My name is Steve Hall. I am a Brit who loves football and travel.

In 2010 I cycled to all the 92 football league clubs in England and Wales. I set off in May 2010 and finished on 23rd September. I was met with almost universal kindness, hospitality and friendship.

I had great plans for retracing the route in 2020/2023. Sadly Covid and then a long spell in hospital scuppered my plans. I started a new 90 day trip on 6th January 2024.

I am a seasoned traveller – 50 countries, 700 flights and tens of thousands of miles by rail – but that trip was unique. Was I back in the saddle and cycling? No. Running? No. Horseback/canoes? Dream trips but not this time. No, this one was a digital tuktuk  tour – virtually visiting the many football clubs in England l love so much! Yes, the motorised rickshaw much beloved of travellers in Thailand and India went visiting Old Trafford and Villa Park, Elland Road and St James …. and many, many more! It was a tremendous success. It was a beautiful virtual journey and we raised significant funds for Prostate Cancer UK and my local team here in London, FC Deportivo Galicia. 

Sadly my health is not up to running, cycling, or kayaking any longer BUT it is up to helping my friend O-M on his football project. 

O-M UPDATE

Many of you will know that I have been working with my Finnish friend, O-M Matihalti on his famous social media project that I featured here In a nutshell he is collecting ONE programme PER club PER season from 1967/68 to 2017/2017. This is being preserved as a huge project charting the social -economic, political and, of course, sporting life in England and Wales over those fifty years.

I thought it best if I added an update. We are making great progress although some clubs are much more difficult than others so far.

O-M comments, “Many moons ago I had this brilliant brainstorm of mine of collecting one programme per club per season. Little did I know what a project this would be. Without Steve, whom I got acquainted to back in March of 2024, getting anywhere near finishing the task would have been practically impossible. There’s been plenty of other people helping Steve. One of them is Stephen Morris. (Thanks, we shall meet one day.)

I am eternally thankful for all the help fellow collectors have been giving on the way to finalize the task. Getting back to Steve… he has swapped hundreds of programmes helping me to fill the gaps and scanned an enormous number of programme covers for me. One of the biggest challenges I have found is the high cost of postage to Finland. I can arrange postage to/from here via Steve. I have many thousands of programmes from Finland that l can exchange for my wants. Obviously you are most welcome to visit beautiful Finland …. probably best in Summer!!! Things to be done… are to meet Steve in person (I know he’s deaf but we will get by), to visit a West London programme fair (Hi, Mark, Barry, Lee and Les – Steve has told me a lot about you all so I’d love to visit) and anyone else in the UK who wants to say “hi.” Meanwhile, I will be pleased to help any collector who is interested in Finnish programmes.”

Thanks, O-M. I am really excited to get back to Finland. I was there in 1975 ….. I guess that makes me “old” or “urgammal,” as they say in certain parts of Finland.

We are complete for ARSENAL, ASTON VILLA, BLACKPOOL, BOLTON BRENTFORD, BURNLEY, CRYSTAL PALACE, DARLINGTON, FULHAM, GILLINGHAM,IPSWICH, LIVERPOOL, MANCHESTER UNITED, NEWCASTLE UNITED, NORTHAMPTON TOWN, NOTTINGHAM FOREST, PORT VALE, PRESTON, READING, QPR, SHEFFIELD UNITED, SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY, SOUTHAMPTON, STOCKPORT COUNTY, STOKE, SUNDERLAND, TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR, WATFORD, WEST BROMWICH ALBION, WEST HAM UNITED, WOLVES & YORK

If anybody can fill the gaps on the other clubs please do make contact with me. The hope initially was that people would be keen to take part in the project and would be happy to donate or maybe run with 1×1 exchanges. Sadly, it has not been possible to complete so now I am offering 5×1 with either/any of Premier League, big match, Gillingham, named clubs (most but not all of the 92), non-league, Finnish or Swedish. Can you help?

Those who I would like to applaud publicly are:

Lee Hermitage of NWM Football

Brian at Brian’s Football Memorabilia

Mark Barnes the co-owner of Welling Collectables and of the West London Programme Fairs

… but the biggest, biggest (drum roll, PLEASE) shout out is for Stephen Morris. He has really engaged in the project and diligently searched for dozens of teams for O-M. He has huge stocks of most UK teams and I have always had hugely positive trades with him (both privately and for the project.) Everybody else I have spoken to speaks highly of him too.

He has a terrific offer on currently with a Super 50p Sale. He has tens of thousands of club programmes from the 70s to the 20s all at 50p. As my way of thanking him, if you take 50 programmes at 50p, I will double that with 50 random programmes from my own collection. Seem fair?

Any thoughts, questions, suggestions, kind wishes or, well, anything just get in touch with O-M or me.
Many thanks indeed, to everyone.

