Football programmes, are they outdated?

Herr Tubthumper · Apr 12, 2015

Hertha BSC have now ditched their match-day programme and replaced it with a free folded leaflet containing little more than reasonably comprehensive details of the opponents, the squads and the league stats. Given the advances in media, that most fans now get their news instantly from numerous other outlets, and football programmes are usually at best a few days off the pace (I wrote these (bland) notes before today's game etc), is there a place for programmes in today's world?

Poll to follow

T soprano · Apr 12, 2015

Always used to buy matchday programmes but stopped two years ago, as you say given the advances of social media by the time I get to the ground I've read so much leading up to game on sites like this and twitter I don't feel the need nowadays to read another 72 pages about The ALBION or the opponents

studio150 · Apr 12, 2015

I assume you're not trying to influence the poll given the reference to filler, etc. Given that the attempt to bring in a digital programme a few seasons ago this should give a clear indication that physical programmes are still relevant today. If we follow the example of fans getting information from other mediums then we can forgo the announcement if the team line ups as this be available on twitter.

Pogue Mahone · Apr 12, 2015

I haven't bought a programme for years. This is partly for digital reasons, partly because I prefer a more 'balanced' read, but mostly down to keeping my match day spending to a minimum.

I have a massive collection of football programmes, they used to be important to me. I was a 'complete-ist' and would buy programmes to games I hadn't been to. Now I don't know what to do with them. They seem so pointless.

Herr Tubthumper · Apr 12, 2015

studio150 said:
I assume you're not trying to influence the poll given the reference to filler, etc. Given that the attempt to bring in a digital programme a few seasons ago this should give a clear indication that physical programmes are still relevant today. If we follow the example of fans getting information from other mediums then we can forgo the announcement if the team line ups as this be available on twitter.

I feel the failure of the digital programme was for reasons other than the desire for a physical item.

Rookie · Apr 12, 2015

No - but won't answer the poll as the option for No does not express my views

Herr Tubthumper · Apr 12, 2015

studio150 said:
I assume you're not trying to influence the poll given the reference to filler, etc. Given that the attempt to bring in a digital programme a few seasons ago this should give a clear indication that physical programmes are still relevant today. If we follow the example of fans getting information from other mediums then we can forgo the announcement if the team line ups as this be available on twitter.

That's me trying to be humerous.

Spider · Apr 12, 2015

Feel like programmes could still serve a purpose, but we stopped buying them because they got way too expensive and are just full of too much guff. Would definitely pay a pound or two for a simple squad list, managers notes, opposition notes (always thinking "where have I seen him before?) and an article or two. Do not need glossy mag with Nike promo shots for every front cover, boring interviews ("great bunch of lads" "working hard to put things right" etc), endless adverts and out of date news. To be fair, though, I still think sales would be very low.

8ace · Apr 12, 2015

Yes, complete waste of time and money.

burnee54 · Apr 12, 2015

I'd like to see a Kindle version so that I could download it earlier in the day and read it on the way to the ground.

Beach Hut · Apr 12, 2015

Last one I bought this season was Arsenal in the cup, personally think our one is quite expensive for what it is.

CorgiRegisteredFriend · Apr 12, 2015

Pretty expensive but still less than a pint. I think ours is one of the better programmes. I did buy Charltons when we played them away and it was full of adverts and very bland articles saying very little. Brentford have their own fanzine-Besotted I think is the name. It is published on high quality paper and is a kind of rival to the official programme. It is a very good read- the one I saw had excellent coverage of their new ground and what effect it will have on the local area and to the fans. So I guess- in summary, it depends on the quality as to whether its worth buying and if they continue to sell then they can't be outdated just yet.

Surf's Up · Apr 12, 2015

As I recall they don't have programmes in Spain. The local paper does a supplement feature on each game and these are given away free at the game. Worked ok for me.

pasty · Apr 12, 2015

I only ever used to buy away programmes of games I'd gone to, but after realising quite a few years ago that all they do is get stuck up in the loft, I stopped that as well. Have never bought home programmes.

Brownstuff · Apr 12, 2015

Love programmes but rarely get buy them these days
Cost is the main reason but they tend to be full of glossy action pictures from previous matches which I have zero interest in and adverts

atfc village · Apr 12, 2015

Will only buy now when visiting a new ground or abroad,but you don't get many issued abroad.

8ace · Apr 12, 2015

How much do they cost these days - the last one I bought was at Withdean for £3.

Geriatric Seagull · Apr 12, 2015

Pogue Mahone said:
I haven't bought a programme for years. This is partly for digital reasons, partly because I prefer a more 'balanced' read, but mostly down to keeping my match day spending to a minimum.

I have a massive collection of football programmes, they used to be important to me. I was a 'complete-ist' and would buy programmes to games I hadn't been to. Now I don't know what to do with them. They seem so pointless.

I quite agree. I used to buy a programme for every game I went to and always kept the programmes from games I refereed. I stopped buying them when we moved to the Amex.

mona · Apr 12, 2015

Too glossy and too bulky these days. I prefer non league programmes.

Saladpack Seagull · Apr 12, 2015

Surf's Up said:
As I recall they don't have programmes in Spain. The local paper does a supplement feature on each game and these are given away free at the game. Worked ok for me.

You're right. And in Spain there are multiple daily papers devoted entirely to Barca, Real, etc. Fans don't need programmes; they're right up to speed on everything going on at their clubs on a daily basis, infinitely more so than we are here.

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