Matchday programmes are one of English football’s most cherished traditions, yet talkSPORT research indicates that around 21% of Championship clubs no longer produce printed matchday programmes, and 12.5% of 104 clubs in the Premier League, EFL, and Women’s Super League no longer sell them. Additionally, only 10%-20% of attendees buy programmes on match day, partly because print costs are rising. However, many clubs are fighting to preserve this tradition, battling ‘throwaway’ digital culture and letting football lovers show future generations some of their most cherished matchday programmes. If you have a few programmes from Merseyside football clubs in your collection, displaying them artfully is an ideal way to celebrate your love of football while respecting your home’s design style.
Selecting the Programmes You Wish to Display
If you’ve been a football fan for a decade or two, you may have a vast collection of programmes. If so, it’s a good idea to decide how many you wish to display and to choose those that are particularly meaningful to you or hold a value you wish to share with others. Check with older family members too; some programmes from the 1960s and earlier fetch thousands of pounds on eBay and contain historical information that fellow football fans will love to hear or read.
Choosing the Right Forms of Display
If you have a large collection of programmes, you may want to display them in more than one space, or, if you have a den, office, or bedroom where football memorabilia reigns supreme, display them in multiple formats. Your oldest, most valuable programmes need the most protection, so ideally, frame them and cover them with glass. If you opt for a frame, the good news is that they come in various styles, so you will easily find one that blends with your home’s design, whether traditional, modern, or minimalist. Available formats include traditional wood or metal frames, floating or double-glass frames, and shadow box frames, which are specifically designed for thicker items like programmes or 3D objects.
Displaying Various Programmes in One Space
If you wish to display various programmes on a statement wall, use an array of different frame sizes, starting with an A4 frame (which will fit one programme). To place two programmes side by side, an A3 frame is larger and will accommodate both easily. If you have additional prints, such as photographs, cards, and other smaller images, 4×6, 5×6, and 8×10 frames are suitable. You can also choose customised frames if your images are of a size or shape that doesn’t fit standard frames.
Creating Flexible Displays
Not all displays have to be permanent. If you collect programmes, you may want to display your latest editions so friends and family can read through them. In that case, a more flexible display will suit your needs. One great way to keep your programmes organised by year is to use ring-bound folders, creating one folder per year. You can buy specialised sleeves made of clear polyethene or polypropylene to protect your programmes from dust and tears. Some binders have thick pockets that allow you to slide two thinner programmes back-to-back. Another more visible way to show off your programmes is to stand them upright in custom slipcases or lean them neatly on a standard bookshelf. Some people keep their programmes in dedicated archival storage boxes designed for sports memorabilia. These boxes keep them upright and let you catalogue them for easy access.
Adding a Touch of Artistry
If you or other family members enjoy making art, you could enhance the aesthetic appeal of programmes by creating art to display alongside them. Sketches, paintings, and sculptures can all sit beautifully next to programmes, adding a personal touch to your display. If you have a large frame and space around the programme, fill the background with drawings, collage images, pins, or smaller pictures. The key is to create a piece that reflects your passion for football.
Printed programmes are becoming rarer, with many clubs citing printing costs as a reason to forgo publication. If you collect programmes, displaying them can be a meaningful way to highlight their value. From frames and flexible displays to incorporating programmes into a larger artwork, there are many ways to celebrate your favourite players while creating stylish additions to your home decor.