Remember you can get involved 

Please check through the site to learn more about the project, the people involved and how you can also help and get involved.

Thanks

Steve

CORRECT AS AT 15/2/26
Aldershot	04/05 96/97
Barnsley	13/14
Birmingham	14/15 13/14 12/13 08/09
Blackburn	16/17 15/16
Blackpool	None required
Bolton	None required
Bournemouth	14/15 13/14 11/12 08/09 07/08 01/02
Bradford C	16/17 12/13 11/12
Brighton	13/14 03/04
Bristol C	16/17
Bristol R	15/16 09/10 98/99
Burnley	None required
Bury	16/17 14/15 07/08 06/07 04/05 02/03 94/95 92/93
Cambridge U	16/17 14/15 12/13 03/04 69/70 68/69
Cardiff	16/17 15/16
Carlisle	15/16 14/15 05/06
Charlton	None required
Chester	16/17 12/13 11/12 06/07 96/97
Chesterfield	15/16
Colchester	11/12 10/11 09/10 91/92 85/86 82/83
Coventry	13/14 10/11
Derby County	None required
Doncaster Rovers	13/14 01/02 89/90
Everton	16/17 , 13/14, 09/10
Exeter	16/17 15/16 14/15 12/13 10/11 09/10 08/09 02/03 74/75
Grimsby	16/17 13/14 11/12 10/11 07/08 03/04 00/01
Halifax	16/17 14/15 13/14 12/13 11/12 09/10 08/09 04/05 95/96 94/95 72/73 70/71
Hartlepool	16/17 15/16 14/15 13/14 11/12 09/10 06/07 05/06 02/03 01/02 94/95 69/70
Huddersfield	15/16
Hull	14/15 01/02
Leeds	14/15 11/12
Leicester City	15/16 10/11 09/10
Leyton Orient	15/16 99/00
Lincoln	16/17 14/15 13/14 12/13 01/02 95/96
Luton	15/16 14/15 13/14 12/13 11/12 04/05
Mansfield	16/17 15/16 13/14 12/13 10/11 07/08 72/73
Millwall	14/15 10/11
Newport Co	13/14 12/13 07/08 06/07 04/05 99/00 98/99 96/97 94/95 93/94 92/93 91/92 90/91 89/90 88/89
Norwich	10/11 69/70
Nottingham F	None Required
Notts Co	16/17 10/11 09/10 76/77
Oldham	10/11 72/73
Oxford U	16/17 14/15 13/14 06/07
Peterborough	16/17 09/10 98/99
Plymouth	16/17 14/15 13/14 11/12 10/11 09/10
Portsmouth	16/17 11/12
Preston	None Required
Reading	none required
Rochdale	10/11 07/08 74/75
Rotherham	16/17 15/16 14/15 11/12 10/11 87/88 71/72
Scunthorpe	12/13 05/06 04/05
Shrewsbury	16/17 10/11 71/72
Southend	14/15 09/10 04/05 96/97
Swansea	05/06 03/04 00/01 94/95 76/77 73/74
Torquay	16/17 13/14 12/13 11/12 10/11 06/07
Tranmere	14/15 11/12
Walsall	78/79
Wrexham	16/17 07/08 06/07 71/72
Accrington	08/09 87/88 85/86 82/83 81/82 80/81 79/80 78/79 77/78 76/77 75/76 74/75 73/74 72/73 71/72 70/71 69/70 68/69 67/68
Burton	16/17 15/16 13/14 12/13 07/08 00/01 99/00 98/99 80/81 78/79 76/77 73/74 72/73 71/72 70/71 69/70 68/69 67/68
Cheltenham	16/17 14/15 11/12 10/11 08/09 05/06 01/02 95/96 94/95 93/94 92/93 91/92 86/87 84/85 82/83 81/82 80/81 79/80 78/79 77/78 76/77 75/76 74/75 73/74 72/73 71/72 70/71 69/70 68/69 67/68
Crawley	15/16 06/07 04/05 03/04 01/02 97/98 90/91 89/90 88/89 87/88 86/87 85/86 84/85 83/84 82/83 81/82 77/78 76/77 75/76 74/75 73/74 71/72 70/71 69/70 68/69 67/68
Dag & Red	07/08 06/07 75/76 71/72 68/69
Fleetwood	11/12 08/09 07/08 06/07 05/06 04/05 03/04 02/03 01/02 00/01 99/00 98/99 97/98 96/97 95/96 94/95 93/94 92/93 91/92 90/91 88/89 87/88 86/87 85/86 84/85 83/84 82/83 81/82 80/81 79/80 78/79 77/78 76/77 75/76 74/75 73/74 72/73 71/72 70/71 69/70 68/69 67/68
MK Dons	11/12 10/11 06/07 03/04 02/03 01/02 00/01 99/00 98/99 97/98 96/97 95/96 94/95 93/94 92/93 91/92 90/91 89/90 88/89 87/88 86/87 85/86 84/85 83/84 82/83 81/82 80/81 79/80 78/79 77/78 76/77 75/76 74/75 73/74 72/73 71/72 70/71 68/69 67/68
Morecambe	08/09 07/08 04/05 01/02 00/01 99/00 98/99 96/97 95/96 94/95 92/93 91/92 90/91 88/89 87/88 84/85 83/84 82/83 81/82 80/81 79/80 76/77 75/76 74/75 73/74 72/73 71/72 70/71 69/70 68/69 67/68
Scarborough	16/17 15/16 14/15 13/14 12/13 11/12 10/11 09/10 08/09 07/08 04/05 00/01 99/00 81/82 80/81 74/75 72/73 71/72 70/71 69/70 67/68
Stevenage	16/17 15/16 11/12 06/07 03/04 93/94 92/93 91/92 90/91 89/90 87/88 86/87 85/86 84/85 83/84 81/82 80/81 79/80 78/79 77/78 76/77 75/76 74/75 73/74 72/73 71/72 70/71 69/70 68/69 67/68
Wigan Athletic	14/15 92/93 91/92 76/77 75/76 74/75 73/74 72/73 71/72 70/71 69/70 68/69 67/68
Wycombe	16/17 15/16 09/10 84/85 78/79 77/78
Yeovil Town	16/17 15/16 09/10 84/85 78/79
AS AT 28/01/2026

