Our Silver Award for the second-best Premier League programme for 2022/23 is presented to Brentford. Last season the Bees finished third in our Programme of the Season awards, and have improved one place this time around with another outstanding issue. Read our full review below.
Last season’s Bronze Award winners have expanded their programme for the 22/23 season, producing a 100-page issue – up from 84 last time out. The programme has the same kind of look and feel as last season’s, with the additional page count being put to good use.
Each Brentford issue features the event impressive cover illustration from Dave Flanagan, which helps the programme to stand out from the usual player / action covers most clubs use. Inside, the programme is well designed, with good use of club colours, some double-page photographs, and tidy page layouts.
There are 11 pages dedicated to coverage of Brentford’s matchday visitors – with the club serving up probably the best opposition section in the league. Each issue offers a profile of the visiting club’s manager, a roll call with squad details, profiles of four key players, and details of their last fixture, including the player of the match. In addition, there is a detailed ‘Scout Report’ with a related formation graphic showing how the team are expected to line up, and a two-page Q&A with a member of the press who covers the visiting club.
As you would expect from a 100-page programme there is plenty to read and the writing is of a high standard. ‘Kings of the Castle’ looks back to the period between 1975 and 1993 when the club crest included a castle – something Brentford have returned to for their current second kit. Each issue features an impressively detailed profile of a player from the period in question. ‘From the Archive’ returns to a fixture from the past against the day’s opponents, recalling the occasion across a four-page feature. ‘Programmed’ meanwhile examines the matchday publications issued by Brentford and the opposition during one particular campaign – including details of the matches and images of the programme covers.
In addition to the historical content, each issue carries an extended player interview, over ten pages; a column from comedian and Bees season-ticket holder, Nathan Caton; and a photographic section. There is also a short section for junior Brentford supporters and a match preview from former player Ben Burgess.
Club information includes the usual manager column and a five-page stats section that includes the Premier League table and a double-page season spread. Brentford’s other teams are also covered, with a lengthy interview with one player from the ‘B’ team and a Q&A with a member of the women’s side.
Another excellent issue then from Brentford, and well worthy of a second successive season on our honours board.