If you haven't been to one of these twice yearly events but you have a love for football generally and the history of game then I would urge you to go to one. Even if you're not a serious collector it's worth a visit.
As I wandered around the various stalls, it was great to listen to and observe collectors 'at work': regular stallholders; familiar faces including ex-footballers and a World Cup referee; people deep in conversation about what had recently been sold at auction; the serious collectors with their detailed lists and spectacles perched on the end of their noses carefully thumbing through box after box; hearing time and again the question "Have you got....?" and more often than not the responding answers "Yes, it's in that box over there..." or "I haven't but try that chap over there...". There was a real sense of community.
The stalls make impressive viewing with all the memorabilia laid out on display, most of it easily accessible to handle, a good mix of colour and black and white images of days gone by.
The very expensive items such as rare matchday programmes from the 1940s and 1950s with their simple, standard covers are often on special display 'behind the counter', sealed in protective sleeves and available to view on request.
As an aside, football programmes can be interesting from a social history perspective - just take a look inside any example from the 1960s & 1970s and read the adverts for local businesses, cinemas, dance halls, the latest cars, alcohol and cigarettes! So different to today!
Matchday programmes, teamsheets, books, pamphlets, cigarette cards, coins, stickers, stamps, pictures, magazines - the list is seemingly endless. You name it there'll almost certainly be an example of it at the Fair. If it's not there someone in attendance will know where to find it or will know someone who knows where to find it!
My main interest is matchday programmes although in recent years I've also started collecting books as well.
The Fairs are not only for adults of course. It's important to encourage the next generation of collectors and it's great to see father and son, mother and daughter, wandering around together, and hearing interesting snippets being passed down from one generation to another. Quite often children attending the Fair receive a free hefty bundle of programmes wrapped in seethrough plastic on arrival at the door - a mystery 'starter pack'!
This may all sound a bit geeky to some, the football equivalent of trainspotting! But to me it's more akin to enthusiasm, pride and passion, for the history of your football club and for football history generally.
Of course for fans of Portsmouth FC, a club with a rich history, there are always plenty of 'collectables' available to view and buy. But it's not all about Pompey and fans of every football club will enjoy the experience and find something to interest them. This is an event that transcends the traditional football rivalries, where any football fans, irrespective of the club they support, can stand side by side thumbing through boxes of programmes united in their passion for the game's history.
As great as it is to indulge and reflect upon the history and heritage of a football club like Portsmouth it does make you realise just how great a loss it would be for future generations if it no longer existed.
Fans of today are experiencing the history of tomorrow that will come together at Fairs like this one and I for one look forward to a lot more of both.
Collecting programmes - how do you start?
Starting a collection of football programmes is not as expensive as you might think. It's possible to buy many programmes priced between 40 pence to a pound, depending on its age, rarity and condition. An autograph or a special occasion may increase the price.
Listed below are some things I believe you should consider when attending a Fair. It's by no means an exhaustive list and I'm sure others will come up with things I've overlooked, but it's a starting point based on my own experiences.
(1) I would recommend having in mind exactly what it is you're after before you attend a fair. Attending 'blind' also has its merits, especially for a first visit but knowing what you want will focus your mind.
(2) Create a list and take it with you to the Fair - it will act as an aide memoire and will give you immense pleasure each time you strike through an item!
(3) If you haven't got one get a reference book where you can look up the exact date a game was played or even who played, that will help your search on the day.
(4) Build your list around themes although don't be surprised if you can't find everything in your theme on the day. Remember you're not the only collector out there and some themes will contain highly sought after or rare items! Select themes that are meaningful and personal to you.
(5) Some of my recent Pompey matchday programme themes have included: the biggest and lowest home attendances for each season; Portsmouth versus Southampton matches; big attendances for games Pompey played at Fratton Park in Division Four; Pompey games played on my birthday; and games Pompey have played on Shrove Tuesday or Ash Wednesday.
(6) I've also had very specific programmes on my list for example: the last competitive game Sir Stanley Matthews played in at Fratton Park for Stoke City; Gillingham versus Portsmouth from the 1985 Milk Cup; and the famous Pompey fan 'takeover' of Anfield against Liverpool in the League Cup.
(7) Take a carrier bag or similar to hold all your purchases!
(8) Do a circuit of the Fair before you delve in, have a good look around, listen and observe. Talk to people!
(9) Have in mind how much you're willing to spend and take along plenty of loose change. Try not to get carried away or caught up in a WIFWML* moment. Get a sense of the value of what you're buying.
(10) View collecting as a hobby, not as a way to make a living, unless you are really serious!
(11) Don't forget that when you get your programmes home you will need somewhere safe, dry and secure to store them.
I look forward to seeing you at the next Fair at Fratton Park! Good luck!
BlueThruAndThru
* WIFWML = "I Wanted It For the Whole of My Life!" when you really didn't.
