Ticketless, he disappeared into numerous Edinburgh pubs in search of tickets, whilst we waited patiently outside for his return. It was so cold that at times I felt that the glass Coke bottle I clutched in my hand would freeze to it. It was during one of these icy vigils that an inebriated Welshman asked me how much I wanted for the leek I was holding in my other hand; the leek had travelled up to Scotland, precariously tied to the car aerial*. We settled on the princely sum of 50 pence and the rest as they say is history. It enabled me to buy my first rugby programme. Over 40 years later I have over a 1000 rugby programmes from across the globe; and a very understanding wife.
I’m not alone in my addiction or perhaps affliction. There are countless collectors out there who share my passion for programmes. The ‘Rugby Memorabilia Society’ boasts a thriving membership of collectors searching for that elusive programme. And some of these programmes are growing in value.
If you’ve got a mint Wales v New Zealand programme from 1905 then that would be worth £3000. For many it’s the Holy Grail of collecting with the game hugely important in the history of world rugby. But beware, pirate copies were made which are less valuable. British Lions programmes are also much sought after. A current auction sees programmes from the 1930 tour to New Zealand valued at between £500 and a £1000; but it is likely that they will go for much more. The 28 match tour saw the tourists travel as Britain rather than the Lions and would also see a first test victory in Dunedin. Victorious Lions tours are again popular with collectors, adding to their value. 1971 test programmes – the tour that made Barry John ‘The King’ – will fetch over £100; their value linked to the fact this was the first Lions team to defeat the All Blacks in a series.
Programmes from the 1974 tour to South Africa are even more valuable and these can set the collector back £300-400. With all these tours the diehard collector will try to complete sets – the joy of sets you might call it! – which can prove challenging if trying to get programmes from games in Fiji and Australia which traditionally bookended or opened these long tours.
Fast forward to the 1980s and Rugby World Cup programmes are also extremely sought after. The first tournament in New Zealand in 1987 saw only 3 programmes issued to cover the pool stages, knock out stages and final; paper team sheets were produced for each game. These programmes as a set are valued at between £300-400. The 1995 World Cup Final programme continues to grow in value especially mint copies; these are difficult to find as the programmes are notorious for their loose spines.
Unusually, the Final programme is an A4 size programme; the bane of the collector’s life as they don’t fit neatly into a bag. Some collectors by the way have been known to bring a stamp addressed envelope to games and pop their freshly bought programme in the post. The South Africa v New Zealand final is steeped in history – the Springboks’ first final win – with the iconic photos of Nelson Mandela and triumphant captain Francois Pienaar. When Wales win their first William Webb Ellis Trophy that programme will be priceless.
Moving to today’s game there are plenty of programmes with both interest and value. The 1910 game between Wales and France at St Helens, Swansea was the first Five Nations game between the two countries – the programme is valued at £500. Les Bleus would win their first game against Wales in 1928; their first in 16 games. A first win in Wales came in 1948, (a programme worth £50) – at Swansea – whilst a first win in Cardiff would come in 1958; a programme you can pick up for £14. The 1971 game saw Wales secure a thrilling Grand Slam at the Stade Colombes; a Gareth Edwards try followed a lung bursting break by JPR Williams. With their quirky covers these programmes are popular with collectors; the ’71 one is now worth up to £150.
The 1972 game would see Barry John’s last appearance for Wales; it’s not worth much but it’s in my collection because of the former point. I also have the 1976 programme between the two countries mainly because it’s a Grand Slam year and it’s the game that featured the JPR ‘tackle’ on J F Gourdon.
One of my most prized possessions is a signed 1978 programme from the Grand Slam deciding game between the old rivals. It was a steal at £15 on eBay; the online auction site is the first port of call for many collectors along with rugby memorabilia groups like ‘Rugby Relics’. The ’78 game was the last outing for legends Phil Bennett and Gareth Edwards and for me this is one of the great sides of the Golden era of Welsh rugby. These 70s programmes are the high point for pen portraits which provide a fascinating insight into the changing face of the game – 12 stone props, 10 stone fly halves and players with jobs as diverse as school master, doctor, steel worker and brewery representative.
Martyn Williams dives for the try line prior to his second try against France in 2005
Ten years later it would be France who would defeat Wales at a rain-sodden Cardiff; a game that saw a rejuvenated Welsh team fail in their quest for a Grand Slam. You’ll be able to pick these programmes up for little more than they cost at the time; the 1988 programme cost 60 pence. It would be another 17 years before Wales would clinch another Grand Slam. The stunning Welsh win in Paris in 2005 – a remarkable comeback involving two tries from Martyn Williams – means the programme is sought after and I paid £30 for mine. Williams had also scored in the game in Cardiff in the previous year.
This was a game I took my father to repaying the favour some twenty years later – Wales lost 29-22. The programme has little monetary value but for collectors like me it’s not just about this. It’s also about the memories that the programmes evoke. I’ve been very fortunate to go to numerous international games; I’ve precious memories from them all linked to the programmes. None more so than that first one back in 1983 and the Welshman who bought my leek outside the Roseburn Bar near Murrayfield.
John Lovell – also known as The Rugby Bore @BoreRugby – tweets regularly about his collection of rugby programmes
*The aforementioned Welshman proceeded to eat the leek, asking if I had any salt and pepper.
