Today’s ‘On This Day’ feature goes back in time to take a look at Crystal Palace’s programme from the 1970/71 season. Read the full review of the issue below and see all the 1970/71 issues here.
Palace’s programme for the 1970/71 season was presented in an unusual format, being roughly one third the size of an A4 issue. Perhaps designed to fit in a supporter’s inside coat pocket, the issue is one of a very small number of top-flight programmes to adopt this size – Sheffield United’s programme from 1974/75 being another example.
The limited space available on each page led to Palace allocating more pages in their programme than any other club in 1970/71 – some 28 pages, with only 2 pages of adverts, for the price of one shilling. The text is also quite small, meaning that despite its diminutive size, the programme still provides plenty of reading.
The programme opens with a column from the club’s manager Bert Head, who is also interviewed in some depth over a further two pages, offering opinions on the position of the club and the wider game. Club historian Roy Peskett provides a one-page column, titled ‘Peskett’s Page’, while ‘Press on Palace’ looks at recent media coverage of Palace’s performances.
‘Guest Spot’ provides space for Palace supporters to submit an article to the programme, while an as yet unnamed page is given over to the club’s female supporters. This includes an interview with the Treasurer of the club’s ‘dollies’ – the name given to Palace’s cheerleader-style group of the late 60s and early 70s. There is also a ‘Fan of the Week’ feature, which here profiles one person who had been granted an honorary season ticket in recognition of her 50 years supporting the club.
The programme also includes two pages of Supporters Club news, which is largely focused on the group’s fundraising efforts. In a similar vein are two further pages about Palace’s own development club. In addition to the written content there are five pages of pictures from recent matches, which break up the text nicely, as well as four pages of fixtures, stats, and squad information.
Palace’s visitors for the day, Newcastle United, are provided with nearly three pages, with a team group picture accompanied by biographies of each of the opponents’ players, which are nicely detailed.
The number of features provided ensured this Palace programme represented excellent value for money, displaying innovation in design and content at a time when many programmes were reliant on the inclusion of the Football League Review to pad out their own efforts.