Investing in Football Memorabilia: How to Bag a Bargain

The craze around collecting football memorabilia seems to be making a comeback. But, many fans now aren’t sure of what to look for and how much an item they already own in storage could be worth.

With this guide we’ll take a look at football programmes in particular and along the way. We’ll cover which editions have sold for the most money and offer you advice on how you can get started collecting rare footie programmes today…

Football match programmes: the history

The initial football programmes were published and launched alongside the Football League launch in 1888. Unlike today, the aim of a programme was to keep score and it was made up of a single sheet detailing the teams and match date.

Football fans are likely to have heard of the Villa News and Record for Aston Villa — one of the first programmes released. Soon after, the football programme took on a weightier format of between four and eight pages, while the covers became more attention-grabbing and attractive. 

During and after World War II, a paper shortage cut the number of programmes that clubs could produce — making any that were released very collectible today.




Did you know, football programmes started out as pocket sized but then were later developed to A4? From a single sheet of basic info, the availability of saddle stitched and a growth in popularity turned football programmes into thick, glossy books crammed with trivia, statistics and high-resolution photos that fans loved to buy before every match.

These days fans rely on football programmes for player information. The programme can also act as a mouthpiece for the club in question, allowing managers and players to speak to fans via interviews and club statements.

What price should you pay?

Some professional collectors will pay out a lot of money for certain football programmes. In 2012, a family from Ipswich managed to make around £46,000 by auctioning off a set of football programmes they stumbled across in their house, which goes to show how easy it is to not realise the treasure you have sitting around your home.

Fairly recently, New Bond Street auctioned the oldest-known programmed from a Football Association Cup Final for £30,000 — detailing Old Etonians vs Blackburn Rovers from 1882. Similarly, in 2012, the single sheet programme from 1909 between Manchester United and Bristol City sold for £23,500.

Examples of some very valuable programmes

Football programmes have always been significant part of a match day, but how collectable are they really? Reports have suggested that the first Wembley final programme dating back to 1923 between Bolton and West Ham United is worth just £1,000. 

Alternatively, there’s the programme from the one and only time a non-English club lifted the FA Cup — Cardiff City vs Arsenal in 1927 — which ended with a score of 1-0 and has a value of about £2,500!

However, a programmes worth a lot more is the 1966 England vs West Germany. But be warned; there were three reprints of the original, so tracking down a bona fide version is tough. 

If you want to be sure you’re buying an original, check the weight and colouring — the reprints are more lightweight, while the front cover of the original is a deep, royal blue. Different paper types are also used for the team pages in the original, but not in the reprinted versions.

Hang onto any cancelled game programmes as they’re worth something too — take the Manchester United vs Wolverhampton Wanderers game in 1958 following the Munich air disaster. 

This can go to auction for around £10,000. However, once rescheduled, another programme was created where the club showed respect to those involved in the disaster by leaving the team page blank.

A set of handy tips for collectors

Make sure you grab a bargain if you can, when it comes to football programmes:

• Age — anything over 50 years old is most collectible. 
• Rarity — if there are many available, this will bring the value down. 
• Popularity — programmes with an iconic footballer on the cover or detailing a famous match are the most prized and valuable. 
• Condition — creases, missing staples and water damage all harm the programme’s price, so ask for a photo before you pay. 

There are a wide range of programmes in existence that are valuable, so it’s worth collecting them at any match you go to — especially if it also specifies a special event, such as the last time a player plays. 

Also, certain teams typically hold greater monetary value than others when it comes to programme collecting — although, programmes from your team’s past will be more personally valuable to you. Sides such as Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool, Spurs, West Ham, and Arsenal are all highly sought after and are worth keeping an eye out for if you want a particularly valuable item. The Football Programme Centre is also a good source of advice if you’re keen on becoming a serious collector.

Where The Trade Buys are print experts and retailers, based online and in the UK. As well as offering bollard signs for businesses, they specialise in promotional and office print services for B2B industries.

Sources:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-suffolk-18399222

https://www.antiquestradegazette.com/news/2013/auction-record-for-any-football-programme/

https://www.justcollecting.com/miscellania/top-5-most-fascinating-football-programmes

http://www.footballprogrammecentre.co.uk/football-programme-guide.php

The Best US States to Expand a Business To

The US is going through its second longest economic expansion, and businesses across the country are seeing major benefits. The national unemployment rate is less than 4%, and many sectors are seeing booms in employment.

Some US states, however, are more attractive to international business expansion than others, so if you’re expanding your business, here’s which states to consider.

Florida

Florida is known for being a good place to do business, with few regulations, a good college system and low cost of living, with no income taxes. It ranks in the top 10 for venture capital, and ranks quite highly for entrepreneurship and taxes. 

There are 206 patents created per million people. And it’s sunny – which always helps with employee morale.

North Carolina

North Carolina has many business-friendly regulations, making it a top spot for innovation and a good workforce. It has a built a friendly business climate over the last few decades, with low business costs and a young, educated workforce. However, it does also lack anti-discrimination laws and state laws that may deter younger workers.

Washington

Washington has 906 patents created per million people, the third highest ranking in the country, so it’s safe to say the state is entrepreneur-friendly. It’s home to giants including Amazon, Costco, Expedia and Microsoft, and has a strong workforce that thrives on innovation. 




The state has no income tax, but it has a business and occupations tax that can affect some businesses more than others.