Share

LOTS AND LOTS of programme and memorabilia fairs are being announced.

West Kensington, London have announced their fares for the full years and I was delighted to see earlier that there will be a Glasgow Fair in June.

QPR will be a BIG Sunday event …..

IT’S BACK FOR 2026!!

Delighted to be able to confirm that The Great Glasgow Programme and Memorabilia Fair will once again be held within the Hall of Fame at Hampden Park.

Thank you to the The Scottish Football Museum for their hospitality and flexibility with this at what will be a very busy time for them.

More details to come but if you fancy a wee pre World Cup Fair, get this in the diary.

NOTE THE NEW DATE AT QPR …. Saturday had to be moved to Sunday. This is always good as the QPR fans kindly organise mini tours. Steve Wickes will be in attendance (ex QPR and Chelsea)

A few more that I know less of but will no doubt be of interest to those in the Midlands and North

I also got a Northampton Memorabilia Fair in my inbox earlier. Don’t know anything else but the organisers’ details are included (above) … and, of course, last but definitely not least the wonderful event that is Essex Retro.

…and the Essex event is co-hosted with the Corinthian Convention so double bubble

Share

I was delighted to hear some excellent news this morning from my Facebook friend, Jim Thomson. It is an important and concerning subject and I thought it deserved more eyeballs.

Delighted to be able to bring you news that the page will be launching it’s inaugural Football Memories meeting at 7pm on Wednesday 4th March.

Established in 2009, Football Memories Scotland is a national partnership between the Scottish Football Museum and Alzheimer Scotland which supports hundreds of reminiscence groups across the country. The project assists people living with memory loss conditions, including dementia, and more broadly, people experiencing loneliness and social isolation.

I have spoken with project lead Richard McBrearty at the Museum and we have their support in the initiative.

I am also delighted to say that our first guest will be Andy Mitchell, page member.

There will be more about how you can join and what the night will consist of in due course but I do need people who are interested in joining to register that interest

Please email me at scottishprogrammefairs@yahoo.com

Jim also told me yesterday that the Great Glasgow and Memorabilia Fair will be staged in June this year but I don’t want to take focus away from the Football Memories event so I will do a separate post later.

Share

Time for a few updates.

Many of you will know that I have been working with my Finnish friend, O-M Matihalti on his famous social media project that I featured here In a nutshell he is collecting ONE programme PER club PER season from 1967/68 to 2016/2017. So 50×92. This is being preserved as a huge project charting the social -economic, political and, of course, sporting life in England and Wales over those fifty years.

I thought it best if I added an update. We are making great progress although some clubs are much more difficult than others so far. Newport County, Halifax and Hartlepool I am looking at you!

