Program Page

Wisbech Town FC

The Programme Page
Soon to return

Volume1, Number 1

Gordon Smith, Editor of the Wisbech Town Programme presents the first of his monthly features.

Thanks to Andrew Barber for the inclusion of this page on his excellent Web-site

As I have been threatened and cajoled into doing this page, it's only right that I inform you of the contents over the next few months.

I intend to feature the different Programme covers of Wisbech Town F.C. over the last 50 years and look at the contents and possibly pass comments as to the style, features etc. When I've exhausted that avenue I will feature F.A. Cup or Vase Special Issue programmes both home and away.

As a tribute to all those much maligned Programme editors of non-league football clubs I am taking this opportunity of explaining all the work that goes into the production of a programme.

In the case of WTFC the Programme cover and 20 pages of advertising are all pre-printed before the season starts, along with a blank Team page in which I enter the two teams, Officials, Match sponsor and the next fixture at Fenland Park. This leaves me with 24 pages to fill, however, when I have two matches in a week I do cut this down to a more manageable 20 pages. For cup ties if I have enough information I have published a 56 page issue e.g. the Bedford Town F.A. Cup Issue this season.

Now down to details, the first page is a welcome to who-ever we are attempting to play against, I say that because if you've watched the Fenmen this season it can be a Jekyll or Hyde performance! I also include the list of Directors and the Management team along with the Newsline 'phone number and E-Mail address.

The second page is the property of our Commercial Department where our Commercial Manager gives a good plug to the Match sponsor and also a list of previous sponsors. To those Firms, and kind people who have sponsored the team in any capacity, thank you very much, with out your assistance in no way could a town the size of Wisbech support a team in the Southern League.

Now to Page 3, no I'm sorry there's no pin-up, and as I'm too scared to ask certain Fenland Park lovelies to bare all, we suffer the Chairman's Notes. Actually Super-Rab's not to bad, he does keep it short - just like he is.

On the next page, it's usually an article by a guest reporter, a Midland Division review or it has been known - the Manager's Notes.

I then go on to the Match reports, this of course varies upon the frequency of home matches. I'm assisted here by our resident 'Disc-Jockey' - Secretary John Petch who goes under the title of "Your Roving Reporter". A Master of Tact and Diplomacy he has been known to write a report replacing one of mine which consisted of four letters - C.R.A.P.

I then feature our opponents, two pages of their History, two pages of Pen-Pics and the fifth features their season so far and the last time the two clubs met.

Next is the staple diet of all Programmes, the results and fixtures, League Tables, Travel Information, Players sponsorship.

I am fortunate that I receive Reserve Match reports and some-times a Youth team report, all are published along with the Fenmen Sports & Social Club events.

Special features include the popular "Blast from the Past" which this season is following the football club's progress from 1935 to 1958 with the final league table from each year.

An occasional feature is the "Behind the Scenes" in which people who help the club are featured. This series has featured such notable characters as our Club President, Mr Jack Chilvers, our Social club Manageress, Mandy Boughen to our man selling the Programmes to our supporters - Malcolm Lee. Several others are in the pipe-line.

Last of all, but many at the club read this page first, is the "Last word" which has gained somewhat of a reputation for sarcasm and wit. The Chairman is usually first in line to receive anything that's been thrown! Our last Chairman couldn't walk anywhere without being accused of "wearing the concrete away!" and when I discovered the day before he sacked a Manager , a hole appeared in one of his shoes! You can imagine the rest. Super-Rab's ailment's have all been reported as well being disparaged. Certain Directors have breathed a sign of relief at being left out of the current firing line, but where there's a target.....(That doesn't include me - I make and fire the bullets!).

I can honestly say it takes 10 to 12 hours to produce an issue, I then take it to our Printer and on the Friday the Programme is collated and stapled up ready for the Match.

If you are feeling sorry for me, please do send cash to the Ronnie and Reg Shed, Fenland Park, Lerowe Road, Wisbech, Cambs PE13 3QL and I will have a drink on you. Mind you doing this programme is driving me to drink!

The current 1998/99 Matchday Programme cover will be pictured here soon.

This seasons Matchday Programme is available by post, £1 -40 per Issue. This includes p&p. Make Cheque's / P.O.s payable to Wisbech Town F.C. Overseas please add extra for postage. WTFC, Fenland Park, Lerowe Rd; Wisbech Cambs PE133QL

Coming up in future issues.

Programmes to be featured :-
The late 1940's
Despite Paper shortage a reasonable Issue

The Early '50's
Somewhat of a disappointment.

The late '50's
They sold in their thousands.

The 1960's
From Glossy Paper to a six page urgh!

The 1970's
From six pages to even more yuck!!

The 1980's
Absolutely brilliant! Programme of the year for three years and deservedly too!

