Match Programs

This page is primarily an inventory of club and governing body produced **match programs**. It will also note changes in production, titles, and format.

At this stage this is very much a work in progress. Matches are presented in the order they were played in.

A **"YES"** with an embedded link means that the match program exists, and is linked.

A **"YES"** with no link indicates that a match program for that game exists, but has not yet been archived in a digital format.

An **"EXISTS"** indicates that a match program for that game was created - based on series numbering - but has not been seen by anyone working on this wiki. This tag is used for home games only.

A **"MAYBE"** indicates that a match program may exist for that game. In the case of opposition clubs, this appraisal is based on those clubs producing programs for other home matches of theirs.

A **"NO"** means that there was no program produced for that game.

A **blank space** indicates that it is unknown if a match program was produced for that game.

During the National Soccer League, it is assumed that most clubs produced programs in most years for league games. For finals matches and NSL Cup games, it is assumed that the governing body or league itself produced programs.

During South Melbourne's participation in the Victorian Premier League and later, National Premier League, as well as Dockerty and FFA Cups, most clubs did not produce match programs.

## 1965

In 1965 South Melbourne Hellas competed in the Victorian State League, Ampol Cup, Dockerty Cup, and Australia Cup. It is unknown if South Melbourne produced a match day program for this season. It is also unclear if any other clubs produced match programs for this season. A match program for the Australia Cup fixture against APIA was produced, currently the earliest extant match program involving South Melbourne.

## 1975

In 1975 South Melbourne Hellas competed in the Victorian State League, Ampol Cup, Dockerty Cup, and State League finals. It is unknown if South Melbourne produced a match day program for this season. It is also unclear if any clubs other than Ringwood City Wilhelmina produced match programs for this season.

## 1977

In 1977 South Melbourne began playing in the National Soccer League and the NSL Cup. It is unclear if South Melbourne produced a match program for this season, or how many other clubs produced match programs. It is also unclear if match programs were created for the National Soccer League Cup.

## 1978

In 1978 South Melbourne played in the National Soccer League, NSL Cup, and the end-of-season NSL Playoffs.

The club produced a bilingual match program, designated as a "souvenir programme". It is unclear if South Melbourne produced a match program for every home game for this season, or how many other clubs produced match programs. It is also unclear if match programs were created for the National Soccer League Cup.

## 1979

In 1979 South Melbourne played in the National Soccer League, NSL Cup, and the end-of-season NSL Playoffs.

The club produced a bilingual match program, designated as a "souvenir programme".

It is unclear if South Melbourne produced a match program for every home game for this season, or how many other clubs produced match programs. It is also unclear if match programs were created for the National Soccer League Cup.

## 1980

In 1980 South Melbourne played in the National Soccer League, NSL Cup, Ampol Cup, and Victoria Cup. It is unclear if South Melbourne Hellas produced a match program in 1980 other than the 21st anniversary booklet, though the 1981 season being labelled as "volume 5" implies that "volume 4" was released during 1981. It is also unclear how many of the other teams produced match programs during this season, and whether any match programs were created for the Ampol Cup, Victoria Cup, and NSL playoffs prior to the grand final.

## 1981

In 1981 South Melbourne Hellas played in the National Soccer League and NSL Cup. South Melbourne produced a match program in 1981, with the series being labelled as "volume 5"; the implication here being that volumes 1-4 were released between 1977 and 1980. While the available home produced programs and their numbering system indicates that there were programs made for early season home matches, it is unclear if the club produced programs for every home game.

It is also unclear how many of the other teams produced match programs during this season.

## 1982

In 1982, South Melbourne played in the National Soccer League, NSL Cup, and Ampol Cup. South Melbourne Hellas produced a match program, though it is unclear if it produced a match program for every home game. The sole extant South Melbourne produced match program for this season indicates that it was a bilingual production (Greek and English, with Greek dominating), mostly made up of advertisements. There is no indication on whether the club issued the program for free, or charged patrons.

In Sydney, it appears as if a combined match program was produced for all fixtures in that city on any given weekend. It is unclear if a program was produced for the Ampol Cup.

## 1983

In 1983, South Melbourne played in the National Soccer League, NSL Cup, and Ampol Cup. South Melbourne Hellas produced a match program, though it is unclear if it produced a match program for every home game. The sole extant South Melbourne produced match program for this season indicates that it was a bilingual production (Greek and English, with Greek dominating), mostly made up of advertisements. There is no indication on whether the club issued the program for free, or charged patrons.

In Sydney, it appears as if a combined match program was produced for all fixtures in that city on any given weekend. It is unclear if a program was produced for the Ampol Cup.

