EFL to stop printing programmes?.

[jonthefox]

Never really bother with them myself ( apart from the big one off games), but it would be a shame to see them go.

 

 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/43955431

[HankMarvin]

another thing the internet killed 

[z-layrex]

Not an issue for me, we should be going for as paperless as possible as a society. Just release it electronically.

[rn9013]

I always buy a programme as I read it on the train back and it acts as a momento of the match. I’d be gutted to see them go to be honest. 

 

Personally if cost/environment concerns are an issue, I don’t see why clubs cut the pages down and use less glossy/expensive paper. All most people want in a programme is a bit of info about the match, maybe an interview with the manager/a player and a team sheet. 

Edited 1 May 2018 by rn9013

[yorkie1999]

8 hours ago, z-layrex said:

Not an issue for me, we should be going for as paperless as possible as a society. Just release it electronically.

We've been paperless since the 70's, allegedly. 

[MC Prussian]

I'm sure there's a more environmentally-friendly way to print magazines, cut down on the exclusive appearance and on the amount of pages and I'm sure there's a future for matchday programmes still.

 

Personally, I'd miss them. It's a bit of a collector's item.

[Asha]

They don't need canning all together. Just cut down on the complete shite (which I remember being about 75% when I used to buy them) and that would be a great start. A few articles, the teams... it could easily be about 8 pages long, keep the fans happy and be kinder on the trees.

 

I bet they'd still charge the same price though.

Edited 1 May 2018 by Asha

[Super_horns]

Shame but can understand why if they aren't selling well .

[boots60]

Bring back the "Football league review"

A free programme within a programme that kept you fully informed on such subjects such as what Jeff Astle has for breakfast, the type of car Bob Hatton drives or Colin Harvey's miscellaneous dislikes.

Essential reading back in the day.

[CosbehFox]

Generally abroad, they are 16 pages long - free or worth about £1. 

 

The thing I don't quite understand though is surely if they were losing you money, you'd do small print runs based on the previous take-up of last game's programme. 

[oxford blue]

As programmes are generally overpriced for the reading in them, it's unsurprising they don't sell well. A cheaper format (ie less glossy), with material/interviews not available on the club website, would help. Currently all programmes seem to be a similar format which show little thought or innovation to make them more profitable for clubs

[AjcW]

I think this is an EFL directive aimed at not financially strangling the clubs that they tie into FLI contracts.

As it's all done by the same company, just like the websites used to be, this decision will allow clubs to break from that and source their own suppliers or even stop altogether to save costs. 

[Fox92]

Can understand why clubs don't want to if it's costing them.

 

I always get a programme. Large collection of them now. 

[CosbehFox]

2 hours ago, AjcW said:

As it's all done by the same company, just like the websites used to be, this decision will allow clubs to break from that and source their own suppliers or even stop altogether to save costs. 

I don't think that's the case. Fleetwood currently retailing their programme at £1. Can't see a company who do all the programmes allowing that. 

[RonnieTodger]

I used to like them as a kid, but the content is outdated compared to whats on the internet. They're a nice tradition, but if they're costing more to produce than they sell, then there's no point in them.

[AyewJoking]

On 01/05/2018 at 11:52, Super_horns said:

Shame but can understand why if they aren't selling well .

Yeah **** the trees(not forest) and the environment. If its not making money then scrap it!!

[TheUltimateWinner]

I only get programmes if it's a special event, like the quarter finals this year or the ones from the champions league nights.

 

They're mementos and collectables IMO. When I was younger I remember my dad going through the programmes he got from big games so it's something I'd like to do with my future kid. 

[Footballwipe]

4 hours ago, TheUltimateWinner said:

I only get programmes if it's a special event, like the quarter finals this year or the ones from the champions league nights.

 

They're mementos and collectables IMO. When I was younger I remember my dad going through the programmes he got from big games so it's something I'd like to do with my future kid. 

I'm pretty much like this. Can't remember which season it was, but I suddenly realised I was paying over £120 per season for Leicester v Blackpool and gathering dust in a box and just stopped suddenly.

 

Still get the momentous ones though. Everton, all UCL home games and bought all the Wembley finals from the 1990s a few years ago cause my dad didn't go. Great retrospective read.

 

Everyday, run of the mill league games though, they've had their day to be honest. 80 pages made up of adverts, club propaganda and corporate box ticking. I think the history sections and other features can be, and are great, but as mentioned these can easily (and often do) transfer online for free.

 

I'll always hope and expect big games to be catered for, and whilst there's demand at the top level they'll always exist, but lower down it seems awfully draconian to force teams to design, manufacture and print a programme, especially with some of the short turnarounds they must have!