2007-08 Matchday Programme

[Rebel_Glen]

Would you or other fans buy the matchday programme if cost £2 next season?

The main reason for upping the price would be to make it look more professional in terms of the quality of paper and incorporating more colour. I'd also like to hear your views on what you'd like to see in next years programme.

[GarySTFC]

Instead of looking at putting the price up, should we not be looking at getting more advertising in it to keep the price at £1.50 but with added content?

 

In terms of the content, we do have one of the best in the league in terms of content week in week out, so I don't feel we need to change much in this respect, but I do think we need to keep the printing and running costs to an absolute minimum.

[Martin]

Agree with Gary. I am not sure people will be happy to be pay for a programme at 2 quid when we are a step down. Personally I think the qulaity of the programme we have is top notch for the standard we play at.

[SteveR]

As an away fan, I'm more interested in the content of the programme than what it looks like in terms of design and colour. This season's Slough programme was one of the best in this league this season. Personally I wouldn't change it too much. Agree that £2 could well be steep a level down.

[Matt]

I'm happy with the content but also think we should be looking to keep it at £1.50. Colour is nice, but only really needed for big games or if/when we get back up to a decent level with big crowds.

 

Also I agree with Gary, why do we not have much in the way of advertising? Other clubs pack it in to their programmes, e.g. pages of small ads for local pubs and restaurants. We should comfortably be able do that without compromising on the quality of the product.

[brighton_rebel]

Be great if advertising paid for a glossery programme - but whose going to sort that out?

I think it must be frustrating for Glen that we didn't win any awards - ok Wimbledons is pretty good, but Billericays i think only came above us cos its glossy. It's all 'fur coat and no knickers' in my opinion - no real meat or big articles to get stuck into.

Think it would also be good if more people contributed, even if it was only very occassionally. Marcus, Charlie,Radders,Nigel (Sue's brother) etc are all capable of writing decent stuff and maybe Martin could do an occassional Trust news round-up?

Should i also keep the Meet The Fans piece? I think it works well, its just getting people to commit that is a bloody nightmare

[Guest]

Thanks for the comments so far. I had a feeling the £2 idea wouldn't go down too well! But fully understand why and as it's been suggested we do and should have more advertising which in turn should provide more colour, pages and better quality paper for the programme. Agree with Warren in that we need more fans contributing even if it's 1 article a season, it all helps. Martin if you could find out about doing a regular Trust page which I feel would be a good addition. Also would like to do a double page spread of match action shots, so whoever can sort me out quick high-res pix please step forward! In terms of content I think our programme is pretty good and I wouldn't think too much would change, apart from the above suggestions. But please keep your suggestions and comments coming.

[GarySTFC]

I think the Meet The Fans and the player interviews are essential each week. Just send some out at the start of the season and collate as many as you can whilst chasing up others who have not committed or sent things through yet.

 

If we stay with a similar format and content next season, I would be very surprised if we did not make top three programme entries next season (should they be reviewed)

[charlie]

agree with gary, the player and fan interviews are the first bits i read most weeks. perhaps a song sheet could be included next season to encourage more people to join the barmy army behind the goal?

[Guest]

Definitely be keeping 'Meet the Fans' and the 'Player Profiles'. I personally liked the 'Fans Forum' but it proved to be hard work getting a regular group commited to this. Might be an idea to have a page from the captain but again it depends if they are reliable to write this on a regular basis. I'll also see if Roy can write a regular 'update' page/column. Is there anyone willing to phone up or visit companies/pubs/shops etc for programme advertising? As someone suggested a page of small pub adverts is a good cheap form of advertising. Charge just £25 per advert with 20 on a page and that's £500 straight away. Any other ideas on advertising/sponsorship/community iniatives? Glen

[Tom]

How about a page on the youth team the Trust sponsor showing their results etc? Local football roundup?

[HorshamRebel]

I'm happy to have any of my photos put in the programme along with the match write ups, as I'm sure Gary and Nathan are.

 

We could do a photgraphic shop page/section, so people can see what is on sale, rather than a single paragraph.

 

We could also include a player grid. (Played, scored, cards, etc). Although if we had done that this season, it would have taken up a large part of the programme.

 

I'm also happy to do the odd write up, like I did for my World Cup experience in Germany.

[GarySTFC]

I think the Fans Forum idea is good, but we would need to send it out well in advance and to a larger number of people. Perhaps thinking of a pool of questions early on and getting those out. I'm sure if it was put on here you'd get plenty of responses.

 

I'll be working with Martin about sponsorship for next season to see if we can include getting people involved in the programme advertising. How many pages are you looking at doing for next season and how many do you anticipate having available for advertising?

 

I like the idea about the Slough Youth page. Some reports and perhaps some pictures would be good?

[brighton_rebel]

I handed out hundreds of questionaires over the season and got hardly any back! Also put a few shouts on email and got quite a poor response.

Maybe i'll print a load and hand them out to everyone at the first game of the season.

I need people to hand them out and hassle those on the coach, who can fill it in while they are captive! This way it will help widen the people who are featured rather than the usual suspects.

[Guest]

Great idea about the Trust sponsored junior side, if Martin or Dom is reading this can something be sorted out on a regular basis? At the moment the programme is 44 pages, but it can have as many pages of adverts as you want, the more the better! The other suggestion of a club shop page but with pictures on is also worth putting in, if again someone can supply me with high-res pix and details.

[Martin]

Well I'm more than happy to do a regular Trust page...provided I'm still on the Board come next season. I can incorporate information about the junior side in that if necessary. I would imagine it being once monthly rather than for every programme but will see how it goes.

[HorshamRebel]

I'll take some photos of shop mechandise on Saturday for you Glen.

[Guest]

Cheers Horsham, email me (as long as the files aren't too large) the club shop pix at your leisure. I presume some the merchandise may change come next season though. Martin if you could write a Trust page that'll be great. I'd rather keep the juniors/youth footy to a seperate page.

[Don Juan DeMarcus]

£2 could also be a prob when we dont sell that many, as it involves a greater chance of loss... if they are costing 50p more.

[Roger Rebel]

When do you need to have items in by to be in programme?