Football’s Golden Age
Captured in Print
Matthew Caldwell and Alan Dein’s *One Shilling: The Football Programme Design Revolution of 1965-85* is a loving tribute to a golden era of football and a stunning showcase of graphic design history. Caldwell, renowned for founding @1_shilling and his design work at Monday Nights, brings a designer’s eye and deep appreciation for forgotten football ephemera. Alongside him, Alan Dein—a seasoned oral historian and dedicated collector—infuses the book with a collector’s passion and a nuanced sense of nostalgia, creating a work that is as informative as it is beautiful.
The book stands out for its meticulous documentation of classic programme covers and layouts from more than forty clubs, offering a visual feast that both football aficionados and design enthusiasts will treasure. Caldwell and Dein’s careful curation is evident on every page, from the watercolour brilliance of Torquay United’s 1973/74 programme to evocative photographs by Peter Robinson that capture the matchday atmosphere of decades past. As Dare Radio raves, it’s “hard to believe...how fabulous Torquay United’s programme looked...making quite a splash,” and the entire collection serves as a “super read” for anyone pining for the days of programme sellers and matchday rituals.
Central to *One Shilling* is the story of John Elvin—the visionary designer who revolutionised football programme aesthetics by breaking conventions, experimenting with typefaces, and using photography in bold new ways. Caldwell and Dein not only chronicle Elvin’s legacy through in-depth portraiture and interviews with his contemporaries but also explore the broader cultural and visual influences that shaped the era. Their work, as Best of British magazine notes, is “a war cry in times of digital gen...to honour the past and look to the future”, reminding readers of the enduring value of print design in a digital world.
Whether you’re a lifelong collector with hundreds of programmes or simply curious about the marriage of football and design, this book is a must-have. *One Shilling* is, as On Magazine puts it, “a work of art that deserves to be on the coffee table of any discerning football fan—or lover of all things artistic.” Caldwell and Dein have masterfully given recognition to a previously untold chapter in sporting culture, making this a groundbreaking and visually stunning addition to any collection.
Why Soccer Programmes Are a Good Investment
Soccer programmes have become a smart investment for collectors and fans alike. Unlike mass-produced memorabilia, each programme is a unique time capsule—capturing the teams, players, and cultural quirks of a specific match day. As football’s popularity has soared, rare programmes from historic games or milestone events have only grown in value, often fetching impressive sums at auction. Beyond the financial rewards, they offer something priceless: a tangible link to the past, filled with stories, adverts, and line-ups you won’t find anywhere else. Collectors know that as clubs evolve and digital replaces print, these physical programmes will become even scarcer. Whether you’re after the thrill of the hunt, the joy of nostalgia, or the hope of future profit, investing in soccer programmes is a way to own a piece of the game’s living history—a small, paper window into football’s soul. ~ The Soccerbooks Team
ROYAL MAIL TRACKED 48
Published: January 29, 2024
Price: £19.99
ISBN-10: 1801508887
ISBN-13: 978-1801508889
Hardback: 224 pages
Dimensions: 250 x 246 mm