The first of our awards for the 2022/23 season goes to Newcastle United as they collect our Bronze Award for 3rd place in our Programme of the Season rankings. Congratulations to the Magpies on a terrific programme. Read our full review of their issue below.
The Magpies’ issue has been of a consistently high standard for several seasons now, without doing quite enough to be represented in our end of season awards. For the 2022/23 season the club has broken into the top three with another terrific issue.
Each 84-page programme is very tidily designed, with intelligent use of colour throughout – with especially good use of yellow to complement the club’s traditional black and white palette. The quality designs help to showcase an impressive collection of original content, with several historical features providing some excellent reading.
‘All Things Black ‘N’ White’ sees club historian Paul Joannou highlight various items of interested related to Newcastle past and present, while the ‘United’s History in 100 Objects’ feature continues, alongside a new ‘Trivia from A-Z’ article. ‘Ex Magpies Covered’ look at old media coverage of one former Toon player, and ‘Gravediggers, Old Ladies, and Smurfs’ profiles clubs in Europe who share the Geordie’s famous shirt colours.
‘Tales from the Archive’ revisits old newspaper reports relating to the club. For example, the Crystal Palace issue featured a report on an air crash that happened at the famous Gallowgate end of the ground in October 1919. It’s fascinating to learn more about such events that even many diehard Newcastle fans may not be aware of. ‘Toon Voyage’ pinpoints some significant locations from United’s past, explaining their significance to the club. ‘Toon Collectables’ meanwhile, is from columnist Stan Gate – showing off various items of club memorabilia, including programmes and tickets. The Palace issue included a look at ticket stubs for the club’s three FA Cup Final appearances in the 1950s.
As well as the retro content, the programme offers up a five-page player interview, a column from Sky Sports presented and Magpies fan Pete Graves, and ‘Toon Tombola’ – a collection of offbeat questions for one member of the first team. ‘United Backstage’ is another worthwhile feature, turning the spotlight on a member of club staff.
Opposition coverage is spread over ten pages, kicked off with a short introductory feature offering reflections on the club’s last game. There are pen-pics of the first-team squad, together with a form guide, manager profile, formation graphic, and a ‘cult-hero’ from the opposition ranks. ‘A to Z Of’ then pulls together a variety of facts relating to the club, topping off a well compiled section.
The Newcastle programme is also strong on club information. There are columns from manager and captain, while coverage of the Academy features a ‘diary’ with one young squad member, including a Q&A. The club’s women’s team is afforded three pages, including a two-page interview. Previous matches are covered in a well-presented layout, with match facts, key moments, and quotes. In addition, there is a two-page season spread, squad stats, and a league table, as well as results, fixtures, and tables for the under-21s, under-18s, and women’s team. Each issue also carries information on the work of the Newcastle United Foundation.
Newcastle’s issue is thoroughly deserving of a place in our top three for the 2022/23 season, offering up a fine all-round programme, with the collection of historical features being a real stand-out.