Search Launched For Old Programmes

Evo-Stik Premier League outfit Marine have announced an appeal to the public to donate old football programmes from the 1960’s and earlier in an attempt to boost funds for their planned improvements of the Arriva Stadium.

Programmes for football league Clubs especially Everton and Liverpool have a resale value in the second hand market and proceeds from the sale of these will go directly into the development fund to help pay for new floodlights and a stand due to be installed in the summer of 2012.

Old Marine programmes covering games against football league clubs are also included in the search and especially Club officials are looking for an original programme of the amateur cup final between Marine and Dulwich Hamlet played at West Ham’s ground in 1932 in front of 22,000 fans.

Programmes can be passed into the Clubrooms any evening after 6:00pm or handed into the club shop on match days to supporter’s committee member and programme expert Mike Jepson who is heading the search.

Marine Chairman Paul Leary said; “This is a real novel and interesting way to raise desperately needed funds for our stadium improvements. I am appealing to the public to search out their programme piles in the attic or under the stairs and if they find a programme from the 1960’s or earlier donating it to Marine could be a real boost to our building fund. The ace in the pack would be to get an original programme for the 1932 Dulwich Hamlet game but Marine played Everton and Liverpool many times in the 1940’s 1950’s and 1960’s in the Liverpool Senior Cup and any programmes from those games would be of real interest.”
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The club have also announced admission prices for their four pre-season home friendlies against, Tranmere Rovers, Accrington Stanley, a Wigan Athletic XI and an Everton XI will be reduced to £5 Adults and £3 for concessions and admission will be on an all pay basis. Marine entertain Tranmere Rovers on Tuesday 19th July, Accrington Stanley on Tuesday 26th July, an Everton XI on Saturday 30th July and a Wigan Athletic XI on Tuesday 2nd August. The Tuesday games kick off at 7:30pm and the Saturday game kicks off at 3:00pm.

Leary said; “The staging of these friendly games, against such quality opposition, will provide our manager Kevin Lynch with a real opportunity to see how the squad is developing in readiness for the new season. It is great for our fans to see these top teams visit the Arriva Stadium and I would like to thank them for agreeing to the fixtures. We have worked hard during the summer resulting in the pitch and stadium facilities looking superb and I look forward to welcoming the officials, players and fans of all four clubs as they too plan and prepare for another new season.”