We are complete for half the 92 clubs now and down to the last few. As of 10th Feb 2026 the gaps are:

Aldershot	04/05 96/97
Barnsley	13/14
Birmingham	14/15 13/14 12/13 08/09
Blackburn	16/17 15/16
Bournemouth	14/15 13/14 11/12 08/09 07/08 01/02
Bradford C	16/17 12/13 11/12
Brighton	13/14 03/04
Bristol C	16/17
Bristol R	15/16 09/10 98/99
Bury	16/17 14/15 07/08 06/07 04/05 02/03 94/95 92/93
Cambridge U	16/17 14/15 12/13 03/04 69/70 68/69
Cardiff	16/17 15/16
Carlisle	15/16 14/15 05/06
Chester	16/17 12/13 11/12 06/07 96/97 68/69
Chesterfield	15/16
Colchester	11/12 10/11 09/10 91/92 85/86 82/83
Coventry	13/14 10/11
Doncaster Rovers	13/14 01/02 89/90
Everton	16/17 , 13/14, 09/10
Exeter	16/17 15/16 14/15 12/13 10/11 09/10 08/09 02/03 74/75
Grimsby	16/17 13/14 11/12 10/11 07/08 03/04 00/01
Halifax	16/17 14/15 13/14 12/13 11/12 09/10 08/09 04/05 95/96 94/95 72/73 70/71
Hartlepool	16/17 15/16 14/15 13/14 11/12 09/10 06/07 05/06 02/03 01/02 94/95 69/70
Huddersfield	15/16
Hull	14/15 01/02
Leeds	14/15 11/12
Leicester City	15/16 10/11 09/10
Leyton Orient	15/16 99/00
Lincoln	16/17 14/15 13/14 12/13 01/02 95/96
Luton	15/16 14/15 13/14 12/13 11/12 04/05
Mansfield	16/17 15/16 13/14 12/13 10/11 07/08 72/73
Millwall	14/15 10/11
Newport Co	13/14 12/13 07/08 06/07 04/05 99/00 98/99 96/97 94/95 93/94 92/93 91/92 90/91 89/90 88/89
Norwich	10/11 69/70
Notts Co	16/17 10/11 09/10 76/77
Oldham	10/11 72/73
Oxford U	16/17 14/15 13/14 06/07
Peterborough	16/17 09/10 98/99
Plymouth	16/17 14/15 13/14 11/12 10/11 09/10
Portsmouth	16/17 11/12
Rochdale	10/11 07/08 74/75
Rotherham	16/17 15/16 14/15 11/12 10/11 87/88 71/72
Scunthorpe	12/13 05/06 04/05
Shrewsbury	16/17 10/11 71/72
Southend	14/15 09/10 04/05 96/97
Swansea	05/06 03/04 00/01 94/95 76/77 73/74
Torquay	16/17 13/14 12/13 11/12 10/11 06/07
Tranmere	14/15 11/12
Wrexham	16/17 07/08 06/07 71/72

O-M explains, “Many moons ago I had this brilliant brainstorm of mine of collecting one programme per club per season. Little did I know what a project this would be. Without Steve, whom I got acquainted to back in March of 2024, getting anywhere near finishing the task would have been practically impossible. There’s been plenty of other people helping Steve. One or two of them to mention are Brian of Brian’s Football Memorabilia, Stephen Morris (thanks, we shall meet one day) and the Supporters’ Trusts at Crewe Alexandra and Accrington Stanley.

I am eternally thankful for all the help fellow collectors have been giving on the way to finalize the task. Getting back to Steve… he has swapped hundreds of programmes helping me to fill the gaps and scanned an enormous number of programme covers for me. One of the biggest challenges I have found is the high cost of postage to Finland. I can arrange postage to/from here via Steve. I have many thousands of programmes from Finland that l can exchange for my wants. Obviously you are most welcome to visit beautiful Finland …. probably best in Summer!!! Things to be done… are to meet Steve in person (I know he’s deaf but we will get by), to visit a West London programme fair (Hi, Mark, Barry, Lee and Les – Steve has told me a lot about you all so I’d love to visit) and anyone else in the UK who wants to say “hi.” Meanwhile, I will be pleased to help any collector who is interested in Finnish programmes.”

Thanks, O-M. I am really excited to get back to Finland. I was there in 1975 ….. I guess that makes me “old” or “urgammal,” as they say in certain parts of Finland.

If anybody can fill the gaps on the other clubs please do make contact with me. The hope initially was that people would be keen to take part in the project and would be happy to donate or maybe run with 1×1 exchanges. Sadly, it has not been possible to complete so now I am offering 5×1 with either/any of Premier League, big match, Gillingham, named clubs (most but not all of the 92), non-league, Finnish, Scottish or Swedish. Can you help?

Those who I would like to applaud publicly are:

Lee Hermitage of NWM Football

Mark Barnes the co-owner of Welling Collectables and of the West London Programme Fairs

… but the biggest, biggest (drum roll, PLEASE) shout out is for Stephen Morris and Brian Forrester at Brian’s Football Memorabilia. They have really engaged in the project and diligently searched for dozens of teams for O-M through thousands of programmes each. You are hugely appreciated.