Massachusetts

The state of Massachusetts ranks second for patent creation, with 1,005 patents per million people. The state has had a huge influx of business capital in recent years, and always scores highly for education and innovation, as well as quality of life. 

This is partly thanks to its dynamic Boston economy, which is particularly strong in industries including education, healthcare and technology. On the other hand, it also ranks badly for cost of living and business costs.

Texas

Texas scores highly for infrastructure in most polls relating to the best US states for international business. It has strong employment rates and is home to 100 of the 1,000 largest public and private companies in the US, including Dell and ExxonMobil. 

It has no corporate or personal state tax, and has a highly skilled workface thanks to a number of top colleges across the state.

Utah

Proctor & Gamble, Boeing and Home Dept have all recently announced expansions to Utah, where population growth is one of the fastest in the country.

Energy costs in Utah are around 31% below the US national average, while business costs are 10% below national average and employment growth has averaged 0.6% over the last five years. 

It also has a 5% tax rate, which is below nearby states such as Arizona, Idaho and New Mexico. It also ranks well for having a low tax burden on businesses across different industries.

If you’re a global business looking to expand, get in touch with international expansion experts Galvin International for advice and support. 

3 Ways Debt Is Scarier Than It Was 20 Years Ago

The concept of debt has been in place for centuries, and many people across the ages have become heavily indebted to others. Some people carry as much debt as they did a few decades ago, or they carry even more debt. 

While any debt balances can be detrimental, significant debt may be a scarier matter to deal with now than it was only 20 or 30 years ago. Consider these points as you determine how to manage your finances well going forward.

Job Security

Several decades ago, it was more common for workers to remain employed with one company for many long years. Some employees held long-term positions with only one or two companies over the entire length of their working years. 

This provided an element of financial security that is not present today. Many people job hop frequently, and others may deal with multiple layoffs. Decreased financial security may increase the problem with debt, and it may also make it more difficult for individuals who are in between jobs to make ends meet. 

In addition, those who are inundated with debt may not be able to pay for unexpected expenses as easily, such as when they need bail bonds after an arrest, when they need to pay a large insurance deductible and more.

Retirement Plans

Pensions and employer-sponsored retirement plans were more common many years ago. Some companies continue to offer employer-matching 401k contributions, but this is not uniform. 

This is combined with decreasing spending power from Social Security income and a higher cost-of-living, and the result is that many adults are retiring later in life or must continue to work at least part-time throughout much of their retirement.

Credit Analysis

High debt balances, late payments and other factors can dramatically reduce credit scores. While this has been the case for decades, a credit analysis is more commonly used in many situations. For example, your credit report may be reviewed when you apply for a job, when you set up a new utilities account, when you get new smartphone service and more.

While debt has been a problem for generations, it may have more serious consequences today. Managing finances responsibly is essential if you want to avoid debt. This includes saving regularly and living below your means. If you are already in debt and need to pay off huge account balances, reducing your living expenses may be necessary so that you can afford to pay down debt balances at a faster rate.

Budgeting for Medicare

When we talk about health coverage at any age, it’s easy to assume that whatever plan you have will cover the entire cost of any medical expenses you incur. The truth though, is that many plans don’t provide you with complete coverage. You may have to pay a portion of your expenses out of pocket.

With that truth, it can be scary for some, especially those approaching retirement. Not only are you living off your retirement plan and savings, but you also have the added expense of medical coverage, likely through Medicare, and having to pay any additional medical expenses not covered.

Part of your retirement plan should include budgeting for not only Medicare, but for your health in general. To help you out, here are a few tips that will be beneficial when it comes to budgeting.

First, Calculate Your Average Medical Expenses

If you’ve had consistent medical expenses throughout the years, those are likely to continue with you into retirement. You want to have a monthly average of what you spend on prescription medication and any doctor appointments needed. This number will help you decide which Medicare plan is best for you.

If you don’t have any medical expenses right now, that isn’t to say you won’t have any in the future. Start researching what some of the standard medical costs for those in retirement as some may eventually apply to you are.

Know the Different Medicare Plans

Medicare can be confusing. There are many different plans the cover only certain parts of your health. Part A encompasses hospital visits, inpatient rehabilitation, nursing and hospice care facilities, and some home health services. 

Part B covers both inpatient and outpatient care, ambulance services, some hospitalization, clinical research and some medical equipment. Part D is for your prescription drug coverage.



There is a deductible you must pay every year for both Medicare Part A, Part B and Part D. That deductible could change each year (the 2017 deductible for Part B was $183). On top of that, there are your monthly premiums for your plan, and depending on your income, and when you enrolled, that could increase your premium.

There are also Medicare Supplement Plans to help fill in any gaps of your coverage. These plans are in addition to your Medicare coverage and help to cover any additional out-of-pocket expenses you may incur. You’ll have to factor in the different Medicare Supplement rates as well.

Budget for What Is Not Covered

Even with your Medicare and Medicare Supplement plans, there could still be out-of-pocket expenses. For example, most plans do not cover long-term care. They may cover portions or up to a certain amount, but there will still be some expenses left up to you. Those costs can add up very quickly.

Consider any vision, hearing, or dental care that could be an issue down the road. You cannot guarantee that all plans will cover these additional expenses, meaning the cost will fall on you.

So, how do you budget for Medicare? It’s best to err on the side of caution that you’ll have additional expenses not part of your coverage. The more you can have set aside for medical costs, the better off you will be.