The Programmes – 1923/24

The 1923/24 season is a brilliant one to explore through programmes because it captures football settling into its inter-war rhythm: packed fixture lists, strong regional identities, and a matchday print culture that was becoming more familiar (and more collectible) with every year. This page pulls together a lively cross-section of the campaign, mixing top-level league football with cup drama, representative fixtures and a few memorable oddities that give the season its character.

You’ll spot early-season issues such as Chelsea v Aston Villa and Arsenal v West Ham, alongside fixtures that show just how wide the collecting net can be — from Portsmouth’s programme trail (including Exeter and Newcastle) to Sheffield United v Middlesbrough and a variety of clubs appearing across the calendar. There’s also a poignant reminder that programmes can preserve more than just line-ups and adverts, with the Newark v Notts Forest item linked to the tragic story of Ernest Ironmonger.

As the season builds, the selection moves into the fixtures that always draw collector interest: representative matches like England v The Rest and Scottish League v English League, plus major internationals including England v Scotland. And, sitting over everything, there’s the FA Cup narrative — from the semi-final programme through to the 1924 Final itself, complete with a “pirate” edition that hints at the demand and atmosphere around Wembley-era showpieces.

Browse this page as both a reference and a time machine: each programme is a small, tangible slice of 1923/24 football culture.