They both have huge stocks of most UK teams and I have always had hugely positive trades with them (both privately and for the project.) Everybody else I have spoken to speaks highly of them too.
Here’s an offer for anybody buying programmes from Stephen or Brian in February, and mentioning my name. If you buy 10, 20, 50 etc from either of them, I will double it with 10, 20, 50 random programmes. (up to 500!) You pay only my postage. If you collect from me (Heathrow area) there will be no charge and I will even make a coffee!

Any thoughts, questions, suggestions, kind wishes or, well, anything just get in touch with O-M or me.

Many thanks indeed, to everyone.

***************************************************************************************************

It’s actually probably a good place to note that this project will be my last major involvement with programmes. Why? Well, after 60+ years, health and old age are forcing me to sell up. So, if you are interested in 20,000+ programmes at a bargain price, check here

Share

I can’t claim to be a huge fan of FIFA or Fédération Internationale de Football Association to give it its full title. The utterly worthless FIFA “Peace Prize” that its president, Giovanni Vincenzo Infantino, presented to Donald Trump was probably the last straw for me. The FIFA World Cup is scheduled to be played in Canada, Mexico and the USA this summer and Infantino is just the licking sycophant that Trump loves. Will the tournament go ahead? Will some games be switched from the USA to Canada, Mexico, Denmark or Greenland? Will the teams who have qualified be allowed to bypass Trump’s visa quirks? Will these teams’ fans be allowed to enter the USA? Bottom line will this be Trump’s Berlin 36?

Let’s not forget what Infantino did to deserve a Foot in the Mouth Award. His was awarded for “his justification for the 2022 FIFA World Cup being held in Qatar despite concerns over the country’s human rights record: ‘Today I have very strong feelings. Today, I feel Qatari. Today, I feel Arab. Today, I feel African. Today, I feel gay. Today, I feel disabled. Today, I feel a migrant worker. I feel all this because what I have been seeing and what I have been told, since I don’t read, otherwise I will be depressed.'” It might also mention what Trump says about his co-hosts, the Mexican people , (“They’re bringing drugs. They’re bringing crime. They’re rapists. And some, I assume, are good people.”) What could possibly go wrong?

I was just musing all this and the debacle that I fear the World Cup will be when my inbox pinged. It was Clare McEwen, my expert on all things women’s football with a list of FIFA failings. I have to admit not to knowing all of these and thought they needed more eyeballs. Don’t expect to be impressed…..I wasn’t!

“1971

Trying to stop the 1971 unofficial Mexico World Cup (Copa ’71). Since Fifa weren’t interested in anything other than stopping women’s football, a group of Italian businessmen had been successfully setting up women’s international tournaments for several years.

None were more successful than Copa ’71 when 110,000 people packed into the Azteca stadium to watch the final.

But if Fifa had had their way, this historic event would never have happened. They tried to ban it.

1991

Having reluctantly organised a successful World Cup test event in 1988, Fifa announced their Women’s World Cup would begin in 1991.

But they still didn’t trust it would be a success so didn’t use their “World Cup” brand to name it; just in case it devalued it. Instead it was known by the catchy name “1st FIFA World Championship for Women’s Football for the M&M’s Cup”.

They only called it the Fifa Women’s World Cup when they decided it wouldn’t cost them anything and could make them money.

1999

In 1999, Fifa tried to persuade the U.S. to hold their World Cup matches in smaller, local stadiums rather than their giant American football stadiums.

They didn’t believe the women could fill the stadiums so told the local organisers they would only take responsibility for filling smaller stadiums. If the U.S. organisers wanted to use big stadiums, they had to take on the risk themselves. Presumably that meant Fifa would only cover costs for smaller venues.

The U.S. organisers and the U.S. team backed themselves and successfully filled massive stadiums. The final was played at the enormous Rose Bowl in Pasadena and 90,000 people watched it.

2015

Canada hosted the 2015 Fifa World Cup amid controversy: the matches were all played on artificial grass, a surface that would never be used for a men’s World Cup.

The players believed the surfaces would lead to higher injury risks and a group of them filed a lawsuit against it.

They noted that men wouldn’t play on the pitches, so why choose it for a women’s World Cup. They called out the discrimination.

They cited the precedent when in 1994, for the U.S. men’s World Cup, Fifa spent $2 million planting actual grass over artificial grass in some stadiums.

Fifa made it clear that there was no plan B and artificial pitches were all they had. The competition was played – for the only time – on artificial grass.

2019

**Fifa introduced new penalty laws for the 2019 World Cup, showing some more discrimination. Laws of the Game don’t normally get changed for major tournaments, instead they’re tested in smaller events. Fifa were suggesting the Women’s World Cup could be the guinea pig. Not cool, Fifa, not cool.**”

If you want to read about the good, bad and ugly of women’s football, then don’t forget to get her latest book, She Can Kick It. I have no doubt we will be talking more about this tournament but I cant claim to hold high hopes.

