For today’s latest programme review we take a look at Everton’s programme for the 2020/21 season. Read the full review below and click here to see all the other Premier League issues for the season.
The Toffees’ issue for 2020/21 is another that has been reduced in size, going down from 84 pages to 68. The main highlight of the programme is some impressive design work, with each issue benefiting from a series of clean, bright, and colourful page layouts. Unfortunately, the reduction in the page count means less space for original content.
There are a couple of interviews with current players. The main such feature runs to nine pages, with more reading than many equivalent features in other clubs’ issues. In keeping with the rest of the programme the page layouts are bright and make good use of photography to complement the text. Similarly, there is also an interview with a former Everton player that covers five pages – again with a good amount of readable content and plenty of archive images. The Everton Historical Society’s ‘Heritage’ page covers a subject related to the day’s visitors to Goodison Park, such as past meetings or players that have turned out for both clubs, including retro images such as programme covers.
Opposition coverage runs to eight pages, kicking off with an introductory section that contains lots of club information, including honours, stadium details, and several images, before a two-page picture from the visitors’ archive tells a story from one moment in the club’s history. There are four pages of squad pictures with basic biographical detail, as well as a page of current season stats that includes a ‘One to Watch’ profile.
Each issue includes a page for the club’s under-18s and under-23s teams, as well as Everton Women, with news and interviews. The usual season spread is well laid out, with good use of colour within the presentation, plus a page of club and league stats, and there is a page on Everton In The Community, as well as columns from manager and captain.
The focus of the original content within the Everton programme is predominantly on current players, with historical content limited to an interview with a former player and the single ‘Heritage’ page. The lack of additional material is perhaps inevitable given the reduced number of pages for this season, but the programme is nevertheless a pleasure to look through given the quality of the page designs.