The biggest programme fair of the year outside of London takes place on Friday 28th December 2012 when the annual Greater Manchester Programme Fair is staged at the Cresta Court Hotel, Church Street, Altrincham, Cheshire WA14 4DP 11am – 3pm.
A lazy and copy & paste from a recent email to hit the TNS office server. I would have attended for sure but due to “the family” I won’t be spending & browsing my pocket money/christmas bonus.
Over the last 10 years the event has typically attracted 200/250 collectors which apart from the two big London fairs, is the biggest fair attendance in the UK. The number of dealers exhibiting is exceeded only by the Premier programme fair in London each June and given the relatively easy access from all parts of the North of England and North Wales I would urge all collectors to make the effort to come along.
As well as adding to your collection and chatting/putting faces to the names of the dealers, the fair represents an excellent opportunity to meet fellow collectors for a chat/swop/drink etc… The hotel has a bar or alternatively the town centre is just a few minutes walk.
I have listed the participating dealers below (in no particular order) with a brief stock summary.
Wayne Fitton – New exhibitor Wayne has been waiting patiently for a few years now for a stall vacancy to materialise. Man Utd a speciality including figurines, busts, books plus some Stanley Matthews memorabilia too.
John Holroyd – The Welsh Grimsby supporting resident of Scotland ‘Auckinleckian’ on the programme forum will bring a welcome International flavour to the event on his debut appearance! John offers a vast selection of vintage football memorabilia beautifully presented.
Crewe Club shop – Neil Hassall and Harold Finch present a fine selection of current season programmes plus a variety of older items with the Alex an obvious strength!
Sporting Past times – Alec Bohannan makes a welcome return to the event. Specialist in all types of vintage football memorabilia including medals, caps, menus, tickets and a fine range of old programmes,
Stewart Roberts – Bradford City expert Stewart offers a wide variety of programmes including current season. Other football memorabilia stocked too with Subbuteo a particular speciality!
AP Programmes – Based in Halifax, Andrew Pinfield not only specialises in his local club but ALL teams in the North of England from pre-war onwards.
PM Publications – Former Programme Monthly editor and co-organiser of this event John Litster offers his vast array of PM back issues plus the recent editions from the new publishers too. Stockist of bespoke programme binders, football history books and a selection of programmes from his huge archive.
Gary Maguire – Trading as ‘Toys and Hobbies’ Gary offers a wide range of football programmes and memorabilia.
Ruth Crawshaw – Long established Bolton specialist Ruth is without a shadow of doubt Wanderers foremost collector and supporter. Simply a legend!
Soccer History – Editor Ian Nannestad offers the latest edition and also back issues of this high quality quarterly magazine devoted to the heritage of our national sport.
Tom Roe – Fine selection of antique football memorabilia with a strong North-West bias.
Mick Hewitt – Yorkshire’s largest dealer, Mick offers a huge selection of programmes with a particular emphasis on his beloved Leeds United.
Terry’s badges – One of the UK’s leading football badge specialists
footballprogrammes.com – represented by fair co-organisers Elaine and David Allen. Over 1,500 excellent condition 1960s programmes available at £2 each, over 500 European Competition programmes same condition, same price. Magazines, bargain bundles, Non League PLUS a fine range of vintage programmes, comprehensive current season, firsts & lasts etc… Something for everyone at this stand!
Colin Boulter – East Midlands based Colin has been involved in football programmes for well over 40 years now. Great stock boxes of all the local clubs and bargain bundles a particular strength.
John Dee Football Collectables – John and Teresa offer an excellent selection of programmes covering all aspects of the hobby from pre-war onwards.
Barry Swash – West Midlands based Barry aka Bazzabaggies on the forum offers a wide array of vintage programmes and memorabilia from pre war to the 1960’s.
Sportingold – Proprietor and keen City fan Chris Williams represents the hobby’s largest auction house. Pick up a catalogue, browse some straight sale antique stock, enquire about buying/selling at future auctions etc…
AB Programmes – Ipswich Town scout Alan and his wife Wendy probably exhibit at more fairs than any other dealer in the Country. Alan is a regular face on the auction scene too. Varied stock with Ipswich a particular speciality.
David Johnson – Lincolnredman on the forum. Always a well stocked stall. Lincoln City, Liverpool and general football memorabilia etc…
Elmo Books – Emil and Karen make the long trip up from East Sussex to offer a huge selection of football and other sports titles from pre-war right up to date.
Football Sports Auction – The UK’s fastest growing football memorabilia auction house. Andy Lane expanded his operation by adding a Lincoln auction to his empire in 2012 and no doubt has more exciting plans for 2013.
We all look forward to seeing you at the fair!
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