Share

It’s the first fair of 2026 and I am sure it will be a BIG one!

This coming Sunday 1st February 2026 it’s the first West London Football Programme and Badge Fair of 2026. Everyone welcome and there will programmes, badges, shirts, tickets, cards, books, magazines and much more. I know Les Easterbrook will be there with a big range of badges and that Mark Barnes has an ever growing selection of shirts and memorabilia.

I won’t be exhibiting but I will be buying aggressively to finish this 50 year collection
www.TheShirt2010.co.uk/uncategorized/o-m Can you help? Someone MUST have a Millwall 2014/15 and 2010/11. Pretty please!

I should also mention that my entire collection is up for sale. Please see here

Programmes required

Aldershot	13/14 , 04/05 96/97
Barnsley	13/14
Birmingham	14/15 13/14 12/13 08/09
Blackburn	16/17 15/16
Blackpool	None required
Bolton	None required
Bournemouth	14/15 13/14 11/12 08/09 07/08 01/02
Bradford C	16/17 15/16 12/13 11/12
Brighton	13/14 03/04
Bristol C	16/17
Bristol R	15/16 09/10 98/99
Bury	16/17 14/15 07/08 06/07 04/05 02/03 94/95 92/93
Cambridge U	16/17 14/15 12/13 03/04 69/70 68/69
Cardiff	16/17 15/16
Carlisle	15/16 14/15 05/06
Chester	16/17 12/13 11/12 06/07 96/97
Chesterfield	15/16
Colchester	11/12 10/11 09/10 91/92 85/86 82/83
Coventry	13/14 10/11
Derby County	81/82 (matchday newspaper)
Doncaster Rovers	13/14 01/02 89/90
Everton	16/17 , 13/14, 09/10
Exeter	16/17 15/16 14/15 12/13 10/11 09/10 08/09 02/03 74/75
Grimsby	16/17 13/14 11/12 10/11 08/09 07/08 03/04 00/01
Halifax	16/17 15/16 14/15 13/14 12/13 11/12 09/10 08/09 04/05 95/96 94/95 72/73 70/71
Hartlepool	16/17 15/16 14/15 13/14 11/12 09/10 06/07 05/06 02/03 01/02 94/95 69/70
Huddersfield	15/16
Hull	14/15 01/02
Leeds	16/17 14/15 11/12
Leicester City	15/16 10/11 09/10
Leyton Orient	15/16 99/00
Lincoln	16/17 14/15 13/14 12/13 01/02 95/96
Luton	16/17 15/16 14/15 13/14 12/13 11/12 04/05
Mansfield	16/17 15/16 13/14 12/13 10/11 07/08 72/73
Millwall	14/15 10/11
Newport Co	13/14 12/13 07/08 06/07 04/05 99/00 98/99 96/97 94/95 93/94 92/93 91/92 90/91 89/90 88/89
Norwich	10/11 69/70
Nottingham F	None Required
Notts Co	16/17 10/11 09/10 76/77
Oldham	10/11 72/73
Oxford U	16/17 14/15 13/14 06/07
Peterborough	16/17 09/10 98/99
Plymouth	16/17 14/15 13/14 11/12 10/11 09/10
Portsmouth	16/17 11/12
Preston	None Required
Reading	none required
Rochdale	10/11 08/09 07/08 74/75
Rotherham	16/17 15/16 14/15 11/12 10/11 87/88 71/72
Scunthorpe	12/13 05/06 04/05
Shrewsbury	16/17 10/11 71/72
Southend	14/15 09/10 04/05 96/97
Swansea	05/06 03/04 00/01 94/95 76/77 73/74
Torquay	16/17 15/16 14/15 13/14 12/13 11/12 10/11 06/07
Tranmere	16/17 14/15 11/12
Wrexham	16/17 15/16 07/08 06/07 71/72
Accrington	08/09 87/88 85/86 82/83 81/82 80/81 79/80 78/79 77/78 76/77 75/76 74/75 73/74 72/73 71/72 70/71 69/70 68/69 67/68
Burton	16/17 15/16 13/14 12/13 07/08 00/01 99/00 98/99 80/81 78/79 76/77 73/74 72/73 71/72 70/71 69/70 68/69 67/68
Cheltenham	16/17 14/15 11/12 10/11 08/09 05/06 01/02 95/96 94/95 93/94 92/93 91/92 86/87 84/85 82/83 81/82 80/81 79/80 78/79 77/78 76/77 75/76 74/75 73/74 72/73 71/72 70/71 69/70 68/69 67/68
Crawley	15/16 06/07 04/05 03/04 01/02 97/98 90/91 89/90 88/89 87/88 86/87 85/86 84/85 83/84 82/83 81/82 77/78 76/77 75/76 74/75 73/74 71/72 70/71 69/70 68/69 67/68
Dag & Red	07/08 06/07 75/76 71/72 68/69
Fleetwood	11/12 08/09 07/08 06/07 05/06 04/05 03/04 02/03 01/02 00/01 99/00 98/99 97/98 96/97 95/96 94/95 93/94 92/93 91/92 90/91 88/89 87/88 86/87 85/86 84/85 83/84 82/83 81/82 80/81 79/80 78/79 77/78 76/77 75/76 74/75 73/74 72/73 71/72 70/71 69/70 68/69 67/68
MK Dons	11/12 10/11 06/07 03/04 02/03 01/02 00/01 99/00 98/99 97/98 96/97 95/96 94/95 93/94 92/93 91/92 90/91 89/90 88/89 87/88 86/87 85/86 84/85 83/84 82/83 81/82 80/81 79/80 78/79 77/78 76/77 75/76 74/75 73/74 72/73 71/72 70/71 68/69 67/68
Morecambe	08/09 07/08 04/05 01/02 00/01 99/00 98/99 96/97 95/96 94/95 92/93 91/92 90/91 88/89 87/88 84/85 83/84 82/83 81/82 80/81 79/80 76/77 75/76 74/75 73/74 72/73 71/72 70/71 69/70 68/69 67/68
Scarborough	16/17 15/16 14/15 13/14 12/13 11/12 10/11 09/10 08/09 07/08 04/05 00/01 99/00 81/82 80/81 74/75 72/73 71/72 70/71 69/70 67/68
Stevenage	16/17 15/16 11/12 06/07 03/04 93/94 92/93 91/92 90/91 89/90 87/88 86/87 85/86 84/85 83/84 81/82 80/81 79/80 78/79 77/78 76/77 75/76 74/75 73/74 72/73 71/72 70/71 69/70 68/69 67/68
Wigan Athletic	14/15 92/93 91/92 76/77 75/76 74/75 73/74 72/73 71/72 70/71 69/70 68/69 67/68
Wycombe	16/17 15/16 09/10 84/85 78/79 77/78
Yeovil Town	16/17 15/16 09/10 84/85 78/79
AS AT 28/01/2026