The 1990's
Several different Covers. Emergency Issues to the present day.


	Wisbech Town FC The Programme Page Soon to return
	Volume1, Number 1
	Gordon Smith, Editor of the Wisbech Town Programme presents the first of his monthly features.

	Thanks to Andrew Barber for the inclusion of this page on his excellent Web-site As I have been threatened and cajoled into doing this page, it's only right that I inform you of the contents over the next few months. I intend to feature the different Programme covers of Wisbech Town F.C. over the last 50 years and look at the contents and possibly pass comments as to the style, features etc. When I've exhausted that avenue I will feature F.A. Cup or Vase Special Issue programmes both home and away. As a tribute to all those much maligned Programme editors of non-league football clubs I am taking this opportunity of explaining all the work that goes into the production of a programme. In the case of WTFC the Programme cover and 20 pages of advertising are all pre-printed before the season starts, along with a blank Team page in which I enter the two teams, Officials, Match sponsor and the next fixture at Fenland Park. This leaves me with 24 pages to fill, however, when I have two matches in a week I do cut this down to a more manageable 20 pages. For cup ties if I have enough information I have published a 56 page issue e.g. the Bedford Town F.A. Cup Issue this season. Now down to details, the first page is a welcome to who-ever we are attempting to play against, I say that because if you've watched the Fenmen this season it can be a Jekyll or Hyde performance! I also include the list of Directors and the Management team along with the Newsline 'phone number and E-Mail address. The second page is the property of our Commercial Department where our Commercial Manager gives a good plug to the Match sponsor and also a list of previous sponsors. To those Firms, and kind people who have sponsored the team in any capacity, thank you very much, with out your assistance in no way could a town the size of Wisbech support a team in the Southern League. Now to Page 3, no I'm sorry there's no pin-up, and as I'm too scared to ask certain Fenland Park lovelies to bare all, we suffer the Chairman's Notes. Actually Super-Rab's not to bad, he does keep it short - just like he is. On the next page, it's usually an article by a guest reporter, a Midland Division review or it has been known - the Manager's Notes. I then go on to the Match reports, this of course varies upon the frequency of home matches. I'm assisted here by our resident 'Disc-Jockey' - Secretary John Petch who goes under the title of "Your Roving Reporter". A Master of Tact and Diplomacy he has been known to write a report replacing one of mine which consisted of four letters - C.R.A.P. I then feature our opponents, two pages of their History, two pages of Pen-Pics and the fifth features their season so far and the last time the two clubs met. Next is the staple diet of all Programmes, the results and fixtures, League Tables, Travel Information, Players sponsorship. I am fortunate that I receive Reserve Match reports and some-times a Youth team report, all are published along with the Fenmen Sports & Social Club events. Special features include the popular "Blast from the Past" which this season is following the football club's progress from 1935 to 1958 with the final league table from each year. An occasional feature is the "Behind the Scenes" in which people who help the club are featured. This series has featured such notable characters as our Club President, Mr Jack Chilvers, our Social club Manageress, Mandy Boughen to our man selling the Programmes to our supporters - Malcolm Lee. Several others are in the pipe-line. Last of all, but many at the club read this page first, is the "Last word" which has gained somewhat of a reputation for sarcasm and wit. The Chairman is usually first in line to receive anything that's been thrown! Our last Chairman couldn't walk anywhere without being accused of "wearing the concrete away!" and when I discovered the day before he sacked a Manager , a hole appeared in one of his shoes! You can imagine the rest. Super-Rab's ailment's have all been reported as well being disparaged. Certain Directors have breathed a sign of relief at being left out of the current firing line, but where there's a target.....(That doesn't include me - I make and fire the bullets!). I can honestly say it takes 10 to 12 hours to produce an issue, I then take it to our Printer and on the Friday the Programme is collated and stapled up ready for the Match. If you are feeling sorry for me, please do send cash to the Ronnie and Reg Shed, Fenland Park, Lerowe Road, Wisbech, Cambs PE13 3QL and I will have a drink on you. Mind you doing this programme is driving me to drink! The current 1998/99 Matchday Programme cover will be pictured here soon. This seasons Matchday Programme is available by post, £1 -40 per Issue. This includes p&p. Make Cheque's / P.O.s payable to Wisbech Town F.C. Overseas please add extra for postage. WTFC, Fenland Park, Lerowe Rd; Wisbech Cambs PE133QL Coming up in future issues. Programmes to be featured :- The late 1940's Despite Paper shortage a reasonable Issue The Early '50's Somewhat of a disappointment. The late '50's They sold in their thousands. The 1960's From Glossy Paper to a six page urgh! The 1970's From six pages to even more yuck!! The 1980's Absolutely brilliant! Programme of the year for three years and deservedly too! The 1990's Several different Covers. Emergency Issues to the present day.