.

This is a typically well-presented Chelsea issue, impressing in terms of design and layout, as well as visitor coverage and information on the club’s various teams. Perhaps lacking the weight of content of the best issues in the league, this is still a decent read with the historical ‘CSI’ feature being a real standout.

Everton (v Reading 02/03/13)