For today’s ‘On This Day’ feature we look at Manchester United’s programme from the 1979/80 season. Read the review below and click here to see all the Division One issues from the season.
‘United Review’ had seen an increase in price since the previous season, rising from 15p to 20p. The programme was however still among the cheapest in the league with United and six other clubs now charging 20p and with six issues costing 30p.
The cover for the home game against Leeds United featured Ray Wilkins in action. Wilkins had moved to Manchester United for a club record fee of £825,000 in the summer of 1979, following Chelsea’s relegation to Division Two. Inside programme, manager Dave Sexton penned a column in which he praised United’s “character and fighting spirit” that at the time had them top of the table. ‘United Action’ featured two pages of pictures from a 5-0 win against Norwich City in the club’s previous home game, while a separate image showed Kevin Moran in action at United’s 2-1 win at Tottenham Hotspur. The centre-pages meanwhile contained a colour picture of United midfielder Lou Macari.
‘From Past to Present’ was one of the best sections in the issue. Across two pages, the feature offered several articles related to Leeds, including a Daily Mirror press cutting from 1970, which contained a match report for a 2-2 draw between Manchester United and Leeds. Tony Pullein offered comments on Leeds’ struggles in the first half of the season that saw them sit in the bottom half of the table, only a few points above the relegation zone. The feature also included words on the great success enjoyed by the Yorkshire club in the mid-60s and early 70s, as well as offering a column on John Charles, who was described in the article as “arguably the finest player ever produced by Leeds United”.
‘Fan-Fare’ was a supporters’ column that included upcoming travel arrangements and information about the Supporters Club’s newsletter, while the programme also contained a page of letters from fans. There was a one-page interview with Harry Gregg on the subject of becoming a goalkeeper, while David Meek’s column looked at United’s attendance figures, with the club being the best supported in the league for the season to date. Meek also noted that the day’s fixture pitted United’s Joe Jordan and Gordon McQueen against their former club. ‘For the Record’ was a thoroughly comprehensive two-page stats section, with information on United’s first-team, reserves, and youth team.
Despite the increase in price from the previous season, United Review continued to offer good value for money, with several readable articles and comprehensive stats.