Celebrating 125 Years

Portsmouth FC’s anniversary programme revival

The brief

Portsmouth Football Club, founded in 1898, is one of only five clubs in England to have been champions across all four professional tiers. To mark its 125th anniversary, the Pompey History Society wanted a definitive, limited-edition publication to celebrate the club’s rich history and connect with supporters.

The aim was to produce a coffee table book that would serve as a keepsake for fans, capturing the club’s legacy while celebrating its stories, players, and iconic moments. The publication needed to combine historical detail with engaging visuals to resonate with supporters for years to come.

Portsmouth FC lifting the FA cup in 1939

Our approach

How we approached the project from understanding the client right through to the campaign execution. Hover your mouse over the flip tiles below to learn more.

Portsmouth FC 125 Anniversary year match day programme cover designs

Digging into the Archives

We began with in-depth research into Portsmouth FC’s visual history, exploring past programme designs from key moments such as the post-war championship years. This helped us identify the design cues, typography, and imagery that defined the club’s visual identity across decades.

Champion programme for last game of the season

Crafting a Collectible Series

Across the 2023/24 season, 24 unique matchday programmes were produced, each celebrating a different chapter in the club’s history. From the design of the covers to the feature layouts inside, every detail was considered to capture the spirit of the era it represented.

Multiple spreads from the Portsmouth 125 book that showcases the grid system utilised for the book.

Designing with Heritage in Mind

Each programme reimagined classic elements from historic issues — retro typefaces, bold layouts, and iconic photography — balanced with contemporary touches to suit today’s audience. The result was a collection that felt timeless yet modern, appealing to both long-standing fans and younger supporters.

Pull out poster which featured all the 125 year anniversary programme covers for the season

Delivering on Detail

We paid close attention to consistency and production quality, ensuring every issue stood out both visually and physically. The series culminated in a special pull-out poster featuring all programme covers from the season — a fitting tribute to a landmark year.

“The Graphic Design House breathed new life into Portsmouth FC’s matchday programmes during the club’s 125th anniversary season, resulting in record sales and delighted supporters… The programmes will become a cherished keepsake, capturing the essence of Pompey’s rich history in what has become an incredible season for the football club.”

Matthew Barker
Head of Marketing
Portsmouth Football Club

Social comments and feedback on the programme

Results & next steps

The 125th Anniversary collection became a huge success, achieving record matchday programme sales and overwhelmingly positive feedback from supporters. Each design not only celebrated the club’s heritage but also became a cherished memento of a milestone season.

The series captured the emotion, pride, and nostalgia that define Portsmouth FC — connecting generations of fans through design that honoured the past while looking confidently to the future.

Following the success of the anniversary season, we continue to explore new opportunities with Portsmouth FC. Future collaborations may include special edition publications, digital content, and commemorative materials — all designed and produced in-house to continue celebrating Pompey’s proud legacy.

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