Post by QPR Report on Mar 9, 2010 9:32:54 GMT
Football League
SHORTLIST IN FOCUS: PROGRAMME
Posted on: 09.03.2010
The 2010 Football League Awards take place on Sunday 14th March and all this week in the build-up to the prestigious ceremony we will be focusing on those in contention to receive awards on the night. Here we run down the list of those programmes selected by the judges as being among the best around.
CSi SPORTS BEST MATCHDAY PROGRAMME
JUDGING CRITERIA:
In this category the judges were looking for excellence in design, use of imagery, editorial, features, innovation and value for money for match programmes from the 2009/10 season.
SHORTLIST:
BURTON ALBION ('ALBION'):
Burton Albion's debut season in The Football League has seen them produce a unique and excellent programme. The stand out characteristic of 'Albion' for the judges was the new small square design and layout. The glossy look and feel of this season's programme further compliments the unique shape. Not only does the programme appear to be more aesthetically pleasing but there is much more editorial content than ever before. With high quality regular contributors and costing only £2.50 this programme really is good value for money. Overall, the judges found Burton Albion's programme to be right up there among the best around and a really impressive effort, especially as the many of the contributors are working purely on a volunteering basis.
HUDDERSFIELD ('GIVE US AN H'):
It is clear to see that Huddersfield have invested a lot of time and effort into their programme 'Give us an H'. Real improvements have been made in design and feel as it in fact looks and feels more like a football magazine rather than a traditional club programme. The quality of photography is fantastic this season with in - house photography alongside bespoke specialist photography. Furthermore, it is interesting to see a wider variety of historical content as well as more issue based editorials on current talking points for features and articles. At a £3 pegged price, 'Give us an H' proves to be great value for money given it is now a far superior product with over 100 pages of content. It is also excellent to see how Huddersfield have put a great deal of effort into improving the availability of their programme in the run up to a match through concession based arrangements with local supermarkets and shops in Huddersfield, Wakefield, Dewsbury and Halifax. Overall it is a really striking programme that is different to anything else around and one that made a big impression on the judging panel.
MIDDLESBROUGH ('REDSQUARE'):
Middlesbrough have gone square with their match day programme and the design was a real hit with the judges. They were especially impressed though with the high quality printing and well written articles by national newspaper journalists. One thing that also stands out is the significant away team information. The contributors have conducted interviews with away team representatives and it is refreshing to see a programme that does not just 'cut and paste' away team information. As well as an attractive redesign, 'Redsquare' has clearly approached the content in the programme from the viewpoint of what the fans would enjoy reading which has resulted in extended player profile features and more fan news. Middlesbrough have put together a great programme this year and have achieved their clear objective of appealing to all sections of the club's supporter base through providing interesting and wide ranging reading material - overall a programme thoroughly deserving of being in contention to be named the best there is.
NOTTINGHAM FOREST ('FOREST'):
Nottingham Forest's match day programme 'Forest' was regarded by the judges as being a very high quality product with impressive design and outstanding editorial content. The judges enjoyed seeing interviews with away players from the past which shows good planning form the editors having the relevant people interviewed for specific games. Nottingham Forest are particularly proud of their eight page pull out section which they incorporated into the bright, modern design at no extra cost. One of the stand-out characteristics of this programme is that there are numerous interesting articles coving a wide spectrum of the clubs activities such as a selection of player features, articles dedicated to the community and young supporters. Keeping in mind that this programme is written and edited by just two people with limited outside contributions they should be commended for working so effectively to produce an outstanding product.
PRESTON NORTH END ('THE ONE AND ONLY'):
Preston North End have this season managed to improve on what was an already excellent programme. They had a major overhaul of design, content style and name and consulted fans over these to create what is an even more desirable programme. By increasing the number of pages by 25 and including three times as many pictures together with increased content and contributors from outside the Club they have created a compelling read which showcases the wide ranging content extremely well indeed. The research that they conducted during the summer months has paid dividend as their findings that blogs and good content were important to the fans has resulted in a much improved programme. One new addition is a fold out cover which Preston North End are particularly proud of as it is useful to display images on the cover itself and on the inside which has allowed them to rebrand successfully as 'The One and Only'. A programme that just gets better and better.
