In our latest review of this season’s Premier League programmes, we take a look at Leicester City’s digital issue. Read our full review below and click here to see all of the programmes in the division for 2020/21.
Leicester is another of the Premier League clubs that have taken the decision for the 2020/21 season not to produce a printed programme. However, it is pleasing to find the same high standards that the club have applied to their physical issues for many years now also given to their digital programme, with each issue demonstrating the depth of content for which the programme has become so well respected in recent times. Each issue of the Leicester programme has 84 pages, with a PDF available to download for just £1.50.
The standout content of the Leicester issue remains ‘City Heritage’, a 13-page historical section packed with interesting features. Written by contributors including club historian John Hutchinson, the section opens with a profile of a former player, who reflects on his time with the Foxes. ‘Football’s Pioneers’ arises out of the club’s partnership with De Montfort University – and looks at those players who contributed to the growth and development of the game. ‘Programme Vault’ this season offers up the theme of ‘ancient and modern’, comparing issues from the mid-20th century with those from the 21st, including cover images and write-ups about the design and content of the issues featured.
‘City and the Second World War’ shines a light on how Leicester City adapted to the realities of wartime between 1939 and 1945. This provides an interesting insight into an often-overlooked part of football history in this country, and includes insights from the club’s archive, including old documents such as press releases. ‘City in 100 Players’ reviews the careers of some of the greatest players to represent Leicester, while ‘Unseen Treasures’ provides pictures and commentary on rare items from the club’s collections. Meanwhile, a new series for this season – ‘Leicester City Firsts’ – looks back to key landmarks from the club’s past, such as their first fixture as Leicester City in the Wolverhampton Wanderers issue. Other original content includes player interviews, a column from club ambassador Alan Birchenall, and a page for junior Leicester fans.
Opposition coverage is very well presented with strong use of the visiting club’s colours throughout, including a nicely laid out double-page section opener, featuring pictures of players, the club’s ground, and crest. The section covers 11 pages in all and begins with a short article that includes a link to highlights of Leicester’s previous meeting with their opponents. There is a page of various stats – current and historic – and a full-page profile of the team’s manager. The programme does not provide pen-pics of all the visiting players, but instead focuses on ‘The Main Threat’ and ‘The Key Three’, while ‘A Little Bit of History’ looks back ten years to see how the visitors were faring at that time. ‘Club Record’ profiles a player who broke the club’s record transfer fee, and ‘Landmarks’ selects for analysis some of the key moments in the visitors’ history – complete with pictures from the time.
In terms of club information, the programme offers columns from manager and chairman, several pages of news, information on the club’s community work. There are five pages of coverage for City’s women’s side, including results and fixtures – representing an impressive commitment to showcasing the team. Four pages are provided on the club’s academy, including player interviews and information on players currently out on loan. There are also three pages of stats, including a well-laid-out season spread.
Whilst we would always prefer that clubs make printed copies of programmes available, it is hard to fault Leicester’s digital issue. Where some clubs have used a shift to digital to reduce the content in their programmes, Leicester have remained committed to providing a high-quality production, offering the same level of content as with previous printed issues. One of this season’s best programmes.