Get with the...e-programme?

In a groundbreaking move Carshalton Athletic last night became the first Bostik League club to produce only an electronic, downloadable programme, for their South Division match with Hastings United. Following discussion with the League the concept of not producing a physical matchday magazine will be trialled by the Robins for the entirety of this season. Chairman Paul Dipre explained, ‘The programme will be available free of charge via social media for anyone who wishes to read it, or direct to a mobile phone for a few pence (10-12 pence depending on supplier). It will also be available to view via a large screen in the clubhouse. Unlike other programmes it will include the actual team sheet for the match, rather than just a squad list which isn’t always accurate.’

There has been a great deal of talk about whether the cost of producing football programmes vastly outweighs the benefit at our level of the game, and this trial will be keenly watched by many clubs; although will perhaps cause alarm amongst collectors, groundhoppers and traditionalists. The football programme remains an integral part of the matchday experience, but in a society that is far more technologically focused than ever before- and with printing costs on the rise- it may be that the electronic format gains in popularity. Last night, by the way, saw 132 text downloads from a gate of 300, plus a large number accessed via social media; far more, the club have explained, that they would have normally sold and at a fraction of the production cost.

Lewes FC Chairman- and Bostik League Board Member- Stuart Fuller is sympathetic to the move. ‘The e-programme potentially opens up a whole new world of opportunities, not only for the club but also for the reader. The ability to be able to add dynamic content is a huge opportunity- putting video with the programme, having a live score feed, making adverts interact the user (and thus making space more valuable to the advertiser) and being able to access it from the palm of your hand.’

The league has also allowed clubs who are hosting two matches in a week- a midweek and weekend fixture- to produce only one ‘double edition’ in an attempt to cut down on printing costs; and also to save the time of volunteers, who regularly struggle with the time pressures that come with having to fit their football commitments around family life and a full time job.

We’ll keep an eye on how both trials work out and report back at the end of the season.