PROGRAMMES, PROGRAMMES

OK, so these historic documents above aren't my copies but since the FA Cup is being contested this weekend, I thought a few record FA Cup football programmes might whet your appetite.
The images above show the programme for the 1882 Cup Final played at the Kennington Oval, between the Old Etonians and Blackburn Rovers, the first "professional" club to interfere with the gentlemanly dominance of the English Cup Finals from 1872. The Old Etonians had won or been in the final four times since the competition's foundation, with two defeats following two drawn games in 1875 and 1876 and then a victory in 1879 and another defeat to the Old Carthusians in 1881.

1882 was the last time that a gentleman amateur team made it to the Cup Final, as professionalism came to dominate English "senior" football. This programme sold for £30,000 In May 2013 and was bought by the Old Etonian Football Club and kept safe in the Eton College museum.

The 1901 Cup Final programme for the tie between Tottenham Hotspur and Sheffield United at Burden Park, Bolton Wanderers sold for £15,000.

My oldest FA Cup Final programme is the 1948 Final tie between Blackpool and Manchester United won by United 4-2. E-Bay prices range £30 (and more!)

In May 2006, Graham Budd Sporting Auctioneers sold  the 1889 FA Cup Final tie programme between Preston and Wolves for £19,000. Preston won 3-0.

At the same auctioneers in May 2012, the 1909 Cup Final "match card" for the Manchester United v Bristol City tie, played at the Crystal Palace was sold for £20,000. It was held together with sellotape and originally cost 1d (one penny in old money). United had also won the League Championship (top flight) in 1908 and met a City team ravaged by injuries, winning only 1-0. A year later United moved from their old ground at Clayton to Old Trafford. A. Turnbull scored the only goal.