Share

Just a few What’s Ons for the diary

Kettering Town – remember it is their big 50th Anniversary event

See more here

Share

Despite the very best efforts of the Football Association to devalue the FA Cup, it still has some appeal.

A few clubs had very special weekends to prove there is the legendary “Magic of the Cup.” Obviously, the biggest congratulations must go to Macclesfield who beat last season’s cup holders, Crystal Palace, fair and square at the Moss Rose. Respect also to Palace for the way they took defeat and for handing over their share of the gate to the Non-League Club. #respect

Manchester United were well beaten at home by Brighton & Hove Albion whilst Manchester City put ten past Exeter City who took an impressive 7,000 to the Etihad. QPR took 10,000 across London to the London Stadium where the Hammers scraped home 2-1. It might save Nuno for a few more days but it was not impressive. Spurs (see below) were beaten at home by a strong Villa side who seemed to have the tactics spot on. Difficult days for Thomas Frank.

Other things of note: both Southampton (3-2 winners at Doncaster) and Spurs wore one-off special shirts. Spurs was a rather tenuous link to whilst Southampton was the 50th anniversary of the 1976 FA Cup Final win against Tommy Docherty’s Manchester United. Southampton were a second division side managed by Lawrie McMenemy and were the underdogs. A late winner by Bobby Stokes sealed a tight 1-0 victory. My childhood hero, David Peach was Number 3 for the Saints. The shirt is available from the official Southampton FC website

Tottenham launched a campaign to pay homage to their 1901 FA Cup-winning team to mark the 125th anniversary of the historic achievement.

By winning the world’s oldest football cup competition, Spurs became the first and remain the only non-league team to lift the trophy.

The club played in the Southern League Division One at the time, but against the odds, on 27 April 1901, they overcame top-flight Sheffield United 3-1 in the FA Cup final replay at Burnden Park in Bolton.

On Friday, Spurs launched a campaign to celebrate what is described as a “ground-breaking” historic achievement and hope to educate younger generations on the “significance” of that win.

Full story on the official club website. Sadly, the shirts sold out immediately but are available all over eBay etc for £300 ….presumably from grifters who spend their lives complaining about fans being taken advantage of.

Share

I have mentioned Kettering Town several times in the past. Most football fans can remember the whole Kettering Tyres story. It was a pleasure therefore to hear of the activities around a forthcoming league match when many of the Legends of that era will come together……..and there is an exciting shirt side-story (see below.)