## 1984

In 1984 South Melbourne played in the National Soccer League, NSL Cup, Dockerty Cup, and Buffalo Cup. It is not clear if South Melbourne Hellas produced a match program in 1984, though it appears likely that it did not. It also appears likely that very few of South Melbourne's rivals in the NSL's Southern Division produced match programs in 1984. While teams from the Northern Division were more likely to produce a match program in 1986, South Melbourne did not play against many of those teams owing to the NSL's divisional system and fixturing for that season. It is also unclear if any match programs were produced for any of the cup competitions South Melbourne played in.

## 1985

In 1985 South Melbourne played in the National Soccer League, NSL Cup, Dockerty Cup, and Buffalo Cup. It is not clear if South Melbourne Hellas produced a match program in 1985, though it appears likely that it did not. It also appears likely that very few of South Melbourne's rivals in the NSL's Southern Division produced match programs in 1985. While teams from the Northern Division were more likely to produce a match program in 1985, South Melbourne did not play against any of those teams owing to the NSL's divisional system and fixturing for that season. It is also unclear if any match programs were produced for any of the cup competitions South Melbourne played in.

## 1986

In 1986 South Melbourne played in the National Soccer League, NSL Cup, Dockerty Cup, and Buffalo Cup. It is not clear if South Melbourne Hellas produced a match program in 1986, though it appears likely that it did not. It also appears likely that very few of South Melbourne's rivals in the NSL's Southern Division produced match programs in 1986. While teams from the Northern Division were more likely to produce a match program in 1986, South Melbourne did not play against any of those teams owing to the NSL's divisional system and fixturing for that season. It is also unclear if any match programs were produced for any of the cup competitions South Melbourne played in.

## 1987

In 1987, South Melbourne played in the National Soccer League, NSL Cup, and Buffalo Cup, and Dockerty Cup. South Melbourne Hellas produced a match program; though not certain, the numbering system for this season's program suggests that this was a resumption of production after some time not producing a match program. The numbering system also indicates that no match programs were produced for South's first home game, or for home NSL Cup matches.

It is also unclear if South produced a match program for every home game. There is no indication on whether the club issued the program for free, or charged patrons.

The Australian Soccer Federation produced a match program for the two legs of the NSL Cup final. It is unclear if a program was produced for the Ampol Cup. It is also unclear how many other clubs regularly produced match programs.

## 1988

In 1988, South Melbourne played in the National Soccer League, NSL Cup, and Buffalo Cup, and Dockerty Cup. South Melbourne Hellas produced a match program, with its format and numbering system lagely continuing off the previous season's efforts.

It is also unclear if South produced a match program for every home game. There is no indication on whether the club issued the program for free, or charged patrons.

The Australian Soccer Federation produced a match program for the finals series. It is unclear if a program was produced for the Buffalo Cup. It is also unclear how many other clubs regularly produced match programs.

## 1989

In 1989, South Melbourne played in the National Soccer League, NSL Cup, and Buffalo Cup. South Melbourne Hellas produced a match program, though for reasons which are unclear, the numbering system does not follow on from the previous season's numbering system, instead restarting at "volume 2".

It is clear that South did not produce a match program for every home game.This is likely at least in part due to the heavily condensed schedule, as part of the push to begin summer soccer the following season. There is no indication on whether the club issued the program for free, or charged patrons. It is unclear if a program was produced for the Buffalo Cup. It is also unclear how many other clubs regularly produced match programs.

## 1989-1990

In 1989-1990, South Melbourne Hellas played in the National Soccer League, NSL Cup, and Dockerty Cup. For this season, South Melbourne produced a match program, a simple four page production, following on from the same format as the previous two seasons, though it dispensed with a numbering system. The cost to consumers is unclear. It is unclear if match programs were produced for every home game.

It is unclear how many other clubs produced match programs.

## 1991-1992

In 1991-1992, South Melbourne Hellas played in the National Soccer League, NSL Cup, Dockerty Cup, and Buffalo Cup. For this season, South Melbourne produced a match program, a black and white production with full cover covers. It was an English language only production; the cost to consumers is unclear.

Most, if not all, of South Melbourne's rivals in the NSL also produced match programs for this season. It is unclear if match programs were produced for the various cup competitions South Melbourne played in this season.

## 2000-2001

In the 2000-2001 season, South Melbourne played in the National Soccer League.

During this season the match program continued as a full-colour production, titled *In Blue and White.* The numbering system was based around monthly issues, combining several home games. The program was produced by Venus Press and Andrew Pirchan, and edited by Peter Kartsidimas, Harry Georgatis. and Andrew Dye. The program was distributed for free.

It is not known if match programs were produced for every South Melbourne home game.

## 2001-2002

In the 2001-2002 season, South Melbourne played in the National Soccer League.

