Well, the season may be over today for most clubs in the Championship, League 1 and 2 but your football fix can be satisfied with a couple of high profile events in the next few weeks. Whilst others are dreaming about the beach, my thoughts move to Morden in Sarfffff London (Sarfffff Lunnun, innit?) and Colchester. Today it is my pleasure to spotlight Barry Dixey’s “South London Football Programme & Memorabilia Fair.” The event is tomorrow 4th May at Tooting & Mitcham United’s excellent facilities in Morden.

I caught up with Barry earlier and it’s clear that he’s very excited about this event. He has some well-respected regulars and a couple of new stall holders.

“SOUTH LONDON PROGRAMME & MEMORABILIA FAIR at Tooting & Mitcham FC. – This Sunday – 4th May. Doors open at 10.30.

12 stall holders + the Club are putting on an exhibition.

I have 11 confirmed dealers coming from all over the Country, who are as follows:

Tony Cavanagh. Based in Manchester and has a variety of Football Memorabilia. His stall always looks great and has a lot of interesting World Cup items.

Barry Dixey (Orpington). Organiser of this fair and the West London fair at Emperors Gate. His stall covers all manner of football items including programmes, tickets, autographs, posters and cards.

Elmo Books (Rochester). Emil & Karen specialise in books and are very knowledgeable on the subject. You will often find a hidden gem on their stall as well as a sought after book.

Lee Hermitage (NWM Football). NWM stands for North West Middlesex and that is where Lee is based. If he’s not at a match he is stalling out at a fair or market. He specialises in Football magazines and programmes but like most dealers he has other football memorabilia for sale.

Martin Lane. Martin specialises in Chelsea programmes but has a variety of items on his stall.

Richie Letts. Based in Sheffield and the new owner of Sportingold Sports Auction. Richie has a fantastic display of old and rare programmes.

Paul Manuel. Specialises in Football Shirts but covers other sports such as Cricket & Boxing and will be accompanied on his stall by his friends Mono & Stan.

Ray Margetson. Lots of interesting items of surplus stock from his own collection. “Among my collection will be original pennants from the 80s, Subbuteo boxed sets from the 70s, football shirts, non league programmes, sticker albums, tickets, pin badges, and a large collection of books – rare and classics.”

(Shall I ask if he has any tickets for the “Arsenal Have Blown it Yet Again Party” in Tottenham on Bank Holiday? Always a great event.)

Terry O’Neill. Based in Daventry and runs TSA auction house when he is not stalling out with his Football memorabilia that mainly covers football programmes.

Mike Pudney. A first time dealer so it will be interesting to see what he is selling on his stall.

Tommy Roe. The laird of Lytham St. Annes who is a larger-than-life character who has many interesting Football tales to tell. Has some great memorabilia on his stall and a story to go with each item!

Andy Trasler. Runs Cobblers Collectables outside Northampton Town FC ground. Andy is knowledgeable on football programmes and loves the non-league variety.”

Thanks, Barry. I look forward to seeing you tomorrow.

I know Lee Hermitage is there with his usual massive stock of magazines, programmes and general memorabilia and that Andy Trasler is coming all the way from Northampton. Both Lee and Andy have come up trumps this week. No, sorry, I can’t use that word. It makes me see orange! Seriously, they have both helped O-M complete his social media project so are due a coffee, beer, the comfy chair or my wife’s recipe for ratatouille. Maybe Gerald the Gorilla will turn up too with an “original” programme for the 1923 FA Cup Final. To make me believe it is original he will insist that the “Reprinted by Millennium Print Services, Neasden 2002” is simply for HMRC purposes! No, the Not The Nine O’Clock News cast will presumably be trucking elsewhere but anybody else who is anybody will be there.

To be slightly more serious, it’s a BIG shout to all who have helped. It is always invidious to name names but Lee, Andy and Stephen Morris have all stepped up when the gaps looked big. Thanks to everyone. If you want to know more about this incredible social project do give O-M a shout. It has been a privilege to try to help.

As I type this I am watching the victory celebrations at Home Park. I would like to congratulate Burnley on achieving 100 points and hope they survive in the rarefied airs of the Premier League. It would be rude not to mention Leeds United. So, I have. No doubt they will be towards the top of the Championship in May 2027.

Gillingham’s season comes to an end at Port Vale in a few minutes. “Maybe, next year.” Yes, maybe.

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