Home 5 By Solution 5 Design for Print 5 Portsmouth FC: 125 Programme Design

Celebrating 125 Years: Portsmouth FC’s Anniversary Programme Revival

The Client

Portsmouth Football Club (PFC), commonly referred to as Pompey, is a historic football club based in Portsmouth, Hampshire, England. Founded in 1898, Portsmouth Football Club has a rich heritage and a passionate fanbase. The club has experienced significant highs and lows throughout its history, including winning the English Football League First Division (now the Premier League) twice in the late 1940s and securing two FA Cup victories, with the most recent triumph in 2008. Known for their blue kit and strong community ties, Portsmouth FC continues to be a beloved institution in English football, striving to climb the ranks and regain its former glory.

As they prepared for their 2023/24 League One season, the club stood on the brink of celebrating a monumental milestone— their 125th anniversary. This iconic moment in the club’s history presented a unique opportunity to honour its rich legacy through a series of commemorative matchday programmes.

The Opportunity

This anniversary provided a rare moment to deepen the connection with supporters by blending nostalgia with modern design, celebrating the club’s history while engaging a new generation of fans.The task was clear: create matchday programmes that not only paid tribute to the club’s storied past but also captivated the current fanbase, transforming each issue into a cherished keepsake for the 125th anniversary season.

“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.”

Matthew Barker
Head of Marketing
Portsmouth Football Club

Pull out poster which featured all the programme covers for the season

Our Approach

The team at The Graphic Design House started with extensive research into Portsmouth FC’s archival materials, focusing on programme designs from key milestone years, such as 1949 when the club was the champion of England. This deep dive into the archives allowed us to understand the visual and cultural significance of past designs.

Design Concept: We reimagined and revitalized these classic designs by incorporating retro typography, iconic imagery, and layout styles from different eras. The goal was to ensure that each programme reflected the essence of the club’s history while maintaining a contemporary appeal. This approach allowed us to create a design that resonated with both long-time supporters and newer fans, blending tradition with modernity.

Execution: The design process involved meticulous attention to detail, ensuring that each programme was a unique celebration of a different era in the club’s history. From cover to cover, every element was crafted to evoke a sense of nostalgia while also feeling fresh and relevant to today’s audience.

Results

The outcome was the creation of 24 unique matchday programmes for Portsmouth FC’s 2023/24 League One season, each meticulously designed to celebrate the club’s 125th anniversary. These programmes honoured different eras of the club’s history, blending iconic past designs with modern elements.

The response was overwhelmingly positive, leading to record sales and widespread appreciation from supporters. The programmes became more than just a matchday essential—they were cherished keepsakes, capturing the essence of a memorable and historic season for the club.

By connecting emotionally with the fans through these designs, we helped PFC strengthen its relationship with its supporters during a significant milestone year.

Next Steps

Following the success of the anniversary season programmes, we are exploring opportunities to expand our partnership with Portsmouth Football Club. Future collaborations could include special edition publications, digital content strategies, and other commemorative materials utilising our in-house printing services that continue to celebrate the club’s rich heritage while engaging fans in new and innovative ways.