Our ‘On This Day’ feature for 18th December looks at Liverpool’s programme from the 1971/72 season. Read our review below and visit the 1971/72 page here.
Liverpool’s ‘Anfield Review’ programme for the 1971/72 season was one of the smaller issues in Division One with ten pages of content, which were expanded by the inclusion of the Football League Review.
Tony Pullein’s ‘Topical Talking Point’ kicked off the programme, pointing out the poor away form of visitors Tottenham and asking why home teams traditionally enjoy an advantage in terms of results. Among the contrary evidence considered was the snippet that Third Division Mansfield Town had, four months into the season, failed to score a league goal at home! Tottenham’s struggles away from White Hart Lane were also referenced in the two-page article that introduced the club’s squad. This feature included profiles of Spurs’ key players and a picture of Pat Jennings – described as “one of the top goalkeepers in Europe”.
The programme also reproduced an old autograph sheet sent in by a Liverpool supporter, which contained some famous names from the club’s past, such as Scott, Lacey, Forshaw, Bromilow, and Chambers. There was also a picture of forward Jack Whitham acknowledging the Kop after completing his hat-trick in the previous week’s win against Derby County. There was also some detailed statistical content, including the first team’s results, fixtures, league table, and scorer details, as well as facts and figures for the reserve team competing in the Central League. Among the advertising content included was details of a travel plan to help supporters attend a tour of the 1974 World Cup in Germany, with contributions of £5 a month over three years enough to pay for a 15-day trip!
The inclusion of the Football League Review magazine did offer supporters decent value for the 5p charge, with the cover of the programme highlighting the offer of “two reviews for the price of one”. However, the issues was rather limited in terms of original content from the club itself.