NWM Football

* * * NEW STOCK ALERT * * *

It doesn't get much better than good condition programmes in bound volumes - so we were delighted when these dropped into our lap recently.

Indeed, it's not the first time we've had some of these, but once again we can offer some full sets of Ipswich Town home programmes in smart club binders. The gent from whom we obtained these said they had come to him from a lady who worked in the Club offices at Portman Road.

The run starts at the very peak, 1980-81, arguably the greatest season in the Club's history. With Liverpool being off the pace for once, Ipswich battled with Aston Villa for the League title. No European football and early Cup exits - one ironically at the hands of Ipswich in the F.A. Cup 3rd round - meant Villa played 20 games less than their Suffolk rivals, and eventually claimed their first Championship since 1910. Villa Park was also the setting for Ipswich's F.A. Cup exit, Manchester City skipper Paul Power ending their run with a majestic semi-final strike. However, there was more than ample consolation, a 5-4 aggregate win over AZ67 Alkmaar in the final bringing the UEFA Cup to East Anglia.

It was another close call in the League in 1981-82, with Liverpool's late run at the end of the season again consigning Ipswich to the runners-up spot. The Reds had also blocked Ipswich's route to Wembley, beating them in the League Cup semi-final. Perhaps a bigger though not entirely unexpected disappointment came in the summer of 1982, with Bobby Robson taking the England job following Ron Greenwood's retirement after the World Cup

From then on it was a case of steady decline at Portman Road. A further League Cup semi-final in 1985 was bad enough, but it was compounded by being at the hands of rivals Norwich. The fall was completed twelve months later with the drop back in to Division Two for the first time since 1968, and try as they might for an instant top flight return they fell short in the new play-off semi-final in 1987.

This run of programmes covers all those seven seasons from 1980-81 to 1986-87. Prices are £25 set from 1981-82, with the thirty-three programme UEFA Cup winning set of 1980-81 priced at £30. Full details of what's in each set are listed http://www.nwmfootball.com/complete-season-sets/ipswich-town-sets/ here. Don't forget that when you buy more than one set at a fair or market, we discount each set you buy by £5 - you can take advantage of this offer on Sunday when we join Go East Vintage for the second day of the Wapping Great Flea !

Well, we got away with it ! One shower around 2pm, but thankfully other than that a dry late summer's day.

So that's our third visit to The Greenwich Vintage Market this month done & dusted. As always our thanks to the management & fellow stall holders for their company and hospitality.

Next up - it's the WAPPING GREAT FLEA, hosted by Go East Vintage. We'll be there on SUNDAY. More info later in the week.

Will we be lucky ? Is the weather going to be kind ? We'll have to keep🤞and wait & see !

Anyway, we're back in SE10 for a bonus day at The Greenwich Vintage Market - we'll just let the photos speak for themselves.....

* * * EVENT UPDATE * * *

"Open the gates, let us back in !"

True to their word, our friends at The Greenwich Vintage Market have advised that a stall has become available this weekend.

So.......THIS SUNDAY......30th August, we'll be back in SE10 - we'll see you there !!!

Well, that's a wrap from SE10.

We'd like to take this opportunity to thank the management at The Greenwich Vintage Market for accomodating us on several occasions during the summer (not forgetting our fellow stallholders without whose company our days wouldn't be anywhere near as enjoyable).

At present the GVM is fully booked out well into the autumn - good news for them, not so good news for us ! But we have advised them of a handful of Sundays which would be of interest to us should a stall become vacant....so fingers crossed.

As things currently stand our next event is Sunday 6th September (gulp ! September ??? Already ?) when we join Go East Vintage for the second day of their "Wapping Great Flea" at Wapping Hydraulic Power Station. More details to follow nearer the time.

* * * EVENT UPDATE * * *

Incredible as it seems, we're edging towards the end of summer - and what a magnificent one it has been. The real bonus was being able to attend some "all-weekenders" hosted by Go East Vintage.

Of course, now the football season is up & running, all our Saturdays (and no doubt a few Sundays) are once again tied up for the next nine months. But we're also looking forward to making plans for autumn and the run-up to Chri.....to Chri.....to Christm.......no, it's FAR to early to even think about, let alone write it.

As well as Programme Fairs, the occasional select Antique Fair, and hopefully the odd trip over to The Greenwich Vintage Market [a reminder that we're there this Sunday - August 23rd] we'll be aiming to get to a few events hosted by Go East over the autumn. And we're pleased to confirm that they're able to accommodate us on the Sunday at their next "WAPPING GREAT FLEA". If you've not visited us over at the Wapping Hydraulic Power Station, you've missed an absolute gem from London's industrial heritage, apart from perusing our stock and the other wonderful stalls which will be in attendance.

So..... a reminder - Sunday 6th September, The Vintage & Antiques Weekender at Wapping Power Station.

* * * SPECIAL ITEM ALERT * * *

We're all familiar with the football related freebies produced by Esso in the early 1970's, and for our money, the best item was the foil badge set produced at the start of Season 1971-72.

A large foldout card carried spaces for the crests of 76 British clubs, with details of their honours & history listed beneath them. A starter pack of badges was available to buy, and then you'd be given a couple of random badges when you stopped for petrol. Wet your finger, run it across the back of the badge to activate the glue, and apply it to the relevant space on the cars. Eventually you'd be left with a beautifully colourful set of badges.

Although there are still a fair number in circulation, they are not as sturdy as the 1970 World Cup and 1972 F.A. Cup coin sets, so are harder to find in perfect condition. We are therefore delighted that we've found one not just in good condition but framed, so not only is it in perfect shape now, it will remain so for ever !

Naturally this magnificent framed set of 1971 Esso Foil Badges is only available to buy/collect in person at a fair or market. We'll have it with us at The Greenwich Vintage Market this coming Sunday (August 23rd). Transfer fee required - £50.