ROTHERHAM UNITED ('MILLERS'):
The judges found Rotherham United's 'Millers' match day programme of excellent quality. A nice variety of front covers using new design and attractive artwork help to make it among the best around. The eight new feature articles which have run throughout the season including, 'Player in Focus', 'Next Up', 'League 2 Review', 'Club Connections', 'News and Views' sections and a new dedicated fans pages as well as a 'Where Are They Now' feature have all contributed to what has been a far improved programme with regards to content. Rotherham are also succeeding at producing a match day programme that is better at marketing the community activities delivered by Rotherham United Community Sports Trust and the regular meeting with community staff helps to ensure that the good work they do is promoted through the match day programme. All of this combines to make a great read for Millers fans that really caught the eye of the judges.
Sc**tHORPE UNITED ('THE IRON'):
Sc**thorpe United has made a concerted effort to make their programme more interactive this year and the judges were quick to pick up on this. With 20 different volunteer writers, a Face in the Crowd competition, and a weekly interview with an overseas fan to name a few, it would seem that Sc**thorpe have made a real effort to fulfill their objective. The pull out collector and increased Junior Iron coverage has also made their programme appeal to wide ranging ages. The judges were pleased to see a family message promoted throughout the programme as there are contributions ranging from junior fans to the club management. Increased historical content, detailed coverage of the reserve and youth teams and lots of meaningful statistics are features that have gone down well with their fans. Furthermore, 14 extra pages of content and adopting more of a magazine format has resulted in 'The Iron' becoming a top flight worthy match day programme and a real contender.
SOUTHEND UNITED ('THE BLUES'):
Southend United have improved the quality of their programme by switching to a superior binding style and silver foiling on their brand new front cover designs. The judges instantly noticed how this has created a look which is of fantastic quality and significantly improves the aesthetic impression. It is great to see that 'The Blues' has included more detailed coverage of the opposition with extra statistics and individual player information. The judges were glad to see a programme which includes a limit on the number of adverts included, which, in turn, has resulted in new and improved features and articles in each edition. For example, the 'Where Are They Now' features looks at what former players are now doing, and has been one of the highlighted sections from the fans' feedback survey. Overall, the judges felt Southend United have produced a great programme yet again this year and one all Blues fans should be proud of.
www.football-league.co.uk/flawards/news/20100309/shortlist-in-focus-programme_2246530_1987870
SHORTLIST IN FOCUS: PROGRAMME
Posted on: 09.03.2010
The 2010 Football League Awards take place on Sunday 14th March and all this week in the build-up to the prestigious ceremony we will be focusing on those in contention to receive awards on the night. Here we run down the list of those programmes selected by the judges as being among the best around.
CSi SPORTS BEST MATCHDAY PROGRAMME
JUDGING CRITERIA:
In this category the judges were looking for excellence in design, use of imagery, editorial, features, innovation and value for money for match programmes from the 2009/10 season.
SHORTLIST:
BURTON ALBION ('ALBION'):
Burton Albion's debut season in The Football League has seen them produce a unique and excellent programme. The stand out characteristic of 'Albion' for the judges was the new small square design and layout. The glossy look and feel of this season's programme further compliments the unique shape. Not only does the programme appear to be more aesthetically pleasing but there is much more editorial content than ever before. With high quality regular contributors and costing only £2.50 this programme really is good value for money. Overall, the judges found Burton Albion's programme to be right up there among the best around and a really impressive effort, especially as the many of the contributors are working purely on a volunteering basis.
HUDDERSFIELD ('GIVE US AN H'):
It is clear to see that Huddersfield have invested a lot of time and effort into their programme 'Give us an H'. Real improvements have been made in design and feel as it in fact looks and feels more like a football magazine rather than a traditional club programme. The quality of photography is fantastic this season with in - house photography alongside bespoke specialist photography. Furthermore, it is interesting to see a wider variety of historical content as well as more issue based editorials on current talking points for features and articles. At a £3 pegged price, 'Give us an H' proves to be great value for money given it is now a far superior product with over 100 pages of content. It is also excellent to see how Huddersfield have put a great deal of effort into improving the availability of their programme in the run up to a match through concession based arrangements with local supermarkets and shops in Huddersfield, Wakefield, Dewsbury and Halifax. Overall it is a really striking programme that is different to anything else around and one that made a big impression on the judging panel.