During this season the match program continued as a full-colour production, titled *In Blue and White,* with a numbering system beginning/restarting from "volume 1, issue 1". The program was apparently produced by a company called Big Picture Developments. The program sold for a price of $3.

Big Picture Developments ceased producing the program after three issues. The season's fourth issue (produced by Venue Press) consolidated three home matches into a single program, and was given the number order of "November Issue". It was given away for free.

The fifth issue of the year saw the program - now produced by Business Direct - changed in design, and once again numbered as "issue no.1", finishing the season with "Issue no.6".

## 2002-2003

In the 2002-2003 season, South Melbourne played in the National Soccer League.

It is unclear if South Melbourne produced a match program for every round.

During this season the match program continued as a full-colour production, titled *In Blue and White,* with a numbering system continuing on from the previous season. As with the second half of the previous season, it was produced by Business Direct, and was given away for free.

With the 2003-2004 season home program number beginning at "no. 18", and the most recent available program number in season 2002-2003 being "no. 16", two or three possibilities exist for "program no. 17"; first, that a program was produced only for round 21; second, that a program was produced only for round 25; third, that a single program was produced for both rounds 21 and 25.

It is unclear if Sydney United, Marconi, Parramatta Power, or Football Kingz produced a match program for this season.

## 2003-2004

In the 2003-2004 season, South Melbourne played in the National Soccer League, in what would be the competition's final season.

It is unclear if South Melbourne produced a match program for every game of this season, especially for games between rounds 10 and 21.

In the early part of the season the match program continued as a full-colour production, titled *In Blue and White,* with a numbering system continuing on from the previous season. Issue 18 was produced by National Business Direct (the producer of the match program for the previous one and a half seasons, but Issue 19 and Issue 20 were produced by Kosdown Printing, largely sticking to the template they inherited.

From round 10 however, apart from the cover pages, the program was printed in black and white, with a different template, with the abandonment of the most recently used sequential numbering system. The production of the program also went uncredited.

Throughout this season, the program cost was $1.

With the ongoing decline of the competition, its imminent dissolution, and the then unclear futures of several teams, it is not known how many other teams continued to produce match programs on a regular or even irregular basis.

## 2005

In 2005 South Melbourne began playing in the Victorian Premier League. The club produced a match program, titled *In Blue and White,* but it is not clear if it produced a match program for every match. It is also not known how many clubs produced match programs, or whether the governing body created match programs for the finals series.

## 2006

In 2006 South Melbourne played in the Victorian Premier League. The club produced a match program, titled *In Blue and White,* but its production was probably limited to one edition against Heidelberg, as this coincided with the visit of the Greek National Team to Australia, and to Lakeside Stadium in particular.

It is also not known how many other clubs produced match programs, or whether the governing body created match programs for finals matches other than the grand final.

## 2007

In 2007 South Melbourne played in the Victorian Premier League. The club produced a match program, titled *In Blue and White,* which was issued throughout the early part of the season, at no cost to the public. One assumes that production of the program was stopped due to cost cutting. The exception to this was a program produced for the mid-season friendly against Melbourne Victory; this program had a price point of $2.

It is also not known how many clubs produced match programs, though it is assumed that most did not.

## 2008

In 2008 South Melbourne played in the Victorian Premier League. The club produced a full-colour match program, titled *In Blue and White,* which was issued in two editions: the first covered home games for rounds 1-13, and the second issue covered home games for rounds 14-26.

## 2009

In 2009, South Melbourne played in the Victorian Premier League. The club produced a full-colour match program, titled *In Blue and White,* which was issued in just one edition, covering every home game.

## 2010

In 2010 South Melbourne played in the Victorian Premier League, and the Singapore Cup. The club produced a full-colour match program, titled *Inside South,* which was issued in just one edition, covering every home game.

## 2015

In 2015 South Melbourne played in NPL Victoria, FFA Cup, and the Dockerty Cup. The club produced a simple four=page, full-colour match program for two home matches, the first time the club had produced a match program of any sort since 2010. Distributed for free, the program did not have a formal title. As usual, most other teams did not produce a match program. Melbourne Knights may have produced a program, but it is not known for certain.

## Notes

1. ↑ Game abandoned due to unplayable weather conditions.
2. ↑ Replay of above game.
3. ↑ Single sheet which may or may not have doubled up as the match day program.
4. ↑ Single sheet which may or may not have doubled up as the match day program.
5. ↑ Carlton had folded after round 8, and it is thus naturally assumed that no match program was produced by Carlton for this fixture.
6. ↑ As Eastern Pride forfeited their final four games, it is not clear if a match program was produced for this game, especially as South Melbourne were producing programs based on a monthly instead of game-to-game basis.
7. ↑ Though the game was pre-emptively awarded as a forfeit to Knights, a program was produced for the game.
8. ↑ Produced, but never went to print.