The story so far – click here

BUT

On January 17th there will be a very special reunion of the legends of the 70s. Paula Conde-Sharpe sent me this,

“The 50th celebrations are going to be epic. We have 7 of the original players from that legendary team attending the celebrations as our guests in Hospitality. I think that’s pretty incredible!!! They are in their late 70’s and 80’s My dad is one of them!! Kettering Town are just outside the playoffs in the Southern League Premier Central so three points will make it a great day.

This is an exclusive opportunity to experience the club1872 Hospitality Suite alongside true Kettering Town legends, including six of the original 1976 players who proudly wore the pioneering Kettering Tyres shirt, joined by other iconic figures from Kettering and the wider footballing world.

The day begins at 12 noon with engaging talks from our special guests, followed by a two-course meal and a complimentary drink. You’ll also have the chance to meet the manager and players, all of whom will be wearing the iconic Kettering Tyres kit, making this a truly unforgettable celebration of the club’s heritage.

This is a landmark occasion and a historic day of celebration not to be missed.

Places are strictly limited and can be booked via Fanbase accessed via www.ketteringtownfc.com.

Book now to secure your seat and avoid disappointment.
Here’s the schedule

NOTE: The legends are going to be wearing a replica shirt with their name and number on which they will sign and we will auction post match.

They are doing a retro cover programme for the day like the old style. They are going to put the shirts to be auctioned on the FB page ahead of 17th as well for bids

Share

The Complete Non-League Groundhopper’s Guide

Well, where do I start?
Amorim…Gone
Nancy…Gone
Marseca…Gone
Moore …Gone

The merry-go-round keeps going round. Port Vale’s league position and Celtic’s form perhaps mean that the departures were inevitable. The situations at Chelsea and Manchester United are far more intriguing.
Just hearing that a certain José Mário dos Santos Mourinho Félix AKA “The Special One” is interested in the Chelsea role. Yo-Yo …….. but NOBODY has EVER brought them more success! What about Ole Gunnar Solskjær to United? I’d be very happy with either returning to Old Trafford!

All good banter but in the real world both my games were off this weekend. Holmer Green and Meadow Lane Notts County are grounds I have been to before so no ticks but this is a very worthwhile addition to any groundhopper’s library. (See below for my own personal January offer)

Let’s look at “The Complete Non-League Groundhopper’s Guide “

Join Alan Burge on this odyssey of exploration around some of football’s lesser-known – but by no means less remarkable or significant – football grounds.

No breeze block and plastic identikit stadia here, just unique and inspiringly creative incarnations and interpretations of the humble host of the truly beautiful game.

Superbly complemented by Alan’s unique diary entries, explore weird and wonderful structures, the meeting of old and new and the unashamed collaboration with their natural habitat.

You’ll never share the away end at The Emirates with a tree, or the Anfield Kop with a replica shirt-wearing Great Dane, but they can be found right here – along with hundreds of other equally enchanting and evocative images, in The Complete Non-League Groundhopper’s Guide.

Available at Amazon in paperback: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0FCY35YXD

…or Kindle: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0FCSK2F48

Or, save £2 when you buy from the Victor Publishing online store: https://www.victorpublishing.co.uk/47qr

….and, finally, don’t forget I am selling my entire football book and programme collection. See here

Share

….and we all now look forward to the New Year’s Fixtures. Hope everyone had a good one! It seems there was a lot of hot air spoken about Boxing Day or not-Boxing Day fixtures. Some are forgetting that there has long been changes over the Christmas period and others still remember the days of matches on Christmas Day! Seems a long time ago BUT on the human timeline only very recent (1965 in England and 1976 in Scotland) I note that the people who normally scream about the lack of Saturday fixtures are the same ones screaming about the abundance of Premier League fixtures on the 27th! Nine tenths of me say they haven’t been to a game in real life since the Seventies anyway! For those genuinely missing a PL game on Boxing Day, there were a lot of games in the lower divisions without the same number of prime donne! MANY seem to hark back until 1963 …which was two months before my first ever Gillingham game!

Anyway, one thing I did remember to add was the launch of a retro shout by Copa for Port Vale.
The Stoke-based club returned to the second tier in 1989 after 33 years, beginning a proud new chapter in the club’s history. The early 1990s brought fresh faces and memorable occasions that supporters still cherish.
 
The 1991 – 92 season saw the arrival of record signing Martin Foyle, who wasted no time in making his mark, netting 16 goals in his debut campaign and laying the foundations for a career that would cement his status as a Port Vale legend. Alongside him came Dutch midfielder Robin van der Laan, whose energy, determination and eye for goal made him a popular figure with the Vale faithful and a key part of John Rudge’s side.

A standout moment arrived in the League Cup, when the Valiants produced an excellent 2–2 draw at Anfield against Liverpool. That performance captured the spirit of the team and gave supporters a night to remember on one of football’s biggest stages.


The iconic shirts are available here
 

Happy New Year

Share