MIDDLESBROUGH ('REDSQUARE'):
Middlesbrough have gone square with their match day programme and the design was a real hit with the judges. They were especially impressed though with the high quality printing and well written articles by national newspaper journalists. One thing that also stands out is the significant away team information. The contributors have conducted interviews with away team representatives and it is refreshing to see a programme that does not just 'cut and paste' away team information. As well as an attractive redesign, 'Redsquare' has clearly approached the content in the programme from the viewpoint of what the fans would enjoy reading which has resulted in extended player profile features and more fan news. Middlesbrough have put together a great programme this year and have achieved their clear objective of appealing to all sections of the club's supporter base through providing interesting and wide ranging reading material - overall a programme thoroughly deserving of being in contention to be named the best there is.
NOTTINGHAM FOREST ('FOREST'):
Nottingham Forest's match day programme 'Forest' was regarded by the judges as being a very high quality product with impressive design and outstanding editorial content. The judges enjoyed seeing interviews with away players from the past which shows good planning form the editors having the relevant people interviewed for specific games. Nottingham Forest are particularly proud of their eight page pull out section which they incorporated into the bright, modern design at no extra cost. One of the stand-out characteristics of this programme is that there are numerous interesting articles coving a wide spectrum of the clubs activities such as a selection of player features, articles dedicated to the community and young supporters. Keeping in mind that this programme is written and edited by just two people with limited outside contributions they should be commended for working so effectively to produce an outstanding product.
PRESTON NORTH END ('THE ONE AND ONLY'):
Preston North End have this season managed to improve on what was an already excellent programme. They had a major overhaul of design, content style and name and consulted fans over these to create what is an even more desirable programme. By increasing the number of pages by 25 and including three times as many pictures together with increased content and contributors from outside the Club they have created a compelling read which showcases the wide ranging content extremely well indeed. The research that they conducted during the summer months has paid dividend as their findings that blogs and good content were important to the fans has resulted in a much improved programme. One new addition is a fold out cover which Preston North End are particularly proud of as it is useful to display images on the cover itself and on the inside which has allowed them to rebrand successfully as 'The One and Only'. A programme that just gets better and better.
ROTHERHAM UNITED ('MILLERS'):
The judges found Rotherham United's 'Millers' match day programme of excellent quality. A nice variety of front covers using new design and attractive artwork help to make it among the best around. The eight new feature articles which have run throughout the season including, 'Player in Focus', 'Next Up', 'League 2 Review', 'Club Connections', 'News and Views' sections and a new dedicated fans pages as well as a 'Where Are They Now' feature have all contributed to what has been a far improved programme with regards to content. Rotherham are also succeeding at producing a match day programme that is better at marketing the community activities delivered by Rotherham United Community Sports Trust and the regular meeting with community staff helps to ensure that the good work they do is promoted through the match day programme. All of this combines to make a great read for Millers fans that really caught the eye of the judges.
Sc**tHORPE UNITED ('THE IRON'):
Sc**thorpe United has made a concerted effort to make their programme more interactive this year and the judges were quick to pick up on this. With 20 different volunteer writers, a Face in the Crowd competition, and a weekly interview with an overseas fan to name a few, it would seem that Sc**thorpe have made a real effort to fulfill their objective. The pull out collector and increased Junior Iron coverage has also made their programme appeal to wide ranging ages. The judges were pleased to see a family message promoted throughout the programme as there are contributions ranging from junior fans to the club management. Increased historical content, detailed coverage of the reserve and youth teams and lots of meaningful statistics are features that have gone down well with their fans. Furthermore, 14 extra pages of content and adopting more of a magazine format has resulted in 'The Iron' becoming a top flight worthy match day programme and a real contender.
SOUTHEND UNITED ('THE BLUES'):
Southend United have improved the quality of their programme by switching to a superior binding style and silver foiling on their brand new front cover designs. The judges instantly noticed how this has created a look which is of fantastic quality and significantly improves the aesthetic impression. It is great to see that 'The Blues' has included more detailed coverage of the opposition with extra statistics and individual player information. The judges were glad to see a programme which includes a limit on the number of adverts included, which, in turn, has resulted in new and improved features and articles in each edition. For example, the 'Where Are They Now' features looks at what former players are now doing, and has been one of the highlighted sections from the fans' feedback survey. Overall, the judges felt Southend United have produced a great programme yet again this year and one all Blues fans should be proud of.
www.football-league.co.uk/flawards/news/20100309/shortlist-in-focus-programme_2246530_1987870
